Occasionaly, I read pre-publication/ARC copies of soon-to-be-published books that I receive in exchange for my fair and honest reviews. I write reviews for every book I read, and publish them on Goodreads (you can find me here on Goodreads). In addition to Goodreads, I’ll also be posting my ARC book reviews here in the Field Notes section of my blog.
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Title: Light and Thread
Author: Han Kang
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: March 24, 2026
My Review:
Having read three of Han Kang’s previous novels, I was eager to read an advance copy of Light and Thread, her memoir/essay collection set to be published in the United States by Random House in March 2026.
The memoir threads together fragments of Han Kang’s essays, speeches, and poetry in a compact volume sharing her thought processes as she researches and writes her novels, descriptions of her ordinary days, and pieces of her gardening journal (which I found particularly fascinating). The writing, of course, is lovely, lyrical – and compelling.
I enjoyed reading what goes on beneath the surface of Han Kang’s writing process. This is a lovely companion piece to her novels, and will offer her fans a greater understanding of her work.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on March 24, 2026.
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Title: Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry
Author: Ada Límon
Publisher: Scribner
Publication date: April 7, 2026
My Review:
In these dark and muddled times, I frequently find myself turning to the words of my favorite poets for comfort, refuge, and sanctuary. What a gift, then, to receive an advance copy of Ada Límon’s slim volume Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry, due to be published in early April 2026.
Lately, I find my emotions live very close to the surface. It doesn’t take much these days, it seems, to reach my tender heart and bring tears to my eyes. Such was the case as I read Ada Límon’s heartfelt words in this, her closing lecture to the Library of Congress as she ended her term as the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States. What a beautiful case she makes . . . for poetry! Right now. For all of us. As the world we know shifts under our feet, Ada Límon reminds us that poetry can save us with its offer of hope and connection and possibility.
I cannot wait to have a copy of this wonderful volume for my own poetry library. I will read it again and again. And probably cry every time I do.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for providing me with an advance copy of Ada Límon’s Against Breaking: On the Power of Poetry in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published on April 7, 2026.
5 stars
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Title: Tata
Author: Valérie Perrin
Publisher: Europa Editions
Publication date: June 23, 2026
My Review:
This review is based on my reading of an advance copy of the coming Europa Editions version of Tata by Valérie Perrin, to be released in the US in late June 2026. I loved reading Valérie Perrin’s Fresh Water for Flowers a few years ago, so I was eager to read this ARC copy of her newest novel, Tata.
Like Perrin’s earlier novels, Tata is a gentle, comfortable novel of friendship, family, and loss – but there is a darker side to Tata, with secrets revealed slowly over the course of the book. I didn’t find this new novel as compelling or charming as I did Perrin’s earlier Fresh Water for Flowers. Although the story is well-told and carefully structured, I had a tough time getting into this novel, and needed to push myself to continue reading. It may be the translation, which felt somewhat stiff and detached, or it may be that it is so long (600 pages) as to feel bloated. There are many characters to keep track of – spanning multiple generations and locations. (I recommend keeping a list as you read.)
Although I’m sure fans of Perrin’s earlier books will love Tata, I just didn’t find that it flowed as easily or as comfortably as Fresh Water for Flowers did.
Thank you to Europa Editions and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on June 23, 2026.
3 stars
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Title: John of John
Author: Douglas Stuart
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Publication date: May 5, 2026
My review:
As a big fan of Douglas Stuart’s first two novels (Shuggie Bainand Young Mundo), I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of his newest work, John of John (to be published in early May 2026). And now that I have read it, I’ve been agonizing for weeks over how to do this stunning novel justice with my review. Because Douglas Stuart has absolutely done it again! He has reached right in and stolen my heart with his incredible story of community and family and belonging, and the ties – and secrets – that bind us.
As always, Stuart’s writing is sublime. His dialog sparkles and his narrative flows surely and easily. When it comes to characters, Stuart is a master. I don’t think anyone writes better “messy” characters than Douglas Stuart, each so fully alive and bursting with humanity that they all make my heart ache. And, of course, his remote Scottish island setting is the perfect moody-broody background for all that transpires. John of John is an immersive, compelling read, and will likely end up as one of my 2026 top reads.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This novel will be published May 5, 2026.
5 stars.
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Title: Joyful, Anyway
Author: Kate Bowler
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: April 7, 2026
My review:
“You will never be cured of this grief, it’s true. But you will be joyful, anyway. I swear.”
Big fan of Kate Bowler here, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC edition of her upcoming book Joyful, Anyway, due to be published in early April 2026.
Part memoir, part “self-help” (I don’t like that term, especially in describing this particular book, because it’s more . . . “self-understanding,” really) Joyful, Anyway is just Great Storytelling . . . with a real-life slant. Kate Bowler writes like . . . she’s writing to you, personally. Like she’s a good friend just talking with you over a glass of wine. Totally accessible, completely relatable (even when she’s running off a cliff to try para-sailing), and always tender, Kate’s new book is the perfect book to take you through the aftermath of any of life’s (many) disappointments. And she’ll make you laugh while she’s doing it.
I can’t wait to buy a copy for my personal library.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Joyful, Anyway will be published April 7, 2026.
5 stars.
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Title: Wellwater
Author: Karen Solie
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date: May 5, 2026
My Review:
I hadn’t yet been introduced to the work of Canadian poet Karen Solie, so I was especially pleased to receive an advance copy of Wellwater, Solie’s newest poetry collection, due to be published in the US in early May 2026.
Karen Solie writes powerful, lyrical poems about environmental, cultural, and economic issues and how they influence . . . where we live, how we live. Not to be read quickly, her collection is meaty and requires a level of immersion and attention for full impact. I was especially taken with The Grasslands. In fact, I will look forward to purchasing my own copy of this collection when it comes out in May just to have that particular poem in my personal library.
Thank you to Farrar, Strauss and Giraux and to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The collection will be published May 5, 2026.
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
