My Favorite Books of 2026 (so far)

5-Star Books for a New Reader in Midlife

A few months ago, I wasn’t really reading at all. Every time I picked up a book, I’d read a few pages and either fall asleep or realize my mind had wandered somewhere else.

Then I discovered audiobooks.

Since then, I’ve listened to more than 50 books while walking my dogs, cleaning the house, driving, coloring on my iPad, and winding down at night. Some books were good. Some were forgettable. A few I didn’t finish at all.

But these books were different.

These are the stories that stayed with me long after the final chapter. The characters I still think about. The books that made me laugh, cry, learn something new, or kept me thinking about them days later.

I’m not a book reviewer. I’m just a 51-year-old woman (as of June 7, 2026) who rediscovered a love of reading and wants to share the books that made the biggest impact on me.

If you’re looking for your next audiobook or book club pick, start here.

I’ve linked each book cover to Goodreads if you’d like the full summary and reviews. Below the book cover images, I’ve included a few thoughts of my own. They aren’t really reviews, just my reactions as a reader.

And fair warning: there may be a few spoilers along the way.

Looking for Your Next Read?

I track every book I read, my ratings, my current reads, and upcoming TBR picks in my Notion Reading Tracker.

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My Quick Thoughts on Each Five-Star Book Above

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

This one surprised me. I loved the strange family secrets, the ending, and how much I wanted to know what really happened.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

This had great narration, which was perfect for a 29-hour long audiobook. I was so into this one, I finished it over a weekend. I loved spending time with the characters and was sad when it was over.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

I loved the main character, Elizabeth Zott. She was smart, independent, funny, and trying to build a life on her own terms ~ which reminds me of myself too, but science is not my favorite subject.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This was a sweet story about books, grief, second chances, and finding family in unexpected ways. I haven’t heard much from others about this book, so maybe others don’t enjoy it as much as I did.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was my second book by TJR and this audiobook made it feel like it was a real documentary. I loved the cast narration, music world, and complicated relationships. It kind of reminded me of my parent’s era and I pictured the band like Fleetwood Mac. Benjamin Bratt’s voice was a nice addition ~ he’s always been a favorite actor of mine.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

This was my 2nd Kristin Hannah book so far. It was powerful and emotional. I loved Frankie’s journey, the friendships, the Vietnam history, and the ending. Some parts were hard to listen to but that’s expected when it’s a war scene.

The Henna Artist Trilogy by Alka Joshi

The Henna Artist

This book really pulled me into India, family expectations, ambition, and Lakshmi’s world. I got hooked and wanted to read the entire trilogy. It was a surprise because I didn’t know much about India, but I love learning about different cultures.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

A great continuation of the story. I liked seeing the relationships, secrets, and their careers keep growing. Stories of independent women, their experiences, and growth are super interesting to me.

The Perfumist of Paris

I had no idea what a Henna Artist or a Perfumist occupation looked like, so I normally wouldn’t pick up books with these titles. But, I’m so glad I did! This was my favorite ending to a trilogy. I loved Rahda’s perfume world and how complete the story felt.

The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

A wonderful mix of humor, history, and family secrets ~ three of my favorite things in books. This was narrated by the author and was one of those books that simply made me happy to keep listening to her tell the story she dreamed up.

What Makes a Book a 5-Star Read For Me?

After looking back through my favorite books so far this year, I realized there are a few things they have in common.

First, I have to care about the characters. If I don’t care what happens to them, I’m probably not going to finish the book.

I also love stories that let me step into someone else’s life, whether that’s a woman in Vietnam, India, Russia, Kentucky, or a small town I’ve never visited. Some of my favorite books taught me about a different place, culture, or time in history while still telling a great story.

Most of all, I want a book to stay with me after it’s over. I want to find myself thinking about the characters days later or recommending the book to a friend.

My favorite books usually include at least one of these:

Memorable characters
Strong women
Family, friendship, or found-family relationships
Humor mixed with emotion
A setting or culture that teaches me something new
An ending that feels satisfying and earned

Of course, every reader is different. These are simply the ingredients that tend to turn a good book into a great one for me.