lavaturtle reads 50 books in 2026

Hi everyone! This will be my third year trying to read 50 books in a year. The last two years I haven't hit my goal, but I'm feeling optimistic about this year!

I mostly read science fiction and fantasy, and a bit of nonfiction on various topics I find interesting.

2026 reading goals:

- Read 50 books!
- Read for the Hugo awards. By which I mean, read some 2025 sci-fi/fantasy that might be on the ballot, and read some 2026 sci-fi/fantasy that I might nominate for next year's ballot.
- Catch up on some of my favorite series.

Stats

Total books read so far in 2026: 14
Books eligible/nominated for the 2026 Hugo awards: 6
Books eligible for the 2027 Hugo awards: 2

Series

The Laundry Files: Next book is Quantum of Nightmares
InCryptid: Caught up!
The Midsolar Murders: Caught up!
Shadow of the Leviathan: Next book is A Trade of Blood, coming out August 11
Dr. Greta Helsing: Next book is Grave Importance
Invisible Library: Next book is The Lost Plot
Cerulean Chronicles: Next book is Somewhere Beyond the Sea

This thread is now open!

1. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

Wow, this book does not pull its punches. The protagonist and people like him face a horrifying level of violence, control, and abuse. But there's something powerful in seeing how he survives and grows into himself, and fights to have his own life. Also, an autistic transmasc protagonist! In alternate-history Victorian London! I also loved seeing the range of experiences that the girls in the school had, and how they reacted, and the ways they related to each other. Oh, and also -- Daphne! OMG I love this beautiful, tender, fierce T4T relationship!

2. Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy by Jessica Fern

This is a really useful book, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's in a polyamorous relationship or thinking about it. Even aside from the polyamory angle, the discussion of attachment and trauma is worthwhile. But the relationship advice about how to form a more secure attachment with your partner, presented in a way that doesn't assume everyone's monogamous, is also quite good. I borrowed this book from a friend, but I might want to get my own copy!

3. Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite
2026 Hugo eligible: Novella

What a fun little story! A murder mystery on a spaceship where death is usually temporary. I enjoyed seeing the mystery unravel, and the quirky supporting cast. And so many queer people and relationships! And, as an added bonus a surprising amount of knitting!

4. Brigand & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
Series: Legends & Lattes
2026 Hugo eligible: Novel

There were a lot more sad feelings and estrangement from loved ones than I expected from this cozy fantasy series! I did enjoy the adventure story, though, and the growing bonds between the characters travelling together. And they're great characters! I'm also glad we eventually found out what's up with the Tarimites.

5. Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz
2026 Hugo eligible: Novella

This was a fun, sweet story about robots, and living on the fringes of society, and "authenticity" and algorithms and internet hate campaigns. And with a background setting that extrapolates the current political situation to one possible major development. Which is to say, there's a lot of cool stuff packed into this little novella! But it also has a set of really great characters, and a beautiful snapshot of a diverse community of neighbors helping each other. One tiny side plot I especially loved was Sweetie transitioning from someone's fantasy of a woman to a body that's for her, including basically getting top surgery from a friend. Sparkly LED scars should be an option for all of us!

6. The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

I love this setting! The concept of the Language is really cool. And the Library itself is also intriguing -- I suspect we're going to learn more about its inner workings in future books. As far as Irene, while we get mentions of a fling with a woman cat burglar, Irene's relationships in this story are tediously heterosexual. By which I mean, both the major men characters are obvious potential love interests, and the major woman character is a rival (although at least not a rival in love). I didn't like Kai at first, but once we find out what his deal is, he becomes more understandable, if not less obnoxious.

Aside from my feelings about some of the characters, the plot of this book was a great deal of fun! An adventure in a world with a kitchen sink of fantastical elements (there's an in-universe explanation why), with lots of fun twists and turns. I'm intrigued to see what happens next.

7. A Rebel's History of Mars by Nadia Afifi
2026 Hugo eligible: Novel

Wow. This is an impressive book, taking two protagonists separated by millenia and slowly bringing their stories together. It could have been awkward, but it actually worked really well. I loved the journey each protagonist went on, whether tragic or triumphant. The political dynamics of the setting were also really interesting, from the corporate compounds to the planned communities to the creepniess of what a "civilizationist" really is. I liked the slow reveal of what happened at one pivotal moment in history, and the very deliberate way that truth is handled. Also, the characters are great! I don't know if the ending is intentionally leaving room for a sequel -- it's a fully satisfying ending if this is a standalone, but there's also plenty of adventures that could still happen.

8. The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman
Series: Invisible Library

What a fun adventure! I enjoyed all the ways Irene got herself into and out of trouble, and the creative use of the Language. The supporting cast (Silver, Vale, Coppelia) really shines here, in the places they appear. I really like the way Irene worked with the Train/Horse to solve both their problems via the power of story. More minor, but I'm glad we seem to have dropped the romantic undertones with Vale. Irene and Vale are much better as friends, and it's nice to have some relationship that's not tied up in compulsory heterosexuality.

9. Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty
Series: The Midsolar Murders
2026 Hugo Eligible: Novel

This was a lot of fun! I liked that Phineas joined the main set of characters. Mobius is a delight, and it was cool to see more development of Mallory's relationship with the Sundry. And Metis, what an awesome and ridiculous setting!

10. Butterfly Effects by Seanan McGuire
Series: Incryptid
2027 Hugo eligible: Novel

I'm glad this book finally tackled the fallout from Iowa head-on, with how it had been hanging over some of the characters. It was exciting to actually see Jhorlar! What a cool, very alien world and society. And the Kairos! Also, while it feels a little too convenient, I'm so relieved that the collective was able to save Artie and Arthur, and give Antimony her memories back. This fixes basically everything that Sarah had been regretting for the last couple books, and saves a bunch of relationships in the process. We're also taking a hard look at the way most of the characters think about cuckoos, and how shitty that is for someone like Sarah. Also, I love the new lore about cuckoos! It really turns everything we thought we knew about cuckoos vs. jhorlac on its head.

The extra novella at the end was good, too. I don't think Elsie's gotten to be a viewpoint character before now, so it's exciting to finally see her perspective! I wonder if she'll get to be a POV character for a book soon? Oh, also, I am loving Rose's new look/attitude/everything.

11. Coldwire by Chloe Gong
2026 Hugo Eligible: Novel

Wow! This book just kept surprising me, right up to the end. Literally no one and nothing is what they seem. What a twisty plot! I also did not realize until very close to the end that this was the beginning of a trilogy, but it's definitely a satisfying story on its own.

I really loved the main characters. The hetero romance felt kind of rote, but I guess that's what makes this YA? Because the setting and themes are far from simplistic. We have a terrifying totalitarian reality, where the difference between how the rich and poor live has reached new extremes, and capitalism has even more fully combined with the state. We have a technology that could be endlessly creative and egalitarian, but has instead been set up to preserve the status quo. And we have a system that cynically exploits racialized young people to feed the war machine.

I'm intrigued by where this might go next! Definitely going to keep an eye out for the sequel.

12. The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman
Series: Invisible Library

I liked it a lot! Intriguing to see more of the internal Library politics, and a glimpse of how the Library itself can be in danger. The Language continues to be a really cool concept. I'm glad Irene got to fight Alberich again -- and maybe defeat him? I won't believe it till we see a body. I suspect some of the dragon and/or Library politics that were touched on here might continue to have consequences. I like Kai, who seems to have grown up a bit, and Vale, who is... dealing with some stuff in this book. Not sure what the ongoing effects of Irene's desperate gambit to save Vale are going to be...

13. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

What a lovely, cozy book about found family, queerness, and standing up to The System. The very beginning had me unsure about this book, between the silly-serious writing style and the cartoonish nature of the minor antagonist. But as the story gets going and the protagonist is drawn out of his comfort zone, it's clear that the world is much bigger than where we started. The whole cast of characters on and around the island are delightful, and the personal journey the protagonist goes on is really rewarding. I see why one of the blurbers called this "a modern fairy tale".

14. Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey
2027 Hugo eligible: Novel

Well, this was even creepier than I expected! I suppose in a way it could be called folk horror. But it's also a terrifying portait of a vulnerable person being methodically groomed into a cult. At some point we also start getting glimpses of the lives of other characters, all of whom are constantly monitoring their own thoughts to avoid any dissent from doctrine or authority. There's a creeping sense of dread that persists as things keep going from "hmm that's not quite right" to "oh shit, it's even worse than I thought". I had wondered for a while if Celia would come to her senses and flee, perhaps taking Audrey with her, but by the time we get to the ending, it feels... inevitable.

Additional thoughts: I love that so many of the characters are queer, and that's part of their character but not what their plot is about. Also, there's really just one fantastical element here... but it's used to very good effect.