Episode · The Book Review · 2026-01-16
Books mentioned on The Books We're Excited About in Early 2026
Joumana Khatib recommended A World Appears by Michael Pollan, Clutch by Emily Nemens, Murder Bimbo: The Unmissable Cult Hit Page-Turner - Perfect for Summer Reading by Rebecca Novack, and Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, and discussed Weathering Heights by Wendy Dalrymple. MJ Franklin recommended Vigil by George Saunders, On Morrison by Namwali Serpell, Language as Liberation by Toni Morrison, Kin by Tayari Jones, and The Keeper by Tana French, and discussed Middlemarch by George Eliot. Gilbert Cruz recommended Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy, Cave Mountain by Benjamin Hale, and Now I Surrender to You and That Is All by Álvaro Enrigue and others.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Weathering Heights
Discussed“One of them is to read more classics and I have a series of classics that I want to read that include Weathering Heights and Anna Corin just things I really I feel are so influential but I never got around to.”
Where to get it
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Middlemarch
Middlemarch by George Eliot is widely celebrated as a masterwork of Victorian literature, chronicling the lives and aspirations of provincial society in the fictional town of Middlemarch.
Discussed“Jima has been talking about Middle March for what I feel like has been six months. I've always wanted to read Middle March.”
Where to get it
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Vigil
Vigil by George Saunders is a contemporary novel exploring deep existential themes, mortality, and moral reckoning through the lens of a dying protagonist.
Recommended“And I want to start with a book, Vigil by George Saunders.”
Where to get it
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Half His Age
Half His Age is a book written by Jennette McCurdy.
Recommended“I am going to talk about Half His Age by Janette McCertie. This comes out January 20th.”
Where to get it
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A World Appears
A World Appears by Michael Pollan is a non-fiction work that explores human consciousness, the self, and the boundaries of mystical and meditative experiences.
Recommended“So, this is a world appears, a journey into consciousness by Michael Pollen.”
Where to get it
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On Morrison
On Morrison is an essay collection written by Namwali Serpell.
Recommended“I also have a non-fiction title and that is on Morrison by Nomali Surpel which is out on February 17th.”
Where to get it
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Language as Liberation
Language as Liberation is a collection of essays and lectures written by Toni Morrison that explores themes of freedom and expression.
Recommended“I'm going to shoehorn a second recommendation in here and that is language as liberation and that's also non-fiction a collection of essays and lectures but this one is by Tony Morrison herself.”
Where to get it
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Clutch
Clutch by Emily Nemens is a contemporary novel that explores intricate human relationships and narratives through a distinct literary lens.
Recommended“So, the first one I'm going to talk about is a novel called Clutch by Emily Nemans.”
Where to get it
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Murder Bimbo: The Unmissable Cult Hit Page-Turner - Perfect for Summer Reading
Murder Bimbo: The Unmissable Cult Hit Page-Turner - Perfect for Summer Reading by Rebecca Novack is a striking contemporary work that captured the attention of critics ahead of its official release.
Recommended“This is called Murder Bimbo by Rebecca Novak, coming out February 10th.”
Where to get it
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Kin
Kin by Tayari Jones is an engaging novel that has earned enthusiastic praise from critics and readers alike.
Recommended“But the book I wanted to mention is Kin by Tari Jones. Also out on February 24th.”
Where to get it
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Cave Mountain
Cave Mountain by Benjamin Hale is a compelling non-fiction book that explores a gripping disappearance and a profound reckoning in the Ozarks.
Recommended“It is called Cave Mountain: A Disappearance and a Reckoning in the Ozarks by Benjamin Hail.”
Where to get it
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Lake Effect
Lake Effect is a novel written by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney.
Recommended“So, this is Lake Effect by Cynthia Depri Sweeney. This is coming out on March 3rd.”
Where to get it
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Now I Surrender to You and That Is All
Now I Surrender to You and That Is All is a historical fiction book by Álvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer.
Recommended“This is Now I Surrender by Alvaro Enrique.”
Where to get it
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The Keeper
The Keeper by Tana French is a suspenseful mystery novel that delivers a thrilling narrative experience.
Recommended“This is called The Keeper. This is coming out on March 31st.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (24) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“His book Liberation Day came out a few years ago, but I think he's probably best known for Lincoln and the Bardau, which was 2017, and 10th of December, which is 2013.”
“His book Liberation Day came out a few years ago, but I think he's probably best known for Lincoln and the Bardau, which was 2017, and 10th of December, which is 2013.”
“His book Liberation Day came out a few years ago, but I think he's probably best known for Lincoln and the Bardau, which was 2017, and 10th of December, which is 2013.”
“Although real George Saunders heads would maintain that he has been with it since Civil War Land and Bad Decline, which is also a great title.”
“So Heather N. Thompson who has won a Pulitzer Prize in history for a previous book that was a book that she wrote about Attica called Blood in the Water has taken this on and she lays out the case.”
“There's this one, Fear and Fury by Heather N. Thompson, and there's another one called Five Bullets, and that's by a man named Elliot Williams.”
“This is the first novel from the former co-star of the Nickelodeon sitcom I Carly, who became known, further known to many people about four years ago when her book I'm Glad My Di came out.”
“So he's best known for The Omnivore's Dilemma.”
“And then actually his last book, How to Change Your Mind, from 2018 started looking at psychedelics and how they play with our very plastic consciousnesses.”
“She has two novels the old drift and the furrows both of which are incredible.”
“She has two novels the old drift and the furrows both of which are incredible.”
“It's like Fates and Furies the Lauren Grath book.”
“This was my problem with Creation Lake among other things.”
“She has a new book coming out too in February, February 24th, Brawler.”
“She wrote An American Marriage, which was huge, iconic.”
“It's a coming of age story and think of it like like books like The Vanishing Half or Shred Sisters or Lonely Crowds.”
“The author is the best-selling writer of The Nest and Good Company.”
“The author is the best-selling writer of The Nest and Good Company.”
“I know you both know who this is and you both remember his last book because it was one of our top 10 books of 2024. That book you dreamed of empires was a piece of deep historical fiction.”
“In January, we have a new book by Carl Oowskar, The School of Night.”
“Colleen Hoover has a new book, Woman Down, coming out in January.”
“Speaking of thrillers, in February, we have a new Yo Nesbo book, Wolf Hour, that comes out February 3rd.”
“In March, there's a new novel by Abby Jimenez titled The Night We Met.”
“Louise Erdrich has a collection of short stories as well titled Python's Kiss.”