Winter 2026 Circle Back with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 220

In Episode 220, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 16 new releases they shared in the Winter 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why.
This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.
Announcement
One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!
Highlights
Catherine had a high success rate, but a pretty "meh" overall feel
Sarah's reading followed a familiar barbell pattern: some standout hits, several DNFs, and not much in between
Catherine's ratings mostly landed as mid-range reads — with two 4.5 star wins.
Sarah had one 5-star read (and a new favorite of the year), two 4.5-star reads, and one big disappointment
Some of Sarah's risk-taking paid off, while other picks didn't land
They share their best and worst picks from winter
Books Read Before the Preview [6:08] Sarah's Pick
Whidbey by T Kira Madden (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:13]
Winter 2026 Book Preview [8:20]
January
Catherine's Picks
Skylark by Paula McLain (January 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:49]
Vigil by George Saunders (January 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:43]
Other Books Mentioned
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain (2021) [14:53]
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain (2018) [15:21]
February
Sarah's Picks
Good People by Patmeena Sabit (February 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:25]
Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway (February 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [15:49]
Kin by Tayari Jones (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:15]
Catherine's Picks
More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:40]
Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:47]
Other Books Mentioned
The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland (2022) [17:32]
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (2016) [26:04]
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2018) [26:58]
Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones (2011) [26:59]
March
Sarah's Picks
No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (March 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:51]
All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:23]
She Fell Away by Lenore Nash (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [43:23]
The Complex by Karan Mahajan (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:07]
Catherine's Picks
Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:34]
No Friend to This House by Natalie Haynes (US Release March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:07]
Son of Nobody by Yann Martel (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [45:17]
How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:08]
Other Books Mentioned
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff (2019) [32:10]
Shelter by Jung Yun (2016) [38:26]
Red Widow by Alma Katsu (2021) [44:17]
Red London by Alma Katsu (2023) [44:18]
From the Top of the Episode
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [1:10]