This week, we chatted with literary agent Alyssa Morris and East City Bookshop Buyer Emilie Sommer about 2026 publishing trends! We pick their brains about customer shopping behavior, what editors are looking for, how they know something is going to hit, and their big bets for the year.

Alyssa's 2026 Picks

In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto

The Poison Daughter by Sheila Masterson

One & Only Maurene Goo

Games by Anna Maria Volkova

Emilie's 2026 Picks

Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola

Five by Ilona Bannister

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

Under Story by Chloe Benjamin

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

April's Book Club Pick - Good People by Patmeena Sabit

What we read this week

Olivia - The Fountain by Casey Scieska, In Her Defense by Phillipa Malicka, Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor, The Sirens by Emilia Hart

Becca - Once And Again by Rebecca Serle; American Fantasy by Emma Straub

Obsession

Becca - Garlic Slicer

Olivia - New notes app system

Sponsors

Cozy Earth - Head to cozyearth.com and use code BOP for an exclusive 20% off

Ritual - save 25% on your first month of ritual at Ritual.com/BADONPEPER.

Wayfair - Take up to 80% off with fast and FREE shipping on everything at Wayfair.com from April 25 - 27th to shop Way Day.

Caraway home - Visit Carawayhome.com/BOP for an additional 10% off your next purchase.

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