2026 Mid-Year Reading Update

Since I haven’t done any monthly recaps on the blog in awhile, I thought I’d jump in with a mid-year update! This is based off of past Mid-Year Freak-Out Tag posts (though I’ve updated a lot of the categories over time). I’m also including graphics of all the books I’ve read so far!

Number Of Books Read So Far in 2026: 58

1. Favorite you’ve read so far

Instead of choosing one favorite, I chose books I loved for the rest of the questions. (Sorry, but I’m no good at choosing favorites).

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far

The Last Rhee Witch and the Nine-Tailed Fox was even better than the first book. Kids who like spooky stories or books with a mythology element will love love this one!

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

There are several I still need to get to: Where There Be Spies by Alby C. Williams and Relic of Thieves by Shana Targosz top my list, but I also really want to read the newly released Just Ask Elsie by Ari Koontz, The Summer Scrapbook by Florence Migga, and Perfect Enough by Meg Eden Kuyatt.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

I can’t wait to read An Encantadora’s Guide to Legends & Lies by Sarah J. Mendonca!!

5. Favorite Book To Movie Adaptation You Saw This Year?

The movie version of Project Hail Mary was fantastic! I still need to read the book, though.

6. New book by an old favorite

Neal Shusterman is an all-time favorite author, and I finally read both All Better Now and Dry. They did not disappoint!!

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

I absolutely loved these two books by 2026 debuts: When You’re Brave Enough by Rebecca Bendheim and Where the Light Shines In by Jenny Mattern.

8. Newest favorite character

Nashae Jones managed to convince me of The Beckett Effect. I’m a Beckett fan!

9. Book with beautiful writing

I have to go with a verse novel for this one, of course. Sisters Alone by Shifa Saltagi Safadi is both gorgeously written and an exciting survival story kids will love!

10. Book that made you happy

Meet Me at Wonderland by Julia DeVillers is one of those cute romances that’s plain fun and funny and makes my heart happy!

11. Most unique storytelling

I absolutely loved the audiobook for What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski. The podcast element of the book made the audiobook especially interesting listening!

12. Favorite adult read

I’m a huge sucker for a sliding doors/time travel story, and I enjoyed every minute of Twice by Mitch Albom.

13. Most aesthetically beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

I mean, this is my current bookcase, and several of them are new editions from this year, so … I’ve bought many beautiful books! Here are a couple I know are 2026 purchases: Relic of Thieves by Shana Targosz and The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff. (I’m sure there are more, but those are the first two I spotted at a glance.)

So, that wraps up the first half of 2026. It’s been a great year of reading so far!