WHATS IN ROTATION - BOOKS OF 2026 SO FAR…
What’s going on everybody? This is Stephen over at The Apprentice Corner, back with something a little different today: book recommendations for 2026.
I haven't talked much about books since my original introductory post, but reading is still something I try to squeeze in whenever I can. If you follow my dad and me, you know life stays pretty busy between work, projects, travel, podcasts, and everything else. Because of that, my reading numbers aren't exactly setting any records, but I always try to keep a book nearby.
Today I wanted to share a few of the books and series that have either impressed me recently or are sitting near the top of my reading list.
The Secret – Lee Child & Andrew Child
The book I'm currently working through is The Secret, a Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child.
Funny enough, despite knowing the literary (and now on screen) character Jack Reacher, I had never actually read one of the novels before. I'm not even sure which number in the series this one is, but it ended up being my introduction to the character.
I first encountered the book during a trip Maddie and I took to a small bed-and-breakfast on the Eastern Shore. The inn had one of those "take a book, leave a book" libraries, and The Secret happened to catch my eye.
I ended up reading almost all of it during our brief stay and absolutely loved it. Naturally, I told myself I'd buy a copy and finish it later. And naturally, I waited way too long.
By the time I finally got around to purchasing it, I had forgotten enough of the story that I decided to start over from the beginning. As I've worked through it a second time, I keep hitting those moments where I remember what happens next and think, "Oh yeah, now I remember this part."
So far, it's been excellent (again). The pacing is great, the writing is easy to get absorbed into, and Reacher is every bit as entertaining as his reputation suggests. If this book is representative of the series as a whole, I'll definitely be picking up more Reacher novels once I finish.
The Necromancer Series – M.G. Gallows
Another recent discovery has been M.G. Gallows and The Necromancer series.
I actually found this author through an interesting chain of connections. A guy I've followed for well over fifteen years—basically long enough that I grew up watching his online content—happens to be friends with the author.
When I heard about the books, I figured I'd give them a shot.
I'm glad I did.
The first book immediately gave me the same feeling I had when I first read The Cirque du Freak series back in school. The feeling of a book being so good you cant put it away, which was odd for me as a kid, and even more odd now.
It's dark, gritty, a little edgy, and most importantly, fun. This isn't one of those books that feels like homework. It's the kind of story that keeps pulling you back for one more chapter.
The premise alone hooked me: a necromancer who works for criminal organizations cleaning up murder scenes. That's a concept I hadn't really encountered before, and it immediately grabbed my attention.
I'm about halfway through the book right now, and I've been enjoying it.
Wolves, All – G.G. Boone
One of the more unexpected reads I've picked up recently is Wolves of All, by G.G. Boone.
Honestly, this one started because of Instagram.
I saw a post from the author—probably an advertisement—and the cover art immediately caught my attention. The title was simple, the imagery looked incredible, and my first thought was:
"There's a knight with a sword facing down a werewolf. How could this possibly be bad?"
Thankfully, it wasn't.
The opening chapters absolutely pulled me in. What struck me most was how emotional the story felt right out of the gate. The protagonist is dealing with tremendous trauma, but the book doesn't immediately explain why. Instead, you're forced to experience the consequences alongside him before you fully understand the causes.
I really liked that approach.
It creates a sense of mystery while making the character's struggles feel more personal and immediate. The book is often dark, sad, and raw, but it's also incredibly compelling.
Of all the books I've read recently, this may be the one that surprised me the most.
What's Next on the Reading List?
Like most readers, I have more books waiting than I realistically have time to read…but next up so far:
Dance of Cloaks – David Dalglish
I've heard nothing but good things about this series, and it's one I'm very excited to start. Dark fantasy, assassins, political intrigue, and a great reputation in the fantasy community sounds like a combination that's right up my alley.
The Dresden Files – Jim Butcher
The other series waiting patiently for its turn is The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, starting with Storm Front. If you've somehow never heard of Dresden, the series follows Harry Dresden, a wizard working as a private investigator in modern-day Chicago. I've had multiple friends recommend this series over the years, and I finally grabbed a copy. Now I just need to find the time to dive in. Given my love of fantasy, supernatural stories, horror, and mystery, I have a feeling this series is going to be a big hit for me.
As you can probably tell, my reading tastes are a little all over the place. I bounce between thrillers, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, horror, non-fiction, and pretty much anything with an interesting premise and memorable characters. If there's a common thread between these recommendations, it's that they're books that grabbed my attention early and made me want to keep reading. And honestly, that's probably the highest compliment I can give a book these days.
So let me know: what are you reading right now? If you've read any of the books I mentioned—or if you have recommendations that fit the same general vibe—drop them in the comments. I'm always looking for the next great read to add to the stack. Until next time, I'll see you all in The Apprentice Corner.
Later on…