My January 2026 TBR

A TBR list for me is more of a suggestion — intent — than actually a strict list to follow through. It comes in handy for the times I do not know which book to read next after finishing one. However, sticking to it is a tough ask of me.

To that end, I have compiled a list of books I want to read in January 2026 to kick off the year perfectly. I did not get to all of December TBR and will definitely try to read them this month but the January list is pretty long in itself. The books I am adding here are a good mix of the ones that have been on my TBR for a while, brand new releases from this month, and some classic rereads.

Here are the 10 books I hope to read in January 2026. You are welcome to join me in reading these books together and request additional books in the comments for review (read all book reviews here).

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weird has been on my physical TBR since last year. Last year was also when I got into reading sci-fi. So it feels like a time as good as any to get into this book and dive in for the adventure.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

I am planning on reading all of Samantha Shannon’s backlist this year. Starting with The Bone Season, also on physical TBR, seems like a good idea as any but The Roots of Chaos series is also on my radar and physical TBR. I am willing to get sucked into her worlds thoroughly after seeing so many people put The Bone Season on their best reads of 2025 lists.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

I hear Dark Academia and Fantasy, and I am in. I have been eyeing Emily Tesh’s The Incandescent ever since it came out in May of 2025 and I cannot wait to get started. This book is heavily compared to Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series and I am a huge fan, so I am definitely looking forward to seeing how this matches up.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Anita Desai

Part of my physical TBR again, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Anita Desai is my literary fiction hopeful for the first month of the year. I have been drawn into reading more lit fic in 2025 by reading the Booker Prize Shortlist books and Anita Desai’s latest work is part of it. This is a pretty thick book and I am planning on taking my time with it, so even if I begin the book in January, it might take me a while to finish this.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

A War of Wyverns by S. F. Williamson

S. F. Williamson has me still living in her dragons and language world ever since I read A Language of Dragons. Good thing for me, the sequel to it, A War of Wyverns, just came out. I am forever enticed by linguistics and absolutely love talking dragons. This series has both.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher has been my most-read author for back-to-back 2 years. Her 2025 release, Snake-Eater, had been on my radar as soon as it was announced. I am looking forward to diving into this mystical soft-horror with Kingfisher’s patent humour. I am always up for scaring myself a little in cozy winter afternoons.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

The Hierarchy series has been everywhere and on every list. The Will of the Many by James Islington is a high-fantasy series with lots of world-building and plot twists. Political intrigue in fantasy fiction is one of my favourite things to read about and I am eager to jump into this world.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole

Another Dark Academia entry on this list, An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole is again compared to Novik’s A Deadly Education. I think it would be great to read this and The Incandescent back-to-back to really seep in the vibes. A magic academy and an FMC who thinks she has been here before? Sign me up!

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Dracula by Bram Stoker is a Classic reread that I have already started. I am getting into the horror genre and just dipping my toes into it since last year. I could not pass by Dracula without seeing if my scare-quotient has gone up a little. Interestingly, so far, I did not think Jonathan Harker was as scared in Castle Dracula as he should have been. Well, stay tuned for the full review.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

This is something I am embarrassed to admit, but I read The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang in 2020 and did not follow through with the rest of the series as I got distracted. I have read the rest of Kuang’s backlist and loved all her work so far. This seems like the perfect time to read her OG fantasy series and read the whole trilogy this time.

You can check out the summary and grab a copy here.

This is a pretty late January TBR round-up that I opted for. I already had carry-overs from December to read and those kept me away for as long as it did. I two books into my reading goal this week and none of those were on my radar before they landed on my Libby shelf. I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed to actually read books from this list since they are much-anticipated books for me.

You can follow along my reading journey across social media @thecalcuttanbibliophile and do drop a follow here if you see books you like on this list. Keep an eye on the review blog for latest book reviews and recommendations.

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