In the first half of 2026, I have read or listened to 55 books. This number does not include the books that moved to the DNF (Did Not Finish) quickly, and readers, there have been quite a few of those this year. Remember: not every book is for you, or the timing may be wrong.
A few books earned a 5-star rating. Today I am sharing those along with how I read them.
Fantasy
- Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
- March 2026 by Macmillan Audio
- 12h 41m
- Audiobook
In this debut, readers experience a very different Cinderella story told by the “evil” stepmother. Trigger warnings: domestic and sexual abuse
Historical Fiction
- The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
- May 2026 by Spiegel & Grau
- 656 pages/28h and 44m
- Hardcover and audiobook
The author of The Help made readers wait 17 years for her sophomore novel, and it was worth the years-long wait. The story follows a young woman trying to save her family and an 11-year-old girl trying to survive in 1933 Mississippi. The audiobook narrators are amazing, especially Meg. Trigger warnings: child abuse and bigotry
Literary Fiction
- The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
- April 2025 by Random House Audio
- 8 hrs and 36 mins (narrated by 14 narrators)
- Audiobook
I expected to read an epistolary novel with my eyes, but the audiobook was recommended over and over again. Despite those recommendations, I had the e-book just in case, but never opened it. The main character, Sybil Van Antwerp, and her letters will long live in my memory.
Trigger warning: child death
Memoir
- Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones
- April 2025 by HarperOne
- 240 pages/8h 36m (Narrated by the author)
- Hardcover and audiobook
The owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Georgia and host of “From the Front Porch” shares personal essays about returning to your hometown and finding adventure where you least expect it.
Romance
- And the Crowd Went Wild (Chicago Stars #11) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
- February 2026 by Avon
- 347 pages/10h 8m
- Digital e-book and audiobook
SEP returns to our favorite NFL team, the Chicago Stars, in a second-chance romance between the star quarterback and a (in)famous actress. Trigger warning: sexual assault
- How Not to Fall in Love by Karla Sorenson
- April 2026 by Montlake
- 348 pages
- Digital e-book/Kindle Unlimited
A quarterback falls first for a single mom. I loved Archer and Remi. The cast of secondary characters and shelter dogs brought some comic relief to a very emotional love story.
Romantasy
- Rites of the Starling (Shield of Sparrows #2) by Devney Perry
- April 2026 by Entangled: Red Tower Books
- 468 pages/17h and 22m
- Digital e-book (Kindle Unlimited) and audiobook
“I need a moment.” I typed those words in my reading journal after the last page. Perry continues epic world-building and returns to Calandra, where Odessa and Ransom’s story continues. Two new characters are introduced, and holy plot twist! The multiple POVs add so much to the story.
Look for books at Knox County Online Library or your local independent bookstore each week.
Linda Sullivan is an avid reader and wants to inspire you to become one, too. For more recommendations or to talk books, reach out to her at thebookwhisperertn@gmail.com. She can also be found @thebookwhisperertn on Instagram.
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