My Year in Books (So Far!)

As always at the beginning of a new year, January is the prime time to dedicate yourself to some new goals supposedly achievable by the next annum. Though, come March, I personally have the convenient habit of forgetting half, giving up the rest and choosing to commit “later down the line.” This year I decided on a single goal (having just one seemed more sensible after my failure to remember any from last year) - to read much more. Yet, in the words of Jess Mariano, “what is much?”... especially as a literature student. I have found reading for pleasure a challenge during university and tend to only do so during my holidays, therefore, starting this year, I am attempting to change my attitude and instead integrate more reading into every month. As a personal log or maybe even a means of inspiration, here’s a list of my 2026 in books so far: 

1. Good Behaviour, Molly Keane

This book I primarily read for an Irish literature module, though it was not originally part of the syllabus, and I was able to chose to write on it myself. Despite the general advice not to judge a book by its cover, I totally did for this - something about its vintage art-deco style, her fur coat and the bold red told me this was a book I wanted to read. With a mix of satire, social commentary and slight Gothic undertones, it was both darkly comedic and eerily unsettling at times, making a horrendous 23 page paper much more tolerable...

2. The Memory Police, Yoko Ogawa

As a dystopian enthusiast, I had wanted to read this novel for a while before I finally sat down to do so, and became addicted very early on into starting it. With the concept of a society's memory being gradually and hauntingly erased, it was dark and thought-provoking; however I personally found the ending rather unsatisfying, perhaps due to its slightly surreal and ambiguous conclusion.

3. I Who Have Never Known Men, Jacqueline Harpman

Again in the genre of dystopia, this was a book I had heard a lot about before reading. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, its female protagonist is held prisoner underground amongst thirty-nine other women, guarded by only men and unable to leave. I found elements of the book rather profound, though equally upsetting and was personally unsure of its ending: one where, though perhaps intentionally, I gained little closure or any sentiment of catharsis.

4. The Lamb, Lucy Rose

I cannot quite describe this book though it was reminiscent of the work of Mona Awad – unsettling, darkly satirical and obsessed with the body – and at times, I found it completely sickening to read (I would not recommend reading it whilst eating at all). However, as intended to be so, it was completely effective, addictive and a genre of horror both physically gruesome and psychologically fascinating.

5. Good Material, Dolly Alderton

I knew I would enjoy this book even before I began as I have previously loved the work of Dolly Alderton. I needed a palette cleanser after the slightly traumatic experience of ‘The Lamb’ so a rom-com was the perfect next read. This book is told from a male perspective on his previously failed relationship and how he surpassed heartbreak – a perspective not often explored in this genre which I found really refreshing. This would be the perfect all-year read as a comforting winter book or easy summer beach pastime!

6. When The Cranes Fly South, Lisa Ridzén

If you enjoyed reading about Fredrik Backman’s ‘A Man Called Ove’ grumpy protagonist, you would definitely like the character of Bo Andersson. Set in Sweden, this book follows the life of an elderly man who lives through loss, grief, aging and changing relationships. It took me a while to get into the novel and found it was quite a slow-starter but it was charming, endearing and I personally love reading from the perspective of another generation and an age I have yet to reach. 

7. How Migration Really Works, Hein de Haas

Even if, like me, you never usually read non-fiction, I would really recommend this book. Written on a particularly relevant topic in today’s political climate, I felt Hein de Haas addressed many common misconceptions and helped to deconstruct the complexities of migration, a term he proves to be embedded with much misplaced fear.

8. Norwegian Wood, Haruki Murakami 

This novel certainly lived up to my expectations of being suitably depressing yet also inspired me to listen to the Beatles again... I found it quite unusual to read with complex characters that were at times hard to sympathise with or truly understand. Yet this internal struggle to battle nostalgia, regret, loss, mental illness and complicated relationships created a humanising, introspective depiction of growing older. 

9. Selected Poems, Linton Kwesi Johnson

Perhaps more of an honorary mention, I studied this collection of poems and lyrics in class by the dub-poet and activist Linton Kwesi Johnson and wanted to outline how it can be insightful to read different forms of writing. I don’t tend to read many collections of poems but I would recommend reading Johnson's work that is rooted in resistance, racial ostracisation and personal struggle tied to recent British history, or even listening his original discography! 

10. Babel, R.F Kuang 

This is my current read and so far, could not recommend it more. Since returning to university, I have struggled to get myself out of a bit of a reading slump but this has definitely pulled me straight back into the world of fantasy, dark academia and alternative history. Situated in 19th century Oxford, this book explores the complexity of language, translation and colonial resistance, and might just become my favourite read of 2026!