January
The 2026 Read More Reading Challenge
Who doesn’t love the library or a bookstore? The warm, inviting smell of books and the chance to peruse the stacks in search of your next great read—two things that will never go out of style. But you don’t have to be a die-hard reader to experience the magic of discovering a story in the stacks or finding the perfect page-turner guaranteed to keep you entranced.
This month’s theme celebrates stories set in libraries and bookstores, and the genre possibilities are endless! Dive into Emily Henry’s romance Funny Story, explore the historical fiction favorite The Personal Librarian, or unravel a mystery with all the twists and turns at the Boston Public Library in The Woman in the Library.
Just like your favorite bookstore, there’s plenty to choose from. If you need somewhere to start, check out the selections below!
Books Set in a Library or a Bookstore
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Genre: Historical Fiction
Description: The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman and shares the lengths she must go to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Genre: Fiction
Description: Our Missing Hearts is about the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children and the power of art to create change.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
Description: Daphne’s fiancé leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne ends up house-sitting for Petra and meets Petra’s ex-boyfriend, Miles, who is also dealing with his own breakup. They decide to pretend to be a couple to make their exes jealous, leading to a fake relationship that turns real.
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
Genre: Crime
Description: Sulari Gentill delivers a sharply thrilling read with The Woman in the Library, an unexpectedly twisty literary adventure that examines the complicated nature of friendship and shows us that words can be the most treacherous weapons of all.
Make this January the month you read more, explore more, and discover new favorites. Stop by Seymour Library to pick up your copy or peruse our online catalog and start the year off right! Have you read these selections, or are you looking for a specific book tailored to you? Search for your next great read on Novelist!
*Book descriptions are from library staff, GoodReads, and Novelist.