Book Report Vol. 24
Books I read in December, January new releases, and book-to-screen news
Hi Book Pals,
Holiday break reading is one of my favorite flavors of reading, second only to beach vacation reading. There’s a delicious lack of anything else I “should” be doing during that wonky week between Christmas and New Year’s when time feels particularly elastic. Complete freedom to gulp down a book in a day if I feel like it. (And, reader, I felt like it!)
In December, I dove deeper into 2026 releases to get excited for the reading year ahead and begin building my list of recommendations for you! I DNF-ed quite a bit, too, which is satisfying in its own way. With that freed up space in my queue, I even looped back to a book that’s been lingering in my TBR for over a year.
Let’s dive into the report, shall we? And, as always, keep scrolling for a preview of January new releases and all your book-to-screen news.
And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens · Bookshop · Amazon
Sophie Cousens is an auto-buy author for me, so I went into this romance with an AI twist completely blind. It has all the hallmarks of a Sophie Cousens novel—oozing British charm and banter—but also one of the most unique (and timely!) themes I’ve seen explored in a romance lately. I won’t say more, because this is best gone into cold, but if you feel bored by standard meet-cutes, I can assure you that you’ve never read this setup before!
So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder (out Feb. 17) · Bookshop · Amazon
If you’ve been here any length of time, you know I’m a huge evangelist of novels centering friendship. (Friendmances, if you will!) So, I leapt when I saw the pitch for this book about 6 friends told across 20 years via 5 parties. (Such a unique structure!) And I’m going to be raving about it for a while. It’s New York-y and suffused with Ginder’s biting observational humor, but also filled with so much heart as we watch the characters grow from recent post-grads into their forties, and live the full spectrum of experiences—drunken revelry, questionable hookups, marriages, children, divorces, friendship breakups, addiction, death—long-term friendships can entail.
Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino · Bookshop · Amazon
I remember a book publicist raving about this book back in June. (Five months before it came out.) Then came the headlines about Greta Lee winning a heated auction for its rights over the summer. So, it’s safe to say I was impatiently waiting for this thriller about a woman simultaneously trying to get pregnant and buy her dream home. When a lucky lead lands in her lap, she goes to increasingly wild lengths to land the suburban DC house of her dreams. If you like unhinged woman-on-the-brink protagonists, this one is for you!
It’s also our January Bad on Paper book club pick, and we’ll be discussing in our Jan 28 episode if you want to read along with us!
Into the Blue by Emma Brodie (out Jul. 14) · Bookshop · Amazon
Think: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow meets My Oxford Year meets Audition. What a freaking mashup! This literary romance is the December book that’s stuck with me the most. In it, two teens in Western Massachusetts—a misfit comedy geek and the broody son of an acting dynasty—form an unlikely friendship slash will-they-or-won’t-they romance that follows them for the next fifteen years as they launch their own careers in Hollywood. Told in 4 parts, I truly never had a clue where this book would pivot next, and it’s dramatic concluding act absolutely floored me. Sorry for shouting, but: PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK!
In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams · Bookshop · Amazon
It felt like a warm hug to return to Rome, KY for the conclusion of this interconnected romance series, the latest following free-spirited sister Madison and grumpy farmer/older brother’s best friend James. While it didn’t top my favorite installment in the series—Practice Makes Perfect; AKA Annie and Will’s book), the story is chocked full of small-town shenanigans, delicious food descriptions (the FMC is a chef), and cameos from all the past couples in the series. These books are such a balm if you’re looking for something sweet (and increasingly spicy as the series continues) to distract you from the trials of * waves hands around *… all this.
Colored Television by Danzy Senna · Bookshop · Amazon
This book about a stalled novelist who gets embroiled in pitching a TV comedy about race has been sitting in my TBR since last fall. It’s definitely on the more literary side with rich character studies and deep backstory, but not at all lacking in plot. In fact, I found myself bracing as the main character racks up lies, giving me that Curb Your Enthusiasm nervous stomach feeling. And, as someone who just survived writing her own second novel, I deeply appreciated the portrayal of the crucible of the sophomore novel. I’m not sure it’s for everyone, but if you enjoy books with commentary on race/class or novels about writers, it could be for you!
After a quiet December, new releases are back big time!
Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven | Historical | Jan 6
Set in the 1960’s, a behind-the-scenes drama about a famous TV family in the adult debut from this beloved YA author.
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins | Thriller | Jan 6
An infamous woman accused of murdering her lover returns to town with a true crime writer in tow.
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave | Thriller | Jan 6
A sequel set 5 years after The Last Time I Saw Him. Owen’s back…
Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey | Romance | Jan 13
A woman discovers messages from a dashing man in her late sister’s dating app and decides to meet him.
Woman Down by Colleen Hoover | Thriller | Jan 13
CoHo is back with a thriller about a scandal-ridden writer who’s lured back to the page by a real-life crime and the detective investigating it.
The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski | Historical | Jan 20
A wealthy English family in decline must sell their historic manor whose walls are filled with generations of secrets.
Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg | Literary Fiction | Jan 20
A woman livestreams her life to raise money for her comatose sister.
Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston | Thriller | Jan 20
A woman teams up with a stranger to catch her husband cheating, except he turns up dead.
The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead | Contemporary Fiction | Jan 20
A music exec is tasked with reining in an out of control (and almost out of chances) rock band with a magnetic lead singer.
Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy | Contemporary Fiction | Jan 20
From the author of I’m Glad My Mom Died: a seventeen-year-old pursues her much older creative writing teacher.
The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams | Historical | Jan 27
A Black teen delves into her mysterious family history in this generational family drama.
Here’s the latest book adaptation news on my radar. Publicists, producers, bookish insiders: if you have tips for next month, my inbox is open.
Thank god (and Jacob Tierney), Heated Rivalry is already renewed for season 2.
A major casting shake up to A24’s Deep Cuts adaptation: Saoirse Ronan and Austin Butler are out; Cailee Spaeny and Drew Starkey are in.
Brie Larson is set to star in a film based on One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle.
The Margo’s Got Money Troubles teasers look so, so good. Coming to Apple TV on April 15.
Hugh Laurie is joining Amy Poehler on The Dig, a series based off Excavations by Kate Myers.
Tracy Oliver (and Prince Harry & Meghan Markle!!!) is adapting The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. A modern-day inter-racial The Wedding Date? I’m so here for this!
Coincidence that an adaptation of The God of the Woods was announced by Netflix the same week Taylor Swift was spotted listening to the audiobook in her new documentary? (I mean, probably, these things take a long time to negotiate.)
An adaptation of Christina Lauren’s In A Holidaze feels, frankly, long overdue.
But, most importantly, the People We Meet on Vacation movie hits Netflix January 9th! Ready for vicarious vacations and so much banter. God, my hopes are so high.
And that’s this month’s book report. Until next time.
Becca
Absolutely thrilled to hear about one Italian summer!!
Becca, you are the best—so glad you enjoyed Into the Blue!! 🤗🤗🤗