10 Books to Add to Your TBR 2026 Edition Part 2

August 30, 2026August 26, 2026 Kara Jorgensen3 Comments

Every year I make a running list of books I really enjoyed throughout the year that I would recommend to my friends and readers. These aren’t necessarily books within the genres I write, just ones I enjoy. I have tried to give you some info about why I enjoyed them, so use your best judgement and make sure to check for CWs online if you have things that bother you. You can read part 1 here. The links below are affiliate links, so I get a small kickback if you buy something.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher- a fresh take on Snow White involving a mirror world. The main character is a poison specialist who is called in to figure out why the king’s daughter, Snow, has taken ill since her mother and sister were killed. The main character is a hyper-competent woman who feels neurodivergent. There’s also a body guard who loves her and a rather interesting background world.
A Long and Speaking Silence by Nghi Vo- this is the sixth book in the Singing Hills Cycle, but it can be read as a standalone. This volume follows Cleric Chih in their early years as they deal with being stuck in a town working at a restaurant. Immigrants are flowing into the town due to a natural disaster and tensions are high. I loved this volume. It dealt with immigration, leaving behind parts of yourself while retaining others, how memories and culture are shared, and what’s lost along the way.
Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland- a bitter man who has been fighting all the good things in his life finally has to face the fact that he can have good things when his [one-sided] frienemy with benefits tells him that he is one of the harvest goddess’s chosen people. With both of them being under the goddess’s wing, he has to face the fact he has been getting in his own way for years. I loved watching the MC realize that no one is holding him back but him and seeing him grow as a person. This book feels very hobbit or forest elf coded, so if you’re into coziness in a warm fires, plants, and getting your ass kicked into gear kind of way, this one’s for you.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow- a modern fairytale about an orphaned young woman taking care of her little brother who dreams of a creepy house in town only to find herself drawn to the house and its stern owner, Arthur. It’s a tale of monsters, memory, legacy, and nightmares. Can people and places shed their histories in order to move on and grow? I love Opal and Arthur and how awful they can both be and how haunted they are by their families’ legacies. The texture of the town is rich and horrifying in how recognizable it is. Alix E. Harrow is steadily becoming a favorite for me.
Bone Map by Sara Eliza Johnson- Recently, I decided to get back into poetry since I haven’t read much since grad school, and I really liked this one. Not going to lie, I picked it up because the cover is very on brand for me, and the poetry is as well. Johnson speaks to my romantic-goremonger heart. She slides between the grotesque imagery and love and grief with ease. It’s complex without being too hard for someone who doesn’t venture into poetry that often.
Quackery by Lydia Kang and Nate Pederson- Is this the best nonfiction book on quack medicine? No, but it is a good primer for the ridiculous lengths that people have gone through to stay alive or make a quick buck. The tone is a bit irreverent, which isn’t always my favorite, but it’s clear and easy to see the connections to a lot of our modern quackery that people like RFK Jr and anti-vaxxers push. Definitely worth taking a look if you want to get an introduction to this sort of bullshittery.
Autistic Menopause by Julie Gamble-Turner and Rachel Moseley- As someone who is autistic and in their mid 30s, this felt very timely and a good way to prepare for the future. It was recommended by a friend, and if you are autistic or ADHD, I highly recommend checking this out because the changes involved in menopause can affect neurodivergent people differently than it affects neurotypical people. There is already so little info on perimenopause that is actually clear, and there’s like none for ND people, so while there were times I wish there was more info about certain things, this is a really good starting point for AFAB or intersex people with uteruses/ovaries. I also appreciated that this book was gender inclusive and not just women-focused.
Revenge of the Sunshine by Jackie Lau- I was so excited to get an ARC for Jackie Lau’s latest book. If you love very whimsical sunshine characters and grumpy characters who are more stoic, this one is for you. In this novel, the sunshine character is cheated on and asks her ex’s brother to be her fake boyfriend. After he asks her to move in due to his brother’s tomfoolery, they become closer as she cracks through his shell. Jackie’s books are some of the only cis-het MF romances I read because her books are never aggressively heterosexual, and this one is no exception. What I loved about this is the reason as to why the male main character is “grumpy” since it’s deeper than just personality (cw for grief) on top of what feels like maybe autism/neurodivergence. That isn’t confirmed in the text, but he feels ND. This is a lovely seasonal romance (autumn/winter), and I have to admit that I love seeing a sunshine character doing something devious.
Radio Silence by Chace Verity- I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC, and I absolutely loved it. It’s set right after WWII as an ex-radio star returns to Hollywood after disappearing suddenly five years earlier. As he picks up the pieces of his old life to rebuild, he has to grapple with if he is brave enough to face the man he loves and the people he left behind. This book is a fascinating look at old Hollywood radio and how the Hayes Code looms over their lives. There’s also a great balance of darkness in the background while so many of the characters are bubbles of sunshine. For anyone worried, it ends well. You can join Chace’s newsletter to find out first when it’s up for preorder or sale.
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling- This book feels like a Bosch painting. It’s Medieval-flavored magic as a castle fortress under attack is about to run out of food when it’s visited by supernatural creatures that claim to be manifestations of their beloved saints and they’ve come bearing food. The castle’s mad scientist (and ex nun) is suspicious of the saints while the lady knight immediately swears fealty to her saints. The story is sumptuous horror with a ton of cannibalism, bees, and Catholic but not Catholic horror. I loved this, and I especially loved how it deals with the horrors of war, power, and obedience.

Book Reviews

10 Books to Add to your TBR 2025 Edition Pt. 1

May 11, 2025May 9, 2025 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

In the past, I would make a best of list for books I read, but I hate holding off on talking about my favorite reads. Instead, I plan to make a few of these posts throughout the year as I find books I loved. The links below are affiliate links, so I get a tiny kick back if you purchase through that link.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire- this is the tenth book in the Wayward Children series, but I think this one can be read out of order. The story follows a Russian girl who was born without an arm who was adopted by an American family who tries to change/fix her. She falls into a water world and finds that she is capable of far more than her adopted parents ever thought she could be while still staying true to who she is.
Two Friends in Marriage by Jackie Lau- once again, this is the third book in the series, but they can be read out of order. This story is a queer MF romance where both characters are queer! We have a demisexual FMC and a bisexual MMC. I loved how both characters are queer and stay true to themselves throughout the story. It was just super sweet to watch this marriage of convenience become a romantic and sexual relationship as their emotional intimacy builds.
10 Things that Never Happened by Alexis Hall- after getting a concussion while having an argument with his asshole boss, a man fakes amnesia in order to keep his coworkers from being fired, but when his boss takes care of him after his head injury (which is real, unlike the amnesia), he finds the man is far more complicated and caring than the jerk they all know at work. It’s very much gay, reverse Overboard, but I loved it.
The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alex E. Harrow- a short story packed with so much post apocalyptic goodness. An old knight arrives in town with his hawk to slay the woman who has turned into a demon only to have her lover (and the town memory-keeper) step in. It’s about love, subverting regimes that want you dead, and so, so much more in a very concise package.
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar- it’s the tale of two sisters, magical willow trees, and a river of grammar. The story is short but has so many layers. Magic is grammar, grammar is magic, both are words, meaning, etc. It is fascinating and beautiful. I highly recommend the audiobook version as the author and her sister play the music for it and sing as well. It is immersive and gives a fuller experience than just reading it.
When the Earth was Green by Riley Black- a nonfiction book that is about how plant life evolved over eons. What I particularly love about Black’s books is that she weaves history, science, and narrative in such a seamless way. This is the opposite of a dry textbook. If you’ve ever wondered about plant life evolution, especially in the very distant past (think dinosaurs and before humans), this is a great place to start. There are also cool illustrations peppered throughout.
Time Loops & Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau- a workaholic woman who is feeling unfulfilled by her life eats some dumplings and ends up in a time loop. This story is sort of a Ground Hog Day meets 50 First Dates where the main character has to figure out how to get out of the time loop while slowly falling for the man she meets nearly every day in the loop.
Don’t Sleep with the Dead by Nghi Vo- a loose sequel to her retelling of The Great Gatsby, The Chosen and the Beautiful, this story returns to Nick twenty years after the end of the last story. He is facing his own demons in magical New York City alone, or is he? When he hears Gatsby’s voice in his ear, he goes looking in the shadows. It’s a story of unrequited love, desire that borders on gluttony and greed, and fantastically grotesque creatures.
A Gentle Madness by Nicholas A. Basbane- even though this book was published in the 1990s, it was a fantastic nonfiction read about the world of book collecting. I think I liked it because it takes place before the digital age, and we get to see the world of trading, collecting, and how the world’s most famous book collections came to be. Basbane also talks a lot about bibliomania, and the history of book collecting.
Death in the Spires by KJ Charles- because this is a mystery, I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a historical murder mystery that takes place in the late 1800s at Oxford where seven friends met and became embroiled in the death of one of their best friends. A decade later, Jem sets out to figure out once and for all how his friend died and who killed him. As with all KJ Charles books, the texture of the world is rich, and the characters are complex and wonderful (even when they’re awful).

Book Reviews

10 Books to Add to Your TBR 2024 Edition Part 1

May 26, 2024May 25, 2024 Kara Jorgensen2 Comments

Most years I put out a list of books I greatly enjoyed from the first half of the year some time in June. This year, I decided to do it early because, besides needing a blog for this week, I have read a lot of good books lately, so I’m thinking of making this something I do more than twice a year (and often forget to do in December). The books listed below are not in any order of favoritism, but I will provide reasons for why you should pick up my ten favorite reads of 2024 thus far.

Spear by Nicola Griffith– If you enjoy Medieval or Arthurian fantasy with a queer twist, Spear should be on your tbr. It is under 200 pages, but there is so much crammed into such a small book. The writing flows so smoothly, and while it reads as more authentically Medieval than many Arthurian retellings, it feels very modern while simultaneously being true to the time. Yes, the Middle Ages were diverse; get over it.
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo– I am a Nghi Vo stan. If they write it, I will read it, and while you do not need to read the Singing Hills Cycle books in order, you should still read all of them. The Brides of High Hill was deliciously South-East Asian Gothic with little flourishes of Bluebeard-esque stories while being obviously grounded in Asian myths and folklore. Vo’s books are all at once beautiful and horrific with plenty of twists and surprises, and this one was no different.
The Shabti by Megaera C. Lorenz– I received this one as an ARC, and now, Megaera is on my autobuy list. The Shabti is a historical-paranormal romance set in the 1930s between a washed up fake medium trying to go straight(ish) and an Egyptology professor with a ghost problem. Hermann and Dashiel are adorable together, and the side characters and titular ghost/object are all delightful.
Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J. Brown– A really fantastic nonfiction book about asexuality, acephobia, compulsory sexuality and how that all intersects with anti-Blackness, racism, the patriarchy, etc. I think you should read Angela Chen’s ACE first if you aren’t familiar with asexual scholarship, but Refusing Compulsory Sexuality really puts all the pieces together in a concise way.
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian– Cat Sebastian is one of those authors who continually rips my heart out with how loving and cozy her books are, and We Could Be So Good is no exception. A reporter falls for the owner of the newspaper’s son and realizes Andy is far deeper than he seems. Andy and Nick are just so good for each other, and the side characters really make the story shine.
The Reluctant Heartthrob by Jackie Lau– Technically, this is the second book in series, but I think they can be read out of order. The female main character is autistic with face blindness, and the male main character is an actor who prefers to stay out of the limelight. They are delightful together, and as with all Jackie Lau books, there is so much good food and heat to go with it.
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire– If the Tardis and an antique shop had a baby, it would be the setting of this story. You do have to read at least the book before this one to understand fully what’s going on, but this whole series is chef kiss if you enjoy portal fantasies and misfit kids finding where they truly belong. I love stories where we get to revisit a character and have them grow even more than the previous book allowed.
Ivy, Angelica, Bay by C. L. Polk– If Claudia is your favorite character in Interview with the Vampire, I think you’ll love Ivy, Angelica, Bay. Once again, this is technically a sequel, but it can be skipped (though you should read St. Valentine, St. Abigail, St. Brigid because it’s also fantastic). We have a witch fighting capitalism and gentrification and so much more.
Threads of Life by Clare Hunter– If you’re a crafter, especially someone into needle crafts, I highly recommend Threads of Life. Hunter talks about the sociological, political, cultural, and feminist issues that surround needle crafts. She talks about the shifting gender roles behind them as well as the ways people are lost to history yet their great works remain. She also touches upon Palestine and other disenfranchised and threatened people/cultures.
The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi– This one is super short (under 100 pages), but Tutu goes through so much in such a limited amount of time. It’s a story about how empire destroys and defangs the people it colonizes and turns them against each other. I’m really interested to see how what happened in book one plays into book two’s plot.

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10 Books on my Wishlist in 2024

December 10, 2023November 22, 2023 Kara Jorgensen1 Comment

As we head ever closer to the end of the year, I thought I might make a very non-exhaustive list of books that I am dying to get my hands on when they come out next year. To be clear, this is definitely not every book I have been eyeing, and if it was, you probably wouldn’t want to sit through that lengthy blog post. I’m also confining this list to the first half of 2024 for simplicity’s sake and because you never know if things will get pushed back or cancelled. Without further ado, here are 10 of the books I am looking forward to in early 2024 in the order of their release date:

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton (2/6)- Sapphic, fae, and with the decadence of late 1800s Paris, what more could you ask for? The cover is also gorgeously art noveau, and I am sucker for the beauty of the book as I am for Jamie’s work.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (2/13)- If you haven’t read The Bear and the Nightingale yet, you need to. Arden’s books are so atmospheric and dreamy while still being grounded in the horrors of reality. While this book is set during WWI, I know she’ll do the horrors and tragedy of war justice.
Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares (2/20)- As soon as I saw genderbent Zorro with magic, I was sold. It sounds amazing, and I will take any and all Zorro reimaginings.
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal (2/20)- A secret tearoom catering to vampires, a dangerous heist, and a ragtag group of outcasts who may or not be on the heroine’s side sounds like the perfect book for someone who loves Gail Carriger’s works and We Hunt the Flame.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark (3/24)- I adore P. Djèlí Clark’s books. He creates so much texture and characterization in few words, and whether it’s djinn or assassins, I’m here for it.
Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman (4/9)- A historical romance set in mid-1800s London, featuring Jewish characters is good enough on its own, but once you add in nods to Snow White, I am thoroughly sold, especially knowing we get to see characters introduced in Marry Me By Midnight.
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo (5/7)- If Nghi Vo writes it, I will buy it. This story follows Cleric Chih as they escort a bride to her new home, which is haunted by the ghosts of past wives, a mad son, and far more dangerous monsters. East Asian Gothic is a genre I need more of in my life.
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian (5/7)- A baseball player and a reporter come together for an article but find there might be more between them than just an article. From the description, it sounds like they will deal with grief, secrets, being out, and knowing Cat’s work, it’ll be like a warm hug.
Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse (6/4)- This is the final book in the Between Earth & Sky series, where we return to an alternate version of Indigenous Central America, complete with magic, gods, and creatures. This series has me in a death grip, and while I’m not one for morally grey/bad characters, Serapio has me in a death grip.
The Sitcom Star by Jackie Lau (???)- I backed Jackie’s Kickstarter last month, so I’ll be getting this book and the sequel in January, but I’m not sure when it’s coming to other retailers. It’s about a star looking to get away for a while who accidentally runs into her childhood friend, literally, he spills boba tea on her. Jackie’s romances are always so carefully and lovingly written and jive with my ND brain that she is on my autobuy list.