Summer 2026 Reading Recommendations
Introduction
Summer is here again, and this year’s proving to be a hot one. Whether you’re heading off somewhere exciting on your holidays or staying put and trying to stay cool, your ideal way to relax is the same - good books!
For my 2024-25 round up I reviewed 22 titles, which was a big haul for me, whereas in 2025-26 I only have 10 books on my list. Looking back, my habits have changed and I’ve been listening to a lot more podcasts, like the brilliant The Dex Legacy, Burnout and The Magnus Archives. I’ve also listened to more audiobooks than usual as well, a trend that seems likely to continue in 2026-27.
Whilst my reading may have involved a reduced number of books this year, what I can promise is those on this list are all ones I thoroughly enjoyed. We’ve got 10 good ones here, which are well worth an investment of your money and time.
You can keep track of my reading on Goodreads. I’m also one of the resident reviewers on the Page Chewing and Spotlight Indie blogs (although Spotlight Indie’s website is currently undergoing maintenance and should be back up and running in August). Both of these are excellent online communities, offering a wealth of interesting and engaging content for fans of fantasy and sci-fi books and shows, so I encourage you to take a look at them as well!
Recommended Reads
I really enjoyed all the books in this first group, which are listed in reading order, and would wholeheartedly recommend each of these. Links to my full reviews can be found by clicking on the image or the book title in the short summary.
The Scroungers by Thomas J Devens
I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by the fantastic RJ Bayley, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with myself. The theme of this novella is how people deal with the futility of war and its messy aftermath. Despite the grim subject matter I enjoyed this tale, especially since Devens keeps you guessing right until the end. This was a great introduction to his writing.
Spirits of Vengeance by Rob J Hayes
Spirits of Vengeance contains everything I’ve come to expect from Hayes’ books, which are always packed with memorable characters, brilliant battles and awesome magic. I really enjoyed this and had a great time reading this story.
The Way of Renegades by Steve D Wall
The Way of Renegades is a terrific debut novel. I loved the world, the characters and the magic and the fact (with one exception) no one was portrayed as being intrinsically good or bad. Everyone is just a person trying to make their way in the world. The general feel of this story is one of high adventure with just enough gritty realism to keep it feeling believable.
This was another audiobook, performed by Steven Pacey, who does a wonderful job with this. I had so much fun the next book should come as no surprise…
The Sound of Change by Steve D Wall
Yep! I moved straight on to the sequel. This audiobook clocks in at a whopping 23 hours 34 minutes, so that might explain why I’ve only read 10 books this year🤔😂
Overall, The Sound of Change builds on everything which made The Way of Renegades such a good book. I eagerly looked forward to each chapter and to losing myself in this wonderful fantasy world, which has been built with such care and skill.
Had book 3 been out, I probably would have listened to that next. However, Wall is still writing that one, so I’ll have to be patient…
Land by Bjørn Larssen
Land, the second book in the Ten Worlds Cycle, demonstrates how talented Larssen is as a writer, although it’s a dark tale and not for the faint of heart. There’s also lots to think about as you read this novel, since Larssen understands human nature and our ability to hurt each other all too well.
A Black Dragon on Red by PL Stuart
The first five books in Stuart’s epic fantasy saga have been a wild ride so far. I’ve always been impressed by how ably Stuart has weaved together this complex historical narrative of how culture and religious beliefs survive and adapt in a new land alongside magic, fallen angels, and a fateful prophecy concerning the end of the world.
When we get to book 6 all I will say is despite everything that has gone before, you are not ready! Throughout this series Stuart has teased the truth behind the various machinations driving this plot and Othrun’s fate. In this book Stuart tears down the curtain and (almost) all is revealed.
I’m so looking forward to the final instalment, Sure-Steel, in 2027!
Five Star Reads
The books in this second group ticked all the right boxes for me. Whether or not something is a ‘Five Star Read’ is always going to be subjective, but in my view these books absolutely delivered in their respective genres and were among my favourites of the past 12 months!
A Time of Dread by John Gwynne
Some of my friends have said they consider Of Blood and Bone to be superior to The Faithful and the Fallen. I was sceptical about this, but after reading this book I have to agree! I think the reason why I prefer this novel is it’s a more sophisticated tale, told by an author who has full mastery of his craft. A Time of Dread was a thoroughly enjoyable read and an excellent start to what promises to be a wonderful series.
The Horror in the Hills: Weird Tales of Argana Zeit Volume 3 by Owain Oakwood
This is Oakwood’s third collection of cosy paranormal short stories set in the Peak District, featuring Argana Zeit, Trotterwell’s finest (OK – only) paranormal investigator. I’ve long campaigned for more people to read Oakwood’s work - he’s a talented writer who deserves much more attention.
If you want a fun, relaxing read, check out his three short story collections. I’m planning to read the first novel-length story featuring Argana Zeit, No Fae Back Now, later this year.
Runner Up… Actually, no - it’s a tie, so these are the winners!
I thought I had a clear winner until another book came in right at the end and turned everything on its head. These books are in very different genres, both brilliantly executed, and each left a lasting impression on me. Interestingly, both were also audiobooks as well. I’m listing them below in reading order.
Storytellers by Bjørn Larssen
Storytellers is the second book written by Bjørn Larssen that I’ve read this year. Larssen is such a versatile writer, so it’s no surprise that Storytellers is unlike anything else of his that I’ve read. This novel, his debut from 2019, is historical fiction, set in Iceland in 1920. The audiobook version is narrated by Graham Halstead, who does an excellent job with this.
The story has an otherworldly and mesmerising quality, and I found this tale to be utterly absorbing right from the start. This was one of the few books in recent months that absolutely hit the spot for me and is right up there as one of my favourite novels.
Umbra: Sentient Stars by Amber Toro
Another audiobook , although this one two narrators - Megan Carver and Benjamin Farmer. I think this is one of the reasons why this book worked so well for me, as their joint performance added further depth, with both narrators voicing each of the various characters at different times. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for them to perform them all with such remarkable consistency, but they pull it off amazingly well.
The story itself has everything you could want in a sci-fi space opera. On one level, this was pure escapism, but I also have to give Toro great credit for the depth of her characters, detailed world building, which was revealed without being heavy-handed, and a plot which took things in an unexpected direction. She even made me appreciate slow-burn romance!
This was a surprise package for me, and one of the best things I’ve read in a long time, deservedly taking its place in joint top spot!
It was only as I started writing this blog, with the objective of forcing myself to make a decision between those top two books, that I realised a tie was the only fair result. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found something to interest you. If I’ve listed one of your favourites or inspired you to try something new then let me know below in the comments!
