#book lists

[2026-book-bingo]

very cool list from Lit Hub with loads of great recommendations from small presses! it's definitely going to be expanding my TBR, and it may come in handy for some of you on your 2026 bingo sheet ;)

100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025

The idea of 100 Notable Small Press Books was born November 2024, after The New York Times’s annual 100 Notable Books list featured eighty-t

[bookcub]

Books Bookcub Checked Out on Libby in 2025

Here are all the books I checked out from Libby last year but I did not read them all. Some of them, I even checked out as audio and...

how many have you read?

0

1-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61-70

71-80

81 or more

Voting ended onFeb 9

[slowspinningredemption]

Im an avid reader but of fiction (mainly horror) but I want to get into non fiction!! I like weird and creepy things or like weird history?? Do u have any recommendations please

oh i am a non-fiction freak and those are all the kinds of genres i love so buckle up. first though i should recommend the narrative non-fiction genre, specifically disaster non-fiction, because a lot of my most specific/weirdest non-fiction reads have been in that genre so you may also enjoy. anyway, that said...

inconvenient people: lunacy, liberty, and the mad-doctors in victorian england by sarah wise

the end of the road: a journey around britain in search of the dead by jack cooke

fear: an alternative history of the world by robert peckham

grunt: the curious science of humans at war by mary roach

mama's last hug: animal emotions and what they tell us about ourselves by frans de waal

a short history of nearly everything by bill bryson

the book of phobias and manias: a history of the world in 99 obsessions by kate summerscale

rites of passage: death and mourning in victorian britain by judith flanders

necropolis: london and its dead by catharine arnold

cloven country: the devil and the english landscape by jeremy harte

a fatal thing happened on the way to the forum: murder in ancient rome by emma southon

the darkness echoing: exploring ireland's places of famine, death, and rebellion by gillian o'brien

year of living biblically: one man's humble quest to follow the bible as literally as possible by a. j. jacobs

at home: a short history of private life by bill bryson

islands of abandonment: life in the post-human landscape by cal flynn

fuzz: when nature breaks the law by mary roach

the big necessity: adventures in the world of human waste by rose george

at day's close: a history of nighttime by a. roger ekirch

the hot zone by richard preston

shadowlands: a journey through lost britain by matthew green

how to be a victorian by ruth goodman

skyfaring: a journey with a pilot by mark vanhoenacker

stiff: the curious lives of human cadavers by mary roach

this mortal coil: a history of death by andrew doig

the children's blizzard by david laskin

the indifferent stars above: the harrowing saga of the donner party by daniel james brown

unexplained: supernatural stories for uncertain times by richard maclean smith

happy reading!

[richincolor]

To follow up on our post earlier this month, here are five more books that come out later this year that we wanted to highlight for AANHPI month. Which ones will you be adding to your TBR list?

The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham Kokila || Publishes 2 June 2026

One hundred years have passed since the last heir of Gyldan fell into eternal slumber and doomed the once-mighty kingdom to poverty and invasion. At least, that’s what the fairy tales claim.

Corin is a jaded thief who doesn’t believe in fables, even when she searches Gyldan’s underground tunnels to find her younger sister, Elly, who ran away to find the sleeping princess in hopes of a better life. Corin’s conviction is challenged when she discovers the ruins of the ancient castle, maintained by beings from the kingdom’s golden age, who protect a hidden portal into Princess Amelia’s subconscious. Following Elly’s voice, Corin jumps in the portal and seals the entry behind her.

Inside the lush world of Amelia’s dreams, the sisters reunite for a new adventure as they meet Briar Rose, Amelia’s whimsical alter ego, and Malicine, a sharp-tongued demon with a gift for magic. But as they explore ice castles, sunflower mazes, and star-filled oceans, Corin suspects Briar Rose is hiding darker secrets behind her “perfect” paradise – and that there are some things her subconscious can’t bury forever.

My Killer Family Reunion by Dinesh Thiru Atheneum Books for Young Readers || Publishes 11 August 2026

Knives Out meets Never Have I Ever in this hilarious and twisty young adult mystery-comedy about an Indian American teen whose family reunion at a lavish manor falls into chaos after her grandma is attacked.

Nothings brings family together like attempted murder.

There are three things Jayshree Devi can count on happening at her annual family reunion: 1) her cousins will forget she exists, 2) her aunts will try to set her up, and 3) her uncles will get into a fight. What she doesn’t expect? An accident that lands her grandmother in a coma, throwing the family—and their matriarch’s sizeable fortune—into chaos.

When Jay discovers Grand Mom’s “accident” might not have been so accidental after all, she’ll have to dig through decades of secrets to find the truth. With the help of her (annoyingly perky) cousins and one of their (annoyingly hot) friends, Jay finds herself knee-deep in a mystery that’s even more tangled than her family tree.

But the closer Jay gets to answers, the closer she gets to finding her place amongst the relatives who once felt so distant. With Grand Mom’s life and fortune hanging in the balance, can Jay save her family and maybe hook up with a hottie while she’s at it?

Foreigners by E.L. Shen Quill Tree Books || Publishes 22 September 2026

For centuries, the Chin family has kept its secrets.

In 1878, Duanfang knows he’s destined for greatness. He’ll do anything to uphold and protect the legacy of his Manchu family—even if it means hiding his past.

In 1966, Zheng Yi flies from Taiwan to New York City to have a shot at attending an American college. Thrown into a world of parties, prejudice, and a tumultuous romance, Yi worries that New York may be more than she can handle. But just as she is beginning to adjust, she must make a shocking decision that will irrevocably change her life and her future forever.

Today, Dawn Chin’s family is opaque at best, with heavy expectations and heavier silences. But an assignment to interview her grandmother is about to crack open her real family history: a legacy hundreds of years old, and a lie decades in the making . . .

Heirs of Infamy by Kyla Zhao G.P. Putnam's Sons || Publishes 13 October 2026

Two rivals from opposing gangs grow dangerously close in this dazzling YA debut set in 1940s San Francisco Chinatown.

Beneath the neon glare of postwar San Francisco, Chinatown is ruled by two rival crime families. East Phoenix deals in secrets and stealth, West Dragon in fists and fear. But both empires are bleeding money, and the fragile truce between them frays by the day.

As the daughter of Chinatown’s most powerful crime boss, Alexis Sung can do almost anything, except join the family business. When her first job for East Phoenix goes wrong, her father shuts her out for good. Across town, Zachary Ren—a brilliant orphan raised by West Dragon—is desperate to escape a life he never chose. Their paths were never meant to cross again, not after he destroyed Alexis’s one shot to prove herself.

That changes when a daring heist surfaces—one with a bounty big enough to save both families from ruin. Defying her father’s orders, Alexis seizes the chance to redeem herself by striking an uneasy alliance with Zachary. As old wounds reopen and new sparks catch, survival means trusting the last person she thought she would.

 Salt Water Blood by Manuia Heinrich Sarah Barley Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers || Publishes 17 November 2026

An Indigenous teen fights to clear her brother of a murder charge by embracing her gift of hearing the sea’s prophetic thoughts in this debut young adult speculative thriller that’s Firekeeper’s Daughter meets Moana.

Eighteen-year-old Moe hears the sea’s prophetic thoughts. Not just hear them—she feels them. That’s how she experienced her father’s death before he did and how she felt her mother’s relief when she abandoned Moe and her younger brother, Tao, months later.

So when the sea warns Moe that Tao will drown, she’s determined to get in fate’s way and soon secures them a way off their island home. But those plans are ruined when Tao’s girlfriend goes missing and Tao is found where she was last seen…with blood on his hands—and no memory of what happened.

Moe will do anything she can to clear her brother’s name, even if it means swallowing her pride and teaming up with her annoyingly clever school rival, Temanea. Even if it means relying on the sea’s prophecies.

Because her dreaded gift may be the only way to save her brother—and uncover a sickness lurking in their community before it poisons them all.

[historywench]

Decided to join the book list trend this year, as I always enjoy everyone else's. Let me know how many you've read if you want!

History Wench's 2025 Books

A list of almost everything I read this year. Excluded some academia-related things for reasons that are likely obvious.

[outtoshatter]

100 Books Gia Has Loved

Books that, while they may not still be to my tastes, I have loved throughout my life, or that have stuck with me in some (positive) way.

Alright, I will have NO book shaming. Also this list made me realize that when I know I like something, by god do I stick with it 😂 I only put the first book in any given series on purpose!

How many have you read?

0 (hey, i get it)

1-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61-70

71-80

81-90 (you have excellent taste :P )

91-100 (ok ok i get it i'm basic)

Voting ended onApr 27, 2025

I'd love to hear how you did! But if there's book shaming I'm not here for it.

[little-hag]

―୨୧⋆ ˚ Kathryn Hahn Regressor-Friendly Watchlist 💜

꒰ ꪆ୧ ꒱ Pre School - Kindergarten (01–06)

Hotel Transylvania 2 & 3 (🧛): Kathryn voices the loud, enthusiastic, and loving Ericka Van Helsing. The films are a rainbow blast of monster gags, silly dances, and non-stop, child-friendly slapstick. Ericka's boundless energy and joyful shrieks fit right into the colorful chaos.

Central Park (🌳): As Paige Hunter, the determined, kind-hearted journalist and mother, Hahn provides a stable, warm center to this musical animated series. The songs are catchy and the family dynamics are sweet and supportive.

Bob's Burgers - S6, Ep 4 "Gayle Makin' Bob Sled" (🍔): Hahn voices Gretchen, a friend of Linda's, in this and other episodes. The show's humor is famously quirky and kind-hearted, focusing on the loving, if bizarre, Belcher family.

꒰ ꪆ୧ ꒱ Elementary - Kiddo (07–10)

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (🌌): From 2022, it's about a daydreaming photo lab technician embarks on a real, global adventure to find a missing negative, jumping from a helicopter, skateboarding down Icelandic roads, and finding his own courage. The film is a stunning, heartfelt visual poem about quiet people, beautiful landscapes, and the stories we tell ourselves. It’s low-conflict, high-wonder, and feels like a warm hug for anyone who’s ever dreamed of more.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (🕸️): Hahn is a scene-stealing standout as the brilliant and terrifyingly cheerful Dr. Olivia "Liv" Octavius. In Into the Spider-Verse, she is a hilarious, ponytailed antagonist with "amazing" mechanical arms. In Across the Spider-Verse, her role expands thrillingly as she becomes a key member of the Spider-Society, showcasing her tech genius and deadpan humor in a heroic context. Her performance is a masterclass in charismatic, smart villainy-turned-ally, perfect for viewers who love complex, powerful female characters in a visually groundbreaking and emotionally rich superhero saga.

The Last Mimzy (🐇): From 2007, it's about two modern-day siblings discover a mysterious box of seemingly magical toys, including a special stuffed rabbit named Mimzy. The toys unlock extraordinary abilities in them, heightened intelligence, telekinesis, a deep connection to nature, but also draw attention of worried adults and government agencies. The film is a gentle, wonder-filled sci-fi adventure that feels like a cozy secret. It beautifully captures the feeling of childhood intuition and the magical bond between siblings.

꒰ ꪆ୧ ꒱ pre high school - middle (10–13)

The Holiday (🎄): Two women one in a snowy English cottage, one in a sunny LA mansion, trade homes to escape their relationship woes and find unexpected romance and friendship. The English half, with Kate Winslet, an adorable old man neighbor (Arthur), and a charming composer, is particularly soft, bookish, and heart-mending. It’s a film about quiet healing, fresh starts, and the comfort of a new, welcoming space.

WandaVision (📺): Kathryn's iconic role as Agnes, the "nosy neighbor" who is actually the witch Agatha Harkness. The sitcom homages are cozy and fun, and Agatha's later villainy is played with such charismatic, rock-star pizzazz ("It was Agatha all along!") that she becomes a fan-favorite. Perfect for regressors who love mystery, meta-humor, and powerful, complex female characters.

Parks and Recreation (💼): Kathryn Hahn guest stars as the fiercely amoral, spectacularly efficient political strategist Jennifer Barkley. She appears in several episodes of the later seasons, a whirlwind of power suits, ruthless compliments and chaotic neutral energy. She’s the absolute antithesis of Pawnee’s niceness and that’s why she’s hilarious. For a regressor who enjoys chaotic, confident, and hilarious characters, Jennifer is a pure delight.

･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･   ⠂⋆ ･