Five Books to Read Before 2026
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Written By: Leah Oake
As 2025 nears its end, it seems about time to reflect on all the excellent content we were provided – specifically, books. Every year, there are always standout books that are raved about by every book site and by everyone who is involved in the literature world. But once the year comes to an end and those five-star books are everywhere, it becomes difficult to catch up on everything. With a couple of months of the year left, here is your premature list of books that you must read. What classifies a book as a must-read? Well, for this list, the qualifiers are:
Impact
Whether it be politically or socially, if the book made a statement that left people thinking about their position in the world, it could make it onto the list.
Perception
How did this book affect people? Sad? Angry? Did it create divisions? Were people fighting over the ending or plot? The perception of the book is crucial for our criteria. If a book had an incredible impact but was universally hated, it will not make the list.
Key Stand Outs
Whether it's an outstanding character, revolutionary magical realism, a unique plot line, or a harrowing death, if a book has a moment that continues to be on people's minds, it qualifies for a placement on this list.
As with any book, some of these may not jive with your preferred genre, but hopefully some of these will be able to make it onto your TBR (“to be read”) and be your next five-star read.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Emily Henry is a notorious fiction writer. She is categorized as a romance author, but she focuses more on contemporary fiction with a subplot of romance. Her intense focus on her characterization is what makes her stand out. A Great Big Beautiful Life focuses on Alice Scott, an aspiring writer, and Hayden Anderson, a seasoned journalist. They’ve both been enlisted to compete to see who will write Maragret Ives’ (a reclusive heiress) biography. This book left readers with feelings of grief, love, and loss as it explored complex relationships, past trauma, and unmet expectations. This novel makes the list due to the lasting feelings it evoked within readers, its bestseller status, the relationship between Alice and Hayden, and the impact it had within the romance community. It may not be a commentary on a political ideology, but it was a commentary on family and love. Some reviews have stated that: “This novel is also yet another show of Emily Henry’s writing prowess. The beach breeze feels tangible, the humidity on the lake sticky and stifling, the lowlights of the neighbourhood bar warm against your face.”(Angie Raney), “If you’re patient with a slower build and enjoy layered character studies, this one may just be worth the journey.” (Thathappyreader) and "In the end, Great Big Beautiful Life was an entertaining story about love, sacrifice, memory, and connection. The characters are well-rounded, the arcs interesting, and the love stories are touching, with the right amount of spice.” (Jenny A) It is safe to say that Great Big Beautiful Life may slide onto your five-star list if you give it a chance.
The Crash by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden is an award-winning author who specializes in the Thriller genre, specifically psychological. She is known for her relatable characters and her fast-paced writing, which leaves readers unable to put her books down. The Crash tells the story of a woman named Teagan after she becomes stranded in rural Maine, eight months pregnant. She feels momentarily relieved after being rescued by a couple, but eventually realizes she has made a grave mistake. She must survive not just for herself but for her unborn child. The broad perception of this book is highly positive: “It’s always a treat when the year kicks off with a new book by Freida McFadden, and 2025 is no exception. Like her other work, THE CRASH is a fast-paced and unsettling psychological thriller that immediately will hook her addicted readership.” (Ray Palen)The impact of this book left readers scratching their heads as they tried to figure out how McFadden was able to wrap their brains around this twisting tale. This book takes the common phrase “stranger danger” to an extreme. The Crash made it onto this list due to its positive public perception, the reliable character of Teagan, and its strong themes of secrecy and safety.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman, a Swedish author, has once again delivered a stellar book. Backman has previously been noted for Bear Town and A Man Called Ove (recently turned into a movie called A Man Called Otto). He focuses on writing about people with flaws, pain, and suffering to convey a real and convincing story. My Friends focuses on four teenagers whose friendship is so strong that it ultimately has a profound impact on a total stranger. If I could give Backman an award, I would, and I would not be shocked if he is able to add another award to his repertoire after reading the raving reviews:
“The beauty and extraordinariness of this book is in its writing. Backman’s storytelling and character development are amazing.” (Debbish)
“Backman’s words take us into the world of these four friends, so you can smell the sea air, hear the laughter, and experience the joy of being young and reckless.” (Karen Bellovich)
“I loved this new book. I loved it so much that I didn’t want it to end & purposely dragged out my reading of it.” (Kristen)
He has successfully created a social impact based on his storytelling of grief. The perception of this book is overwhelmingly positive, and without providing any spoilers, the key stand-out moments all revolve around Lousia. This contemporary fiction book is one for everyone.
Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green
You have probably heard of John Green from his novel The Fault in Our Stars, which is read by almost every teenager between the ages of 13 and 16. He has consistently produced beloved books, and Everything is Tuberculosis is no exception. This novel is his second non-fiction; this one tells the story of a young boy named Henry (a tuberculosis patient) woven through scientific and social histories of the disease, how it has shaped our world and how our current choices will determine the future of tuberculosis. Green’s implementation of history feels almost like a fictional story. Readers have described this book as poignant, smart and at times infuriating as Green describes the unfiltered treatment of Henry and other patients. Green’s writing is intellectual without making the reader feel alienated; if anything, it enables the reader to trust Green’s narrations. This specific review – “You also feel like you get to know Green better as a person. He shares his OCD and personal stories, and we see how he puts much of himself in his fictional characters.” – I think that should be enough for you to take a chance on Green’s work. He puts his entire soul into his work, and that is just the very reason why he consistently creates beautiful stories. The impact of this book has been extreme. It has made people like the current political climate and those who are suffering because of it, and it has left people thinking of Henry. There is no way Green could have been off this list.
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
Omar El Akkad is a Canadian novelist and journalist who focuses on reporting on political ideas (e.g., NATO, war, military trials, etc.). One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This is about Akkad’s personal painful revelations about the Western World’s promises of freedom. He used this book as an act of collective moral reckoning for everyone who felt a similar disappointment concerning the hope for real justice. His book was inspired by a tweet he put out on Oct 25th, 2024, just three weeks after the bombardment of Gaza, “One day, when it’s safe, when there’s no personal downside to calling a thing what it is, when it’s too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this.” This tweet was viewed over 10 million times.” His book not only provides catharsis for himself but crucial education for his readers. It is an authentic account of what it really takes to live in a world controlled by a small group of countries. Some of the reviews of the book state:
“This weary activist/writer is grateful for Omar El Akkad and the courage that it took him to dig so deep. I’m grateful to Knopf for publishing this masterpiece, which goes against the official position of our war machine. Both author and publisher are doing a great service.” (Sarah Trembath)
“El Akkad is tending to an exhausted choir, so that its song may ring clear.”
This book is a crucial read in this current state of being. It left readers feeling impacted by the raw account El Akkad gave; it gave them harrowing stand-out moments that left them going over and over it in their minds. This book is full of knowledge, insight, beautifully written, which does not hide any details. After reading this, I hope that your TBR has grown a little larger.
Whether you are into romance, thriller or non-fiction, there is something on this list that you will like. Reading in any capacity is a huge asset to personal growth, and I hope the love for literature and stories never dims. Please let me know what books you think people should read before the year is up! Have you read any of the five above? What are your thoughts? Feel free to let us know on our social media pages.