|
|
|
|
Must-Read Books January 2026 |
|
|
|
| Huguette by Cara BlackA teenage Huguette, ill-treated by her father and others, survives the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. During the lawless aftermath, she assists a famous film director and deals in black market material. Fans of the author's acclaimed Aimée Leduc mysteries set in contemporary Paris will appreciate meeting her grandfather, a kind cop who helps Huguette, in this compelling standalone tale. Read-alike: Pam Jenoff's Last Twilight in Paris. |
|
| And Then There Was You by Sophie CousensHoping to impress her more accomplished classmates (including her former best friend, film director Sean Adler) at her ten-year college reunion, stuck-in-a-rut Chloe Fairway joins an exclusive dating service to secure her perfect plus-one. Rob is everything she could have dreamed of...but he’s a robot. Will her fake romance lead to real love? For another witty and heartfelt romance with speculative elements, try Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer. |
|
| Made You Look by Tanya GrantA glamorous influencer getaway in the Catskills turns lethal when a blizzard cuts off cell service and traps the group together. As egos clash and hidden scandals erupt, one guest ends up dead -- and more violence follows. With no escape, the entourage realizes the killer is likely one of them. For fans of: Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley. |
|
| When the Fireflies Dance by Aisha HassanOn the edge of Lahore, Pakistan, seven-year-old Lalloo's family lives in modern indentured servitude, making bricks by hand. When his brother is murdered, Lalloo is spirited away by his father to be a mechanic's apprentice. As Lalloo grows, he makes friends and saves money, wanting to free his parents and sisters in this slow-burn, haunting debut that examines grief, hope, and family love. For fans of: Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. |
|
| Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. JamalReady to lose her virginity, 27-year-old journalist Stella Johnson tags along with her best friend to a sex club, where she has a sizzling meet-cute with Max Williams. After she gets cold feet and flees, Stella is shocked to learn that Max is none other than the CEO of a tech company her workplace is partnering with -- and that his penchant for using AI means Stella's job may be on the chopping block. Try this next: How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin. |
|
| Best Offer Wins by Marisa KashinoFormer journalist Marisa Kashino’s debut is a darkly comic thriller about the ruthless Washington, D.C. housing market. Desperate to secure her dream home and start a family, Margo Miyake’s obsessive pursuit escalates from awkward charm offensives to manipulative, violent schemes. Sharp, satirical, and chaotic, the novel explores millennial anxieties, material obsession, and the extremes of ambition. |
|
| The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie LeongNovice mage Certainty Bulrush wants to be useful to the Guild, but her lack of power hasn't made it easy for her to keep up. When she is assigned to work with chronic overachiever Aurelia, the two of them form an unlikely bond moving magical artifacts -- and may learn that magic is stronger when shared instead of hoarded. For fans of: queer romantic fantasy with charm and whimsy, such as Maiga Doocy's Sorcery and Small Magics or Rebecca Thorne's Can't Spell Treason Without Tea. |
|
| Silent Bones by Val McDermidIn 2025 Scotland, a motorway landslide unearths the body of investigative journalist Sam Nimmo, who'd gone missing 11 years ago just after his girlfriend was murdered. In their compelling 8th outing, DCI Karen Pirie of Police Scotland's Historic Cases Unit and her team dig into the case that has ties to Scottish Independence, gambling, and Edinburgh's The Scotsman Steps. Try these next: Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae mysteries; Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan novels. |
|
| Paper Chase by Julia Donaldson; illustrated by Victoria Sandøy When Ginger's paper airplane collides with James' book under the tallest tree in the forest, it kicks off a friendship full of joyful, imaginative play. This endearing story in verse also depicts how trees become paper, and how natural resources should be used respectfully. |
|
| Xolo by Donna Barba Higuera; illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson In Aztec mythology, the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl gets the credit for reviving humanity after their destruction. But in this eye-catching and emotional graphic novel, dog-headed Xolotl (god of lightning, misfortune, and death) proves himself as the real hero. For fans of: underdog characters and bright, bold artwork. |
|
| There's Always Next Year by Leah Johnson and George M. JohnsonOn New Year’s Day, influencer Dom returns to Indiana hoping for viral success. Meanwhile, his cousin Andy is searching for evidence to stop gentrification in her town. As their paths collide, they must reckon with the truest versions of themselves. Read-alikes: Laura Taylor Namey’s With Love, Echo Park; Elise Bryant’s Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling. |
|
|
|
Blood in the Water
by Tiffany D. Jackson
Sharp-minded 12-year-old Brooklynite Kaylani is stuck spending the summer with wealthy family friends in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. It’s okay at first, but after a local teenager is found dead, Kaylani’s instincts push her to investigate. The dangerous results will keep you turning pages in this gripping thriller.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|