The most anticipated books of 2026
What do I hope happens in 2026? A lot of reading and audiobook listening! Publishing seems to top itself year after year, and the lineup of new book releases for 2026 is looking to be no exception.
This 100-title guide to the best new releases of the year, chosen by our staff librarians, is just a sampling of all of the great books to come. Learn more about some of our favorites below!
In the meantime, do yourself a massive favor and download the Libby app from your library to keep apprised of all the books you want to read this year. Consider saving these titles to tags in Libby, so you can stay organized and read them once they’re available.
January
Half His Age
by Jennette McCurdy
Jan. 20
Jennette McCurdy’s novel debut follows 17-year old Waldo who wants nothing more than her married creative writing teacher, Mr. Korgy. This sad, funny, thrilling novel is about sex, consumerism, class, desire, loneliness, the internet, rage, intimacy, power, and the ridiculous lengths people go to get what they want.
Vigil
by George Saunders
Jan. 27
An electric novel that takes place at the bedside of an oil company CEO in the twilight hours of his life as he is ferried from this world into the next.
February
It's Not Her
by Mary Kubica
Feb. 3
Two families are at the center of Mary Kubica’s latest twisty thriller when a crime strikes a secluded lake resort.
And Now, Back to You
by B.K. Borison
Feb. 24
Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally-inspired romance.
Brawler
by Lauren Groff
Feb. 24
Lauren Groff returns with a stunning and fierce short story collection that discusses the shared theme of humans’ struggle between light and dark.
March
The Night We Met
by Abby Jimenez
March 24
Queen of romance Abby Jimenez returns with Chris and Larissa in The Night We Met. Larissa doesn’t know that her life will come down to one fateful choice—who to ride home with after a concert—Chris or Mike? She didn’t choose Chris...but maybe that was wrong.
Game On
by Navessa Allen
March 31
Readers return to Book 3 in the bestselling Into Darkness series with Tyler and Stella. Trope check: enemies to lovers, morally grey MMC, rom-com, fake dating, forced proximity, age-gap, just to name a few!
April
Go Gentle
by Maria Semple
April 14
Go Gentle is the story of one woman’s cheerful determination to live a life of the mind only to have the heart force its way in.
May
Change of Plans
by Sarah Dessen
May 5
Sarah Dessen is back with her first book since 2019! Change of Plans follows Finley, who learns to stand on her own while falling in love during a life-changing summer.
Our Perfect Storm
by Carley Fortune
May 5
Two best friends will either make or break their friendship on a one-week vacation in paradise.
June
Land
by Maggie O'Farrell
June 2
Award-winning, bestselling author Maggie O’Farrell returns with a soaring historical novel set in Ireland in the years before and after the Great Hunger.
Whistler
by Ann Patchett
June 2
Daphne Fuller and her husband run into an older man at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It turns out to be Daphne’s former stepfather, Eddie. Eddie was married to her mother when she was 9—now she’s 53. They haven’t spoken since a fateful event that changed the course of both of their lives.
July
Sea of Charms
by Sarah Beth Durst
July 28
Return to the cozy fantasy world of the Spellshop series... this time on the high seas!
September
Exit Party
by Emily St. John Mandel
Sept. 15
Set in a future Los Angeles, Ari Walker tries to unravel the mysteries of one fateful night on a journey that will take her across an America splintered by civil war to Greece where weapons dealers hide in an elegant resort, and from the city of Paris to a colony on the moon.
BONUS PICKS
Here are a few more hotly anticipated releases on my personal TBR! Which books are you looking forward to reading this year?
✨ Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry (out April 7)
✨ The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore (out May 5)
✨ Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (out Aug. 4)
✨ Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt (out Aug. 4)
✨ The Knave and the Moon by Rachel Gillig (out Sept. 1)
*Title availability may vary.
What’s coming to bookshelves in 2026? Browse the full list here:
Published Jan 21, 2026
Emma Dwyer
Emma Dwyer is a product trainer at Libby. She is also a former co-host of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Prior to joining the training team, Emma was a Libby librarian. She enjoys reading, Love Island (UK), travel (to warmer climates like her home state of California), coffee, and hanging out with her family and dog.