A trendcaster's chaotic predictions.
What’s everyone reading this summer? No, better yet—what do we think everyone else will be reading? Is 2026 the season of the post-trauma plot? Are we reading big books, or novellas? Indoors or out? Will this summer see the ascendance of the solo bookfluencer, or the read aloud book club?
Today I’m gazing into my own literary crystal ball to bring you some plausible trends to watch out for this summer, in the stacks and on the portal. A note: I can’t prove the validity of any of these predictions, but what is a trend-caster if not supremely confident about the power of their own vibes?
1. Get in, loser. We’re getting theory pilled.
Consider: on the one hand, we have I Love Boosters bringing Adorno-lite to the TikTok generation. On the other, this week brings the enraging news that U-Chicago, a school once known for its world-structuring theorists, is partnering with Anthropic to put Claude in every classroom. Clearly, the culture is craving something smart. And I, a wizard, think I know what that something is.
