SPRING READING LIST || 5 Books to Add to Your TBR

The first two months of 2026 have seen me reading a fair share of books. Eighteen, to be exact.

Maybe it’s because the cold, wintry evenings mostly urge me to tuck myself into bed early with a good read. I love reading from a variety of genres. I hop from mystery to love stories, fantasy to science fiction. After spending many hours with my nose in a book, here are my picks.

The Will of the Many by James Islington

Politics, magic, and an undercover underdog on the run yet rising through the ranks in plain sight, if these elements sound like they’re up your alley, then this book will have you hooked. It certainly had me hooked. After several late nights and 700 pages, I was yearning for volume 2 (another 700 pages).

A young prince’s family is killed, and his homeland is taken from him. He’s a hideaway at an orphanage, but his intellect and knowledge attract the wrong (or maybe it’s the right) attention, which throws him into the deathly world of scheming politics and the dangerous act of maneuvering between rivalling factions. In order to survive, he must do as his adopted family asks of him, to ascend the ranks of the school and become the [insert title]. The twists, turns, and close encounters in this page-turner of a book will have you reading into the wee hours of the evening.

Pick A Color by Souvankham Thammavongsa

The story takes place over the course of one day. The protagonist is an ex-boxer who now runs a nail salon.

Through every chapter, we are reminded of the people we’ve come across, or can self-identify as one of those people frequenting the salon. The conversations with patrons that visit the salon in each chapter cover daily life topics people share with aestheticians: motherhood, dating, scandals, affairs, workplace or career issues. Out of all the characters that pop in to get their nails done or brows plucked, you will see a bit of yourself reflected in there. In fact, you’ve probably had similar discussions as you were getting your hair or nails done.

The book presents a slice of life that isn’t sugarcoated, the way I prefer it. How about you?

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

I have this inkling that more people are feeling the pressure of everyday stressors and are swimming in a sea of anxiety. If that sounds like you (it certainly sounds like me), then pick up Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes. It’s an encouraging read as we journey with her to see how saying yes to things she never did before altered the course of her life. 

What I took away from this was that it reminded me of how, as children, our minds and hearts were much more open than they are in adulthood. We say yes to playing with other children we don’t know; we say yes to attempting that dangerously high set of monkey bars; we say yes to new places, people, and things with little hesitation. The little daredevils we were. 

For me, this served as a reminder to re-open my mind and heart to possibilities, because they could lead to great things you never thought possible. 

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

I’m not sure where to begin with this one, other than I really wanted to reread the entire book and immediately flipped back to a previous chapter that left an impression. 

Is it the prose? Certainly.

Is it the story? You know how covers always say that a book is heartbreaking? Well, they haven’t read this one yet. I usually don’t identify with characters this hard, but oof, even I shed a few tears. My mind shouted, “Why?! Why would you go do that? You have it so good!” This is when you know the author has you, dear reader. You’re emotionally invested.

Is it the characters? Oh, yes, I had no regrets following these characters through the years.

Is it the friendship, the quadrangle, the relationships? The characters in this book remind us of the people who come into our lives and never leave. They may depart shortly, but we’d welcome them back; our hearts always have a spot for that person.

It’s one of those books I could read for the first time again. It’s also one of those books that I know I’d enjoy reading again, and again, and again.

Twice by Mitch Albom

A new addition to the Mitch Albom portfolio. You can expect to learn, or be reminded of, a life lesson when you read a Mitch Albom book. Some readers call this formulaic, but I say sometimes it’s what our heart needs. What kind of mood are you in? Are you looking to escape (fantasy), to go on an adventure (mystery/thriller/action), to reflect on life (self-help/life lesson), or for comfort (slice of life—all those books about bookshops; yes, those ones)?

This was what I needed during a few tough weeks at work. Yes, it’s got a life lesson wrapped up in it, but it’s still a heartwarming read I enjoyed through and through. Maybe because the confession comes in the form of a journal, I resonate with it because I also love journaling. 

Here is a short summary of the story: A man is captured on suspicion of committing fraud at a casino. The security team lead is interrogating the man, and he says all the answers are in his handwritten memo book. The story switches between the security reading from the book, to what’s happening in real time in the interrogation room. Through the journal, you learn about the man’s power to experience everything in life twice: the things he corrected and made worse by having this power.

I will share more recommendations as I continue to finish books on my massive tbr. What are your highly anticipated reads for the spring?