2026 is officially upon us, bringing with it a fresh wave of New Year’s Resolutions!
For book lovers, this time-honored tradition usually includes a plan to read as much as possible. But with the various other responsibilities we all face, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain that eagerness to read.
So, in the spirit of celebrating the new year in a dynamic and spectacular way, we can turn to theatre for literary inspiration. In this list, you’ll find five musical-based book recommendations that are perfectly tailored to your reading goals!
1. For Fans of Alice By Heart: Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Alice by Heart is a musical that takes place during the London Blitz of World War II. Seeking refuge from destructive bombings, teenager Alice Spencer shelters in an underground train station with her close friend Alfred, who soon contracts tuberculosis. To process her grief, Alice recites her favorite book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, which combines fiction and reality. As the musical progresses, Alice attempts to find the strength to move forward without Alfred.
Pivoting to literature, Heartless is a prequel to the more familiar tale of Alice in Wonderland. The novel recounts the tragic origins of the tyrannical Queen of Hearts, who was once a baker named Catherine. Although she has caught the romantic interest of the king, Catherine embarks upon a secret relationship with the court jester. But as the pressure to marry intensifies, the conflict between Catherine’s desires and duty ultimately drives her descent into villainy.
Like Alice by Heart, this book details the darker, more devastating sides of love. Although their situations differ, Alice and Catherine share the seemingly impossible task of living in the face of heartbreak. Viewers who loved the relationship between love and loss in Alice by Heart will find the same duality through Catherine’s emotional transformation in Heartless.
If you want more book recommendations involving the fantastical and strange world of Wonderland, check out The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, Splintered by A.G. Howard, and Insanity by Cameron Jace.
2. For Fans of Six: Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All by M.T. Anderson et al.
Six is a feminist reimagining of English king Henry VIII’s six marriages. The musical begins as a singing competition to determine which of the queens was most severely wronged by the king. But in shifting the spotlight away from their husband, the queens assert that their stories are important for reasons beyond Henry. In the end, they unite in celebration of their own unique contributions to history.
Similarly, Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All presents an emotional retelling of how marriage to Henry changed the six queens’ lives. Narrated from multiple perspectives, the novel gives a voice to the queens as they recount their fight to survive the brutality of court life. It reveals the individual strengths and complexities of the women who fell victim to Henry VIII’s obsession with power.
Like Six, this book allows each queen to reclaim her story and be remembered for more than her notorious fate. Viewers who loved the female empowerment in Six will appreciate the chance to learn about each queen’s distinct identity.
If you’re looking for more book recommendations surrounding the intriguing historical drama of the Tudor court, check out the Six Tudor Queens series by Alison Weir.
3. For Fans of Chicago: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Set in the 1920s, Chicago is a musical that follows aspiring showgirl Roxie Hart after she kills her lover. In prison, Roxie competes for fame, acquittal, and favor against fellow murderer Velma Kelly. To avoid the death sentence, they rely on manipulation and lies that garner public favor. In the end, Roxie and Velma successfully portray themselves as victims, turning their respective stories into media sensations.
Along the same thematic lines is the book The Devil in the White City, which is centered around the parallel true stories of architect Daniel Burnham and serial killer H. H. Holmes. While Burnham works as the mastermind behind the dazzling 1893 Chicago’s World Fair, Holmes uses its glamour to lure victims to his murderous hotel. Through brilliant yet destructive means, the two men capitalize on Chicago’s newfound fame to fulfill their ambitions.
Like Chicago, this book is set against the backdrop of magnetic and dangerous city life. Roxie and Holmes share an unusually dark vision of success, and they resort to extreme methods to achieve it. Viewers who enjoyed the blend of fame and death in Chicago will be interested in the tragic side of the World Fair’s irresistible pull.
If you want more book recommendations that delve into the morbid complexities of historical Chicago, check out Haunts of the White City by Ursula Bielski, Timebound by Rysa Walker, and City of Lights and Skulls by Kathryn Rose.
4. For Fans of The Phantom of the Opera: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
The Phantom of the Opera is a nineteenth-century gothic romance set in the Paris Opera House. The musical follows talented soprano Christine Daaé as she receives vocal tutoring by the mysterious and obsessive Phantom. When romance sparks between Christine and her childhood friend, the Phantom begins to terrorize the opera in a desperate attempt to retain Christine’s love and voice for himself.
In The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, a young French woman bargains her soul away for immortality. Although Addie is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she encounters, she meets a man who can remember her after nearly 300 years of obscurity. Their connection challenges the nature of the curse, the demon who cast it, and his fixation with Addie.
Like The Phantom of the Opera, this book entails an agonizing choice between a dark, obsessive love and a conventional one. Viewers who loved the Phantom’s desperate pursuit of Christine will find the same dangerous romanticism in Addie’s connection to her demon.
If you want more book recommendations surrounding a deep and formidable romance, check out The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth, and Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.
5. For Fans of Sweeney Todd: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Set in nineteenth-century London, Sweeney Todd follows skilled barber Benjamin Barker after he returns from a fifteen-year prison sentence. Desperate for revenge against a corrupt judge, Barker renames himself Sweeney Todd and forms a disturbing partnership with bakery owner Mrs. Lovett. Together, they experience a rapid yet vile professional success built on lies, deception, and murder.
Meanwhile, Stalking Jack the Ripper centers Audrey Rose Wadsworth, an affluent Victorian lady who studies forensic science with her uncle. When a series of murders terrorize London, Audrey Rose teams up with her uncle’s assistant to catch the killer. But as the pair draws closer to uncovering the murderer’s identity, Audrey Rose realizes that the mystery is tied to her family in ways she never expected.
Like Sweeney Todd, this book foregrounds the protagonist’s dark fascination with the act of murder. As killers, Sweeney Todd and the Ripper share similarly tragic origins that lead to their violent crimes. Viewers who sympathize with Sweeney Todd’s heartbreaking backstory will find the same complexity in The Ripper’s motivations.
If you’re looking for more thrilling book recommendations that encompass tragedy and mystery, check out The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven, Hatchet Girls by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, and One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.
Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
Hopefully, this list of books inspired you to kick off the new year by tackling your reading goals!
These are just a few examples in the endless catalogue of potential stories to explore. If you’re in need of additional recommendations to ignite your passion for reading, there are countless more to discover.
So bundle up, get cozy, and dive into 2026 with some amazing books!
