The goal for the first quarter of the year was to read 10 books. Thanks to Kendall the Kindle, a Kindle Paperwhite, I feel like I am breezing through books at a much faster rate than I was reading physically or on my iPad. In the first few months of the year, I was able to read 24 books. While most were good, some were better than others. Here are my top 5 of 2026 so far.
Let’s review some reading stats before diving in. Every book I have read has been a fiction book (crazy, I know). Twenty-four books amounts to 9,852 pages read (wow). Fifteen of those twenty-four books were romance, which is definitely my favorite genre. I also host a virtual book club that meets every second Wednesday. Join us by filling out the form here: For The Lovers Book Club.
Honorable mention:
Danger Series by Endiya Carter
I had seen this cover all over social media, and it was suggested to me over and over again on Kindle Unlimited, but for whatever reason I never picked it up. It was then selected as a book selection for the romance book club that I lead and I was hooked. Endiya Carter wrote characters that are relatable and also that you cannot stand. This series is spicy but it shouldn’t be anything that you haven’t heard or seen before. I absolutely enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
Burn Down The Master’s House by Clay Cane
This title by Clay Cane is also honorable mention just barely missing the top 5. Slave narratives can turn many people off but I will say this one showed the resiliency of Black Americans and the determination that they possess to fight back. It follows the accounts of resistance across three generations with each story building upon each other and culminating beautifully at the end.
This was my first time reading an S.A. Cosby book. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t this. I enjoyed this book because it had all the elements of an urban novel while not necessarily being classified as such.
5. Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson
This is such a timely story that needs to be amplified to showcase that the South has to really do better in fighting against the powers that be that are trying to oppress all people. I don’t want to give too much away because I think this is such a story that everyone should read.
Kin was probably one of the most anticipated books of the year and Tayari Jones definitely delivered a narrative that we don’t often hear from authors. As a society, we often focus on the daughters without their fathers but this book illuminates how womanhood can be shaped when a woman does not have a mother. The historical elements of this book also strengthened the story. I would highly recommend this title to others.
3. The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
While reading this book, you will be confused on where it is going. You will question how these stories are interconnected. You may even want to put it down, but I will highly suggest you stick with it and see it through. There is something really special about how Williams was able to weave these stories together, spanning across decades, and showing how our generation traumas persists. I could easily see this being adapted into a limited series that would translate so well to screen.
2. Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
Sadeqa Johnson has single-handedly gotten me into reading more historical fiction. Her way with words truly captivates me and keeps me wanting to read more and this title was no different. In my learnings of World War II, I rarely to almost never heard about the experiences of Black veterans but particularly how they often started families in these foreign countries that were later abandoned. This story champions the lives of Black orphans but also illuminates how the living conditions of these orphans were not always better once given a “home”. Pick it up now!
1. Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
I can’t stop talking about this book. Mostly because it is a story that I absolutely have never come across before. This story critically analyzes the hypocrisy of many Christian folk as well as challenging many patriarchal beliefs. Yet, the story doesn’t attack religion directly nor does it make it uncomfortable. The writing is witty and I definitely found myself chuckling outloud. It was overall a great read and I can’t stop talking about it!
Nearly 25 books before we even get to the halfway point of the year is wild. If I continue on this path, I am going to have a great reading year and can’t wait to share my favorites. Check out my top 10 books of 2025 here: https://kandacewithak.com/2026/01/top-10-books-of-2025/
