I was reasonable this year and set my reading goal on Goodreads at 50 books. I am already three books ahead of my goal for 2026. I think I set my goal too high in 2025 (100 books?), and I didn’t make it.
Here are the ten books I have read most recently:
For the Love of Friends – Sara Goodman Confino – I am reading this one now and liking it. I just read another book, my first, by this author and loved it (even though I don’t remember a thing about it now!) This is definitely a female book. It is a fun and easy read about a single woman over 30 who is juggling and trying to budget for being a bridesmaid at five weddings, two of them her younger siblings.
It Is Done: The Final Step to Instant Manifestations – Richard Dotts. I have written an entire series of posts about manifestation, and I think one more is in order, since I am now seeing the other side of it — or the side I knew all along, but didn’t want to believe! Do you mean I am not really going to be able to manifest that man I am in love with? Richard Dotts is one of the apparently more sensible manifestation teachers, although this book seemed in line with the people I watch on You Tube and other people I read. It is, however, very clear. It is very highly rated by many readers, although it isn’t either of his books that was more highly recommended. I got the one that was least expensive since Kindle Unlimited didn’t have his books. My local library system generally has only ebooks of this type — and not available on Kindle. I gave it four stars.
She’s Up to No Good – Sara Goodman Confino – Gave this one five stars. It is a little less romancy that the one I am currently reading. It is about a recently (or maybe not quite yet) divorced woman who goes on a trip with her grandmother back to her old home. The grandmother has some family secrets to divulge.
Manifestation Through Relaxation: A Guide to Getting More by Giving In – Neville Goddard – Neville Goddard is pretty much the King of the Law of Assumption in manifestation. He has many books and lectures. Most of the books are quite similar, and I have read a few. It is about exactly what is says: using relaxation techniques to manifest. Four stars.
Earth’s the Right Place for Love – Elizabeth Berg – I have read a lot of Berg’s books, but none recently. I saw her speak years ago in California. Her books are women’s, but a step up from the lighter, more fluffy books. This book is about two young people growing up in a small town: unrequited love (she loves the other brother), family trauma, loss, grief, and coming to terms with it. It is a lovely book. Four stars.
The King’s Ransom – Janet Evanovich – I have read a lot of the Stephanie Plum books in Evanovich’s seemingly endless series. I loved them, especially her wonderful characters, until they became a bit repetitive and we still didn’t know if she would choose Joe or Ranger (did she ever choose? I haven’t read the latest ones if she is still writing them). Her other books are never as good as that series (the one that starts with One for the Money). This is a light thriller/mystery about a recovery agent who is trying to locate missing masterpieces as a favor for her ex-husband whose flaky brother is involved in their disappearance. Three stars.
A Mind of Her Own – Danielle Steel – Yup, once in a while I read Danielle Steel! Four stars for this one. Actually, this is a historical novel about a woman born in 1900 in Paris. She had forward-thinking parents who were doctors and went to serve in World War I. They were both killed, and in addition to them Alexandra suffered other great losses, ending up moving to American to work for her grandfather’s newspaper.
No Offense (Little Bridge Island, #2) – Meg Cabot – This was a cute book, but I gave it only three stars. It is about a librarian who moves to a small town and finds a newborn left in the library bathroom. A cute read with fun characters.
The Correspondent – Virginia Evans – I read something about this book that gave me the idea that is was pretty popular. And it is. It is very high on Amazon’s bestseller list, is a New York Times bestseller, and is nominated for several awards. It has been called the breakout novel of 2025. Frankly, I didn’t think it was that great. It is about an older woman who writes letters to everyone. The letters and emails tell the story of the book and are the entire contents. I gave it four stars. People seem to love it.
The Secret Book Society – Madeline Martin – A thrice-widowed woman invites three women to her house for tea in London in 1895. It turns out to be a secret book society where they find their voices. One is oppressed by a tyrannical husband, another by her parents who do not accept her. They support each other in rewriting their lives. Five stars for this great book.
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