7 Bookish Trends That Dominated 2025 (And What to Expect in 2026)
If 2025 proved anything, it's that readers are creative, chaotic, and beautifully stubborn. Algorithms tried to predict what we'd pick up next, but readers still surprised everyone—choosing comfort reads one month and dark, twisty epics the next. As an engaged book blogger over at My Grandma's Teacups this past year has felt like watching the bookish internet reinvent itself in real time.
Below is a deep dive into seven major bookish trends that shaped 2025—and how they're likely to evolve in 2026. This post draws on observable patterns across book blogs, social platforms, and general reading culture rather than specific current charts or lists.
1. The Reign of Romantasy (With Teeth)
Romantasy—romantic fantasy—wasn't new in 2025, but it absolutely ruled the year. Readers wanted magic, political intrigue, and high stakes, but they also wanted intense emotional payoff and slow-burn relationships. The key shift? These stories grew darker, sharper, and more morally complex.
Core features that dominated:
- morally grey love interests and antiheroes
- epic, multi-book worldbuilding designed for binge-reading
- enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and "only one bed" dialed up to eleven
What to expect in 2026:
- More adult romantasy with heavier themes, not just YA flavors with older characters slapped in
- Standalone romantasy novels with satisfying conclusions, as readers get a bit tired of endless cliffhangers
- More diverse worlds—queer romances, non-European-inspired fantasy settings, and disability representation woven into the magic systems
2. Cosy Reading as a Lifestyle, Not a Phase
Cosy mysteries, cosy fantasies, cosy slice-of-life contemporaries—2025 turned "cosy" from a niche into a full-on lifestyle. Readers wanted low-stakes, atmospheric stories where the tension was more emotional than existential.
Key vibes that dominated:
- small-town settings, tight-knit communities, found family
- hobbies at the heart of the plot: baking, crafting, gardening, bookshops, libraries
- gentle humor and soft romance instead of searing angst
What to expect in 2026:
- More crossovers like cosy fantasy–mystery hybrids (think magical small-town sleuthing)
- Increased interest in seasonal cosy reading—winter cabin reads, autumn witchy cosies, spring garden books
- Companion novellas, side character spin-offs, and "comfort world" series where readers can stay in a familiar setting for multiple books
3. Backlist Love and "Shopping Your Shelves"
If 2024 was heavy on chasing new releases, 2025 swung dramatically toward backlist reading and "shop your shelves" challenges. Readers were increasingly honest about overwhelm: too many books, too many hyped titles, not enough time or money.
What shaped this trend:
- economic pressure, making frequent new-release purchases less realistic
- subscription fatigue (multiple boxes, digital services, and special editions)
- a desire for slower, more intentional reading rather than constant FOMO
What to expect in 2026:
- More year-long or quarterly "read what you own" challenges
- Backlist spotlight posts focusing on books older than 3–5 years that still hold up beautifully
- Renewed interest in library use, used bookstores, and swapping with friends
4. Data-Driven Reading: Stats, Spreadsheets, and Story
In 2025, reading spreadsheets went from "nerdy niche" to mainstream. Readers tracked everything: genres, formats, page counts, authors' identities, countries of origin, tropes, and even their own mood while reading. But the real magic came from what they did with the data: story-driven reflections.
Key developments:
- end-of-year posts where readers break down graphs and pie charts
- mid-year check-ins to realign goals
- personalized reading experiments like "what happens if I only read novellas for a month?"
What to expect in 2026
5. Hybrid Formats: Audiobooks, Graphic Novels, and Mixed Media
2025 saw readers fully embracing the idea that reading is not limited to one format. Audiobooks, graphic novels, webcomics, and mixed-media storytelling (journal entries, chat logs, transcripts, documents) all gained more mainstream respect.
Why it resonated:
- audiobooks fit into busy lives: commuting, chores, caregiving
- graphic novels and manga offered visual richness and fast immersion
- mixed-media narratives mirrored how people actually communicate online
What to expect in 2026:
- More genre-blending: horror in graphic novel form, romance told through podcasts and transcripts, sci-fi as dossier-style narratives
- Less gatekeeping about what "counts" as reading—readers are increasingly protective of their format preferences
- Increased interest in accessibility conversations: font choices, audio narration quality, and dyslexia-friendly formats
6. The Personal-Professional Blend: Vulnerable but Boundaried Blogging
Book blogging in 2025 became more personal—but also more aware of boundaries. Readers connected strongly with bloggers who shared bits of their real lives: mental health, neurodivergence, parenting, chronic illness, identity. But there was also a clear move toward intentional privacy.
Defining features of this trend:
- posts about how life circumstances shaped reading habits
- honest talk about burnout, slump cycles, and pressure to keep up with arcs
- content warnings, transparency about triggers, and kindness-first reviewing cultures
What to expect in 2026:
- More "life + books" posts: weekly reading diaries, mental health check-ins tied to reading, and day-in-the-life content
- Ethical reviewing conversations: how to critique thoughtfully, how to handle DNF reviews, and how to balance sponsored content with honesty
- A growing preference for trusting voices over faceless recommendation lists
7. Community Over Clout: Smaller Spaces, Deeper Connections
In 2025, many readers and bloggers started quietly drifting away from the loudest, most chaotic corners of social media and into smaller, more intentional spaces. Instead of chasing viral moments, they wanted real conversations: comments, newsletters, Discord servers, buddy reads, and small readalongs.
Key shifts:
- micro-communities centered on specific genres or identities
- slower, more thoughtful comment sections and blog discussions
- preference for long-form content (blog posts, newsletters) over fleeting trends
What to expect in 2026:
- A renewed appreciation for traditional blogs and mailing lists, where content is easier to find later and not swallowed by an algorithm in 24 hours
- More collaborative projects: guest posts, co-hosted readathons, themed months, and shared prompt challenges
- Growth in cross-platform ecosystems: using social media to invite people into blogs, not replace them
What's Next for Book Lovers?
Even without real-time charts in front of you, you can feel the direction reading culture is heading: slower, kinder, more intentional, but still deeply enthusiastic. If 2025 was the year of recalibration, 2026 can be the year of alignment—where your reading life, finally feel like they're working together.
What was YOUR favorite bookish trend of 2025? Which 2026 prediction excites you most? Share in the comments—I read and reply to every one!
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