Read Like Me!: 2026 Reading Goals
Photo taken at Chicago Public Library’s Rogers Park Branch
With AI taking over, there is a boom to return to a more analog lifestyle in 2026 — or at least intentionally seek out digital content that encourages growth over “brain rot.” Making time for leisure reading is a great step in resisting marketing strategies that feed off of “taking the thought out” of our daily lives. After all, a beautiful part of the human experience is deep thinking, sorting through the “mess” of life to find the meaning. What better way to stay connected with our humanness than through reading?
Below is a list of books I read in 2025 for ideas of what to read next. Here’s to more reading, more thoughtfulness, and more gathering over the love of books in 2026!
Reads of 2026
There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Hanif Abdurraqib’s There’s Always This Year is part love letter to basketball, part memoir, part poetry. Abdurraqib relates the importance of the sport to the Black community with many topics. A few include: found family, legacy through sports, believing in wins while in poverty, the hypercritical view of successful Black men, and more. Abdurraqib shares raw personal accounts such as experiencing homelessness in a beautifully open writing style. Abdurraqib speaks to the betterment of a community through a shared love of sport.
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney is a thrilling ride. A husband and wife – a writer who cannot recognize the differences in faces, even his wife’s, and an animal shelter worker – detail their relationship through letters. The characters are forced to confront problems when the wife wins a getaway trip. An unexpected twist leads to a chilling realization.
Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: A quick, fun read! The first book in the Brown Sister Series, Get a Life, Chloe Brown, is a fun delight. Chloe Brown and her superintendent Redford “Red” are a classic enemies-to-lovers pair. Both characters are healing respectively from less-than-great relationships. Managing balancing chronic pain with “getting a life,” Chloe’s priorities change when she realizes she may be ready for love again.
Rating: ⭐⭐ & 1/2
Review: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang follows a couple who is set up in an arranged marriage. One has nothing to lose and the other wants absolutely nothing to do with the arranged marriage. The charm of the narrative lies in Esme learning Khai is autistic and how to navigate their interactions – and budding feelings for each other. More dramatic irony, like Esme’s search for her father, lends itself to an interesting read. This is the second book in The Kiss Quotient series, and I haven’t read the others yet – so readers, feel free to read out of order!
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Davis
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Freedom is a Constant Struggle is a compilation of the wise, informative, and moving speeches of activist Angela Davis. Davis champions the importance of fighting for injustices everywhere in the world as they are all connected. Davis speaks of valuing leaders of Civil Rights movements, however, she implores the witnesses not to make the leaders into unreachable “heroes.” Instead, Davis encourages the reader to look at movements as what they are – collective change. Davis urges readers and those who listen to her speeches to further understand and believe in the importance of our actions and our activism efforts.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Their Eyes Were Watching God is a must-read Classic. Exploring Feminism through the Black Southern lens, Their Eyes is a moving story about a journey of self-discovery of the Black female main character, Janie. Stories centering Black women were few and far between in 1937 making Their Eyes a rarity. The dialect Hurston uses is so well-studied and well-crafted. The descriptive passages are beautifully lyrical. A relationship between an older woman and a younger man, colorism, and more is explored in a raw manner with heart. Janie has the feel of a modern character – written well before her time.
Take A Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: The second book in the brown Sisters Series, Take a Hint, Dani Brown, is a fun and sweet exploration in learning vulnerability. The fake relationship-turned-real is a familiar ride. Seeing two characters with hard exterior shells soften around each other is a treat.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: The conclusion of the Brown Sisters Series is an enemies-to-lovers and falling for the boss love story. This fluffy bed and breakfast romance is one romance readers won’t want to miss this! The heart of the narrative is in the two main characters' explorations of navigating social interactions as neurodivergent people. Eve’s bubbly and sassy personality foils Jacob’s no-nonsense and guarded personality. The perfect easy, cozy read.
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: Sweethand by N.G. Peltier is an enemies-to-lovers treat that takes place in Trinidad and Tobago. Cherisse is a successful baking company owner whose mother will not give her a break when it comes to dating. Kieran is a music producer who gets under Cherisse’s skin, and he has since they were young. The unlikely pair are forced to work together for Cherise’s sister and Kieran’s best friend’s wedding. Heavy on the spice as well as fun, this story leads to an unexpected romance baked to perfection.
A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ & 1/2
Review: A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley is a “second chance romance” joy. August Hodges is a football player and cupcake baker at Sugar Blitz. Sloane Dell is a social media manager seeking employment. The two had an undeniable connection but missed their chance when August tried to stick out a romance with his high school sweetheart – which ultimately failed. Full of emotional and meaningful flashbacks, spice, and more hard-hitting themes like combating toxic masculinity and exploring gentrification, A Legend in the Baking is a dessert of a romance novel. The substantial messages folded into the narrative is the icing on top.
Attached by Amir Levine, M.D., Rachel Heller
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How to Find – and Keep Love is a compelling read for any adult craving to evaluate their past, present, and current relationships. Examples and anecdotes are given to frame the studies of different attachment styles. The book champions how to make relationships of various combinations – between Anxious, Avoidant, and Secure attachment styles – work. Attached reminds the reader that even those without a Secure attachment style may aim to be a more Secure partner through self-awareness and various techniques.
Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ & 1/2
Review: Looking for a read that feels like a binge-able dramatic TV series? Look no further. Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop is a wedding love story – but not of the bride and groom. The wedding is set in Tulum, between Amerie Cross and Arnold Hightower but the real romance is between Janelle Cross, maid of honor sister, and Rome Martin, best man best friend. From a spicy start on the dancefloor to sweet, secluded time together reading – yes, reading! – Janelle and Rome’s blooming romance is hotter than Tulum’s climate.
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Do opposites truly attract, or are conflicting companions barking up the wrong tree? Pardon my Frenchie by Farrah Rochon follows a “grumpy x sunshine” dynamic that readers will fall for within the first few pages. Ashanti Wright, a bubbly dog daycare owner and dog treat maker meets Thaddeus Sims, a surly former army officer who wants nothing to do with dogs. As if there couldn’t be more tension between the two, Thaddeus buys a building to flip into a sports bar – the same building Ashanti wanted to level-up her doggy daycare. Fond of social media influencer pets and bantering-turned-flirting? Pardon my Frenchie is the perfect “puppy love” read for dog and romance lovers alike.
Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Kiki Banjo is a quick-witted and feisty podcaster at Whitewell University – and one of the most interesting modern characters I’ve read in a while! From her reads of the male sex to quippy name-calling like, “Erykah Ba-don’t,” this main character carried Bolu Babalola’s slow burn romance, Honey and Spice. While set in college, post-grad readers will not feel polarized but, instead, invited in to either reminisce or imagine a college experience different from their own. Both Afro-Caribbean and British, funny, and smart, Honey and Spice gives readers a taste of the college lifestyle in a story that follows not only romantic relationships but female friendships too.
When I Think of You by Myah Ariel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: When I Think of You is a second chance romance full of drama, spice, and a reminder to not give up on dreams.
Kaliya and Danny have the lights, camera, and action to be a film buff power couple – but there are many obstacles before a big Hollywood-esque “happily ever after.” From retracing college years to exploring the ups and downs of the film industry, this debut novel is equal parts romance and drama. Danny’s film retelling his parents’ love story is very When Harry Met Sally – plus touching on his mother's experience with racial discrimination. The drama doesn’t feel orchestrated but instead true-to-life which is refreshing. When I Think of You covers differences in class and racial privileges amongst characters in a realistic way.
Although I wished for Kaliyah to have more agency as well as more opportunities to see her and Danny’s romantic dynamic outside of strife, it was still a fun and grabbing read.
The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest
Rating: ⭐⭐ & 1/2
Review: Kristina Forest’s The Love Lyric is a low-stakes forbidden romance – music to a fluff reader’s ears! Iris, a single mother working at a beauty company, doesn't think she will love again after her husband’s passing. Enter the so perfectly named Gospel-turned-Pop R&B singer: Angel. Where does the forbidden romance come in? Angel happens to be the beauty company’s new cosmetics influencer. A reader who likes fuzzy feelings without conflict will love this read like a love song. The scenes where Angel writes songs for Iris? Totally swoon-worthy.
The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: My co-worker recommended The Book of (More) Delights to me and this book is just that – a delight. Ross Gay speaks on social issues in a way that is infused with light, positivity, and humanity. Gay’s ability to paint vivid pictures capturing stories – or “delights” – from his everyday life ranges from true delightful stories to hard-hitting realities. For example, from musings on how much a human can adore a dog to “how expensive they make it to be poor” and that “the rich write the laws so they don’t have to break them to steal from the rest of us.”
I did not read the first Delights book but will definitely return to Gay’s writing. Gay’s work does not shy away from the harsher life experiences that people of color face. Yet, he also focuses on the “people” part of the phrase “people of color.” Gay’s writing does not allow for the humanity of people of color to become overshadowed by trauma and struggle like some works. Life is written so beautifully raw through Gay’s lens.
Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: This Fantasy novel is deliciously quirky and female-driven. Each character in Nettle and Bone is artfully created, infused with personality that is original and honest. There are even fairy godmothers involved, but the plot is not childish, covering adult themes like domestic abuse and miscarriage due to such. This fairytale reminds adult readers that the Prince is not always the hero and that royalty often has a dark side. The mood and tone of the book shifts from an ominous exposition to niche humor and a dash of romance as the cast of characters grows. If you are not already an avid Fantasy reader, Nettle and Bone is a great place to start!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: A thought-provoking contemporary read. This book will be studied in English classes for sure, exploring how much a modern woman still gives up to become a mother.
The narrator’s changing state of mind from concerned to accepting to empowered on becoming a werewolf – yes, becoming a werewolf – is a thrilling ride. The protagonist, “The Mother,” leaves her art job to be a stay at home mom. The Mother shoulders taking on more parenting than her husband, feeling as if she doesn’t belong in the “mom crowd,” judgement from her odd behavior from her husband – until it improves their sex life, and more.
Like Han Kan’s The Vegetarian, the story explores one woman’s feeling of confinement in society and her descent into madness through a mystical transformation. Also like The Vegetarian, I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the latter. The ending fell a bit flat for me, but I still recommend a read over a skip on Nightbitch.
Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up by Naya Rivera
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Naya Rivera’s memoir is full of life lessons for any reader. Similar to Gabrielle Union’s We Are Going to Need More Wine, this guts and glory memoir gives a look behind the veil of a beautiful and successful actress. Rivera shares her messy coming-of-age years just like any other woman. Rivera covers her identity as a multi-racial actress, struggling with the emotions of her abortion, and more. Glee was just a job to her and the other performers, the show simply one scene in the acts making up their lives. Naya Rivera passed away in 2020, however, she leaves an inspiring legacy for young women to look up to, her shared life narratives setting an example for other young women to take charge of their lives and be “sorry not sorry.”
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: Lore of the Wilds is a fantasy that would interest any young bookworm as, beyond some spice folded in, the book reads much like a Young Adult novel.
Twenty-one-year-old Lore Alemeyu makes a deal with a Fae lord to trade labor in a library for the well-being of her village. Along her journey – which includes a magical journal – she meets a cast of fanciful characters: potential lovers, friends, and enemies. Tonally, the book swings back-and-forth from cozy to traumatic, so if a reader expects to remain oriented on one overall feeling, Lore of the Wilds challenges that expectation.
While the commentary on class disparities and collective history would have been an interesting concept to explore, there isn’t a payoff strong enough for this reader to continue the series. That said, there may be a reader out there who would like to continue learning the lore of the fantasy realm alongside Lore.
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: An escape into fall feels! Part low-stakes mystery and part romance, the main character of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, Jeanie, embarks on a reinvention of herself from “Old Jeanie” to “New Jeanie.” She moves to a small town, Dream Harbor, to take over her Aunt Dot’s coffee shop. The “Grumpy and Sunshine” romance trope is alive and well in love interests Logan and Jeanie. Readers who look for a hurt-then-comfort dynamic will enjoy watching Logan learn to love again as well as Jeanie learn to run her new cafe and manage a budding romance along the way.
The mystery of the possible “ghost” was predictable but fun – although the noisy culprit was rarely found near the end of the story which was somewhat disappointing. The bigger looming mystery mirrored this with an anticlimactic resolve. Beyond those pitfalls, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe offers Hallmark-esque fall feels and some spice – a beginner adult romance reader’s spice level.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Kennedy Ryan’s first installment of the “Hoops” series has romance and drama set against the backdrop of the NBA.
Long Shot is a trauma-to-triumph story. Iris is a woman whose last goal is to echo her mother’s reliance on a man for survival, but she ultimately succumbs to this due to an unexpected pregnancy. Even while with another man’s child, she cannot forget the electric night with a man in a sports bar – who happens to also be her boyfriend’s rival on the court. While reading, I wish we had gotten a few more stolen moments with August and Iris that were sweet – as well as the steamy stolen moments we got. However, I understand the plot could only allow for so much interaction between the two with a lurking antagonist involved to remain realistic. Which – this story definitely feels real.
Readers will benefit from noting the domestic and sexual abuse warnings for Long Shot from a male character who is not in the “end game” couple. The scenes of abuse are graphic and described in detail, causing the reader to worry about the well-being of Iris often and adding to the tension through the rising action. For romance readers willing to read through paint to lead to redemption, this is the perfect next read for you.
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Review: I read Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights out of order, after the continuation, The Book of (More) Delights. It was interesting to see Gay’s first go at the practice of finding “delights” — a daily practice in writing daily logging a one-off positive experience and/or notable contemplative train of thought for the day. By reading Gay’s life accounts, a reader may be inspired to reevaluate how they navigate their own day-to-day routine and to become more reflective. The exercise in discovering daily “delights” is a kind of mindfulness, and Gay’s writing of this mindfulness practice does masterfully. I specifically enjoyed a passage speaking on how, contrary to how the Black experience is portrayed in media, Black peoples’ lives are not innately correlated with suffering, and the “goodness” in each of us remains, even in trying times. As a Black person, reading delights written by a Black person is a joy within itself, which we all need more of.
Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood by Trixie Mattel and Katya
Rating: ⭐⭐
Review: I rounded out a year of reading with this audiobook by RuPaul’s Drag Race season 7 fan favorites Trixie and Katya. I’m sure the audiobook doesn’t capture what the physical book would which most likely holds stunning glamour shots and visual comedy, aiding in selling the humor in physical “guide” form. Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood falls short of the lovable magic and chaos of Trixie and Katya’s improvisational and tangential speech-filled YouTube series UNHhhh in a structured format like a book. Even so if you’re a fan of the duo, it’s worth checking out — but it’s probably best to put a hold on the actual book at your local library!
2026 Reading Goals
In 2025, I didn’t get into Sci-Fi, Mystery, or Horror quite like I’d hope but that’s okay! I stayed strong on Romance reads, checked off some Classics, and mixed in a handful of Non-Fiction books.
As for 2026? Simple. I’m looking forward to continuing my love for reading in the New Year — just following joys and interests like breadcrumbs from read-to-read. I finished 26 books in 2025 and upped my goal to 30 for 2026.
Thanks for reading, and don’t be shy to connect! Shoot me a message if you read one of my 2025 reads. I’d love to know what you thought. Maybe even try joining or starting a book club! As a leisure reader pursuing professional writing one day, my love for the written language will never end. But more importantly the community found in a shared love for a character, writing style, or deep soul-tie understanding of stories? There’s absolutely nothing like that.
What are your reading goals? Comment below, and remember that reading is joy, self-care, and resistance all-in-one.