Showing posts with the label BookBrowse BlogShow all
The America 250 Challenge: 26 Books for Reading US History in 2026 This year, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States—in other words, 250 years of American history. In case you hadn’t noticed, at BookBrowse, we love historical fiction, and historical nonfiction, too. So here we present a challenge of sorts: read 26 books this year, each providing a glimpse into life in a different decade of the past two and a half centuries—using our list below as is, or swapping out for your own picks. These titles are all ones we’ve recommended and featured, and you can supplement your reading and book club discussions with our reviews, “beyond the book” articles, reading guides, and other content. We acknowledge that it is a difficult time for many to engage with Ameri... [More]

The America 250 Challenge: 26 Books for Reading US History in 2026 This year, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States—in other words, 250 years of American history. In case you hadn’t noticed, at BookBrowse, we love historical fiction, and historical nonfiction, too. So here we present a challenge of sorts: read 26 books this year, each providing a glimpse into life in a different decade of the past two and a half centuries—using our list below as is, or swapping out for your own picks. These titles are all ones we’ve recommended and featured, and you can supplement your reading and book club discussions with our reviews, “beyond the book” articles, reading guides, and other content. We acknowledge that it is a difficult time for many to engage with Ameri... [More]

February 13, 2026

This year, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the United States—in other word…

 BookBrowse Blog
Reading and Publishing Predictions: Book Trends to Watch for in 2026 What will happen in the book world in 2026? Which genres will be popular? Which reading and publishing trends will continue or fall off? What do readers and book clubs need to know going into the new year? Let us be your crystal ball. Here are some predictions we have for 2026, including what will happen with historical fiction, BookTok, audiobooks, book bans, book club content, and more. [More]

Reading and Publishing Predictions: Book Trends to Watch for in 2026 What will happen in the book world in 2026? Which genres will be popular? Which reading and publishing trends will continue or fall off? What do readers and book clubs need to know going into the new year? Let us be your crystal ball. Here are some predictions we have for 2026, including what will happen with historical fiction, BookTok, audiobooks, book bans, book club content, and more. [More]

December 15, 2025

What will happen in the book world in 2026? Which genres will be popular? Which…

 BookBrowse Blog
Our Best Beyond the Book Articles of 2025 At BookBrowse, we’re all about bringing you great reading, period. That’s why we don’t only feature reviews of recommended books, but also “beyond the book” articles, bite-sized literary and cultural pieces that expand on an aspect of each featured title. These articles can be read on their own, but also serve as a fantastic entry point into the related book. Below, we’ve selected some of the best articles written by our reviewers this year, one from each of our nine categories. These span subjects ranging from Ukraine’s national soil to American political lawn signs, crime dioramas created by “the mother of forensic science,” Mariah Carey’s career, how author Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu... [More]

Our Best Beyond the Book Articles of 2025 At BookBrowse, we’re all about bringing you great reading, period. That’s why we don’t only feature reviews of recommended books, but also “beyond the book” articles, bite-sized literary and cultural pieces that expand on an aspect of each featured title. These articles can be read on their own, but also serve as a fantastic entry point into the related book. Below, we’ve selected some of the best articles written by our reviewers this year, one from each of our nine categories. These span subjects ranging from Ukraine’s national soil to American political lawn signs, crime dioramas created by “the mother of forensic science,” Mariah Carey’s career, how author Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu... [More]

December 03, 2025

At BookBrowse, we’re all about bringing you great reading, period. That’s why w…

 BookBrowse Blog
Editors' Choice 2025: The BookBrowse Team's Top Picks Our upcoming annual Top 20 list will show subscribers’ favorite books of the year, but in the meantime, we thought you might enjoy knowing about our favorites. So, for the first time ever, each member of the BookBrowse editorial team shared a top pick of 2025 along with some runners-up to create our own loosely structured "best of" list. Unsurprisingly, we found there was a lot of overlap between the books we featured in our digital magazine this year and the ones we chose here, though this overlap wasn’t complete. (What we feature depends on a variety of factors, including prepub reviews and the books individual reviewers decide to cover.) Here’s your chance to get a glimpse of our personal tastes and an inside look at Bo... [More]

Editors' Choice 2025: The BookBrowse Team's Top Picks Our upcoming annual Top 20 list will show subscribers’ favorite books of the year, but in the meantime, we thought you might enjoy knowing about our favorites. So, for the first time ever, each member of the BookBrowse editorial team shared a top pick of 2025 along with some runners-up to create our own loosely structured "best of" list. Unsurprisingly, we found there was a lot of overlap between the books we featured in our digital magazine this year and the ones we chose here, though this overlap wasn’t complete. (What we feature depends on a variety of factors, including prepub reviews and the books individual reviewers decide to cover.) Here’s your chance to get a glimpse of our personal tastes and an inside look at Bo... [More]

November 21, 2025

Our upcoming annual Top 20 list will show subscribers’ favorite books of the ye…

 BookBrowse Blog
Bookish Banter: Our Favorite Author Interviews of 2025 What’s better than reading a book by an author you love? Well, probably nothing, but a good author interview can be a close second. We regularly feature interviews in our digital magazine with writers whose books we review, and in 2025, with your help, we started hosting our own Ask the Author interviews in the BookBrowse community forum. Below, we bring you some of the best Q&As for books published in hardcover or paperback this year from both inside and outside of BookBrowse, which represent just a handful drawn from a pool of many great interviews. We hope you enjoy these conversations and that you’ll join us in 2026 for more fun virtual author visits.    [More]

Bookish Banter: Our Favorite Author Interviews of 2025 What’s better than reading a book by an author you love? Well, probably nothing, but a good author interview can be a close second. We regularly feature interviews in our digital magazine with writers whose books we review, and in 2025, with your help, we started hosting our own Ask the Author interviews in the BookBrowse community forum. Below, we bring you some of the best Q&As for books published in hardcover or paperback this year from both inside and outside of BookBrowse, which represent just a handful drawn from a pool of many great interviews. We hope you enjoy these conversations and that you’ll join us in 2026 for more fun virtual author visits.    [More]

November 14, 2025

What’s better than reading a book by an author you love? Well, probably nothing…

 BookBrowse Blog
Our Most Anticipated Books for 2026 Are you excited about 2026 books yet? We are. Get your calendar ready, because below is a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. This list covers intriguing debuts and new work from excellent established authors, and it offers a glimpse of books we may cover in our digital magazine, First Impressions program, or book club in the year ahead. Be sure to also check out our Best Books for Book Clubs in 2026. Happy browsing! [More]

Our Most Anticipated Books for 2026 Are you excited about 2026 books yet? We are. Get your calendar ready, because below is a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. This list covers intriguing debuts and new work from excellent established authors, and it offers a glimpse of books we may cover in our digital magazine, First Impressions program, or book club in the year ahead. Be sure to also check out our Best Books for Book Clubs in 2026. Happy browsing! [More]

October 27, 2025

Are you excited about 2026 books yet? We are. Get your calendar ready, because …

 BookBrowse Blog
Why Book Reviews Still Matter in the Digital Age, and More: A Q&A with Peggy Kurkowski BookBrowse interviews longtime reviewer and history BookTuber Peggy Kurkowski  about the enduring power of thoughtful reviews, how the literary landscape has evolved, and why history remains her greatest teacher. For access to the full recording as well as live access to future industry insider discussions, become a Book Club+ Member today. [More]

Why Book Reviews Still Matter in the Digital Age, and More: A Q&A with Peggy Kurkowski BookBrowse interviews longtime reviewer and history BookTuber Peggy Kurkowski  about the enduring power of thoughtful reviews, how the literary landscape has evolved, and why history remains her greatest teacher. For access to the full recording as well as live access to future industry insider discussions, become a Book Club+ Member today. [More]

October 08, 2025

BookBrowse interviews longtime reviewer and history BookTuber Peggy Kurkowski  …

 BookBrowse Blog
The Best Books for Book Clubs in 2026 Ready to start planning your book club selections for 2026? We’re here to help. These books have all been published in hardcover or paperback within the last year (or will be soon), and we’ve paired almost all of them with handy discussion guides—either from the publisher or written by our reviewers—for your convenience. Most have been featured on BookBrowse in reviews or as the subject of online discussions, and we’ve included our own comments below, along with links to the discussions, which we hope will inspire you in your own. Whether you’re looking for a contemporary narrative or a historical one, a reflective bit of character fiction or a family saga, we have you covered. Happy reading in the year a... [More]

The Best Books for Book Clubs in 2026 Ready to start planning your book club selections for 2026? We’re here to help. These books have all been published in hardcover or paperback within the last year (or will be soon), and we’ve paired almost all of them with handy discussion guides—either from the publisher or written by our reviewers—for your convenience. Most have been featured on BookBrowse in reviews or as the subject of online discussions, and we’ve included our own comments below, along with links to the discussions, which we hope will inspire you in your own. Whether you’re looking for a contemporary narrative or a historical one, a reflective bit of character fiction or a family saga, we have you covered. Happy reading in the year a... [More]

October 06, 2025

Ready to start planning your book club selections for 2026? We’re here to help.…

 BookBrowse Blog
Some of the Best Recent and Ongoing Series for Book Clubs Reading a duology, trilogy, or longer series with your book club can be a special experience. Discussing linked books set in the same universe allows you to take an extended journey together, and the eager awaiting of a sequel or the next installment featuring a beloved character is a delicious anticipation that’s even better when shared. But what are the best series for book clubs? It might seem like series are the territory of certain types of genre fiction, like high fantasy, which many book groups don’t make a habit of reading, but in fact, there’s a wide variety out there that lend themselves well to discussion. Below, we present recent and ongoing series that seem ideal for book clubs—and in some cases are alre... [More]

Some of the Best Recent and Ongoing Series for Book Clubs Reading a duology, trilogy, or longer series with your book club can be a special experience. Discussing linked books set in the same universe allows you to take an extended journey together, and the eager awaiting of a sequel or the next installment featuring a beloved character is a delicious anticipation that’s even better when shared. But what are the best series for book clubs? It might seem like series are the territory of certain types of genre fiction, like high fantasy, which many book groups don’t make a habit of reading, but in fact, there’s a wide variety out there that lend themselves well to discussion. Below, we present recent and ongoing series that seem ideal for book clubs—and in some cases are alre... [More]

October 03, 2025

Reading a duology, trilogy, or longer series with your book club can be a speci…

 BookBrowse Blog
The Rise of Deluxe Editions: Not Just for Classics Anymore How dressed up is your bookshelf? Fancy books are by no means a requirement for readers—you may be satisfied with your discount paperbacks, which have their own easy charm, or convenient and space-saving e-book downloads. But recent years have seen a noteworthy explosion of collector’s editions, or deluxe editions, and they aren’t just for updated classics anymore. [More]

The Rise of Deluxe Editions: Not Just for Classics Anymore How dressed up is your bookshelf? Fancy books are by no means a requirement for readers—you may be satisfied with your discount paperbacks, which have their own easy charm, or convenient and space-saving e-book downloads. But recent years have seen a noteworthy explosion of collector’s editions, or deluxe editions, and they aren’t just for updated classics anymore. [More]

September 15, 2025

How dressed up is your bookshelf? Fancy books are by no means a requirement for…

 BookBrowse Blog
10 Books You'll Love Reading in Fall 2025 As brisk weather moves in and the buzz of back-to-school preparations fills the air, you may find yourself drawn to the library or the comfiest chair in the house. The autumn reading season is a time of abundant current and forthcoming releases, perfect for cozying up with the books in your TBR and adding some new ones. Below, we offer an appealing mix of recent titles and gems soon to hit the shelves for making the most of your fall days. All of these are books we either have covered or plan to feature in our digital magazine. Happy reading! [More]

10 Books You'll Love Reading in Fall 2025 As brisk weather moves in and the buzz of back-to-school preparations fills the air, you may find yourself drawn to the library or the comfiest chair in the house. The autumn reading season is a time of abundant current and forthcoming releases, perfect for cozying up with the books in your TBR and adding some new ones. Below, we offer an appealing mix of recent titles and gems soon to hit the shelves for making the most of your fall days. All of these are books we either have covered or plan to feature in our digital magazine. Happy reading! [More]

September 01, 2025

As brisk weather moves in and the buzz of back-to-school preparations fills the…

 BookBrowse Blog
Old Books Made New: Publishers Reimagining the Classics What makes a classic a classic? Many of what we consider classics today seemed out of place when they were first published. Some books are assigned the title “classic” long after the fact, and some are deemed “instant classics." Our interactions with so-called classics—the ways we discuss, teach, and package works of significance—define them and keep them alive. Publishers play a crucial part in this process, and some go the extra mile when it comes to shedding new light on old books, introducing underappreciated writing to a modern audience, or simply creating beautiful updated editions. Below are some imprints and series focusing on established, overlooked, and freshly dubbed classics bound (no pun intended) ... [More]

Old Books Made New: Publishers Reimagining the Classics What makes a classic a classic? Many of what we consider classics today seemed out of place when they were first published. Some books are assigned the title “classic” long after the fact, and some are deemed “instant classics." Our interactions with so-called classics—the ways we discuss, teach, and package works of significance—define them and keep them alive. Publishers play a crucial part in this process, and some go the extra mile when it comes to shedding new light on old books, introducing underappreciated writing to a modern audience, or simply creating beautiful updated editions. Below are some imprints and series focusing on established, overlooked, and freshly dubbed classics bound (no pun intended) ... [More]

August 04, 2025

What makes a classic a classic? Many of what we consider classics today seemed …

 BookBrowse Blog
July Books We're Excited About (2025) Summer isn’t only about beach reads, and really, you can read anything you want on the beach. Titles being released this July include books weighty in content, size, or both, and below are just a few. This short list of fiction and nonfiction features narratives that leave their unique mark on the past, spanning the lives of the Romantic poets, World War I, the Salvadoran civil war, and 1980s London. Follow our coverage of some of these and many other recommended reads in our digital magazine. [More]

July Books We're Excited About (2025) Summer isn’t only about beach reads, and really, you can read anything you want on the beach. Titles being released this July include books weighty in content, size, or both, and below are just a few. This short list of fiction and nonfiction features narratives that leave their unique mark on the past, spanning the lives of the Romantic poets, World War I, the Salvadoran civil war, and 1980s London. Follow our coverage of some of these and many other recommended reads in our digital magazine. [More]

June 18, 2025

Summer isn’t only about beach reads, and really, you can read anything you want…

 BookBrowse Blog
Our 2025 Summer Reading List: 11 Books for the Beach https://ift.tt/JgbemQ1 Whether you’re planning for a vacation, a staycation, or just enjoying the warm days ahead, we’re here to help you map out your summer reading. Splash into the summer spirit with absorbing beach reads, stories that evoke the season, and books for letting your mind relax and unfurl. And don’t worry, unlike in a certain AI-generated summer reading list, these are all real books we chose ourselves that actually exist (or will soon). Plus, these titles have been recently featured or are scheduled to be featured in our digital magazine, so you can peruse our reviews and “beyond the book” articles along with them. [More]

Our 2025 Summer Reading List: 11 Books for the Beach https://ift.tt/JgbemQ1 Whether you’re planning for a vacation, a staycation, or just enjoying the warm days ahead, we’re here to help you map out your summer reading. Splash into the summer spirit with absorbing beach reads, stories that evoke the season, and books for letting your mind relax and unfurl. And don’t worry, unlike in a certain AI-generated summer reading list, these are all real books we chose ourselves that actually exist (or will soon). Plus, these titles have been recently featured or are scheduled to be featured in our digital magazine, so you can peruse our reviews and “beyond the book” articles along with them. [More]

May 29, 2025

Whether you’re planning for a vacation, a staycation, or just enjoying the war…

 BookBrowse Blog
June Books We're Excited About (2025) Got your towels and sunscreen ready? How about your summer reading? Here are some books to start the season right: a reflective memoir about relationships and selfhood, a fantasy imagining a world where doors lead to unpredictable fates, an ambitious story of identity in America, and a darkly funny novel set in modern Ukraine. Follow along with upcoming coverage in our digital magazine. [More]

June Books We're Excited About (2025) Got your towels and sunscreen ready? How about your summer reading? Here are some books to start the season right: a reflective memoir about relationships and selfhood, a fantasy imagining a world where doors lead to unpredictable fates, an ambitious story of identity in America, and a darkly funny novel set in modern Ukraine. Follow along with upcoming coverage in our digital magazine. [More]

May 21, 2025

Got your towels and sunscreen ready? How about your summer reading? Here are so…

 BookBrowse Blog
How many people are in a book club in the US? Why the old estimate is way off. According to most sources, the current figure for how many Americans are in a book club is five million.  However, this figure hasn't been updated in over 25 years, so an updated estimate is long overdue.  Before we share our new estimate, let's go over where the previous estimate came from, and why you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet. [More]

How many people are in a book club in the US? Why the old estimate is way off. According to most sources, the current figure for how many Americans are in a book club is five million.  However, this figure hasn't been updated in over 25 years, so an updated estimate is long overdue.  Before we share our new estimate, let's go over where the previous estimate came from, and why you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet. [More]

May 16, 2025

According to most sources, the current figure for how many Americans are in a b…

 BookBrowse Blog
Book Clubs' All-Time Favorite Books (2025) https://ift.tt/MC25egm Book club favorites vary from year to year, and we're here to keep you updated on the most current trends! In this year's subscriber survey, we once again asked book club members to name their top three book club books of all time. From their answers, we've compiled our latest list of book clubs' top ten overall favorite books. [More]

Book Clubs' All-Time Favorite Books (2025) https://ift.tt/MC25egm Book club favorites vary from year to year, and we're here to keep you updated on the most current trends! In this year's subscriber survey, we once again asked book club members to name their top three book club books of all time. From their answers, we've compiled our latest list of book clubs' top ten overall favorite books. [More]

May 12, 2025

Book club favorites vary from year to year, and we're here to keep you upd…

 BookBrowse Blog
What It's Really Like to Join an Online Book Club (And How to Find the Right One for You) Online book clubs let you engage with others about books instead of just reading them alone. They bring together curious readers on forums, apps, or virtual meetups to discuss a shared book in depth. In a good online book club, you connect with fellow bibliophiles around the world, explore themes and characters you might have missed, and find motivation to finish your reading. Unlike a celebrity "pick of the month" or a casual social media thread, a serious book club is a discussion-based experience with a clear structure. Many readers join these clubs because they want a dedicated space and thoughtful conversation, things that celebrity-led clubs or one-off chats don't provide. In other words, an online book club is about participation, no... [More]

What It's Really Like to Join an Online Book Club (And How to Find the Right One for You) Online book clubs let you engage with others about books instead of just reading them alone. They bring together curious readers on forums, apps, or virtual meetups to discuss a shared book in depth. In a good online book club, you connect with fellow bibliophiles around the world, explore themes and characters you might have missed, and find motivation to finish your reading. Unlike a celebrity "pick of the month" or a casual social media thread, a serious book club is a discussion-based experience with a clear structure. Many readers join these clubs because they want a dedicated space and thoughtful conversation, things that celebrity-led clubs or one-off chats don't provide. In other words, an online book club is about participation, no... [More]

May 10, 2025

Online book clubs let you engage with others about books instead of just readin…

 BookBrowse Blog
Beyond the Hype: Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short for Serious Readers Beyond the Hype: Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short for Serious Readers In the world of literary enthusiasm, celebrity book clubs have become powerhouses of influence. Reese Witherspoon's picks routinely top bestseller lists, Oprah Winfrey's selections can catapult unknown authors to stardom, and Jenna Bush Hager's "Read with Jenna" has become a fixture on the Today Show. These star-powered reading initiatives have unquestionably boosted book sales and reading visibility. Yet for serious readers, these glittering book clubs often fall short of what we're truly seeking: genuine literary community and thoughtful discussion. [More]

Beyond the Hype: Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short for Serious Readers Beyond the Hype: Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short for Serious Readers In the world of literary enthusiasm, celebrity book clubs have become powerhouses of influence. Reese Witherspoon's picks routinely top bestseller lists, Oprah Winfrey's selections can catapult unknown authors to stardom, and Jenna Bush Hager's "Read with Jenna" has become a fixture on the Today Show. These star-powered reading initiatives have unquestionably boosted book sales and reading visibility. Yet for serious readers, these glittering book clubs often fall short of what we're truly seeking: genuine literary community and thoughtful discussion. [More]

May 09, 2025

Beyond the Hype: Why Celebrity Book Clubs Fall Short for Serious Readers In th…

 BookBrowse Blog
What are the Best Free Online Book Clubs for Adults in 2025? Looking to share your love of books with others without leaving home or spending a dime? You’re in the right place! In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore the best free online book clubs for adults. These aren’t just passive “read this book” lists – they’re vibrant communities with real back-and-forth discussion (forums, virtual meetups, group chats) where readers connect. From dedicated book club websites to thriving social media groups, you’ll find a welcoming place to chat about stories with fellow book lovers. Whether you crave deep literary analysis or just a friendly chat about the latest bestseller, there’s an online book club for you – completely free. Let’s dive in! [More]

What are the Best Free Online Book Clubs for Adults in 2025? Looking to share your love of books with others without leaving home or spending a dime? You’re in the right place! In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore the best free online book clubs for adults. These aren’t just passive “read this book” lists – they’re vibrant communities with real back-and-forth discussion (forums, virtual meetups, group chats) where readers connect. From dedicated book club websites to thriving social media groups, you’ll find a welcoming place to chat about stories with fellow book lovers. Whether you crave deep literary analysis or just a friendly chat about the latest bestseller, there’s an online book club for you – completely free. Let’s dive in! [More]

May 01, 2025

Looking to share your love of books with others without leaving home or spendin…

 BookBrowse Blog
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