Firsts of 2026 Book Tag

Hi everyone. Welcome to Bibliophilia Book Reviews. It’s time to do my Firsts of 2026 Book Tag. This will be interesting…

First Book I Read In 2026

Las batallas en el desierto (Battles in the Desert) by José Emilio Pacheco

It is a book about the loss of innocence. But this loss of innocence occurs at three different levels: On the personal level, a young boy, Carlitos, falls in love with Mariana, his best friend’s mother. Now, as an adult, Carlitos is telling us the story of his first love, how he experienced it, and how he processed his feelings when he confessed his love to Mariana and she rejected him. He also confronts the pain of loving someone who doesn’t love him back, and the crude reality that love is sometimes impeded by social differences.

The second type of loss of innocence is both social and cultural. This is post-WWII Mexico and the men in power, led by President Miguel Alemán, were obsessed with “progress”; Mexico was going through a process of “Americanization”, and there was a growing and pervading racist sentiment towards everything that was local and Mexican. After all, it was necessary to ‘whiten the taste of Mexicans’”. Finally, the third type of loss of innocence is historical and political. In this short novel, the author tells the story of what happened to Mexico after WWII. Miguel Alemán, the first non-military president of Mexico after the Revolution, is known today for promoting industrialization, the development of highways and universities in a country scarred by conflict and war. However, this period is also marked by unlimited corruption, the enrichment of the rich, and the marginalization of the poor.

This novel is a tribute to a Mexico that doesn’t exist anymore. It is a social, moral, and political critique. And I loved it.

First Book I Reviewed in 2026

Los cuadernos de don Rigoberto (The Notebooks of Don Rigoberto) by Mario Vargas Llosa

I remember liking this book when I first read it in college. Now, almost 30 years later, I honestly don’t remember why I liked it so much. Vargas Llosa is a hit or miss author for me (mostly miss) but I wanted to read this book again and see if it stood the test of time. It didn’t. What I liked the most about this book is the author’s superb use of ecphrasis, but the story and characters in it left much to be desired. Don’t think I’ll be reading it again. If you’re interested in reading my full review for this book, read it here.

First Book by a Debut Author I Read in 2026

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen

This book is very popular and much loved by many readers. This book is a historical fiction and romance novel that follows the lives of Wang Haiwen and Zhang Suchi, childhood sweethearts who meet in Shanghai during the 1940s, are separated by the Chinese Civil War, live their lives, and are reunited once again in California during the 2000s. The book explores topics such as the longing to belong and how the definition of “home” refers to people and not places. It also explores the profound impact that war can have on people’s individual lives; how one decision can change your life completely.
I liked this novel, but I didn’t fall in love as other readers have.

First Book by a New-To-Me Author I Read in 2026

The Crypt Thief by Mark Pryor

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book, but I didn’t like it enough to continue with the series. Mysteries are my weak point (and not in a good way) and it is hard for me to get hooked on a series. Either I just read one book or keep reading and then DNF the entire thing completely. With this one, I liked the main character, I liked the writing, and I liked the story, but when I tried to read another book in the series, I couldn’t. So, I decided to take it slow. Maybe I’ll pick another one of this author’s books in the future. I don’t know yet.

First Book That Slayed Me in 2026

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

This novel, written by Erich Maria Remarque and first published in 1928, “follows young German soldiers during World War I, focusing on the brutal reality of trench warfare and the profound disillusionment and trauma these young soldiers experience, stripping away patriotic ideals to reveal the futility and horror of war, loss of innocence, camaraderie between the men, and the psychological scars of combat. It is a “seminal anti-war novel” and the author drew from his own experience as a veteran to describe a “realistic, lived experience of war.”

The ending gutted me.

Will I read it again? Yes.

First Book That I Wish I Could Get Back the Time I Spent Reading It in 2026

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

This book started out fine and promising but by the 70% mark, I hated it and I DNF’d it. I will not be picking up any other books by this author.   

First DNF of 2026

Of Darkness and Light by Ryan Cahill

I wanted to like this series as I am all for advocating for self-published authors, but I couldn’t finish this second installment. My main complaint is I wasn’t enjoying myself with it. I was utterly bored.

First Five Star Book I Read in 2026

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Read this book. That’s all I have to say.

Worst Book of 2026 (so far)

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

Biggest disappointment of the year. Uggghh, I’m still mad.

First Surprise of 2026

When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka

The first book I picked up by this author was The Buddha in the Attic and I didn’t like it. So, I picked this one up knowing that there was a high possibility I wouldn’t like it either. But to my surprise, I did. It was the best book I read in February.

That is everything for now. At the end of the month, I’ll be posting my Mid-Year Freak Out Tag too.