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Must-Read Books February 2026 |
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| The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. BellIn this "stellar debut" (Publishers Weekly), Lilian Delaney is an apprentice bookbinder in 1901 Oxford working at her widowed father's failing bookshop. When she's given a burned book by a customer, she finds a cryptic 50-year-old love letter hidden beneath the binding that speaks of murder. Drawn into the story, Lily looks for other books by the obscure author, discovering she's not the only one after them. Read-alikes: Jess Armstrong's Ruby Vaughn mysteries, starting with The Curse of Penryth Hall. |
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The Astral Library
by Kate Quinn
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
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| Murder Your Darlings by Jenna BlumCaught between an impending book deadline and a sudden, intoxicating romance with a famed novelist, Sam Vetiver is pulled into a world where charm masks danger. As a stalker closes in and bodies surface, shifting viewpoints reveal a sharp, darkly funny plot about trust, ambition, and the perils of desire.
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Read Between the Lies
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
In this claustrophobic psychological suspense from USA Today bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto, the line between victim and villain blurs with every chapter. Because in the end, everyone has their own version of the truth—but only one will make it onto the page.
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This Is Not About Us
by Allegra Goodman
Sharply observed and laced with humor, This is Not About Us is a story of growing up and growing old, the weight of parental expectations, and the complex connection between sisters. A big-hearted book about the love that binds a family across generations.
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| Simultaneous by Eric HeissererGrant Lukather, agent of the elusive federal department known as Predictive Analytics, teams up with Sarah Newcomb, a past-life hypnosis therapist, to embark on an investigation into a bizarre killer who crosses time, space, and consciousness. The Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Arrival brings a mind-bending science fiction thriller that will draw in fans of The Glass Woman by Alice McIlroy and Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer.
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| Snake-Eater by T. KingfisherIn search of a fresh start after leaving her emotionally abusive fiancé, cash-strapped Selena heads to the small desert town of Quartz Creek, Arizona to stay at her late aunt's abandoned home. But not all is as it seems in Quartz Creek, as she soon discovers she's being watched by the same malevolent creature who targeted her aunt. Fans of dark fantasy/horror hybrids will want to check out this suspenseful and atmospheric latest from bestselling author T. Kingfisher.
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| The Hitch by Sara LevineOpinionated Rose Cutler is excited to watch her six-year-old nephew Nathan and feed him vegan food while his parents vacation in Mexico. But things go bad when Rose's Newfoundland dog kills a corgi at the park, leading Nathan to proclaim the corgi is actually alive, its soul melded to his own. As Nathan acts strangely, Rose wonders if he might be right in this darkly humorous, offbeat tale. For fans of: the author's Treasure Island!!!; Melissa Broder.
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| It Should Have Been You by Andrea MaraWhen a new mother mistakenly shares a private complaint with her whole neighborhood, tensions escalate into violence and shocking deaths. What begins as a minor misstep spirals into a web of betrayal and fear, exposing the fragility of trust and showing how quickly social media can upend seemingly ordinary lives. For fans: of Lisa Jewell and B.A. Paris.
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| How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigleyGrowing up in 1980s Wyoming as Reagan rules and the tabloids follow Charles and Diana's engagement, sisters Georgie and Aggie face racism as the only Brown kids around. Then, when their uncle and his family leave India and move in with them, the sexual abuse starts. The girls blame the abuse on various things as they plot to kill their uncle in this inventive short debut novel featuring magazine-style quizzes. Try these next: Essie Chambers' Swift River; Betty by Tiffany McDaniel.
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| The Summer War by Naomi NovikFurious at her beloved brother for leaving home, musically gifted Celia had no way of knowing her childish curses at him would doom him to a life without love. Celia desperately searches for a way to undo her mistake, until she uncovers a centuries-old secret about the immortal beings known as the summerlings. For fans of: magical curses, suspense, and in-depth worldbuilding as found in The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara.
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A Killer in the Cordgrass
by Brian Thiem
Brian Thiem, drawing from his experience as a former detective and cold case investigator, crafts a suspenseful story perfect for fans of Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club and Only Murders in the Building. Dive into Spartina Island’s dark underbelly, where retirement dreams turn into deadly nightmares, and age is just a number in the pursuit of justice.
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The Wandering Queen
by Claire Heywood
An epic and fiercely imaginative retelling of the story of queen Dido, the legendary founder of Carthage, from the author of the national bestseller Daughters of Sparta.
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The Crown's Silence: The Hidden History of the British Monarchy and Slavery in the Americas
by Brooke N. Newman
A groundbreaking history examining the British royal family's centuries-long involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, from Queen Elizabeth I to the present. Brooke N. Newman investigates how the monarchy profited from and helped perpetuate slavery and racial injustice, shaping the foundations of the modern British Empire and the Atlantic world.
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| Polar War: Submarines, Spies, and the Struggle for Power in a Melting Arctic by Kenneth R. RosenJournalist Kenneth R. Rosen's compelling debut blends science writing, travelogue, and geopolitical analysis to detail how the Arctic could become the site of a new cold war, with Russia, China, and America all vying for control of the complex region. Try this next: So You Want to Own Greenland? Lessons from the Vikings to Trump by Elizabeth Buchanan.
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| Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Carson EllisThe traditional fairy tale about a magical trickster -- and the woman who outwits him -- gets a fresh take in this retelling. Quirky humor gives the text a contemporary edge, balanced by medieval-inspired illustrations in deep, rich hues. For fans of: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, another fairy tale remix by author Mac Barnett |
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| The Swan's Daughter by Roshani ChokshiAlthough Demelza was born without wings, she is part veritas swan and thus can discern people’s true intentions. Using her gift to help the cursed prince who needs to find true love could mean sacrificing her power forever. Read-alikes: Jessica Khoury’s The Forbidden Wish; Elizabeth Lim’s A Forgery of Fate.
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Soccerology: Supercool Facts You Never Knew
by Kevin Sylvester
Uncover everything you never knew about the beautiful game in this full color, illustrated soccer compendium--from the science of a perfect backspin to soccer heroes who changed the sport forever.Colorful illustrations, fun infographics, and supercool trivia reveal all about the most popular sport in the world. Written by former sports broadcaster and award-winning children's book author and illustrator Kevin Sylvester, Soccerology is a book about the Beautiful Game like nothing else!
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| The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker; illustrated by Jon KlassenIn Nazi-occupied France, soft-hearted orphan Lucas discovers that small acts of courage, like helping his new friend Alice protect her beloved horse, can lead to bigger ones, like helping the Resistance. With realistic characters and growing suspense, this hopeful historical story will grab all kinds of readers.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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