As we head into the holiday season, we’re already looking ahead—because nothing pairs better with cocoa and cozy time off than planning your next year’s TBR   For our January 2026 Book Picks (and the final Book Lounge episode of 2025!), I'm joined by Madison to break down the new releases we cannot wait to snag in the new year. These are the books we’re placing holds and adding to notify me tags in Libby, lining up for holds, and mentally reading before the wrapping paper’s even recycled ✨  This episode is equal parts holiday sendoff and new year reading hype. We’re taking a short break, soaking up the season, and coming back in January 2026 with all-new episodes.   One last thing before the year ends! Help shape the future of Book Lounge by completing our listener survey by January 5: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8564187/2025-Book-Lounge-Listener-Survey  Happy holidays, happy reading, and may your holds come in early. ✨  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Titles mentioned in this episode:  Madison’s picks:  Graceless Heart – Isabel Ibañez  The Midnight Carousel – Fiza Saeed McLynn  Silver & Blood – Jessie Mihalik  The Elsewhere Express – Samantha Sotto Yambao  Women of a Promiscuous Nature – Donna Everhart  Dragon Cursed – Elise Kova  When Trees Testify – Beronda L. Montgomery  Joe’s picks:   Half His Age – Jennette McCurdy  Is This a Cry for Help? - Emily Austin  How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder – Nina McConigley  Meet the Newmans – Jennifer Niven  Fustuk – Robert Mgrdich Apelian  Gaslit – Megan Davidhizar  Better the Devil – Erik J. Brown  Check out Madison’s Bookstagram  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:01:07 Intro  00:07:33 January 2026 Book Picks with Madison!’  01:17:11 Outro  Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode!  Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!  We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!   Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices