January

New Year, New Opportunities, and New Reads

Welcome 2026!

A New Year to Reset, Refresh, and Refuel Your Love of Reading

January is more than the start of a new calendar year; it’s an invitation. An invitation to reset your pace, refresh your intentions, and refuel your passion for stories that reflect us, challenge us, heal us, and inspire us.

As we step into 2026, we would like to begin by expressing our gratitude.

Because of you, the 2025 BRAE celebration was nothing short of extraordinary. Together, readers around the world came together powerfully—resulting in over 1 million audiobook and eBook downloads, thousands of reviews, and continued visibility for Black authors across genres and borders. That impact doesn’t end when the event does, it carries forward into the new year.

New Year. New Opportunities. Same Powerful Community.

A new year brings fresh opportunities to be intentional about how and why we read. Instead of overwhelming reading goals, consider setting realistic, meaningful intentions:

  • Read consistently, not competitively

  • Explore genres you’ve been curious about

  • Make space for both comfort reads and bold new voices

Remember: reading should fuel you, not pressure you.

Supporting the Authors You Love in 2026

Your support matters more than ever. As your favorite authors prepare for new releases this year, simple actions make a big difference:

  • Pre-order when possible

  • Download and read during release week

  • Leave honest reviews and ratings

  • Share books on social media or recommend them to friends

These moments of support help authors build momentum and continue creating the stories we crave.

Make Room for “New-to-You” Authors

BRAE has always been about discovery, and 2026 is the perfect time to expand your reading circle.

  • Rotate one new author into your monthly reading list

  • Use the BRAE New Release Page as a Starting Point

  • Try an audiobook from a genre you don’t normally read

  • Clearing out your TBR List is always a good place to start

Some of the authors you discovered during BRAE 2025 may become your new favorites this year.

Looking Ahead

New books are coming. New voices are rising. New stories are waiting for you.

As we move through 2026 together, BRAE remains committed to celebrating Black authors, uplifting readers, and creating spaces where literature connects, empowers, and thrives.

Here’s to a year filled with great reads, intentional support, and unforgettable stories.

Welcome to 2026. Let’s read boldly. 📚✨