26 Books to Read in 2026 [ 13 Picked by Friends ]

January Wrap-Up | The Best Reads, Romanceopoly & What Didn't Work LIVE

In this episode of Novel Hour Live Show, we are counting down the best (and not so great) reads of January 2026. Including a Romanceopoly reading update.Victoria's Mood Reading Vlog: https://youtu.be/pgT5r8TkMEQ?si=cTq604lOoBv3Ud2i [https://youtu.be/pgT5r8TkMEQ?si=cTq604lOoBv3Ud2i] Victoria's Wrap-Up: https://youtu.be/lBvhsS8eTgg?si=iGvE2aUERWNnuZBl [https://youtu.be/lBvhsS8eTgg?si=iGvE2aUERWNnuZBl]Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/vB24mcY_Svw [https://youtube.com/live/vB24mcY_Svw]Drop your thoughts in the chat - we want to hear from you! Tune in EVERY THURSDAY at 12 PM ET, join the chat, and share your thoughts!Books Mentioned:→ The Night We Met: https://rstyle.me/+xrsoDt9V4iIkKRJy5mNn3Q [https://rstyle.me/+xrsoDt9V4iIkKRJy5mNn3Q]→ You'll Never Forget Me: https://rstyle.me/+HNtlDcoyT77QeiyShZwUBQ [https://rstyle.me/+HNtlDcoyT77QeiyShZwUBQ]→ Silver & Blood: https://rstyle.me/+fGIpe1PeKnZCiJkK8mJlTQ [https://rstyle.me/+fGIpe1PeKnZCiJkK8mJlTQ]→ Beautiful Things: https://rstyle.me/+4kriPS2k7DNrsrGEupWHjg [https://rstyle.me/+4kriPS2k7DNrsrGEupWHjg]→ The Re-Do List: https://rstyle.me/+EBqkAa3ujunFUgRGM83UTQ [https://rstyle.me/+EBqkAa3ujunFUgRGM83UTQ]→ You Watched In Silence: https://rstyle.me/+g-hrhlJbu_rH0UV_iwv-2w [https://rstyle.me/+g-hrhlJbu_rH0UV_iwv-2w]→ Fruit of the Flesh: https://rstyle.me/+j_rUJHZu7Hhr_n7PNzBNzw [https://rstyle.me/+j_rUJHZu7Hhr_n7PNzBNzw]→ Slay Ride: https://rstyle.me/+maz-rxbfmPRsxhNPHDR46g [https://rstyle.me/+maz-rxbfmPRsxhNPHDR46g]→ The Wolf and the Crown of Blood: https://rstyle.me/+ovVLkh-IVKxqGfW-iM2sLA [https://rstyle.me/+ovVLkh-IVKxqGfW-iM2sLA]→ Whispers at Painswick Court: https://rstyle.me/+8aQooBMxASizo2wGVzUImw [https://rstyle.me/+8aQooBMxASizo2wGVzUImw]→ Dolly All the Time: https://rstyle.me/+ReYTZu4NiYuEHeKpGFw4Sw [https://rstyle.me/+ReYTZu4NiYuEHeKpGFw4Sw]→ Halfway to the Grave: https://rstyle.me/+slixZOfuB0Up9W2Glk-XrA [https://rstyle.me/+slixZOfuB0Up9W2Glk-XrA]→ Crown of War and Shadow: https://rstyle.me/+ERQImAo4ED86piJeS1_arA [https://rstyle.me/+ERQImAo4ED86piJeS1_arA]Upcoming Book Club Picks:→ Whispers of the Lake: https://rstyle.me/+V0UahvGmaEUOjZbXav2jpQ [https://rstyle.me/+V0UahvGmaEUOjZbXav2jpQ]→ Rules for Ruin: https://rstyle.me/+wEToS9Dlj9llXEHlM8Ec-g [https://rstyle.me/+wEToS9Dlj9llXEHlM8Ec-g]LINKS:- Night Huntress Read-a-long: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/night-huntress-readalong/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/night-huntress-readalong/]- Winter Reading Guide: https://bibliolifestyle.com/2026-winter-reading-guide/ [https://bibliolifestyle.com/2026-winter-reading-guide/]- Romanceopoly Reading Challenge: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/reading-challenge/

Reading The Flame and the Flower for the First Time (Ch. 1–2)

Welcome to the very first episode of Ripped & Ravished Book Club, your deep dive into vintage "bodice ripper" romances that helped shape the romance genre as we know it. In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, Francesca from Under the Covers Book Blog [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com] and Becky from Too Stupid to Live [https://tstlpodcast.substack.com] discuss Chapters 1 and 2 of The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, often referred as the foundational book of the modern romance boom.We unpack initial reactions, the heroine's impossible situation, how "forced seduction" functioned in the cultural landscape of the 1970s, and why these books were so widely consumed, while keeping a clear modern lens on consent, trauma, and reader safety.Watch the video on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/08iMiQvLP8plvMqYQjXnL1?si=be5fb28568154ead]Content warningsThis episode includes discussion of: non-consent/rape, sexual violence, pregnancy, forced marriage, abuse of power, and family mistreatment. Please take care of yourself and skip if needed.Becky / Too Stupid to Live 1. Substack: https://tstlpodcast.substack.com [https://tstlpodcast.substack.com/] 2. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-stupid-to-live-romance-reviews-%245-and-under/id1141770521 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/too-stupid-to-live-romance-reviews-%245-and-under/id1141770521] 3. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rhn2BiyPFDZNMXIHxi2jC [https://open.spotify.com/show/2rhn2BiyPFDZNMXIHxi2jC] 4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tstlpodcast/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/tstlpodcast/?hl=en] Timestamps 1. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Book Club 2. 01:01 Content Warnings and Sensitive Themes 3. 01:57 Initial Reactions to ‘The Flame and the Flower’ 4. 04:19 Discussion on the Heroine's Plight 5. 09:12 Exploring Forced Seduction and Dark Romance 6. 16:26 Redemption Arc and Character Growth 7. 21:27 Comparing Modern and Vintage Romance 8. 31:17 Empathy and Reader Reactions 9. 34:46 Content Warnings and Author Responsibility 10. 35:16 The Fascination with Kathleen E. Woodiwiss 11.

26 Books to Read in 2026 [ 13 Picked by Friends ]

I asked 13 friends to choose my reading fate for 2026... and added 13 of my own backlist books to make the ultimate 26-book challenge spread. If I don't make it look pretty in my journal, I won't do it...so let's set this up!In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, I'm building my "26 Books in 2026" spread. It's half "books I've been avoiding" and half "books my friends forced me to read." Friendships will be tested, stickers will be used, and hopefully, my TBR will finally shrink.Watch the journal spread: https://youtu.be/uMp6idyKkDE [https://youtu.be/uMp6idyKkDE]⏳ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 The brutal truth about my reading01:15 My 13 Backlist Picks06:21 The 13 Friend Recommendations11:55 The final spread reveal📚 BOOKS MENTIONEDMy Backlist Picks:✨ Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi: https://rstyle.me/+IQJJ0_LHsSVC5UmEMSOuAQ [https://rstyle.me/+IQJJ0_LHsSVC5UmEMSOuAQ]✨ The Book of Azrael by Amber V. Nicole: https://rstyle.me/+W60sajqH4j6UhVRHeGjoOg [https://rstyle.me/+W60sajqH4j6UhVRHeGjoOg]✨ The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino: https://rstyle.me/+VVUNed5hCK6yxmL-T9_B3Q [https://rstyle.me/+VVUNed5hCK6yxmL-T9_B3Q]✨ What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller: https://rstyle.me/+9rNcJRJxnhm2GpTbg4osgQ [https://rstyle.me/+9rNcJRJxnhm2GpTbg4osgQ]✨ A Tongue So Sweet and Deadly by Sophia St. Germain: https://rstyle.me/+1_HE10MOhTN7_abLR9kaZQ [https://rstyle.me/+1_HE10MOhTN7_abLR9kaZQ]✨ Stalked by Seduction and Shadows by Maggie Sunseri: https://rstyle.me/+ypQ8t7VoCQkyQSeyFVqvMg [https://rstyle.me/+ypQ8t7VoCQkyQSeyFVqvMg]✨ The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem: https://rstyle.me/+ml4T1P7D22wkQCfPKdqgtg [https://rstyle.me/+ml4T1P7D22wkQCfPKdqgtg]✨ Endless Anger by Sav R. Miller: https://rstyle.me/+A4B45ZF6BgzwSIDBR16jBw [https://rstyle.me/+A4B45ZF6BgzwSIDBR16jBw]✨ Grim's Delight by Abigail Kelly: https://rstyle.me/+r3f_8tc56fcVXEguWlI_gg [https://rstyle.me/+r3f_8tc56fcVXEguWlI_gg]✨ The Predator by Runyx: https://rstyle.me/+HVDXJn6iMGe4EvjUTmzJow [https://rstyle.me/+HVDXJn6iMGe4EvjUTmzJow]✨ A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle: https://rstyle.me/+m81kbzv3dL9kYDOmLlnYpw [https://rstyle.me/+m81kbzv3dL9kYDOmLlnYpw]✨ Scoundrel Take Me Away by Louisa Darling: https://rstyle.me/+gFHL11m3FyFmLNYz76FkoQ [https://rstyle.me/+gFHL11m3FyFmLNYz76FkoQ]✨ Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe: https://rstyle.me/+-J-v3su905_3vIwFuAdNmQ [https://rstyle.me/+-J-v3su905_3vIwFuAdNmQ]The Friend Recommendations:✨ The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer (rec by Chase @wandereader): https://rstyle.me/+cJZiBp0VjIgx3zhub4uMKA [https://rstyle.me/+cJZiBp0VjIgx3zhub4uMKA]✨ The Scattered Bones by Nicole Scarano (rec by Nancy @ravenousreader): https://rstyle.me/+-311plHXwvezzWNgkfCztw [https://rstyle.me/+-311plHXwvezzWNgkfCztw]✨ Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield (rec by Victoria @bibliolifestyle): https://rstyle.me/+7IgKNnTwZUL42zd0OnDMAg

Virginia Kantra discusses Meg & Jo | Book Club LIVE

Novel Hour sits down for a chat with Virginia Kantra to discuss our January book club pick: Meg & Jo.Drop your thoughts in the chat - we want to hear from you!Watch the video: https://youtube.com/live/x1822eXaxpg [https://youtube.com/live/x1822eXaxpg]Books Mentioned:- Meg & Jo: https://rstyle.me/+OEUq7UC7pJNzblEwxB-6Rg [https://rstyle.me/+OEUq7UC7pJNzblEwxB-6Rg]- Beth & Amy: https://rstyle.me/+bUUuGeVkg-vL4IfdO1L9uQ [https://rstyle.me/+bUUuGeVkg-vL4IfdO1L9uQ]- Anne of a Different Island: https://rstyle.me/+L9RgiUAMNIAxh25FZ1lixQ [https://rstyle.me/+L9RgiUAMNIAxh25FZ1lixQ]- Whisper at the Lake: https://rstyle.me/+A8bLwac01gLNYZHYgz22CA [https://rstyle.me/+A8bLwac01gLNYZHYgz22CA]Resources Mentioned:- Virginia shares her favorite contemporary heroines like Anne of Green Gables: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/if-you-love-anne-of-green-gables/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/if-you-love-anne-of-green-gables/]- March Sisters Series Guide: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/march-sisters-series/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/march-sisters-series/]My reviews:- Meg & Jo: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/meg-and-jo-by-virginia-kantra/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/meg-and-jo-by-virginia-kantra/]- Beth & Amy: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/beth-and-amy-by-virginia-kantra/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/beth-and-amy-by-virginia-kantra/]Tune in EVERY THURSDAY LIVE at 12 PM ET, join the chat, and share your thoughts!More January Releases I'm excited to read: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/january-2026-book-releases/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/january-2026-book-releases/]All the book clubs and readalongs you can do with us: https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/romance-book-club/ [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/romance-book-club/]✨ Loved the episode?Follow Reading Under the Covers wherever you listen and leave a quick review. It helps more romance readers find us (and lets me know what you’re loving). 💕💌 Talk to Me:Got a rec, trope request, or hot take? → Drop me a voice message [https://www.speakpipe.com/UndertheCovers].☕ Support the Show:Enjoyed hanging out? Leave us a tip [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/support]. Even a dollar keeps the mics on and the coffee flowing.📚 Stay Connected: 1. Blog [https://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/]: reviews, book lists, and seasonal reading inspo. 2. YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/underthecoversbookblog]: book chats, reading lifestyle and recs. 3. Newsletter [https://underthecovers.myflodesk.com/n1gsfbivgq]: join our insider for the latest updates. 💖...

The Ones We Crawl Back To: Why Comfort Stories Never Get Old

If you know exactly how it ends and still reread it anyway, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Quick and Dirty Romance Podcast, Sarah & Skye talk about comfort stories and why readers crawl back to the same stories again and again. From emotional safety and guaranteed happily ever afters to intentional rereads of favorite scenes, we explore how romance becomes a form of self-soothing, trust, and pleasure that never gets old. Sarah's new release is out now! CLICK HERE [https://amzn.to/2QBhyTY] Skye has two books on preorder! CLICK HERE [https://amzn.to/4szPD7J]