2026 Book Release Radar: The new books we can’t wait to read

New year, new books, and SO many reasons to freak out (in the best way).  In this bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu and Meara to kick off 2026 with a full-on Book Release Radar—highlighting the upcoming titles they’re most excited to read this year.  From buzzy new releases to books that already feel like future favorites, they're sharing what’s climbing to the very top of the TBRs and why 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for readers. Consider this your official permission slip to start planning your holds early.  Season 3 is coming in April but make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss out on our monthly episodes while you wait!  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Book recommendations:  Jananie’s Picks:   A Kiss of Crimson Ash – Anuja Varghese   We Dance Upon Demons – Vaishnavi Patel   TRAD WIFE – Saratoga Schaefer  The Rise of the Celestials – Kritika H. Rao  Read Between the Lies – Jesse Q. Sutanto  Aicha – Soraya Bouazzaoui   Burn the Sea – Mona Tewari   Seasons of Glass and Iron – Amal El-Mohtar    Meara’s Picks:   A Vow in Vengeance - Jaclyn Rodriguez  Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke  She Haunts Me Still - De Elizabeth   Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It – Brooke Averick   The Wretched Divine – Adalyn Grace  Clara & the Devil – Olivie Blake & Little Chmura   Dead Beat - Leigh Bardugo  Light Wielder - Rachel Schneider  Victorious – VE Schwab   Joe’s Picks:   Nothing Tastes as Good – Luke Dumas  Japanese Gothic – Kylie Lee Baker  We Burned so Bright – TJ Klune  Spoiled Milk – Avery Curran   Plastic, Prism, Void – Violet Allen  Fruitcake – Rex Ogle  Missing in Soho – Holly Stars  Lights! Camera! Frendo! - Adam Cesare   Who's in this episode:   Jananie K. Velu – Links  Meara - Links  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:23 Intro  00:01:55 Gettin’ chatty with Jananie & Meara  00:03:14 Relationships with book releases  00:07:54 2026 Book Release Radar  01:04:59 Final thoughts and outro  Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode!  Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!  We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!   Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices