First Book of 2026

It’s time for the First Book of 2026! It’s the 13th Annual and my 11th year of sharing my First Book of the Year. Sheila at Book Journey hosts this annual feature, and hundreds of other readers around the world join in and share their first books as well.

What is First Book? Well, it is just like it says, it is the First Book you choose to read in the new year. It can be a book that you’ve wanted to read, maybe a classic, or one you received as a gift this Christmas. Perhaps it is something you’ve been meaning to read as part of your own self-improvement. It can be any book you’d like! It is YOUR FIRST BOOK.

I love seeing which book is the most popular choice and the wide variety of books chosen by other readers all across the world. I usually add a few books to my own reading list!

I always have a difficult time deciding what to read this year. I am picky, typically choosing a physical book and one that I’ve been wanting to read, not one that I received for review. This year I’m choosing a book I received as a gift from my husband for Christmas. If you struggle with what to read next, check out my Book Jar and how I choose a random read when I need to change up my reading routine (see what that’s about, HERE).

Before I share this year’s book, here are the books I’ve chosen from my previous years. You can see all my previous First Book posts HERE.

Previous First Books

2016 – A Manual for Cleaning Women – I didn’t even finish it. Not for me.

2017 – The Two-Family House – Loved this historical fiction story of two families in NYC.

2018 – Just Between Us – Four suburban girlfriends join together to hide a murder.

2019 – I’d Rather Be Reading – A non-fiction all about the joys of reading.

2020 – The Only Plane in the Sky – A chronicle of the events that happened on 9/11. A must-read.

2021 – Atomic Habits – This wildly popular book is all about creating habits and routines.

2022 – Waiting for Tom Hanks – This rom-com is perfect for fans of Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks movies.

2023 – Beyond the Point – Three women at West Point find a forever friendship amid turmoil & heartbreak.

2024 – Tom Lake – I loved this story of a family gathering at their cranberry farm during the Pandemic, while the daughters learn how their parents met.

2025 – Lighthouse – The first in a trilogy set on St. Simons Island, Georgia (a place near and dear to my heart), about a man who leaves New England in the 1700s with a dream of building a lighthouse.

And now my First Book of 2026…

THE MIRACLES AMONG US
How God’s Grace Plays a Role in Healing
By: Dr. Marc Siegel
Published: November 18, 2025
Publisher: Harper Influence
Non-Fiction
Format: Hardcover

This was in my stocking from my husband this year. It’s exactly the type of book I like to read (medical memoir, God moments, stories of strong faith). I also tend not to always read books that I’ve been given as gifts, so I’m making that a goal for this year: reading the books I’ve been given as gifts, starting with my most recent gift.

Almost everything a doctor sees can be explained scientifically. Almost.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a physician, Dr. Marc Siegel explores the profound and often mysterious intersection between faith and medicine. He shares riveting stories of patients who have experienced remarkable recoveries, challenging the boundaries of medical science. These narratives highlight not only the resilience of the human body, but also the inexplicable moments when intuition and foresight play a crucial role in healing.

Doctors see more than just patients who are cured against all odds.

From a rabbi who somehow knew a carpenter’s infant son had a heart problem, to an NFL player’s amazing survival from a rare kind of cardiac arrest, these stories bolster the belief there is a higher power at work.

The Miracles Among Us reminds us that God’s love has the capacity to surprise us even in our darkest moments. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply someone intrigued by the mysteries of medicine, this book provides an enlightening exploration of how miracles manifest in everyday life.

Sheila will be posting collages of all the great FIRST BOOKS readers are sharing. Click HERE to see them all. Maybe you’ll be inspired to choose your FIRST BOOK!

If you choose a First Book, be sure to let me know in the comments or on my social media channels.

Happy Reading!

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