I’m pausing midyear (6/6) to discuss the BEST 6 books I’ve read in 6 months. Can you list your top six books in the last six months? Do we share any favorite reads? Do you stop midyear and reflect on your reading? Has a book ever given you a book hangover?
Emma @ Words and Peace is now hosting the #sixinsex meme and link up (previously hosted by Jo at The Book Jotter ). Check out Emma’s post for all the details. I’m breaking the rules and offering a modified version for the linkup. In lieu of 6 books in 6 categories, I’m simplifying it to one category: the best six books in six months. Or you could look at it as one best book in each of 6 categories.
I love the idea of stopping midyear to reflect on the Best Six in Six .
Although I’ve read many enjoyable and memorable books so far this year, these six are a good representation: one narrative nonfiction, one family drama, one beach read, one biographical histfic, one book about books, and one by an author of color.
Can you identify your best 6 books in 6 months?
Best 6 Books in 6 Months of 2026
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
(In no particular order)
A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
What are the elements that captured my attention?
Biographical, U.S. History, Founding Fathers, and an amazing woman!
This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page
What are the elements that captured my attention?
A book about books, a bookshop, and the grief journey.
Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn
What are the elements that captured my attention?
Narrative nonfiction, Pearl Harbor, and complicated family drama.
Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris
What are the elements that captured my attention?
Author of color, literary fiction, and against the odds.
Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore
What are the elements that captured my attention?
Complicated family drama and sisters. (So much better than Sandwich or Wreck IMO!)
Beach bag approved.
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
What are the elements that captured my attention?
Fan of the author, perfect beach bag book, likable main character.
Let’s Discuss
Have you created a “6 in 6” post?
I can enthusiastically recommend every book on my list! Have you read any of them?
What is the most important element in the books you consider BEST reads?
Do your BEST reads ever give you book hangovers?
Do we share any favorites?
You might also enjoy my 2026 Summer Reading Guide
Last year’s best 6 in 6 post here.
Happy Reading Book Friends!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.” ~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” ~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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I like this idea. Libby Page would definitely be on my list too. I’d need to think about the others but Patrick Gale’s Love Lane would be up there along with The Sea Stone Sisters and The Jewel Keepers.
Gives me a jump start on my end of year list!
Great to see four of these are on my TBR💜
Yay! I’d love to read each of these again for the first time! Enjoy!
Good idea to do your own version – much more manageable!
I don’t have the energy for 6 books in 6 categories! Plus this gives me a head start on my end of year list!
I would like to read “This Book Made me Think of You”!!
My six in six would be (although it was hard to pick)
The Hand that First Held Mine–Maggie O’Farrell
Ladder of Years—Anne Tyler
Little Monsters—Adrienne Brodeur
Devotion—Dani Shapiro
Famous Last Words–Gillian McCallister
What Kind of Paradise–Janelle Brown
It is hard to pick! It gives me a head start on my end of year list! Thanks for sharing your titles! I’ll check them out!
I’ve read two of these (Dolly and This Book…), and both would make my “best of” list too! Loved them so much. It’s really fun to see your picks. 🙂
Thanks Lisa! It’s always fun to share the love!
Nice list, Carol. The only one I’ve read so far is This Book Made me Think of You and I loved it! I have all the others on my TBR shelf and am on the waiting list at the library for most of them.
All tbr worthy! 💯
How about trying to find 5 other categories? You are on your way!
🙌
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