What are you reading in 2026?

[rosarugosa]

These were my February reads:

• Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman - The main premise was a bit ridiculous, but if you're willing to go with it, the book is just flat-out fun, wittily written, and with a few laugh-out-loud moments.
• Solito by Javier Zamora - (NF) - I'm sure this will be one of my top books of the year. Memoir of a 9-year-old boy who came to the US from El Salvador unaccompanied by friends or family. It starts out a bit slow, but turns into a harrowing, page-turning tale. I found it valuable in understanding the lengths people go to come to the US illegally, risking their lives. I agree that immigration needs to be managed intelligently, but these people are deserving of compassion and humane treatment. This book helped to put actual faces on "illegals," and helped me see things from their point of view.
• Happy-Go-Lucky by David Sedaris - A series of essays that are typical Sedaris, whom I always enjoy. He's a pretty funny guy.
• The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley - I usually love time-travel, but this one didn't quite do it for me. I often find in the scifi genre that the author has a totally cool idea, but the execution falls flat. I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't like with this one. It didn't suck, but perhaps the characters weren't quite real enough, the pace was often slow, and the plot got a bit convoluted at the end.
• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman - (NF) - The 4000 weeks is how long you have if you live to be 80. The main premise is how to make the most of our limited time on earth. I found it to be an excellent read with much good food for thought, and I'm keeping the book handy so I can re-review key concepts to keep them from falling off my radar.

[pinkytoe]

The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr. Interesting in-depth look at how your food gets to you - then and now. Goes into all the gritty details and makes you both appreciate and shudder about how it all happens.

[KayLR]

Rosa, if you liked Solito, you should try "After the Last Border." Written by a journalist who followed 2 women through their (separate) immigration journeys to the U.S. from refugee camps in Myanmar and Syria. She interspersed their chapters with what was going on in U.S. policy under various administrations affecting their cases. The author is Jessica Goudeu.

Edited to add: I had read Solito last year and heard the author speak too.

[Tradd]

Have two new books:

Apple: The First 50 Years

Privacy's Defender

The last is from the soon to retire executive director (for 30 years) of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

[rosarugosa]

Rosa, if you liked Solito, you should try "After the Last Border." Written by a journalist who followed 2 women through their (separate) immigration journeys to the U.S. from refugee camps in Myanmar and Syria. She interspersed their chapters with what was going on in U.S. policy under various administrations affecting their cases. The author is Jessica Goudeu.

Edited to add: I had read Solito last year and heard the author speak too.

We often like the same books Kay, so I will add it to my list. Thanks for the recommendation.

[KayLR]

Spelled it wrong Rosa. Goudeau

[rosarugosa]

Spelled it wrong Rosa. Goudeau

Those French, with all their extra vowels!

[hana]

The Way of the Househusband by Kousuke Oono, Tatsu, formerly known as The Immortal Dragon, is still living his best househusband life. He must stop a budding gang war when he takes, An, the granddaughter of his former boss clam digging and she gets into a squabble with the grandson of the head of a rival gang. Then he goes to a cherry blossom viewing party with his former associates in the cemetery where his late mentor is buried, and helps a neighbor who complains about high food costs.

Thrice Married to a Salted Fish by Bi Ka Bi, aspiring physician Lin Qingyu has spent the past 10 years studying for the Imperial exams to become an Imperial Physician like his father, now he is ordered to abandon his studies to marry the son of a Marquess, Lu Wancheng. Wancheng is sickly and his family believes a marriage will save him. Unfortunately for Qingyu, he is the only one who meets the astrological criteria for the match, and as the marriage is ordered by the Emperess the Lin family has no choice but to comply. Neither man wants the marriage, but they form an alliance to further their own goals. Set in fantasy world similar to Ming dynasty era China. Book two is already our, I'm on the waiting list, and book three comes out in June. Slow start with small plotting that quickly escalates. A good read and looking forward to the next book.

[catherine]

rosa: Upon your recommendation, I read Andre Dubus III's book Such Kindness. Wow. I think I'm in love with this author. I just might have to drive out to MA and stalk him (Just kidding!) I actually listened to this book because the library doesn't have it and I have Audible credits, but the author did the narration which I thought added to the experience in a way. I absolutely loved it. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to try Townies next.

[rosarugosa]

rosa: Upon your recommendation, I read Andre Dubus III's book Such Kindness. Wow. I think I'm in love with this author. I just might have to drive out to MA and stalk him (Just kidding!) I actually listened to this book because the library doesn't have it and I have Audible credits, but the author did the narration which I thought added to the experience in a way. I absolutely loved it. Thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to try Townies next.

I'm so glad! You will really be in love with him after Townies. He didn't have an easy life in his younger years, but he somehow emerged from it as such a wonderful human being. There are a few interviews and articles online that also show him to be a man of remarkable character.