2026 has been a great year for books so far. While in recent years, I’ve often stuck to nonfiction (mostly the parenting, sustainability and lifestyle genres), I made a promise to myself to branch out this year. So far, it’s paid off. I’m learning a lot and escaping from my real life a little bit. And, I feel somewhat more “with it” given that most of my friends are fiction readers and now we have something new to chat about.
These books really span a variety of genres, but I hope you find something for you on this list!
- Letter From Japan by Marie Kondo. It’s an interesting peek into the Japanese cultural traditions that influenced her previous books (and TV show–one of my Netflix faves!) on decluttering. Personally I didn’t know much about Japanese culture prior to reading this book and found it a fascinating look at a different set of values.
- Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. Sarah worked at Facebook for several years as the director of global policy and seriously, get the popcorn and settle in, because you’re about to get a peek into the real Facebook work culture and lives of the higher-ups there. As someone whose husband has worked in software for almost ten years–starting at Google–it is so interesting to reflect on the shift in tech culture over the years and the shifting scale of big tech’s impact on the wider world. Especially politics. I couldn’t put this one down!
- The Hadza Hunter-Gatherers of Tanzania by Frank Marlowe. In a totally different vein than the above, this book looks at Hadza culture and people through the lens of evolutionary theory. As someone who studied ecology and evolution closely in college, this was such an interesting read. Their culture is so different than ours, yet has persisted for countless generations. I love experiencing the world through books.
- North Woods by Daniel Mason. Feeling a liiiiiittle basic here as this is an NYT bestseller, but it’s a great read. It’s an odd blend of actual history with supernatural elements. I won’t give away the ending, but the last couple chapters were my favorite part of the book!
- Petit Plaisirs by Jennifer Melville. Apparently I’m very into travel-themed books this year because this is another one. Half-lifestyle, half-memoir of her trips to Paris through the years. I can never get enough of the French chic genre. This was a fast, fun read that really transports you to the rues and cafes for a moment.
Next on My List?
I am SO keen to read Yesteryear because tradwife/homesteading/conservative influencers have fascinated me for years. I think I know enough about a lot of them to write myself a (nonfiction) book. But this book is fiction; the premise is that the main character (tradwife influencer with 6 kids) gets transported to the 19th century and has to live in that reality.
Manners Begin at Breakfast has also been on my list for a while–because who with little kids doesn’t daydream about the day their kids wipe their mouths on napkins and try everything on their plates?–and Hannah’s Children, in light of recent sensational headlines about the falling birthrate worldwide.
But I’d to love to know, what’s on your reading list?! Or what are great books you’ve read in 2026 so far?
xx Claire