As we head into the new year, one question is on every reader’s mind: what new books are on the horizon? From debut authors to installments in well-loved series and the return of several big-name authors, these are 26 upcoming book releases I will be keeping an eye on in 2026.
Whistler by Ann Patchett
After Patchett’s most recent release Tom Lake I have been anxiously awaiting her next novel. Whistler is about a reunion between a woman and her former step-father that greatly impacted her life when she was a child, and knowing Ann Patchett’s style I’m sure it will be deep, emotional and enthralling all in one.
Land by Maggie O’Farrell
After the prominence and impact of Hamnet and the Marriage Portrait, O’Farrell has become an author to watch out for. Land follows a father and son working for the Ordinance Survey and mapping the entirety of Ireland in 1865.
Kin by Tayari Jones
Kin is about two women raised as sisters and where their life has taken them. It is a story that centers on generational ties and the bonds that hold people together. While I have never read anything from this author before, this novel sounds like it will be an emotional, complex story that I am excited to dive into.
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
This book follows Say You’ll Remember Me in the series of interconnected stand-alones. I loved the first book in the series and have been eager to return to this world, and Abby Jimenez’s relatable, emotional and real romances.
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica
Mary Kubica is a recent favorite author for me in the thriller genre. After We Used to Live Here I have been eager to dive into another one of her twisty, unsettling novels. It’s Not Her follows the story of two murders and a woman caught up in a web of deception.
Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez
While I have been hesitant with new releases in the romantasy genre, this standalone caught my eye with its beautiful cover and interesting setting of Renaissance Italy. The novel will follow a sculptess with forbidden magic as she navigates complex politics, endangered family, and an unlikely romance.
Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
After Station Eleven and The Sea of Tranquility Mandel has become an auto-read author for me. Exit Party is about a mysterious party that takes place in post-Civil War America and like her other novels will blend together fiction and mystical elements in a thought provoking, addicting way.
Country People by Daniel Mason
Country People follows a man who moves to a small town in Vermont with his family and his experience with the eccentric locals and investigates a local legend. While I haven’t read one of Mason’s books before, something about this book has caught my attention and I am excited to read it once it’s out.
Whidbey by Kira Madden
Whidbey follows three women who are all connected to a murdered man. Madden dives into abuse, trauma and justice in this debut novel and I expect it to be a heavy but resonant read.
Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg
This debut novel follows a woman who decides to livestream a week in her life in a desperate attempt to make money to save her comatose sister. The unique, interesting premise really caught my attention and I expect this book to be full of social commentary on the modern world and sounds like an engaging book, with seven chapters, one for each day.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
This is yet another debut novel that follows a woman who has it all. Living as an Instagram “trad-wife” who pays a host of people to take care of her farm and 6 kids while she profits on the illusion she curates online. Until she wakes up one day to the harsh reality of 1855 and is forced to live the pioneer life she has been faking online.
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
This book is a mysterious collaboration between the authors V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, published under the pseudonym Evelyn Clarke. The plot follows six authors invited to an island to write the end of a famous, deceased author’s book, when the competition turns deadly. This book sounds like a fun twist on and then there were none and I am excited to see where it takes us.
Our Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune
Fortune is an auto-read author for me as she delivers an emotional, nostalgic, sunsoaked romance every year. The book follows best friends Frankie and George who are forced to confront their buried feelings for each other while on a disastrous vacation.
First and Forever by Lynn Painter
Lynn Painter is another must-read author for me and in my opinion, she is the queen of YA romance. This book will follow a diehard football fan and a star player who get sucked into a fake dating situation for a PR stunt.
Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy
This is McCurdy’s debut novel after the successful memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. Promising deep insight on desire, power dynamics and consumerism, this novel will definitely be a highly anticipated release for many.
The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead
Claiming to be for fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and In Five Years, this book immediately caught my attention. This book follows Theo, a record producer who discovers a new band and is desperate to get them a label despite the lead singer’s self-destructive spiral.
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson
The title of this book immediately caught my attention and I quickly discovered it was a horror-romance about a woman who gets caught in a murder spree at a speed dating event and has to try and get out alive.
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
Feeney is one of my favorite thriller authors and always promises an unsettling twisty read. My Husband’s Wife will be no different as it follows a woman who returns home from a run to find another woman living in her home, claiming to be her husband’s wife.
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
The Astral Library is about an author who discovers a secret passage in a library that allows readers to enter into their favorite book. Obviously as this is the dream of every reader I know, this book immediately made it on the list of books to read this year.
Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict
This new release is a dual timeline story following two women, centuries apart. The woman who helped uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb, and Egypt’s first woman Pharaoh. This historical fiction sounds like a great balance of women’s equality, archeology, and ambition.
The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig
Gillig wrote The Shepard King duology which is one of my favorite gothic fantasies. This is the second book in the Stonewater Kingdom series, which has been on my to-read list since it came out, but even still, I am very excited for this series.
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst
The Spellshop series is one of my favorite cozy fantasies and this is the next installment in the magical world.
We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune
I would be remiss not to mention T.J. Klune’s newest release, as he has been a huge name in the book world recently. We Burned So Bright is about an elderly queer couple on one final road trip as a black hole approaches the earth. It sounds both emotional and innately devastating.
Heartstopper Volume 6 by Alice Oseman
Heartstopper is a beloved graphic novel series following a queer couple in high school as they navigate their relationship, mental health and general high school life. I binged the first five books in a few days and am thrilled for the next book.
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore
The newest book in the rapidly growing popular Dream Harbor series, The Daisy Chain Flower Shop is bound to be a popular release this year, and while I am late to this small town romance series, I’m hoping to pick it up sometime this year.
Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See
This story follows three Chinese women who move to Los Angeles in 1870 and have to navigate racism and violence, including the Chinese Massacre with the dream of finding love and freedom.
Image from our lovely graphic designer Carah Bliss!
Find these books online or purchase from your local bookstore!
Also check out our latest post about Why You Should Be Playing Table Top Role Playing Games.
