January Book News

January 2026

Best of 2025

The book community reflects on the “best” books of the year in December. I put the word best in quotes because reading is subjective. You might not agree with these lists.

From Elle: The Best Books of 2025

From People Magazine: Goodreads Choice Awards 2025 Winners Revealed, Including John Green, SenLinYu and Holly Jackson

Books Adaptations

Coming Soon:

From The New York Times: Read These Books Before They Hit Your Screens in 2026

From The New York Public Library: 20 Books To Read Before You See Their Upcoming Screen Adaptations

New:

People We Meet on Vacation —Netflix Film on January 9th, based on the book by Emily Henry. Poppy wants to explore the world and Alex prefers to stay home with a good book, but somehow they are the best of friends. They live far apart, but for a decade they have spent one week of

Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson in ‘His and Hers.’ Courtesy of Netflix

HIS & HERS — (Netflix Series on January 8th), based on the book by Alice Feeney. Two estranged spouses — one a cop, the other a news

Girl Taken (series premiere on Paramount+ January 8th), following the story of twin sisters Lily and Abby, whose lives are shattered when Lily is abducted from their quiet rural English town by beloved local teacher Rick Hansen. based on the novel Baby Doll by Hollie Overton.

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials — Netflix Series on January 15th), When a lavish country house party ends in murder, a witty young aristocrat sets out to solve the mystery in this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (drama series premieres on Max January 18th, weekly release on Sundays), A century before the events of “Game of Thrones,” two unlikely heroes wander Westeros. In an adaption of George R. R. Martin’s novella “The Hedge Knight,” a young and naive but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg, face a series of dangerous exploits. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and images of the last dragon have not yet passed from living memory, great destinies and powerful foes await these improbable and incomparable friends.

FX’s The Beauty, (three-episode series premiere on Hulu January 21st), Partners Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn investigate the Beauty STD causing aesthetic effects but proving lethal; they try to evade corrupt officials and a mercenary targeting them amidst a suspected government conspiracy. A Ryan Murphy show. The Beauty book by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley

Finding Her Edge (series premieres on Netflix January 22nd), To save her family’s rink, a former skater returns to the ice with an exciting new partner while holding onto feelings for her old one — her first love. Book by Jennifer Iacopelli

H Is for Hawk (In theaters on January 23rd), After losing her beloved father, Helen finds herself saved by an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel. Book by Helen Macdonald.

Bridgerton, season 4 part 1 — Netflix Series on January 30th. Book: An Offer by a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Events for Writers and Readers

Bookstore Events

Meet your favorite authors in person and get your book signed.

Hank Phillipi Ryan and T.J. Newman at Wellesley Books in 2023.

To keep up with events at local bookstores, sign up for their newsletter. I’ve subscribed to Beacon Hill Books, Brookline Booksmith, Harvard Books, I Am Books, Porter Square Books, and Trident. Or follow them on Instagram.

Trident Bookstore has a variety of book-based events, including trivia, silent reading, and book bedazzling.

I attended a silent reading event in 2024. Everyone introduced themselves, then described what they were reading. We all read silently and chatted afterward. You can use the silent hour to write. The next event is January 19, 2026.

The book I read. I ordered tea and a sandwich with sweet potato fries.

Online Events

The Back Room was created by Karen Dionne and Hank Phillippi Ryan in September 2020. “Praised for its professional format, the Back Room remains the only online event that allows authors and readers to chat face-to-face!”

A screenshot of one of their events. You can speak directly to authors and ask them questions about their books, writing, and background.

Barnes & Noble has two events in January. https://www.eventbrite.com/o/barnes-noble-17337409237

Susan Marchese