If you missed the third of my 2026 book recommendations events with the Ashland Public Library last night, you can watch the video on Youtube here. While last year’s program focused on both fantasy and science fiction books, I’m primarily focusing on fantasy book recommendations this year. (But if you’re looking for more science fiction books this year, Elizabeth Bear has you covered!)
This time, I highlighted the following books (links go to reviews):
- The Poet Empress by Shen Tao, a standalone novel with poetry magic that involves a poem that can kill (and my favorite 2026 book release!)
- Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell, a fairy-tale-like story about the relationship between a sentient being made of flowers and her creator, told through both perspectives, that explores autonomy and consent
- The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip, a beautifully written story about a mage pulled into human affairs after a life of isolation with magical beasts for company (and one of my favorite books of all time!)
- The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin, a novel set in a city-state where peace and order are maintained through dream magic
- The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman, the first book in an eight-book series about a competent heroine who procures/steals books from various alternate worlds for an organization that exists outside of time and space known as the Library
- The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, a blend of historical fiction and folklore set in fourteenth century Russia with a heroine who can see spirits
(The first two books are 2026 releases that I have not yet reviewed. I planned to write about them after I had more time after this April’s Women in SF&F Month event and then life things kind of happened.)
These book recommendation events are quarterly half-hour long discussions taking place on Zoom on the third Thursday of the month, and the next book chat will be from 6:30 to 7:00 ET on November 19. You can register for the next virtual book recommendations event here.
