I am never not reading a book, often for pleasure, sometimes for learning, sometimes both. I am unabashed in my love for Stephen King novels and probably read them much too early in my youth, and I’ve only recently discovered Kristin Hannah’s wonderful tales of the strength and beauty of women throughout history. Below is a list, in no particular order of the books I enjoyed this year and recommend adding to your list for 2026.
Night Road by Kristin Hannah
Night Road by Kristin Hannah is a novel about the devastating consequences of a single, tragic night involving three teenagers—Jude Farraday’s twins, Mia and Zach, and their friend Lexi Baill, a foster child with a troubled past. The story explores themes of motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness as the characters deal with the aftermath of a drunk driving accident that tears their lives apart, focusing on the profound grief and the long, difficult journey toward healing and forgiveness.
Never Flinch by Stephen King
Never Flinch is a 2025 Stephen King novel featuring the return of fan-favorite character Holly Gibney, who becomes involved in two intertwined plots: a detective’s investigation into a killer threatening to murder “thirteen innocents and one guilty,” and her own role as a bodyguard for a feminist activist being stalked by a dangerous adversary. The book, published in May 2025, is a crime thriller that explores themes of revenge, social critique, and the nature of heroism, with a focus on realistic, human-based villains rather than supernatural ones.
Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High is a best-selling book that teaches skills for handling high-stakes, emotional, and controversial discussions effectively, helping people move from conflict to productive dialogue. Authored by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler, it provides techniques to stay in dialogue, make it safe to talk about anything, and achieve desired results in both professional and personal life. The book covers how to prepare for these conversations, manage strong emotions, and turn difficult moments into positive outcomes.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a historical fiction novel set during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, following Elsa Martinelli as she fights to save her family and farm in Texas, ultimately leading them on a difficult journey to California in search of a better life. The book explores themes of resilience, motherhood, and survival, focusing on the strength of the human spirit amidst poverty, drought, and prejudice, and is known for its emotional depth and compelling characters.
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant, argues that potential isn’t fixed; it’s about how far you can climb, not the peak you’ve reached. Grant challenges the focus on innate talent, emphasizing that growth comes from developing character skills, creating opportunities, and designing systems that help overlooked individuals improve through learning and perseverance, not just hard work. The book uses research and storytelling to show how anyone can achieve more by focusing on the process of development rather than just innate ability.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Women is a 2024 historical fiction novel by Kristin Hannah about Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nurse who serves in the Vietnam War, highlighting the sacrifices of women in the war and their difficult return home to a country that often denied their service. The book follows Frankie from her sheltered upbringing in California to the chaos of the battlefield and her struggle to readjust to a changed America, exploring themes of patriotism, female friendship, and trauma. It became a #1 New York Times bestseller and won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction in 2024.
Leading Through by Kim Clark, Jonathan Clark, Erin Clark
Leading Through: Activating the Soul, Heart, and Mind of Leadership by Erin E. Clark, Jonathan R. Clark, and Kim B. Clark is a 2024 book that contrasts traditional, power-based leadership with a new model focused on enabling and inspiring people. It argues for a leadership approach that integrates the “soul” (doing good), “heart” (caring for people), and “mind” (mobilizing to solve problems) to help individuals and organizations thrive, moving beyond destructive “organizational darkness” to create positive change.
Talking 9 to 5 by Deborah Tannen
Talking from 9 to 5: Women and Men at Work by Deborah Tannen is a bestselling book that analyzes how different conversational styles between men and women cause miscommunication and power imbalances in the workplace, affecting who gets heard, credited, and promoted. Tannen, a linguist, uses real-world examples to show how men’s and women’s ingrained communication habits—often rooted in different social goals like status vs. connection—lead to misunderstandings, making women seem less competent or men seem arrogant, and offers insights for improving professional relationships.
George Orwell’s 1984
Nineteen Eighty-Four (or 1984) is George Orwell’s dystopian novel about a totalitarian superstate, Oceania, where the Party, led by the omnipresent Big Brother, controls every aspect of life through surveillance, propaganda, and thought control. The story follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking Party member who rebels by seeking truth and love with a woman named Julia, leading to a dangerous affair and a struggle against the oppressive regime, ultimately exploring themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth.
Strong Ground by Brene Brown
Strong Ground by Brené Brown is a recent book that serves as a guide for courageous leadership in uncertain times, building on her previous work like Dare to Lead. It focuses on the essential skills and mindsets for leading with connection, discipline, and accountability, addressing challenges like technological change (AI) and cultural upheaval by emphasizing deep thinking, collaboration, and the wisdom of the human spirit. The book provides practical, actionable insights for leaders at all levels, from senior executives to those just starting their careers, to navigate complexity and foster growth.
The Colorado Kid by Stephen King
The Colorado Kid is a 2005 mystery novel by Stephen King, published by Hard Case Crime, about an unidentified man found dead on a Maine island, whose baffling case is recounted years later to a young intern by two local newspapermen, leaving the central mystery unsolved and focusing on the nature of mystery itself. It’s a departure from King’s usual horror, featuring a classic crime-fiction style with no supernatural elements, and served as the basis for the TV series Haven.
Joyland by Stephen King
Joyland is a 2013 Stephen King novel published by Hard Case Crime, blending coming-of-age, mystery, and supernatural horror set in a 1973 North Carolina amusement park. The story follows college student Devin Jones, who takes a summer job at Joyland to get over a breakup but instead confronts a cold-case murder, a dying child, and dark truths about life and death, all while working alongside carnival folk and encountering the park’s resident ghost. It’s known for its bittersweet tone, focus on character, and lower-key horror compared to King’s epic novels, making it a popular “palate cleanser” for his fans.
It’s Not You, It’s the Workplace, by Andrea S. Kramer and Alton B. Harris
It’s Not You, It’s the Workplace by Alton B. Harris and Andrea S. Kramer argues that conflict between women at work stems from systemic bias, not inherent female traits, challenging the stereotype that women are naturally “bitchy” or backstabbing. The book uses research and real-world examples to show how societal expectations and power imbalances create difficult situations, offering practical advice for women to build stronger networks and for organizations to create more equitable environments. It provides strategies for navigating these challenges and fostering career success for women.
Talking on Eggshells by Sam Horn
Talking on Eggshells: Soft Skills for Hard Conversations by Sam Horn is a guide to navigating difficult conversations by reframing the challenge from “walking on eggshells” to proactively communicating with compassion and clarity. The book provides strategies, examples, and scripts for handling sensitive situations with bosses, family, and others, focusing on what to say and not say to build stronger relationships and achieve better outcomes. It teaches readers to manage their mindset and emotions to respond diplomatically rather than reactively, using techniques like replacing “but” with “and” to advance conversations.
Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg explores how to improve communication by recognizing three types of conversations: practical (what’s it about?), emotional (how do we feel?), and social (who are we?). The book argues that effective communicators identify and match these layers, using storytelling and research to show how to connect better in work and life, even in difficult situations. It’s a guide to understanding the hidden dynamics of conversation to build deeper connections.
Whatever you choose to read, I implore you to never stop learning, growing, and exploring new ideas. I am always adding new books to my book recommendation list here, so check back often. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I post my recommendations as they happen. Happy reading!
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