My First Book of the Year: 2026 and My One Word for 2026

So what is First Book?  First Book, hosted by Sheila of Book Journey, is the first book you plan on reading in the New Year.  It can be a long-coveted read you have not had time for, a guilty pleasure read like a re-read of a favorite…  really it can be anything – it is, after all, YOUR First Book. 

It was hard to decide which book to choose.

I wanted to pick a book that would encourage me to move forward, filled with hope and optimism.

My First Book of the Year...

...is Theo of Golden by Allan Levi. My sister recommended this book to me, and she rarely recommends books, so I just had to read it for my first book of the year.

My #OneWord for 2025? For three New Year's Days, I stuck with the same word, Play. It reminded me to be in the moment, to be spontaneous, to enjoy my life, to draw upon the spirit of love and joy that abides within us at all times. Play. 

But in 2022, I chose a new One Word. Love. It encouraged me to engage Love as my default reaction to all situations. Love. Love got me through several difficult situations in 2022 and 2023 and 2024 and 2025, so I'm keeping Love for 2026. My One Word. Love.

What I hope to read in 2026...