Welcome to my first TBR of 2026!
I’m switching things up in the new year, and my TBR posts will now reflect what my reading lists actually look like. Instead of sharing snippets or just one or two titles, I’ll be showing the full list each time. As with previous updates, I’ll talk through the books I’ve read and the ones I’ve added along the way. I want these posts to represent what my reading life is actually like.
They won’t include mood reads, as those don’t count as TBR additions. Each book will have a brief description and a short note on why I’ve chosen it, with no detailed explanations; I want these posts to remain concise. I’ll save the deeper analysis for my regular recommendation posts.
Because I read almost every book I pre-planned last year, I’m starting 2026 with a completely fresh TBR. As I mentioned in my reflections and resolutions post, I wanted to explore more Nigerian classics alongside some fantasy, so that’s where I’ve begun. I’ve also included a few titles I’ve come across on social media.
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
An unexpected romance alters two lives as a young woman becomes a carer to a man with life-altering paralysis. I never finished the movie because I knew it would make me cry, but this feels like a perfect contender for a book-versus-screen moment, so here we are.
Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James
A brutal, myth-soaked fantasy following a mercenary tracker on a violent quest for a missing boy across a fractured, African-inspired world of shifting truths and monsters. This has been on my radar for a while, and this is finally the year I’ll be picking it up. I already have the audiobook lined up, which I’m hoping will be a great experience.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
The rise and tragic unravelling of a proud Igbo warrior mirrors the devastating impact of colonialism on his community and traditions. This is my Nigerian classic, and while I know it will be a heavy read, I’m genuinely excited to experience it finally.
My Parents’ Marriage by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond
A daughter reflects on her parents’ relationship to explore love, duty, and the quiet compromises that shape family life. I spotted this on a mutual’s Goodreads; the ratings aren’t amazing, but the premise intrigued me enough to give it a chance.
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
A community fights back against environmental devastation and exploitation, revealing how collective resistance and generational trauma intertwine. This was recommended by someone I follow on Twitter; it sounds heavy, but I’m still curious, even if I’m unsure when I’ll get to it.
Nightbloom by Peace Adzo Medie
A young woman’s pursuit of freedom and desire collides with tradition and expectation, forcing her to confront the cost of choosing herself. I really enjoyed His Only Wife, so I’m excited to see what Peace Adzo Medie brings with this one.
Where Secrets Find Solace by Kimberley Brown
After ten years behind bars, a woman walks free, only to discover that freedom comes with its own sentence. A friend asked me to read this with them, so it’s likely to be my first book of the year. It’s also a romance, and starting the year in familiar territory feels exactly right.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
A woman recounts her journey through love, loss, and self-discovery as she learns to claim her voice and independence on her own terms. I added this while looking for Black stories from across the diaspora, and the glowing reviews convinced me it needed a place on my list.
The Parlour Wife by Foluso Agbaje
A poignant story of a young Nigerian woman, living with the consequences of a war her country didn’t choose. This has been hovering on my radar for a while, and after rereading the premise recently, I finally decided it was time
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A sheltered girl comes of age as political unrest and family violence expose the cracks beneath religious devotion and authority.
I can’t remember if I’ve read this or not, but I pledged to read all of Chimamanda’s books so I can form a truly informed view of her as an author, so I’m starting here.
Many of these novels fall under African literary fiction, and while unintentional, I tend to add the heavier hitters to my TBR, as they’re not the kind of books I’d casually stumble upon and pick up on a whim; it also means working through my TBR takes far longer despite me going through lists of books in a period of time.
I don’t plan to change much else about the blog’s format, so things should largely stay the same from here on out. That said, if I do make any new additions, you’ll be the first to know. I’m excited for the year ahead! If you follow me on GoodReads, you can see these TBR Updates in real time.
Signed,
