This year has already proven to be… a lot. (Here I am, gesturing broadly at the world around us.) As we’re all grappling with what’s unfolding across the country in our own ways, reading continues to be the main way to quiet my brain and steel myself for the realities of the new world we’re forever building. So when I saw that the StoryGraph released a custom-date wrap-up feature, I let out a little yelp of excitement. (I love an excuse to check in on the year’s reading at any point.) Here’s where my year’s reading has landed as we head into April:
Where they came from:
- 15 Advanced Reader Copies
- 6 Purchased books
- 5 Borrowed from the library
Here are my favorites:
Kin, Tarayi Jones. Knopf. February 24, 2026
This might end up being my favorite book of the year. Having received it as an ARC, I can honestly say that the characters have continued to stay with me for months. It’s such a beautiful depiction of love, found family, race, and friendship. Just an incredibly special novel.
Medium Rare, A. Natasha Joukovsky. Melville House. March 3, 2026
I don’t know what it says about me that I loved this extremely pretentious novel so much, but I was enthralled from beginning to end. An Icarus retelling by way a perfectly predicted March Madness bracket? Sounds like an excellent time to me.
The Buddha in the Attic, Julie Otsuka. Knofp. August 23, 2011
Told in a chorus, explaining the present by way of the past… Julie Otsuka is an incredible storyteller who excels at unfurling a story with small details. Her writing precise and quiet, but somehow builds the boldest possible of narratives. So glad I finally read this modern classic.
The Red Winter, Cameron Sullivan. Tor Books. February 24, 2026
Did I know what I really needed this winter was a politically-accurate retelling of the Beast of Gévaudan tale? I sure didn’t, but I’m still thinking about the ways the tale intersects class and otherness and revolution and hope. An absolute—surprisingly queer—delight of a novel.
And the rest
There were a few books I chose not to finish, which seems like the correct decision as it led to so many highly starred books so far this year. Here’s everything I’ve finished. Excited to see what the rest of the year brings in books:
Rabbit hole haven: Reviews and nonsense 
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