Books Read in 2026

 

Diane's rating system:

Here is my approximate rating of books I have read or abandoned part way. Whenever I juxtapose items on a list like this I begin to second guess myself and question if the rating is valid on a relative scale. Since my reading tastes are eclectic, I am comparing apples with oranges, fiction with non-fiction, romance with thriller, so relativity on a consistency scale goes out the window.

☆☆☆☆☆        I probably did not even finish it
★☆☆☆☆      Awful but I read most or maybe even all of it
★★☆☆☆      Ok, not great; some redeeming features; I finished it
★★★☆☆      Better than average; not a waste of time
★★★★☆      Really good; maybe only one weak aspect or limited audience
★★★★★      Great! Read it!

I give the star rating soon after I am finished with (i.e., completed or abandoned) the book and blogged about it. The rating is more a reflection of my short term memory and enjoyment level. I have tried very hard not to go back at a later time and change the star rating relative to a different book I have read more recently. Click on the date after the book to see my full review. Comments on a book are allowed and encouraged at the end of the post for that book.

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2025 Books

1. ★★★★★      Remain, Sparks/Shyamalan ©2025 (2/13/26)
2. ★★★★☆      Gone Before Goodbye, Coben/Witherspoon ©2026 (3/2/26)
3. ★☆☆☆☆       In Her Defense, Philippa Malicka ©2026 (3/10/26)
4. ★★★★☆      Tailspin, Sandra Brown ©2018 (3/11/26)
5. ★★★☆☆      Standoff, Sandra Brown ©2000 (8/20/26)
6. ★☆☆☆☆       Smoke Screen, Sandra Brown ©2008 (8/20/26)