Most Anticipated Books of 2026

As readers look ahead to 2026 with fresh literary resolutions, publishers are lining up a diverse slate of highly anticipated releases spanning fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, romance, and mystery. 

From long-awaited novels by established literary stars to bold debuts, the year promises something for every kind of reader.

Among the most talked-about titles is “Half His Age” by Jennette McCurdy, set for release on January 20. 

The former actor, whose memoir "I’m Glad My Mom Died" became a cultural phenomenon, makes her fiction debut with a darkly humorous and unsettling coming-of-age novel. 

The book follows a 17-year-old navigating a damaging relationship with a teacher, exploring themes of power, insecurity, consumerism, and addiction rather than romanticizing age gaps.

Thriller fans are eyeing “My Husband’s Wife” by Alice Feeney, also out January 20, which centers on a woman who returns home to find another woman living her life and claiming her husband. 

Meanwhile, young adult readers can expect a darker fantasy twist in “Queen of Faces” by Petra Lord, set in a world where bodies are bought and discarded like luxury goods.

Nonfiction also features prominently. “One Bad Mother” by Ej Dickson offers a sharp, often humorous cultural examination of how society defines and judges motherhood, while acclaimed journalist Patrick Radden Keefe returns to true crime with “London Falling,” an investigation into the mysterious death of a teenager living a double life in elite London circles.

Literary heavyweights are also making notable returns. 

Tayari Jones’ “Kin” revisits themes of friendship, family, and identity, while Ann Patchett’s “Whistler,” arriving in June, explores memory and unresolved bonds through a chance reunion decades in the making. 

Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain, adds another intimate literary portrait with “John of John.”

Science fiction and fantasy readers can look forward to “Platform Decay” by Martha Wells, the latest installment in the popular Murderbot Diaries, blending humor with high-stakes adventure. 

Another standout is “Sublimation” by Isabel J. Kim, a speculative novel imagining a world where immigration creates duplicate versions of people’s bodies, raising questions of identity and autonomy.

Rounding out the list are buzzy titles such as Emma Straub’s nostalgic “American Fantasy,” Xochitl Gonzalez’s “Last Night in Brooklyn,” and Kennedy Ryan’s second-chance romance “Score.”

Together, these releases signal a vibrant reading year ahead, as 2026 brings fresh voices, bold ideas and new chapters from some of today’s most celebrated authors.