Books I Read in 2026 continues recent bandwagon of sharing (bragging really) about the number of books a person has read during a year. Many of the numbers I have seen for 2024 and 2025 seem highly suspect. Of course, if a reader is reading short, fluff fiction and has no job, I suppose reading 150+ books a year could be possible. Should quantity be the goal rather than quality? I think not, but for many readers it’s a chance to brag about a high (and to me pointless) number.
Please see my Books I Read in 2025post in order to follow my reading/listening journey. You might just find the next book for your own list.
Support small businesses. Click this link to purchase from bookshop.org and help support my blogging efforts. Your support is truly appreciated.
Criteria
For the purposes of this exercise, I will be including books I have physically read whether an actual book or electronic, AND books I have listened to through Audible. I am not going to argue the semantics of what reading is. Reading and listening ARE different, however does it really matter in the mind of the consumer. I drive an hour and a half to two hours per day round trip to work and back. Often times it’s the only chance I have to get through certain books. I may not be reading in the traditional sense, but I feel it’s worth including these titles as long as they are unabridged. If it’s abridged, I will note that.
Please remember, books on this list are not all that I read. I read portions of (but seldom full) MA Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertations, numerous academic journal articles, dozens of mainstream magazine articles, and literally hundreds, if not thousands, of historic newspaper articles throughout the year.
Goals
I suppose an exercise such as this should include a goal. Let’s set it ridiculously high (remember, I read non-fiction almost exclusively, much of it academic in nature, and it just takes longer than reading most NYT bestselling fiction.) In addition, I am not a fast reader. I never have been. Let’s have a goal of 40 books; slightly over 3 per month. Realistically, let’s stick to 26; one every other week. Maybe with some effort I will surprise all of us.
Listing Methodology
I will be listing books and authors, most of which will have a link for you to learn more and purchase if you so desire. I may say something briefly about the book, especially if I really liked it. Or didn’t. If I post a separate book review, I will provide a link to that. Unless noted, these are the physical book. Books will be listed in the order read and not in alphabetical order by author or title. I may or may not own copies of these books.
And without further ado, lets kick off Books I Read in 2026!
Save up to $50 on the hottest Flycity Rotating Bookshelf, a favorite among bookish creators! Featuring a sleek rotating design, it’s the perfect solution for book lovers who want to display their collection in a stylish and space-saving way. Available in 3-5 tiers, this bookshelf can hold 60-100 books, combining practicality with unique aesthetic appeal. Perfect for home offices, living rooms, and libraries, elevate your space with this must-have bookshelf. Click the link or image for information and to place your order.
Florida regimental histories are extremely rare due to a lack of source material. This thin volume, less than 60 pages of text, relies heavily on an unpublished, partial, late war diary and several letters from Lt. Andrew Jackson Neal, held at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Readers interested in the Florida Brigade in the Western Theater of the Civil War are referred to Jonathan Sheppard.
A short, yet heavily illustrated dive into this unique aspect of how the New Deal benefited Florida. Learn about how New Deal agencies created state parks, libraries, and the murals that were housed inside. While interesting and very appropriate for an introduction to the topic, those seeking an in-depth look might be disappointed.
A grossly misnamed book as it covers so much more than his Civil War service. It includes his schooling, time as Maine governor, time as Bowdoin College president, and other post-war activities. Clocking in at more than 500 pages, (having listened on Audible I don’t know how much of that is notes, bibliography, and index) this will be a time commitment, but one that all the “fans” of Chamberlain from having seen the Ken Burns series or having watched Gettysburg, should make. It appears to be solidly researched and it is well written. No shock coming from Ronald C. White. For me, however, I don’t find Chamberlain any more interesting or likable than I did before having completed this.
February
Big Horn Outdoors deliver high-quality, durable backyard cooking tools that bring out the most authentic flavors — with smart innovations that make outdoor cooking easier for everyone. Up your flavor game with Big Horn Outdoors® Grills & Griddles Collection page
Please see my Books I Read in 2025post in order to follow my reading/listening journey. You might just find the next book for your own list.
Click the image above to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your helps pay for website fees and maintenance, research fees for blog and book writing, photo usage and rights fees, and other associated costs. And maybe, it will go to buying a bag of coffee to help keep me focused on the research topic at hand.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
Visit my online shop to view the incredible 2025 Holiday Book Sale going on now.
Now through the end of December you can order signed copies of any of my books for the history enthusiast in your life or maybe for yourself, at discount prices.
I have copies of my newest book, Florida Scoundrels, available for only $19.99, regularly $24.99.
Get your holiday orders in early and I’ll get them to you as quickly as USPS can ship. You can have them under the Christmas tree or ready of Santa Claus to deliver, well in advance of the big day.
Listed prices do not include shipping or sales tax. Your shopping cart will calculate your total price.
If you would like the books personalized or inscribed, please include a note in your order with the exact wording you would like. Unfortunately, signed and inscribed books are not returnable. If there is no direction, books will be signed only, with no personalization included.
Click THIS LINKto visit my shop. Here you will find all nine of my books and can place your order. Sale ends December 31, 2025. Don’t delay.
Click the image above to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your help pays for website fees and maintenance, research fees for blog and book writing, photo usage and rights fees, and other associated costs. It might go to buying a bag of coffee, keeping me focused on the research topic at hand.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
There’s not a better holiday gift for the coffee lover in your life than beans from Intelligentsia Coffee. Click the image and find all their delicious offerings. The house will smell amazing when you brew beans from Intelligentsia Coffee.
Books I Read in 2025 jumps on the recent bandwagon of sharing (bragging really) about the number of books a person has read during a year. Many of the numbers I have seen for 2024 seem highly suspect. Of course, if a reader is reading short, fluff fiction and has no job, I suppose reading 150+ books a year could be possible. Should quantity be the goal rather than quality? I think not, but for many readers it’s a chance to brag about a high (and to me pointless) number.
Be sure to follow my Books I Read in 2026 post to keep up with my reading interests. You might just find the next book for your own To Be Read pile.
Criteria
For the purposes of this exercise, I will be including books I have physically read whether an actual book or electronic, AND books I have listened to through Audible. I am not going to argue the semantics of what reading is. Reading and listening ARE different, however does it really matter in the mid of the consumer. I drive an hour and a half to two hours per day round trip to work and back. Often times it’s the only chance I have to get through certain books. I may not be reading in the traditional sense, but I feel it’s worth including these titles as long as they are unabridged. If it’s abridged, I will note that.
Please remember, books on this list are not all that I read. I read portions of (but seldom full) MA Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertations, numerous academic journal articles, dozens of mainstream magazine articles, and literally hundreds, if not thousands, of historic newspaper articles throughout the year.
Goals
I suppose an exercise such as this should include a goal. Let’s set it ridiculously high (remember, I read non-fiction almost exclusively, much of it academic in nature, and it just takes longer than reading most NYT bestselling fiction.) In addition, I am not a fast reader. I never have been. Let’s have a goal of 52 books; one per week. Realistically, let’s stick to 26; one every other week. Maybe with some effort I will surprise all of us.
Listing Methodology
I will be listing books and authors, most of which will have a link for you to learn more and purchase if you so desire. I may say something briefly about the book, especially if I really liked it. Or didn’t. If I post a separate book review, I will provide a link to that. Unless noted, these are the physical book. Books will be listed in the order read and not in alphabetical order by author or title. I may or may not own copies of these books.
And without further ado, lets kick off Books I Read in 2025!
Select from over 1,500 magazines at the best prices. Order from Magazine Values and save big. Click the link to find your favorites titles and place your order.
No matter what they say, or how the author tries his hardest to portray them, these people are about two things, money and fame. They came off very unlikable to me.
A fascinating look at the creation of the California park that launched all the Disney theme parks we know today. We meet an interesting cast of characters (see what I did there) and learn of the financial struggles, the innovations, the highs, and the lows, as Disney and his team brought Disneyland to life.
So far, the best book I have read this year. By far.
Plan future trips or relive trips already taken with beautiful push-pin maps from Conquest Maps. Click the image for information and to place your order.
Read as part of research for a similar book I am writing in the 100 Things series. Look for it in 2026. Keep up with everything going on in Orlando by following O’Connor’s amazing website Bungalower.
A bit difficult to follow in audio format. Keeping the names and locations straight was difficult for me. Thoroughly researched. Jackson County seems like it was a bad place in the immediate post war years.
My grandfather worked for Burdine’s for many years so there was some family interest, I suppose. If you know Mr. Bramson, this is vintage Seth. He has a very high opinion of his knowledge (which I am not refuting here) and he can be quick to toot his own horn and put down the work of others. I could do with less of that to be honest.
A bit slow to get going and dragged in places for me. A tragic story that highlights just how little weather forecasters knew, know now, and how inaccurate they are even today.
I guess I expected more. Maybe it was too home town hyped since I live near Sanford. The “headless miser legend” seemed almost an add on at the end of the book. An interesting local history story though.
A tough topic to research. This book is based mostly on a few newspaper articles and “good old days” memories. A fun look back if you lived in Jacksonville during the days of these businesses even if not overly historically useful.
Excellent book! It might be argued that while Jones started out with a positive motive, he quickly became an evil and controlling individual. This is a sad look at how easily desperate people can be duped into throwing everything away, including their lives.
While the title may be a bit overdramatic, who knew there was so much Mafia history in Florida. Well, I knew a bit, but you know what I mean. An interesting part of Florida history I might explore more on.
What a terrible and mostly preventable incident. I am not sure how much we have advanced in reigning in the political power of corporations. The latter part of the book, while having some post disaster relevance, went on too long for my taste. If it hadn’t been included, I wouldn’t have felt cheated.
Long and in depth look at John Calhoun and the politics of the early to mid 19th century. Calhoun found himself on the wrong side of history as a pro slavery South Carolinian and his long term reputation has of course suffered. The question about what to do with figures such as Calhoun in the historical narrative is an important one that is asked.
Read as background for a project I am working on. I was looking for something that didn’t go into the entire Barker story, which I don’t need. Unfortunately, this book is in need of considerable editorial help. Issues include shaky narrative, inconsistent spelling/naming/formatting, and very confusing and unexplained notes.
Written pre-COVID, Kelly works to humanize the impact of a plague that killed approximately 75 million people during the 1340s rather than providing a straight statistically based book.
A bit disjointed. This is a lot of UF students who I am not sure would have made it in the early days and locations of punk. Is the music any good? Admittedly, I did not seek it out to sample. Less Than Jake is the breakout band.
Much like her movie theaters book I read earlier this year, I accept this is a difficult subject to research. This is really a book of “good old days” stories. It is certainly not an in depth history or look at any of these restaurants. Still, there is value to these memories and for many history enthusiasts today, this is what they consider to be good history.
One of the better books in the Arcadia “theater” series I have read. This book takes more of a history based angle, rather than a “good old days” approach. This is a tough topic to write on as source material is spotty at best for most of these facilities. Newspaper articles are often all there is.
A very interesting look at the Louvre. It’s a much better book when the author isn’t trying to make broad, and somewhat irrelevant, social commentary. For me, that type of moralizing is better left for a different book with that as the main theme.
An absolute must read for every arm chair traveler. A visual feast, but don’t skip the text. This will be a strong contender for my favorite book of the year.
Interesting, but the focus was so singular as to make it almost a promotional piece of the now defunct Ivy Mountain Distillery rather than a true examination of north Georgia Moonshine. Nowadays, please see R.M. Rose Distillery.
I have tried to read and like Barbara Tuchman. I really have. I’ve tried WWI, I’ve tried the American Revolution. I have always found her difficult. These essays did nothing to change my view. If I had been trying in physical form, the book would have ended up unfinished, just like the others of hers I have tried.
Robert Indiana, James Rosenquist, Ellsworth Kelly, and more got their start and found fame, at this dead end street at the lower tip of Manhattan. This is a biography of not just artists but also time and place.
An interesting look at the famous Jacksonville based architect. I read this to try and gather insight on how biographies of architects are written. I have a project in mind for some time in the future.
My first read on the legendary Great Lakes freighter. A bit slow getting started but once the story really got to the Edmund Fitzgerald, I found this to be a very good book. Definitely recommended.
Myriad designs, eclectic sources of inspirations, and a disregard for convention—experience almost 600 pieces from Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo’s breathtaking collection of the finest ‘jewel-less’ jewelry. Frivolous but inescapable, reproducible, and now highly collectible, costume gems are the ultimate ‘democratic jewels’, accessible to all. Click the image for information and to order your copy!
The worlds of modern and contemporary art owe a debt of gratitude to Peggy Guggenheim. You might not learn a lot about the art itself, but the stories she tells are fascinating. It’s amazing the art that passed through her hands.
A look at the early years of what is not called modern art and the struggle artists and dealers had in finding acceptance in the United States. Includes the interesting story of the early days and hardships of the Museum of Modern Art.
This one has been in my “to be read” pile for quite a while. Unfortunately it let me down. Each chapter stands independently and there is really no continuity in the book. That’s OK, but it just seemed that the story wasn’t really there. It was a series of independent stories that didn’t really go anywhere.
Full disclosure: I was provided a complimentary review copy and received mention in the book acknowledgements. These issues aside, this is an enjoyable and important book. Architecture in Florida is often overlooked and demolished on a seeming whim. Janet Naughton works to preserve the work of important south Florida architect William Manly King, in print, if not in usage. Highly recommended.
The Final Analysis
My final total number of books read for 2025 is 44. While the last couple of months were extremely slow in results the holidays can do that to people. In addition, I started two different books through Audible that proved unfinishable. Don’t go strictly by the sample audio alone. Both provided different readers once the main book started. The samples came from Introductions. One title was completely unlistenable after getting about a third of the way through. Authors, please do not get suckered into reading your book. You are not voice actors and it shows. The second, I made it about an hour in before the sheer boredom took over. Finally, I have two Kindle titles going, one is a real slog but I’ll stick it out. The other is a work of fiction provided by the author as a review copy that I have only just begun.
The Best of 2025
I suppose I should select my favorite titles I have read this year. Four completely different titles stand out above the crowd. If you are a history reader, you won’t go wrong with any of these. In no particular order.
Reviewing this list has showed me I am really all over the place in my reading and I don’t have any true subject focus. I really thought I might be a bit more targeted in a couple of areas than what I have found. I hope in 2026 to be able to focus a bit more on a couple of key subjects including Florida history as a primary target. I also hope to focus on works that are a bit more rigorous in their scholarship. That doesn’t mean university press so much, just a move toward works with more research and backing materials.
A question I will have moving forward is where do I begin. I am going to spend some time over the next few years filling in gaps in my Florida history book collection. I know I will buy considerably more than I will be able to read. An area I have not done well in is keeping up with is new history releases. I need to make a more concerted effort to have open eyes for what is new and pick up those titles, even when not Florida related.
So there you have it. My 2025 reading round-up so to speak.
What did your 2025 reading list look like? Do you have a similar type of listing? What are the favorite books you read during 2025? Please share in the comments so others can pick up titles that might be of interest to them.
Be sure to follow my Books I Read in 2026 post to keep up with my reading interests. You might just find the next book for your own To Be Read pile.
Click the image above to support this site through Buy Me A Coffee. Your helps pay for website fees and maintenance, research fees for blog and book writing, photo usage and rights fees, and other associated costs. And maybe, it will go to buying a bag of coffee to help keep me focused on the research topic at hand.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
With a 24 month warranty, 30 day return window, and free shipping. Make The official website of Big Horn Outdoors® your choice for pizza ovens, grills, and camp stoves.
