My Top Ten 2026 New Book Releases
The new year is here which means that it’s time for new books. I’ve been diligently working on my TBR list and researching new releases for 2026 and it looks like it’s going to be another great year for publishing.
But isn’t it always? Whether you’re into thrillers, romance, cozy cozy mysteries, or memoirs, there’s always something good to check out.
It was really hard to narrow down my list, but these are my top 10 books that I am anticipating in 2026. And if you enjoy today’s list, please make sure to hit the subscribe button below to stay up to date on all of my upcoming reading newsletters.
10 Books I Am Highly Anticipating in 2026
As I mentioned earlier, it was very hard to narrow down this list to just 10. But I picked these books based off genre, author, and subject matter. I’m probably going to have to make a follow up list thought because I didn’t even include any cozy mysteries here. Eek!
1) Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen
May 5, 2026
Sarah Dessen has long been one of my favorite authors and so I’m really happy to see she’s publishing something new.
I think she was briefly cancelled a couple of years ago for something she said on twitter? It had to do with the Common Read controversy, where a lot of authors said things that they shouldn’t have. When it comes down to it, I do not condone internet bullying or harassment of any kind. And she did apologize, so I do feel comfortable in supporting her work.
Change of Plans seems very similar to other Sarah Dessen works (Summer, coming of age, summer getaway life), but in a comforting way. I don’t read many YA books anymore but I’m really looking forward to this one.
2) Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burkey
April 7, 2026
All I could think about when reading this book description was Ballerina Farm, and I am HERE FOR IT. Haha.
It’s about an influencer who lives a peacefully rustic farm life, all while filming and showing off her lifestyle to millions of fans on social media. It’s just her, her husband, and their six beautiful children on the farm. Oh, plus all of the employees who help her run their million dollar business.
But one day she wakes up in the year 1805 and is forced to live the life that she’s been cosplaying on social media. When things take a dark turn, she has to figure out how to escape and return to her real life.
This sounds so twisted and so interesting. I feel like it has to be loosely based off of Ballerina Farm. This is sure to be a hit with readers who enjoy pop culture, social media, and internet culture in general.
3) Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy
January 20, 2026
Jennette McCurdy took the literary world by storm when she released I’m Glad My Mom Died, a memoir about her relationship with her mother, who raised her to be a child actor.
Now, she’s back with her first work of fiction. There has been a lot of discourse online about this book because it is about a taboo subject, a student who has a crush on their creative writing teacher. But I think Jennette has shown in her first book that she has the maturity and tactfulness to handle this subject matter seriously.
My birthday is at the end of January so I am consider buying the eBook as an early birthday present for myself!
4) Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick
May 26, 2026
Finding love is not as easy as it seems in TV and movies! So this late bloomer romance story sounds very cute and funny to me.
It’s about Phoebe Berman, a hopeless romantic, who wants to lose her virginity before her 30th birthday. She has three different dating prospects, and will one of them be the one? I’ve seen this story compared to Bridget Jone’s Diary online so it sounds like it will be a very cute story.
As someone who also struggles with severe anxiety, I find it comforting to read about book characters who are also anxious. I’m sure a lot of readers will relate to that.
5) How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson
February 3, 2026
This story is a mix between a romance and a horror and it sounds so good! The main character is at a speed dating event with their best friend when there is a blackout. When the lights come back on, one of the attendees is dead. And the rest of the speed daters must fight for their lives in order to make it out alive.
I like that main character Jamie has a knowledge of slasher films, and has to her her intel to help her and her friend survive. This comes out right before Valentine’s day and sounds like it will be a very unique romantic thriller to enjoy during the Valentine season.
6) Famesick by Lena Dunham
April 14, 2026
A lot of us know Lena Dunham from her popular television series, Girls. But while Lena is known for her work in film and TV, she is also an accomplished writer. In Famesick she shares personal stories from her life while trying to find success by following her creative dreams.
I personally have a love/hate relationship with Lena Dunham. I do like her, but there were definitely some stories in her last book that were gross. I’m hoping that she has matured and am looking forward to give her new book a shot
7) The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead
January 20, 2026
If you loved Daisy Jones and the Six, you’ll want to check out The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead. This musical novel focuses on a record executive who takes on the project of trying to get a new album out of band, the Future Saints.
But it’s not an easy project to take on. The band is spiraling after the death of their manager, and Theo learns that each member of the band is complicated in their own way, including lead singer Hannah.
I love stories about bands and rock stars, so this sounds right up my alley. I haven’t had the chance to read anything by Ashley Winstead yet, so I’m hoping this will be my first!
8) Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
January 13, 2026
Oh, Colleen Hoover. I know there’s a lot of discourse online about her and her writing, but I have a soft spot for her. I started reading her back when she was self publishing her Slammed novels so I’ve been a fan for a while.
I don’t condone everything she writes. I hate reading about cheating and I do think some of her character names are ridiculous. But she’ll always be a guilty pleasure for me. Haha.
This new thriller seems like it might be loosely inspired by her own life which is an interesting choice to make. I like to read about writers so I’m really looking forward to checking this one out!
9) The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
January 6, 2026
Rachel Hawkins has become one of my favorite thriller writers of the past couple of years! I loved The Villa and Reckless Girls.
The Storm is her latest domestic thriller release taking place in St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama. It’s home to The Rosalie Inn, which is still standing after surviving hurricane after hurricane.
Geneva Corliss, the current owner of The Rosalie Inn, isn’t phased when she hears that a writer is coming to town to investigate the history of the town. But when he brings back a familiar face who wants to clear her name of a crime that was committed many moons ago, she wonders if a storm is about to start brewing.
I just love Rachel’s stories. They’re so unique and interesting. I think I have an ARC of this one from Netgalley that I’m going to try to read during the month of January.
10) The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss
April 7, 2026
How cool is this cover? In The Escape Game, the story focuses on an escape room themed game show. But season 4 did not end as planned, when a contestant is founded murdered.
Now Season 5 is filming and the contestants are in it to win it. Except for Sierra, who is looking for clues to find out what happened to her sister.
As I said earlier, I don’t read a lot of YA books anymore but this mystery sounds so interesting. I just have to check it out!
That seems like a good list, doesn’t it?
There are a bunch of different genres and authors. Some of them are by authors I’m familiar with, and others are not. I can’t wait to dive into these books in the upcoming years.
What are some of your most anticipated book releases for 2026? Make sure to let me know in the comments! Sharing is caring. Haha
