What's Yappening?

In 2025, I tried to pick up titles that I normally wouldn’t have thought to purchase when entering a bookstore. Maybe this was based on assumptions about particular genres, or genuinely knowing nothing about the author and therefore sticking with what I do know.

Thankfully, this endeavour has lead me to some really interesting and satisfying stories that have become all time favourites on my bookshelf.

Whether your new year’s resolution is to read more or you’re just stuck on what to read next, I have some recommendations that will hopefully add to your TBR pile in 2026 based on what I have read these past 12 months!

1. Invisible Women

Invisible Women is a non-fiction book written by Caroline Criado Perez that explores gender biases in data when developing something as commonplace such as an iPhone, to something more serious like the development of effective medication. One of the reviews that was used as promotion for this book came from the Sunday Times, and read “A book that changes the way you see the world”, and this could not be more true.

When reading this book, there are things that I’m sure women like me intrinsically already knew about the world. Things like, yes, our line to the toilet is often way longer than the men’s, and that, yeah, it often lands on the woman to clean the house or raise the children, whether intentional or not. This book does a great job in explaining that not only are you not crazy if you have noticed these situations, but the reasons why and how they may develop in the first place.

What was even more eye-opening, though, was discovering how something like your local bus route or even your seatbelt were designed in ways that disadvantages women! There are many real world examples explored in Invisible Women of inequalities women experience even when they may not be truly aware of it. These examples are then backed up with data and records of how women are either forgotten, or even worse and the most shocking part, simply not cared about!

This book is an important read for all genders, as it is crucial for our community as a whole to understand how gender bias can affect all aspects of life, and how we can make changes to bridge the gap in gender inequality.

2. What Does It Feel Like?

What Does It Feel Like? is a short, autobiographical fiction from author Sophie Kinsella, best known for her novel Confessions of a Shopaholic. This short story follows main character Eve after she wakes one day in hospital after the removal of a malignant tumour from her brain. The story follows Eve as she struggles to come to terms with her diagnosis, reflects on her life as a successful novelist, as a mother, as a wife, while her family never leaves her side.

This book is autobiographical because, like Eve, Sophie Kinsella was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, something she revealed in April 2024 to her fans.

You can clearly see the emotions Kinsella had experienced through Eve’s story. It explores both the grief and worry that comes with a grim diagnosis, but also the humour and love that shows itself in times of hardship. It is a very real view into life.

In December 2025, Sophie Kinsella passed away surrounded by family and love. I am very grateful for this insight to her life and thoughts, especially as someone who has a loved one go through cancer treatments. It was relatable to me, but also gave me awareness on both how I knew they felt during that time, and how I suspect they may have felt.

Rest in peace, Sophie Kinsella, and thank you for sharing your treasured writing over the years.

3. Heart the Lover

Heart the Lover was an unexpected gem to come across at the end of the year. It follows the narrator in her senior year of college, and the friendship and love she finds in fellow college peers Sam and Yash. When one of them comes to visit unexpectedly decades later, she is forced to reflect on her choices and relationship with the boys in her youth.

Weirdly enough, the main character of this story isn’t even properly named until the very last chapter — something you won’t think of as unusual when reading since the story is so moving.

Now, I’ll be honest, this book started a bit slow for me. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as I can see it was setting up the dynamic for the rest of the narrative. I am so glad I kept at it because the pay-off is so worth it. The characters are so humanly flawed which only makes the book that more heartbreaking. Though you may disagree with some of their choices, you can truly understand their motivations.

This is a book about first loves, regrets and friendship. It is about wondering “what if” and then acceptance. It is a book you should have tissues nearby for.

4. Yellowface

Yellowface was listed as the most read book of 2024 on goodreads, and it’s not hard to see why. The novel is written from the perspective of June Hayward, a struggling author that does the unthinkable in the publishing world, and steals her friend’s manuscript. June finds herself catapulted into the spotlight only to face an ethical storm full of accusations and cover ups.

This novel was such a fun read! It was like listening celebrity gossip except instead of picking up the drama through tabloids, you’re finding out straight from the celebrity themself. As the story unfolds you find yourself going “It can’t get worse, surely!” and then you laugh because it always does.

If you’re as chronically online as I am, you’ll also enjoy the parts about Twitter (before the Muskification of it) and how vicious social media users can be if they believe you deserve ostracisation.

If you’re still not convinced, I go into more details on Why ‘Yellowface’ is a Must-Read in an earlier blog!

5. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng

Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner during the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes sense for someone that is more bothered by germs and getting sick than she is of blood and gore, especially after witnessing her sister’s death in a subway. Despite not usually wanting to know just who she is cleaning up, Cora begins to notice a pattern in where she’s being paid to clean. More East Asian women are dying, and for some reason, dead bats keep appearing.

I love horror movies and TV shows, but one thing I had never really gotten around to was reading more horror. Had you asked me what would I have thought a great horror book was like, Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng is exactly the type of novel I would have described.

Not only did it genuinely spook me while reading it, but I loved learning about traditional Chinese practices such as paper burning and hungry ghosts. While presenting it in a fictional setting, the book also explores systematic racism East-Asian people faced during the pandemic and how they were often blamed for creating it.

If you’re after a book with gore, paranormal activity, grief, goosebumps and even a bit of comedy, then this is for you.

6. If We Were Villains

Have you heard of Dark Academia and wondered what that even means? Well, this book can summarise it perfectly. It features high literature (in the form of Shakespearean plays), education, gothic architecture and all with a moody colour pallette (think hues of dark browns, greys and blacks).

This story follows Oliver Marks just before he is to finish serving 10 years in prison for a murder that he may or may not have committed. Before the detective that arrested him retires, he asks Oliver for the true story of how one of his seven acting peers died, and Oliver agrees. Recalling his time at Dellecher Conservatory, a highly competitive and prestigious school of arts, Oliver explains how both the pressure of school and the dynamic of the seven actors lead to a death within the group, and how Oliver ultimately ended up in jail.

I’d say this book goes down smoother if you’re a fan of Shakespeare or a self-proclaimed pretentious theatre nerd, but don’t worry, you can still enjoy it even if you’re not! Unfortunately the mystery elements take a bit of a backseat, and can be predictable for some, but the relationships and dynamics of the characters is what really makes this book shine.

If you’re feeling a bit unsure about how accessible this book will be with its Shakespearean themes and quotes, I cannot recommend listening to the audio version of this book enough, specifically the one narrated by Robert Petkoff. He helps the characters come to life that bit more and conveys the emotions on the pages with ease. If I had rated this book based solely on his performance, it’d easily be 5 stars.

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Hopefully at least one of these have you interested for your 2026 reading list, and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I did!

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