- Jennette McCurdy’s candid memoir remains a must-read on 2026 lists.
- Mix memoir, climate fiction, and urgent nonfiction for a balanced year of reading.
- Look for debut voices and backlist discoveries alongside headline authors.
- Build a flexible reading plan: short books, essays, and long novels.
What to read in 2026: a quick guide
Every year brings new headlines and new books that help us understand them. For 2026, prioritize clarity, empathy and curiosity: memoirs that cut through celebrity gloss, fiction that imagines our near future, and nonfiction that explains systems shaping daily life.
Why Jennette McCurdy still matters in reading lists
Jennette McCurdy’s memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, made a powerful cultural impact when it was published. Her direct, unflinching account of growing up in show business and confronting family trauma remains relevant for readers seeking personal stories that blend humor, pain and hard-won insight.
McCurdy’s work is a reminder that memoir can do more than entertain: it can reframe conversations about mental health, fame and agency. Include her memoir in any 2026 reading plan if you haven’t already — it pairs well with other frank life stories from performers, journalists and activists.
Top genres to focus on in 2026
- Memoir and personal essays: Stories with emotional clarity cut through noise. Pair McCurdy with other confessional authors to explore different lives and paths to resilience.
- Climate and speculative fiction: Novels imagining climate futures or social shifts help readers think beyond headlines.
- Civic and systems nonfiction: Books that explain politics, technology and economics will remain essential as global debates evolve.
- Debut novels and translations: Fresh voices and work in translation broaden perspective and uncover new storytelling approaches.
Building a manageable 2026 reading list
- Mix lengths: alternate short essay collections or novellas with longer novels.
- Prioritize curiosity: choose one book each month outside your usual genres.
- Revisit backlist must-reads: some books get richer with time — include one reread.
- Follow author interviews and recommendations: authors often point to hidden gems.
Quick picks and pairing ideas
- Pair a celebrity memoir (like Jennette McCurdy’s) with a critical essay collection about media and fame.
- Read one climate novel alongside a scientific or policy primer to balance imagination with facts.
- Combine a translated novel with a domestic debut to compare narrative styles and themes.
Final thoughts
2026’s best reading will mix personal reckoning with big-picture reporting and daring fiction. Jennette McCurdy’s memoir remains a standout example of how personal stories shape public conversation. Build a reading list that challenges your assumptions, celebrates new voices, and makes room for both short and long-form reading. Start with one book this week — and let your list grow as the year unfolds.
Image Referance: https://www.ft.com/content/5de26a95-b04e-4829-bea3-da9fbcd621fd
