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! 

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