In this book club episode of Books Around the Block, we discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, a literary novel told through letters and personal reflections. We talk about the epistolary structure, key themes like grief and connection, and the choices the author makes in shaping the story.

We share our reactions, highlight moments that stood out, and discuss how this book functions as a book club pick, including the questions it raises and the conversations it sparked.

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave

Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston

The Correspondent by Virigina Evans

In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re breaking down books that are overhyped, underhyped, and appropriately hyped. Each of us brings one book for each category, sharing honest reactions, hot takes, and the kind of bookish opinions you’d only say out loud to neighbors you trust.

If you’ve ever wondered which popular books are actually worth reading, which underrated books deserve more attention, or whether the hype is real or wildly exaggerated, this episode is for you.

Grab your TBR and settle in. Things get opinionated.

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

The Silent Patient by Alex Michelides

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen

New year, new books! In this episode of Books Around the Block, we’re rounding up the most anticipated book releases of Q1 2026, from January through March. We’re talking buzzy new novels, upcoming romances, thrillers, and literary fiction that are already climbing our TBRs. If you’re building your 2026 reading list and want to know what to read next, this episode is for you.

Current Reads:

A Guardian and A Thief by Megha Majumdar

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent

The Faithful Saints by Ashley Winstead

Anticipated Books:

Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra

And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borrison

Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

In Her Own League by Liz Tomforde

It's Not Her by Mary Kubica

Little One by Olivia Muenter

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

How to Write A Love Story by Catherine Walsh