Inspirational Skai: Day 2 | TBR Love Party 2026: Books on My Wishlist

Welcome to day two of TBR Love! And happy Valentine's Day! Today, I will wear black and listen to sad songs, to mourning my non-existent love life. Just kidding, I am working today and am wearing work appropriate clothes, and I can't listen to sad music while I'm working with the public, but I might while I'm on my lunch. We'll see. 😉

I hope you all enjoyed yesterday, reading about "the books I really keep trying read, but can't" with 5 TBR Books I'm Scared to Read. If you haven't read it, you can find a link to it at the bottom of this blog. While yesterday's blog was about looking back, today's blog is about looking forward at my future TBR books. Today's theme is 5 TBR Books I Need to Buy.

I have a caveat on today's topic; I didn't quite stick with the prompt. I picked five upcoming releases for TBR* books to share; however, I try very to not every book that I would like to read. Most of these books are ones I'm reading from Netgalley or will read from my local library after they release. So, that's how I didn't quite stick to the prompt, and why I titled this blog, "Books on My Wishlist." Here are 5 books that are on my Wishlist to read, whether or not I purchase any of them.

*Side note: TBR stands for "to be read."

1. What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally

This one was recommended to me on Instagram by @AngieAroundWonderland while I was looking for this year's 12 Recs from 12 Friends books. (I will talk more about that tomorrow.) Ended up, that I did not pick this for that 12, but when I noticed that What we Did to Survive by Megan Lally had not yet released, I checked Netgalley to see it was available as a digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC or DRC). I was floored when, I got approved to pre-read this one. So, it's currently downloaded to my phone and iPad for me to read before it releases. I guess I better get on that now as its expected release date is March 31, 2026.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A vacation in paradise turns deadly when four teens' sailing charter hits stormy seas in this propulsive new thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Megan Lally!

Hannah is having an incredible spring break. A week at a resort in Mexico with her best friend Emmy and her family is perfect for de-stressing from senior year, even if it’s awkward being around Emmy's older brother, Jackson, who she’s had a crush on for as long as she can remember.

Still, the beach is gorgeous. So is the guy they meet in the surf. Except Hannah is now the third wheel in Emmy’s vacation romance.

Eager to impress Emmy, her wealthy new boyfriend charters a private sailboat to make the most of their last day in paradise, and Hannah and Jackson are invited along. As the clouds roll in and the skies darken, their boat is the only one leaving the marina. And the further they get into open water, the more unsettled Hannah becomes. A storm is brewing onboard that’s as deadly as the one racing toward them. Forget surviving graduation. Who will make it back to land alive?

View on Goodreads.

2. Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken

Immortal Rose by Alexandra Bracken is this YA author's debut adult novel. I don't know much about this book yet, even the cover was only recently announced. So far, I know that it is an adult romantasy, so it might prove to be spicier than I usually read or recommend, but I loved Bracken's YA romantasy, Silver in the Bone (More about Silver in the Bone at the link). Additionally, Bracken is an author from my hometown. I've met her at a couple of local bookish events; however, I think she presently lives in New York. Unless I learn that this book is absolute smut, I will check it out either when it releases or if I can get an ARC before its release. The projected release date is August 18, 2026.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

This deluxe limited hardcover edition features beautiful stenciled edges and illustrated endpapers —available on the first printing only!

From Alexandra Bracken, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore, comes a stunningly original adult fantasy. Set in a sumptuous world ruled by magical perfume, this achingly romantic, slow-burn love story will shatter your heart and leave you breathless.

Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.

When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.

Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.

As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.

But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.

View on Goodreads.

3. The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

Last fall, I heard about this upcoming escape-room-mystery-thriller. I have been attending virtual bookfair's and book webinars to learn more about developing a library's collection. When I saw that Marissa Meyer, the author of so many great YA and middle grade novels across multiple genres, was writing a mystery-thriller, I don't think I even read the synopsis, I simply requested the DRC on Netgalley, or possibly it was offered as a digital freebie as part of a bookfair. To be honest, I don't remember anymore. I've read the first few chapters, and it is setting up for a dangerous and dramatic escape-room story. The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss should release on April 7, 2026.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An unforgettable YA murder mystery set in an escape-room themed game show, by Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles, and Tamara Moss, rising star and acclaimed author of Lintang series.

It’s all fun and games until someone ends up dead.

Six months ago, season four of The Escape Game ended in horror when contestant Alicia Angelos was found murdered on set.

Now season five is underway, and new contestants are ready to put their skills to the test solving the show's trickiest escape rooms. There's Adi, the cryptographer; Carter, the math whiz; Beck, the wannabe game master, and . . . Sierra Angelos, the girl who got away with her sister’s murder. Or so everyone believes.

But Sierra’s not just here to win. She’s here for justice.

When the contestants begin uncovering clues that hint at the identity of Alicia’s true killer, it becomes clear that the stakes aren’t high in this competition, they’re deadly. If these teens want to win—and survive—the game, they must solve the biggest mystery of who killed Alicia Angelos?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marissa Meyer and rising star Tamara Moss comes a twisty thrill-ride, filled with sabotage, betrayal, and puzzles to die for.

View on Good Reads.

4. Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Introducing the fourth book in the Assistant to the Villain series, Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer is estimated to release August 4, 2026. I have been listening to this book series as an audiobook since the first book which I listened to shortly after the second book released in 2024. From the beginning, I was charmed by Evie's humor, clumsiness, and love for the people around her. These books are comical but have a serious fantasy world, while including nods at many things in the real world. (I'm looking at you cauldron brew...and you look suspiciously like coffee to me. 👀) I can't wait until book four releases. Each book has ended with a plot twist that raises the stakes for the main characters. The full synopsis has yet to be released, I discovered the release for this book when I started looking for upcoming books for this blog.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The follow-up to the New York Times bestselling sensations Assistant to the Villain, Apprentice to Villain, and Accomplice to the Villain by laugh-out-loud TikTok darling Hannah Nicole Maehrer.

View on Good Reads.

5. Teen Titans: Together Kami Garcia and Gabriel Picolo

This is book six in the DC Teen Titans graphic novel series that started with Teen Titans: Raven back in 2019. I read the first book in this series long before I started reviewing books on Instagram, but I wrote a review for this book, while I was going through old books, I'd previously loved. You can read that review here. I actually have yet to read every book in this series. I've kind of popped in and popped out when the main character is been interesting to me. I love Raven, I was first introduced to her by the early 2000s animated show, Teen Titans. Between her purple hair and moody disposition, she was always my favorite. While I was reading the early books in this series, I wanted to see all the Teen Titans together and seven years later on (expected publication date) August 4, 2026, the fans are finally getting it.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The highly anticipated team-up is finally here! Join #1 New York Times bestselling author KAMI GARCIA (Beautiful Creatures) and artist GABRIEL PICOLO, the creative duo behind the New York Times bestselling TEEN TITANS graphic novel series, for the ultimate showdown!
H.I.V.E. has been experimenting on teens with super-human abilities, and Kori Anders was next on their list. Dick Grayson, Raven Roth, Garfield Logan, Max Navarro, and Damian Wayne got to Los Angeles to save her before Slade Wilson found her, but should she trust these strangers? After all, they've accused her mom's fiancé of abduction, experimentation, and torture! And Kori's new friend, Victor Stone, has a summer internship designing next-level prosthetics in Edge Labs, a company funding H.I.V.E.

To make matters worse, Kori's sister, Kira, is working with the organization and singing their praises. H.I.V.E. has a plan for taking down Raven's demon father, Trigon. They've got a plan for training the next generation of superheroes. They've got plans for everything.

Lines blur as the teens struggle to decide what to do. H.I.V.E. might be their greatest ally...but at what cost? Can the Teen Titans pull together a plan before they fall apart?

View on Good Reads.

Conclusion

These are five books that are on my Wishlist. Will I buy any of these? I don't know. Possibly. The sprayed edges in the photo of The Escape Game look almost too pretty to pass up. However, I've already started reading the ARC, so maybe I'll read the book and decide the story isn't quite something I want to own. I try to only buy older books that might not be able to read from the library and used copies of popular titles that have long wait lines from the library. Every now and then, I make an exception, and I'm presently signed up for the Book of the Month club. I'm doing it as a way to read more physical books this year. I don't know if it's helping yet. I'm still reading the December's pick Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. I haven't even started the January pick yet. If any of these books just happen to a future pick, I might buy them, we will see. If you follow me on Instagram, that will be the best place to see my future reading.

Again, thank you all so much for reading. This has been a nice mini blog party, a weekend of writing might be just what I need. Not long enough for me to get too stressed out, but a reprieve (read: excuse to procrastinate) from some of the things pressing more heavily on me. I hope you will join us tomorrow for the final day, as we make reading a social activity.

Do you think I should actually buy any of these titles? Have you read any of these? What books would you like to buy?