What I'm Reading in 2026
- @authorwaterman
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 4
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.
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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