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What I'm Reading in 2026

Updated: Apr 1

If you're like me, you’ve fallen in love with countless books, only to realize later that you can’t quite remember what they were about. If you’re an avid reader, you’ve probably experienced it too. Once again, I’m using this blog to document the books I’ve read and loved, along with key details to help me remember why they resonated with me. With my leisure reading time limited this year due to active writing for my second book, I have even more reason to slow down and savor my favorites.

Bonus in 2026 - PUZZLES!

I've found it more important than ever to give my brain a break from constant thinking and to disconnect from my phone. Some refer to this as meditation or mindfulness, but I prefer to think of it as mindlessness. I enjoy getting lost in the process of putting puzzle pieces together. As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions for what you'd like to see.

March 2026

What a well-written mystery thriller that was easy to get lost in! The story unfolds through a woman's reinvention of herself to hide secrets from her past, until a mysterious letter arrives and has her questioning the safe and secure marriage she thought she had entered. I loved it!

I read all three books back-to-back and was captivated by the well-researched, multigenerational storyline. Odar translates from Armenian as "outsider", a word Armenians have traditionally used to describe non-Armenians. What stood out to me was how the story explores the shift from seeing others as outsiders to seeing themselves as outsiders, as well as the obstacles they faced. There is much more to this story, inspired by the author's family, but the shift/reversal in mindset was the biggest takeaway for me. Highly recommend!

Every family has its secrets, but this one keeps the lies going until they quite possibly come to believe them. Part love story, part broken heart story, with twists after twists. Jaw-dropping ending that makes it worthy of all the hype. Highly recommend!

February 2026

Bright One is a beautifully written book set against the backdrop of the Holocaust in Romania. Inspired by the author's family, it's a riches-to-rags story that centers on a strong, resilient woman and the tough choices she makes to protect her daughter. If you liked "Who She Left Behind", you will enjoy this. Highly recommend!

Another "book in a book" with a story focused on an author's life and the publishing industry. Add in a mysterious stalker and bad boy romance for a fun and twisty read.

It's a short story filled with rock music, culture, secrets, and the angst of mother-daughter relationships. Good book if you want to squeeze in a story in an hour. Otherwise, meh...

I've been anxiously awaiting this author's 3rd book, and it did not disappoint! Imagine not only being invited to your ex's wedding, but also having to plan it. My niece writes in a recent review: "If you love enemies-to-lovers tropes, forced proximity, and slow burn with well-written LGBTQ representation, then you will adore this book." Read Phoebe Kasparian's review here.

Why, oh, why did this author take a turn from historical fiction to fantasy? I loved the premise of living inside a book, but it was a "did not finish" for me.

This graphic novel weaves multiple timelines into an inventive, fantastical story of Armenian family, food, and diasporic culture. When I had the chance to get into the mind behind such a unique genre, I jumped at it! Read my review here.

January 2026


Petra is a romance suspense writer in a lakefront cabin, trying to break through writer's block when she suddenly meets her "muse" - a hot cop in uniform knocking on her door. They start playing a game of pretend to help her in her writing... until the lines between pretend and real get blurred. Without giving away any spoilers, Petra's behavior made me angry. Definitely recommend.

I couldn't ignore all the hype - especially in January when I crave positive books to start the year. On the one hand, it is exactly what I've heard: sweet, with strong characters, beautifully written, and offering a glimpse of hope in humanity. But honestly, I found it sooooo slowwwww. I enjoyed it, but it won't likely make my top 10 for 2026.


There's no right way to read this book. Either read from beginning to end or jump into the current season and read throughout the year. I've started in Winter and will savor the other sections at the beginning of the next season. I enjoyed the tips and reminders for these cold days in New England. I highly recommend it for yourself and as a great gift to a special friend.

Imagine having the gift to repeat experiences in your life, hoping for a better outcome! As with all things that may be too good to be true, the gift comes with some rules and consequences. Very thought-provoking, that keeps you guessing. I actually had to read the ending twice (no pun intended) to make sure I got it right. Highly recommend!

"The Bird Watcher' reads like a mash-up of mystery and literary fiction. Though it's a mystery at its core, the lyrical prose and beautiful writing slow down the pace. Each chapter begins with a unique description of a bird that parallels human behavior. It's a story of female friendship, sacrifice, and justice.

A quick and witty story that grabbed me from the first sentence. It follows the mother of the bride over 3 days - the day before her daughter's wedding, the day of, and the day after. Her ex-husband and his cat show up unexpectedly, she walks out on her job, and she's not invited to the bridal party spa day. What else could happen? The main character is a bit annoying, but I surprisingly loved ex-hubby Max and eye-rolling Mom. It's shorter and lighter than I recall Anne Tyler's previous books. Highly recommend.

Puzzles!


Here’s a little glimpse into my bookish world.

When I’m not reading... I’m writing, promoting my debut novel, researching my next book, reading to our grandsons, sharing bookish thoughts on social media, and piecing together jigsaw puzzles—usually with a book theme.


📚 Monthly Columnist – Victoria’s Voice for The Armenian Weekly

📖 Author – Who She Left Behind, a 5-star, award-winning historical fiction novel inspired by my family’s story of survival during the Armenian Genocide and their journey of rebuilding in the United States.

✉️ Creator of HerSTORYian Tales – A free monthly newsletter dedicated to the art of storytelling through reading, writing, and speaking. We spotlight female protagonists, celebrate Armenian culture, and dive into the captivating world of Who She Left Behind.  Click here to sign up and you will automatically receive a monthly update of books I've read.

Check back each month for updates, and feel free to share your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you. Let’s journey through the pages together!


Read On! Victoria


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