March 2026 Books

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, volumes 5-7 by Beth Brower - I love this little series, and you will note that there are currently only 8 books published. I am maybe going to wait to read book 8 until I know when book 9 is coming. Then again, I said I was going to slow-roll the watching of the new season of Bridgerton and that didn't go well either.

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn - This was such a departure from her other books, it's almost like someone challenged her to write a fantasy novel. I didn't hate it but it wasn't my favorite of her books. I prefer the historical fiction.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page - Oh, I loved this sweet, uplifting, and lovely book. I liked the characters and the storytelling, and I was pleased that it ended mostly the way I expected.

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo - A dark story about a young secretly-Jewish woman in Inquisition Spain - and she has magical powers that take her farther than she expects to go. I'm not exactly sure what the point of htis book was. And I was so curious as to how it would end that I kept going. ((Shrug))

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King - A semi-historical tale about a magical pencil company. I liked the historical parts and the overall question of how do we tell our stories - and who OWNS our stories. 

One and Only by Maureen Goo - I read this book after The Familiar and the Pencil Company and I had to giggle at my series of "books about ancient magic." The magic was less central in this one and the love story (both falling in love with a partner, and also with her own family, self, history) was sweet. 

This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman - Whew, this family was tough on each other. I appreciated the various points of view and the lovely Jewy-ness of the family that pervaded the story. I don't think I liked all the characters but I do think this one will make an interesting book discussion!

Keeper of the Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson - Oof, this was a good one! I didn't know about this particular episode in history and the telling was excellent. Even though I had a pretty good idea of how the story lines were going to come together, I was so satisfied with the ending. 

Where I've been...

February 2026 Books
January 2026 books 

February 2026 Books

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibert - I read the first in this series of linked books about a set of sisters, and I really liked this one. I especially liked the British cursing haha. A sweet story.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore - I basically described this as the "romance novel version of The Eights" and so it was perfect.

The Red House by Mary Morris - a poignant World War 2 story about Jews in Italy. The book discussion group really liked talking about this one. It raised some good questions about what makes something a "Jewish story"

Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun - I liked this romance and it made me want to add the Camino de Santiago to my travel bucket list!

Don't Feed the Lion by Bianna Golodryga and Yonit Levi - I think this book is important and would be an interesting parent/kid discussion book. I was a little confused by where in Chicago they were. Good story, relevant and readable.

The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods - a tiny bit of magic but a good story that highlighted a little of the Roma experience during WW2. Love a good mixed up family drama, romance, and bakery story!

Read Between the Lies by Jesse Q Sutanto - It reminded me a little of YellowFace but had its own twists and I liked it. This author has such a good range of books and I haven't been disappointed yet!

Life, and Death, and Giants by Ron Rindo - I am sure this will be one of my favorites of 2026. What a remarkable, sad, uplifting, sweet, loving story. I read this in one sitting and was so deeply enmeshed in this tale of how a community comes together around one child. 

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, volumes 1-4 by Beth Brower - I'm totally in love with this series, as you can see, I read the first four of them this month. They're delicious, delightful, quirky.....like Bridgerton meets Gilmore Girls. 

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - I resisted this one because climate novels give me nightmares, but I can see why so many people listed this as a 2025 favorite. It was dark and sad, but also hopeful and full of love. 

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden - a little twisty, very layered, and a deep question about how we reckon and atone for a dark past...looking forward to discussing this one with my group too!

What You Are Looking For is In the Library by Michiko Aoyama - Loved this interwoven set of short stories all revolving around a community-center library and a group of people trying to find themselves...and of course, books save the day!

Where I've been...

January 2026 books 

January 2026 Books

January reading is usually so much fun because I'm reading all the "best of" books from the year before! What a great month of reading...considering the darkness of the world around us right now, I'm grateful for the escape into fiction...

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan - this was on most of the "best of 2025" lists and it was a great first read of 2026. I loved this historical fiction that really swept through historical events as they came to this small Ohio town. 

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild - whew, this was not what I expected and I also couldn't put it down. After the shocking first chapter, I did think it was a little predictable but it ended just how I thought it would and should.

The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden - a sweet story about a young woman who has an internet cooking show and a family olive farm in Italy. It made me want to eat pasta, it kept my interest, but overall was mostly forgettable.

The Eights by Joanna Miller - Loved this story about some of the first women to be full-fledged students at Oxford. Each of the women has a war story background and it was fascinating. A little long but worth it! 

Game Changer by Rachel Reid - I had to see what the fuss was all about and let's be real - I love romance novels and this was a fine example of that. I don't plan to read the rest of the series. (PS the cover that is in my goodreads is quite scandalous but I left it in)

The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony - Loved this look at a particular incident in Irish history. I honestly didn't need the modern story that alternated, I was totally taken with the historical element. 

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown - A really good one lifting up lots of good questions about technology and how technology impacts us and how family is chosen and loved. It wrapped up a little too neatly but I couldn't put it down!

Violet Thistlethwaite is Not A Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz - I am a sucker for stories about magical plants. A sweet and silly cozy fantasy/romance - perfect for a cold winter day!