The Books That Added an Extra Beat To my Heart
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I can’t believe we are halfway through the year already. Time just disappears in 2026. Or more like it never existed at all. It’s January you blink and here we are. Especially, beside work and other life-related challenges. Then, there are the heat waves. Not that we have them here in Scotland. I mean it’s raining since 1534, we are lucky if we have two weeks without clouds and I said a lot.
Anyway, I’m here to check in how my reading went so far this year. I’ve found some amazing titles and the amazing titles also found me, but in general I don’t read as much and as fast as I would like to and what is ‘normal’ for me.
Don’t get me wrong I love to get lost in certain books. Especially, the classics. I always take my time with them. Highlighting, copying out quotes verbatim into my reading journal spend some quality brain power on language, literature, authors, translators and a specific era in history. Even doing some research on the side when I have the appropriate amount of energy for it. However, as for my regular reading I like to go with the flow and pick the rhythm of the book up or even just try to march through it if its a harder or slower big work. Somehow this year no matter what I do, I just can’t seem to read at the speed that I want and I can’t even say that I don’t read almost every day, because I do. This being said, the second half of the year is still there and even if it will disappear like a good magician into thin air hopefully, I will read more amazing books.
Make Your Own Categories
I thought to make it more fun I would come up with different categories for these top 10 books. There can be more than one in a singular category and based on that we will see at the end of the year if new books will force out a few of these titles or not. Not every book here came out in 2026 but I definitely read them in this year. Also, I decided not to include the blurb this time for the books but you can check each of them out by clicking their links. It will take you to bookshop.org’s website.
Note: These are just my personal feelings and thoughts. It doesn’t mean that you will or you had the same reading experience and that’s absolutely fine.
The Best Horror
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones*
genre and other tags: horror, historical, 1912, gothic, Native American, vampire
I’m a big fan of his work, so this novel was basically an auto-read for me. I read it back in January and it was so good, it still hovers over me like a dark rain cloud. It was elemental and probably one of the few horror books where I thought that this is how in real life would look like, if we are talking about vampires. It felt very eutierrial just like how nature is a part of us and we are of it. Well… when we are actually behaving like a part of it and not something that wants to conquer and smother it… Beautifully written, eerie when it needs to be, dark and spooky while being literary. Philosophical, heavy on social criticism and commentary, which I appreciate as a reader. Honestly, if you haven’t read it yet, give it a go it’s a really good book. Plus, I think it can be a good reading experience even for people who don’t really read horror books in general, but would love to try it out.
The Best Classic
The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf*
genre and other tags: literary, historical fiction, Edwardian lifestyle, late 1800s early 1900s
I have decided this year that I want to start to read all her works in chronological order as they were written or/and published. So I read The Voyage Out first. It wasn’t an easy read. Especially at the beginning, but the more I eased into it the easier it got and by the half of it I felt like I could gently put the tip of my finger on her pulsing writer’s vein and just truly get a feel not just for her style but her, as a human being. The end of the book was rather devastating and haunting. It was clear that she went through it herself and its her own memory and embodiment of grief and sorrow that we can feel as readers. I really love her mind and her soul. Probably not the best novel to start from if you never read her work before, as I said it was a tough read at times but it is rewarding and definitely not a let down by any means.
The Best Sci-Fi
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir*
genre and other tags: sci-fi, action, adventure, dystopian, suspense, science, humorous, heartfelt, hopeful, fast paced, mix of character and plot-driven narrative
I had to read it before the movie came out. I absolutely loved The Martian*. Both the movie and the book so I was already familiar with his writing, plot style and type of characters. Project Hail Mary showed that Andy Weir got much better as a writer. I think it really shows how he elevated his craft from a writer’s point of view. He cleverly played with flashbacks, built tension and moved the plot even if the reader was enclosed with the characters in a tin can the whole time. It is a hopeful read, which we desperately need and it was heartfelt and kind without being cheesy. I laughed out loud quite a few times. Definitely quaffed. An absolute fabulous book to give to readers who want to tip their toes into science fiction. And I, ohmygod, I just loved the ending. I cried. I cried ugly tears with an ugly face. Also, the science is legit which is probably the most important aspect of the whole book. Lot of love and care went into not just on that side but on the writing as well, and it showed. An absolute all-rounder.
The Best Historical Fiction
The Manningtree Witches by A.K. Blakemore*
genre and other tags: historical fiction, modern and contemporary fiction, early 1600s, England, witchcraft, medium paced, mix of plot and character driven narrative
The way A.K. Blakemore writes is just unreal. Somehow she manages not just to take me back in time in a blink of an eye so much so, that I could actually touch, smell, hear and see everything but also take me to the deepest part of her characters’ soul. To the most closed off, neglected and abandoned part of their brain and leave me there. I don’t know how she does it but every time when I read her work I feel like she is having me on the palm of her hand and just looking at me, ready to bite or smile or just close her fist. Her characters are raw, ugly and honest. At the same time they are beautifully written with an elegance and firm knowledge of the era its location and people. And… on top of that you have your juicy social commentary and the characters that are never, ever black or white. She is an auto-buy for me. If you really love historical fiction you have to read A.K.Blakemore.
The Best Modern & Contemporary Fiction
What Am I, a Deer? by Polly Barton*
genre and other tags: debut novel, introspective, present day, Frankfurt, self-conscious, romance, modern life, career, slow paced, character driven narrative
I received an ARC from Fitzcarraldo Editions. Most readers are familiar with her translation works like Butter* and Hooked by Asako Yuzuki* or The Woman Dies by Aoko Matsuda*. What Am I, a Deer?* really went into my young teenage years and showed me that how much those times actually shaped me even how I am now, so many years later. Revisiting that part of me and letting myself revert back to that freedom with the calmness and endurance of accumulated life experiences that came after, is what actively helping me to evolve as a person. Which I desperately need in my creative life. The main character was probably one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever met in a book. There are ruminations and introspection throughout the novel. It felt like speaking with someone who had similar life experiences on a certain level and seen from a certain aspect. It felt familiar. If you are looking for something that is introspective that will make you think about your own journey your own young adulthood and your relationships, I highly recommend What Am I, a Deer? Read My Review
Audition by Katie Kitamura*
genre and other tags: modern & contemporary, suspense, mix of character and plot driven narrative with a focus on character, medium paced, present day, Manhattan, theatre life
I read this novel during January on those nights when I should’ve been sleeping but I didn’t. The main remaining feeling that is left over after finishing this book was its intensity. Especially, the dialogues. I found myself sitting with the characters in cafes and restaurants or in the flat looking at them while they explode. I can’t say that I understood every single thing about the end, but I’m positive I got the gist of it. I really liked and felt for the main character and I also positively disliked others. Hundred percent a character driven plot so if that is your thing with strong dialogues and pushed down intense tension between characters then you will surely like Audition*. I absolutely loved also her style of prose its confidence and firmness while being eloquent and rebellious.
The Best Dystopian Fiction
Event Horizon by Balsam Karam* and translated from the Swedish by Saskia Vogel
genre and other tags: translated fiction, dystopian, fictional country, oppression, expulsion from society, belonging, injustice
Received an ARC from Fitzcarraldo Editions. I finished this novel not too long ago and it is still a fresh open wound on my heart. A profound, rough and necessary read for someone like me who wants to read as many different life experiences and therefore, get to know different cultures and state of beings as possible. It’s also a read that will positively piss you off at life and its rampant injustices. The whole book is a social commentary although I think the word commentary is not really enough or fitting here. It can be triggering for some so I would say make sure that you are in the right headspace for it, as it can be overwhelming. It re-defined, or better yet add to what being loved and belonging means to me. So if you would like to read a dystopian novel that is not your regular action-packed clear-cut plot heavy story but rather a deeply emotional and philosophical journey you should read Event Horizon*. Read My Review
The Best Short Story Collection
The Woman Dies by Aoko Matsuda* and translated from the Japanese by Polly Barton
genre and other tags: Translated fiction, modern & contemporary fiction, feminist, magical realism, satirical, Japan, present and future, fast paced and plot driven
I loved every single short story in this collection. It was fresh and creative. It was a fun and engaging read as a woman. Even more, if you know how hard it is to be a woman in a strongly patriarchal society. Caricaturist-ic sprinkled with dark humour and satire. Again, heavy on social commentary and feminism so if that’s your vibe you should grab it or check it out. The other thing that is good about short stories is that it is ‘easy to read’, (obviously, depending what kind of short story you are reading) especially, when you don’t have much time on your hands. I truly enjoyed it and probably will read her other works as well in the future.
The Midnight Timetable by Bora Chung* and translated from the Korean by Anton Hur
genre and other tags: translated fiction, short stories, present day, South-Korea, ghost stories, thriller and suspense, interconnected stories, social commentary,
I am a huge fan of both Bora Chung’s* and Anton Hur’s* work. I read every single title by Bora Chung that was translated from the Korean to English by Anton Hur. My favourite is probably still Cursed Bunny*,(Read My Review) but The Midnight Timetable* is a strong second. Full with disturbing and creative eerie stories that are interlinked with each other. Heavy social commentary in it also. By the look of it most of my favourite books have this element to them. Might be not the easiest to fully grasp as to what’s happening but I love books that are not pushing the facts and the meaning down the reader’s throat. If you love spooky Korean stories you have to read Bora Chung in general, it’s a must.
The Best Thriller
Ashes Through the Hourglass by Danny Lenihan*
genre and other tags: psychological thriller, speculative sci-fi, action, fast paced, mix of character and plot driven narrative, dark humour, time travel, mental health, psychology
Review copy kindly received from the author. I could also call this category as my Biggest Surprise of 2026. In a positive sense, obviously. Maybe it was the fact that it was not hyped and I went into it blind.
I was not expecting for this book to be this good in so many aspects. It is an underrated sci-fi, psychological thriller gem that I am head over heels for. I receive a few arcs and proof copies over the year that didn’t make it to my website because didn’t connected with me as a reader, but Ashes Through the Hourglass had a better connection with me than my Bluetooth earbuds that are clinging on to my phone regardless of how many times I disconnect it. It has loveable characters, friendships, time travel, fast plot, dark humour and sensitive deeply emotional subjects. If you are looking for an exciting emotionally intelligent read that is nerding out on time travel you have to grab Ashes Through the Hourglass*.
What's Next
The Red Sacrament by Sara Hinkley*
genre and other tags: gothic horror, thriller and suspense, late 1800s, Paris, vampires, witchcraft, debut novel, mix of character and plot driven narrative heavy on character, slow paced
I received a review copy kindly sent by Titan Books. If I manage to finish it soon, I can write a review about it next week. If not I will come back with my list of 10 new release books that I was/am anticipating in June.
Also, I made a substack! If that is your thing hop over. I don’t charge for anything as it mostly identical to what I’m posting here, but if you prefer to use that platform you can find me there now.
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