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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge!

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