Sarah's Bookshelves Live

May is upon us and that means Summer Reading season is just about here!
The 2026 Summer Reading Guide went through a lot of changes this year, so I'm coming to you a bit early to walk through all the details.
CLICK HERE for the full Show Notes on the blog.
The 2026 Summer Reading Guide is launching this coming Tuesday, May 12! And, our Summer Reading Special podcast episode will air the following day (Weds, May 13).

WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR
The SRG is now a team project.
You'll be getting recommendations from Catherine and Chrissie in addition to me. 
And, there are a couple books on the SRG that are recommended by multiple team members.
But, don't worry, you will easily be able to tell who recommended each book in the Guide.

The primary SRG with full write-ups on every book we included will be in a printable PDF format.
Changing the primary Guide to a PDF format gives us the flexibility to include some different and helpful ways to categorize the books in the guide beyond our mood-based categories. In addition to the regular part of the Guide, we'll have lists for: Books that are now out in paperback 
Five star books
Books that are great on audio
Longer books (450+ pages)
Nonfiction
And, our Secret picks – which you'll hear more about in our Summer Reading Special coming on May 13



We selected our Top Picks differently. In the past, I chose my #1 pick for each of my mood-based categories in the Guide. 
This year, we're selecting a group of our OVERALL Top Picks regardless of which mood based category they fall in. We've chosen 6 top picks that represent a range of genres, vibes, and reading tastes. And, those will be in their very own section at the front of the Guide.

HOW TO GET THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDE
Different from last year
The primary Summer Reading Guide PDF with full write-ups on every book will ONLY be available to paying members (via Patreon or Substack).
BUT, we'll be running a Free Trial for our Patreon and paid Substack communities, so you can still technically get the full PDF guide for free. Free Trial sign-ups will be open through Friday, May 22 (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend).
The Substack Free Trial will be for 30 days.
The Patreon Free Trial will only be 7 days long. Patreon only allows 7 day free trials and I wish they'd change that policy. 
Obviously, we hope you sample our bonus content and decide to stick around on Patreon or Substack, but you can also drop your membership after 1 month if all you're interested in is the full Summer Reading Guide PDF.

AND, a Cheatsheet-style list WITHOUT write-ups for the books included will be available to everyone on my website.
HOW TO MAKE SURE THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDE LANDS IN YOUR INBOX ON MAY 12
If you are NOT already a paying member, you can sign up for a Free Trial either on Patreon (here) OR on Substack (here). 
If you are NOT already a paying member and you are not eligible for the Free Trial (i.e. you signed up in a previous year and dropped your membership since then), you can sign up to be a paid member on Patreon (here) OR Substack (here) for $7/month (and can drop your membership after 1 month if you don't want to stick around).
If you are ALREADY a Superstars member on Patreon or a paid member on Substack, you don't have to do anything else to get the Guide. It will arrive in your inboxes on Tuesday (May 12) morning.
And, don't forget that the Cheatsheet (i.e. a slimmed down version of the Guide WITHOUT WRITE-UPS on all the books included) there will be available on my website.

Going back ten years to 2016, Sarah and Catherine Gilmore (@GilmoreGuide) dive into the annual Bookish Time Capsule episode and revisit the book world from that year. They cover big bookish highlights — from the buzziest books of the year to the award winners — along with what was happening in the wider world at the time. They also look back at their own reading from 2016, including their favorite releases, and share a quick round-up of listener-submitted favorites. This episode is overflowing with great backlist titles to add to your TBR!  

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights
The big news that was going on outside the book world
Book stories and trends that dominated 2016
The 2016 books that have had staying power
Big books and award winners for the year
Reading in the blog years before the Rock Your Reading Tracker
Sarah's and Catherine's personal 2016 reading stats
Listener-submitted favorites from 2016
2016 Bookish Time Capsule [1:45]
The World Beyond Books
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou (2018)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:09] 
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [4:59] 
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [5:11] Ferrante's true identity has never been confirmed, despite multiple attempts by journalists and various theories pointing to different people.

Book Industry Sales and Trends
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:02]
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:10]
Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:21]
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:36]
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:40] 
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [10:45] 
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [10:57] 
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo (2014) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:12] 
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:16] 
StrengthsFinder 2.0 from Gallup (2007) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:20] 
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:30]
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:33]
After You by Jojo Moyes (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:49]
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [11:52]
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:59]
Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter (2016)| Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:36]
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (2004) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [12:49]
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:04] 
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:05]
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George (English Translation, 2015) | Amazon| Bookshop.org  [13:32]
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman (English Translation, 2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:39]
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [13:51] 
Big Books of 2016
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:47]
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) by Sarah J. Maas (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [16:28]  
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [17:25]
Pines (Wayward Pines, 1) by Blake Crouch (2012) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:57]
Recursion by Blake Crouch (2019) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:17]
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[18:34]
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (2011) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:58]
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:29]
James by Percival Everett (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:42]
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [20:51] 
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:10]
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:28]
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:46]
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [23:19]
Award Winners of 2016
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [23:54]
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:06]
Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:35]
The Sellout by Paul Beatty (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [24:51]
Let Me Die In His Footsteps by Lori Roy (2015) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:50]
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [25:56]
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:05]
Catherine's Top Books
Forty Rooms by Olga Grushin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [27:46] 
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[28:11]
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [28:35] 
The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:03] 
Before the Wind by Jim Lynch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:57]
Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [30:57]
Miss Jane by Brad Watson (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:48]  
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:57]
Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:08] 
Adnan's Story by Rabia Chaudry (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [32:40] 
Sarah's Top Books
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:45]
Shelter by Jung Yun (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [39:58]  
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:06] 
The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:16] 
My Name Is Lucy Barton (Amgash, 1) by Elizabeth Strout (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:22]
Oh William! (Amgash, 3) by Elizabeth Strout (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:38]
Tell Me Everything (Amgash, 5) by Elizabeth Strout (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:47]  
Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:05] 
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:30]
Tender by Belinda McKeon (US Release, 2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:44]
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:03] 
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[42:05]
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:31] 
Listeners' Top Books
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[44:14]
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:19]
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 2) by Sarah J. Maas (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:35]  
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:47]
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:01] 
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:24]
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:30]
Beartown by Fredrik Backman (English Translation, 2017) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:32]
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:40] 
The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:45]
Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [46:58]
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [47:00]
The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:16]

In Episode 222, Sarah talks with authors Jennifer Marie Thorne and Lee Kelly about their latest co-written novel, The Midnight Show. Set in the world of 1980s late-night comedy, the book is told in a documentary / oral history format that traces the rise of a breakout star — and the mystery surrounding her disappearance. They talk about how they developed a cast of characters shaped by both real-life comedy figures and their own creative instincts, as well as the challenge of writing sketch comedy that actually lands on the page. They also get into the realities of writing as a duo and the novel's exploration of how women in comedy are perceived and defined. Plus, they share what they're working on next and their book recommendations.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Highlights
Books by Lee Kelly + Jennifer Thorne:  The Antiquity Affair (2023), The Starlets (2024) and My Fair Frauds (2025)
By Lee Kelly: With Regrets (2023), A Criminal Magic (2016), and City Of Savages (2015)
By Jennifer Thorne: Diavola (2024), Lute (2022), and Newbourne Park(September 29, 2026)
A brief, spoiler-free overview of The Midnight Show
The inspiration behind the novel and how they created their characters using a mix of real-life performers and imagination
Writing sketch comedy for the page — and how they created it organically for the story
The evolution of their collaborative writing process 
How society views funny women — and how they're allowed to be defined
What this author duo is working on next
Lee's + Jennifer's Book Recommendations [38:42]
Two OLD Books They Love
Jennifer : The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:07]
Lee : A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2010) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [41:24]  
Other Books Mentioned The Magicians by Lev Grossman (2009) [39:34] 
The Candy House by Jennifer Egan (2022) [43:08] 

Two NEW Books They Love
Jennifer : Cruelty Free by Caroline Glenn (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[44:16]
Lee : The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead (2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[45:28]
Two NEW RELEASES They're Excited About
Jennifer : Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel (September 15, 2026) | Amazon| Bookshop.org [48:02]
Lee : Death Was Not on the Guest List by Jenni L. Walsh (June 16, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:22]
Other Books Mentioned The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (2012) [49:36] 
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2014) [50:04] 
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925) [51:53] 

Books From the Discussion
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (2023) [6:37]
Live From New York by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller (2014) [6:41] 
The Chris Farley Show by Tom Farley Jr. and Tanner Colby (2008) [6:45] 
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019) [23:43] 
The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) [25:47] 
Good People by Patmeena Sabit (2026) [38:20]

Welcome to the Spring 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!  
Today, Catherine and Sarah share 12 of their most anticipated books releasing in April and May.  

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Announcements
A preview of changes to this year's Summer Reading Guide — now a team effort, with more info to come in a separate episode coming in early May.
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share 4 bonus books (2 each) we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!
Highlights
A lightning round of some big releases coming this spring that are not featured in our personal preview picks.
Catherine's theme is spring, but Sarah's theme is summer.
Looking for balance, Catherine chose books that are lighter and brighter, but not silly.
Spring picks carry 4 debuts — 3 from Catherine and 1 from Sarah.
Sarah's books cover 2 books about the world of comedy and 3 family dramas.
Sarah has already read one of her picks — 4.5 stars!
Plus, their #1 picks for spring.
Big Spring Releases
The Midnight Train (The Midnight World, 2) by Matt Haig (May 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:04]
The Shippers by Katherine Center (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:06]
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:09]
Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez (April 21) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:16]
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (June 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:22]
Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:26]
Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire, 1) by Veronica Roth (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [3:29]
Other Books Mentioned
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett (2011) [3:59] 
Spring 2026 Book Preview [4:38]
April
Sarah's Picks
The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [7:11] 
Into the Blue by Emma Brodie (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [15:49] 
Leave Your Mess At Home by Tolani Akinola (April 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:50] 
Catherine's Picks
American Fantasy by Emma Straub (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [11:50]
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [19:10] 
Like This But Funnier by Hallie Cantor (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:19] 
Other Books Mentioned
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2019) [8:26] 
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (2023) [8:55]
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne (2024) [11:08] 
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (2026) [14:39] 
Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie (2021) [17:22] 
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (2012) [17:38] 
Normal People by Sally Rooney (2018) [18:37] 
The Favorites by Layne Fargo (2025) [18:40] 
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2017) [18:46] 
The House of My Mother by Shari Franke (2025) [22:03] 
August Lane by Regina Black (2025) [22:56] 
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [23:06] 
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors (2024) [25:07] 
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [25:09] 
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo (2019) [25:10] 
May
Sarah's Picks
The Mediator (Max Ringo, 1) by Robert Bailey (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:36]
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:46]
Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [37:30] 
Catherine's Picks
The Liar's Playbook by Leslie Bradford-Scott (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:31]
The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:11]
The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi, 2) by Shannon Chakraborty (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [40:10] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) [27:52] 
Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond (2021) [31:20] 
Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn (2025) [31:22] 
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) [32:57] 
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Louise Penny (2021) [36:07] 
The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker (2016) [38:02] 
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) [39:01] 
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, 1) by Shannon Chakraborty (2023) [40:38]

In Episode 220, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to!  They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why.  

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Announcement
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!
Highlights
Catherine had a high success rate, but a pretty "meh" overall feel 
Sarah's reading followed a familiar barbell pattern: some standout hits, several DNFs, and not much in between
Catherine's ratings mostly landed as mid-range reads — with two 4.5 star wins.
Sarah had one 5-star read (and a new favorite of the year), two 4.5-star reads, and one big disappointment
Some of Sarah's risk-taking paid off, while other picks didn't land
They share their best and worst picks from winter
Books Read Before the Preview [6:08] 
Sarah's Pick
Whidbey by T Kira Madden (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:13]
Winter 2026 Book Preview [8:20]
January
Catherine's Picks
Skylark by Paula McLain (January 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:49]
Vigil by George Saunders (January 27)  | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [18:43] 
Other Books Mentioned
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain (2021) [14:53] 
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain (2018) [15:21] 
February
Sarah's Picks
Good People by Patmeena Sabit (February 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:25]
Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway (February 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:49]
Kin by Tayari Jones (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [26:15] 
Catherine's Picks
More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [22:40]
Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [29:47]
Other Books Mentioned
The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland (2022) [17:32] 
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) [26:04] 
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2018) [26:58]
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones (2011) [26:59]  
March
Sarah's Picks
No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (March 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [31:51] 
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:23]
She Fell Away by Lenore Nash (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [43:23] 
The Complex by Karan Mahajan (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [48:07] 
Catherine's Picks
Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [35:34] 
No Friend to This House by Natalie Haynes (US Release March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:07]
Son of Nobody by Yann Martel (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org  [45:17] 
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:08] 
Other Books Mentioned
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff (2019) [32:10] 
Shelter by Jung Yun (2016) [38:26] 
Red Widow by Alma Katsu (2021) [44:17] 
Red London by Alma Katsu (2023) [44:18] 
From the Top of the Episode
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [1:10]