First a note of thanks to my diamond medallion members: I know this is the time of year to trim expenses and cancel paid subscriptions so I appreciate you sticking with me through the end of December!
I definitely relate to this! I've been rereading Marian Keyes novels I've already read several times - she's an Irish writer who's been dismissed as "chick lit" but is SO smart and funny and deep. And the novels are set outside the U.S., and some of them outside the smart-phone era, so not recalling some of the worst aspects of reality right now. TLDR, glad you're back at it, Leigh, and hope the vacation was good!
I'm about to reread a Maeve Binchy novel! Set in Ireland, cozy vibes. Escape! Also: Rachel's Holiday by MK is one of my all time faves! It's a novel about addiction that is eerily accurate
I think this question of what we mean when we say 'escapist' fiction is so interesting! ESPECIALLY since, like you said, that term was all over the place in publishing in 2025. I've actually reached the conclusion that any book, no matter the topic, has the capacity to be 'escapist,' that it's more about how the story pulls you into its folds, takes away the awareness of time, and that to me is more about how the story/world/characters are rendered, opposed to it being a 'light' or 'easy' topic as you said. I agree with Anna Sproul-Latimer's prediction that readers in 2026 are actually seeking more depth/meaning/challenge in their books (you get at this re: religion!). Sometimes I'll read an enjoyable, easy to read book but walk away empty-handed and that leaves me feeling so mixed up. Escapism is so relative too! Like I'm struggling to read light, fun romances right now because they're often so far from my actual dating life that instead of spiriting me away from my bleak reality, they remind me of it. But I love your predictions! (even if some of them aren't great for me and book loll)
I'm with you—I don't turn to "light" or "cozy" books for escape (I've never read a "cozy mystery"). I loved Heart the Lover, which made me cry. So it's interesting to think of "depth" as a category of escapist reading... and I think you're right that a challenge (like reading a lengthy classic) can be an escape. Maybe what we're all really looking for in an escape is to be immersed.
Yes, I agree, immersion is incredibly seductive. I read fewer books in 2025 than I ever have in my life. I sank into each one whether it was a middle grade novel in Italian to Jincy Willett' s very funny and very thoughtful Amy Falls Down. I love poring over the Italian sentences like I did when I was first learning to read as a kid. My brain is happy and it is impossible to race.
I like your definition of "escapist," having experienced this myself over these past few days. For the first time in ages, I'm reading three books at the same time, all pretty different but centered around grief and loss. And yet I was pulled in the exact way you describe, which to me is the best of what books can do: when it stops feeling like reading and more about spending time with people whose stories you care about deeply.
"Kin," Tayari Jones (out in Feb); "April May June July," Alison B. Hart; "The Wedding People," Alison Espach.
(I think why these resonated as a collective reading experience is that the impact of a missing or dead parent plays an important part in all three novels, and so the books were also in conversation with each other in a way I hadn't anticipated.)
Wait I haven't heard of this book! This isn't the Regina Black one, right? 'Rom-dram' is such a great term lol and I DO love humor so I want that still, but also I just need to see a heroine really struggling/hopeless about dating and not in a cute way lol. ALSO random aside, I just saw you're a writer/reporter in DC and run a romance bookclub?!! I'm also a writer/journalist in D.C! I'll have to check your bookclub out!
I'm feeling that need for escape from nihilism so hard core lately. I think there are so many great dark and gritty stories and shows out there, but I am craving good and pure hearted characters and stories that will make me laugh.
I'm re-watching all the West Wing seasons (7?) on NetFlix because I'm trying to escape back to a time when politics was a noble occupation and the people that ran our government cared about morality, ethics, doing what's right, and the good of the people. It's probably best labelled as fantasy, but one can dream.
You put it all perfectly. I love to say I read to escape and I'm with you on "cozy mystery" not hitting it. I had one of those last month but it had been pitched as a thriller. I was never on the seat of my pants. Following escapism, I'm finishing The Correspondent today and it has me wanting to write letters and cards and mail them. I posted this on Threads and the reactions have all been the same including strangers asking to be pen pals with me. I think it's connection, community and feeling like we aren't so alone that we will see in 2026 along with books that do this.
I remember the very first time I read to escape a painful reality -- but the escape was an accident.
I was an avid reader because I wanted to know everything about everything and read every "500" (science/math) book in the grade schools I attended from 2nd grade on, and then the books to the left, and then the books to the right (getting to biographies). And sometimes new, librarian recommended books.
I was in fourth grade, attending my 7th grade school, with its on collection of 'regular kids' and bullies. A wimpish girl, i had become an easy target.
One night I read a factual biography of Geronimo (except for one detail, he didn't lose a "very loved baby brother" at age 12. He was a married man whose first born son was murdered. The Apache went by ability not calendar years.) I became the dangerous warrior. I outsmarted and terrorized the whole cavalry, and later became the wise elder preaching the values of forgiveness.
Next day, I tried to imagine the bullies as becoming wise old men. They flunked the test. They attacked only because someone looked weaker, not for purpose like Geronimo and I.
The bullies still threw rocks, but no longer hurt my feelings.
Weirdly, that was enough to stop the rock throwing.
Escapism can be very valuable. No matter how unrealistic!
As an avid reader I’m always looking for good recommendations. So far for 2026 they have come from NYT which I really don’t trust anymore, Oprah’s reviewer because they get all the books and at least gave a full response and only a few others had info. I got a few from Barnes and Noble but not a complete list. Very frustrating. Can’t anyone give a full list without an agenda? Grrr
I definitely relate to this! I've been rereading Marian Keyes novels I've already read several times - she's an Irish writer who's been dismissed as "chick lit" but is SO smart and funny and deep. And the novels are set outside the U.S., and some of them outside the smart-phone era, so not recalling some of the worst aspects of reality right now. TLDR, glad you're back at it, Leigh, and hope the vacation was good!
if you hadn’t told me, I would have definitely judged her books by their covers!
I'm about to reread a Maeve Binchy novel! Set in Ireland, cozy vibes. Escape! Also: Rachel's Holiday by MK is one of my all time faves! It's a novel about addiction that is eerily accurate
Marian Keyes is great!
Love Marian Keyes! Have you listened to the podcast Sentimental Garbage? They did a whole season on her books.
I think this question of what we mean when we say 'escapist' fiction is so interesting! ESPECIALLY since, like you said, that term was all over the place in publishing in 2025. I've actually reached the conclusion that any book, no matter the topic, has the capacity to be 'escapist,' that it's more about how the story pulls you into its folds, takes away the awareness of time, and that to me is more about how the story/world/characters are rendered, opposed to it being a 'light' or 'easy' topic as you said. I agree with Anna Sproul-Latimer's prediction that readers in 2026 are actually seeking more depth/meaning/challenge in their books (you get at this re: religion!). Sometimes I'll read an enjoyable, easy to read book but walk away empty-handed and that leaves me feeling so mixed up. Escapism is so relative too! Like I'm struggling to read light, fun romances right now because they're often so far from my actual dating life that instead of spiriting me away from my bleak reality, they remind me of it. But I love your predictions! (even if some of them aren't great for me and book loll)
I'm with you—I don't turn to "light" or "cozy" books for escape (I've never read a "cozy mystery"). I loved Heart the Lover, which made me cry. So it's interesting to think of "depth" as a category of escapist reading... and I think you're right that a challenge (like reading a lengthy classic) can be an escape. Maybe what we're all really looking for in an escape is to be immersed.
Yes, I agree, immersion is incredibly seductive. I read fewer books in 2025 than I ever have in my life. I sank into each one whether it was a middle grade novel in Italian to Jincy Willett' s very funny and very thoughtful Amy Falls Down. I love poring over the Italian sentences like I did when I was first learning to read as a kid. My brain is happy and it is impossible to race.
I read fewer books in 2025 too and I feel badly about it :(
Escape for me is to get away from US govt news of the day
I like your definition of "escapist," having experienced this myself over these past few days. For the first time in ages, I'm reading three books at the same time, all pretty different but centered around grief and loss. And yet I was pulled in the exact way you describe, which to me is the best of what books can do: when it stops feeling like reading and more about spending time with people whose stories you care about deeply.
Ooooh what are the books???
"Kin," Tayari Jones (out in Feb); "April May June July," Alison B. Hart; "The Wedding People," Alison Espach.
(I think why these resonated as a collective reading experience is that the impact of a missing or dead parent plays an important part in all three novels, and so the books were also in conversation with each other in a way I hadn't anticipated.)
So interesting! I've been wondering if we're going to see a surge of "rom-drams." Thinking something like AUGUST LAKE that did really well this year.
Wait I haven't heard of this book! This isn't the Regina Black one, right? 'Rom-dram' is such a great term lol and I DO love humor so I want that still, but also I just need to see a heroine really struggling/hopeless about dating and not in a cute way lol. ALSO random aside, I just saw you're a writer/reporter in DC and run a romance bookclub?!! I'm also a writer/journalist in D.C! I'll have to check your bookclub out!
Yes. It's the Regina Black w/ a typo! Sorry!
Oooh! Would love to meet. Email me at whattoreadif@substack.com
I'm feeling that need for escape from nihilism so hard core lately. I think there are so many great dark and gritty stories and shows out there, but I am craving good and pure hearted characters and stories that will make me laugh.
Thank you, Leigh! Happy 2026
I'm re-watching all the West Wing seasons (7?) on NetFlix because I'm trying to escape back to a time when politics was a noble occupation and the people that ran our government cared about morality, ethics, doing what's right, and the good of the people. It's probably best labelled as fantasy, but one can dream.
plus the writing is great
You put it all perfectly. I love to say I read to escape and I'm with you on "cozy mystery" not hitting it. I had one of those last month but it had been pitched as a thriller. I was never on the seat of my pants. Following escapism, I'm finishing The Correspondent today and it has me wanting to write letters and cards and mail them. I posted this on Threads and the reactions have all been the same including strangers asking to be pen pals with me. I think it's connection, community and feeling like we aren't so alone that we will see in 2026 along with books that do this.
I realized after posting this that both The Correspondent and Theo of Golden are about letter writing...
I agree with this!
While I was writing this, I went to find your trend report from 2025 that had romance in space...
Spice In Space!! 2026 manifesting.
I'm going to rewrite my pitch-- escape to the 1990s, when there was hope and excitement about the spread of democracy!
Fascinating about the success of Theo of Golden, just read Devon’s piece. Thanks, Leigh! (PS - I find writing about the past an escape!:)
you are the queen of transporting us through nostalgia!
I remember the very first time I read to escape a painful reality -- but the escape was an accident.
I was an avid reader because I wanted to know everything about everything and read every "500" (science/math) book in the grade schools I attended from 2nd grade on, and then the books to the left, and then the books to the right (getting to biographies). And sometimes new, librarian recommended books.
I was in fourth grade, attending my 7th grade school, with its on collection of 'regular kids' and bullies. A wimpish girl, i had become an easy target.
One night I read a factual biography of Geronimo (except for one detail, he didn't lose a "very loved baby brother" at age 12. He was a married man whose first born son was murdered. The Apache went by ability not calendar years.) I became the dangerous warrior. I outsmarted and terrorized the whole cavalry, and later became the wise elder preaching the values of forgiveness.
Next day, I tried to imagine the bullies as becoming wise old men. They flunked the test. They attacked only because someone looked weaker, not for purpose like Geronimo and I.
The bullies still threw rocks, but no longer hurt my feelings.
Weirdly, that was enough to stop the rock throwing.
Escapism can be very valuable. No matter how unrealistic!
As an avid reader I’m always looking for good recommendations. So far for 2026 they have come from NYT which I really don’t trust anymore, Oprah’s reviewer because they get all the books and at least gave a full response and only a few others had info. I got a few from Barnes and Noble but not a complete list. Very frustrating. Can’t anyone give a full list without an agenda? Grrr
Check out Kirkus Reviews
Sorry she doesn’t have a drone to pick it up.
Very honest... but left dangling how to find reader retreats
You made me want to read about Princess Diana.... something I avoided while she was alive because the royal family was too obviously beneath her.
Reading retreats are trendy right now:
https://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/whats-all-the-hype-about-reading
https://www.instagram.com/pagebreak.nyc/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/books/bad-bitch-book-club-summer-camp.html
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question.
Fran Tabor