In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re breaking down books that are overhyped, underhyped, and appropriately hyped. Each of us brings one book for each category, sharing honest reactions, hot takes, and the kind of bookish opinions you’d only say out loud to neighbors you trust.

If you’ve ever wondered which popular books are actually worth reading, which underrated books deserve more attention, or whether the hype is real or wildly exaggerated, this episode is for you.

Grab your TBR and settle in. Things get opinionated.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

The Silent Patient by Alex Michelides

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen

New year, new books! In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re rounding up the most anticipated book releases of Q1 2026, from January through March. We’re talking buzzy new novels, upcoming romances, thrillers, and literary fiction that are already climbing our TBRs. If you’re building your 2026 reading list and want to know what to read next, this episode is for you.

Current Reads:

A Guardian and A Thief by Megha Majumdar

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

The Faithful Saints by Ashley Winstead

Anticipated Books:

Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borrison

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Little One by Olivia Muenter

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

How to Write A Love Story by Catherine Walsh

We’re wrapping up our December reads and revealing what’s on our January TBR, including four-star favorites, total reading flops, and the books that personally offended us. Join us as we break down our biggest bookish wins, our biggest letdowns, and what we’re hoping to read next month. Expect honest reviews, plenty of laughs, relatable reading chaos, and neighborly banter you didn’t ask for but definitely need. Perfect for book lovers looking for reading recommendations, monthly wrap-ups, and a fun book podcast to add to their rotation.

Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

BEST:

Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lentz

Play Along by Liz Tomforde

The Compound by Aisling Rawle

WORST:

This is a safe space by Lucinda Berry

Brimstone by Callie Hart

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

MOST SURPRISING:

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

The Plight Before Christmas by Kate Stewart

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

JANUARY HOPEFULS:

The Storm by Rachel Hawkins

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

Funny Story by Emily Henry

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead