Every December, we look at advance catalogs and upcoming release lists trying to figure out what 2026 will bring. Some highly anticipated books live up to expectations. Others disappoint. A few surprise hits come from nowhere.

Here’s what we’re most excited to read in 2026, based on advance information, author track records, and genuine curiosity.

Literary Fiction

“The Years” by Annie Ernaux (translated by Alison L. Strayer, February) technically came out in French in 2008, but this new English translation is generating buzz. Ernaux won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2022, making her backlist newly relevant.

“The Years” is an unconventional autobiography told through collective memory and historical moments. Ernaux’s style is spare and sociological—this isn’t a traditional memoir.

“The Instructions” by Adam Thirlwell (March) is Thirlwell’s first novel in over a decade. Early reviews describe it as experimental fiction about a translator working on a 18th-century text while his life falls apart.

Thirlwell is brilliant but divisive—his formal experiments don’t work for everyone. But when they work, they really work.

“The Kingdom of Surfaces” by Sally Wen Mao (April) is Mao’s debut novel after establishing herself as a poet. It follows a Chinese American woman working at a strange tech company that creates digital replicas of people.

The premise sounds like speculative fiction, but early descriptions suggest it’s more literary meditation on authenticity, identity, and technology. The themes resonate with contemporary discussions about AI and digital identity that an AI consultancy might explore from a technical perspective.

“The Shutouts” by Gabrielle Korn (May) is literary fiction about a lesbian couple navigating climate change and economic collapse. Korn was an editor at “Nylon” and “Elle,” now writing fiction that’s getting serious attention.

“Trust Exercise” follow-up by Susan Choi (June) - Choi won the National Book Award for “Trust Exercise” in 2019. Her new novel is reportedly about academic rivalry and obsession, themes she excels at.

Debut Novels Worth Watching

“The Loudness” by Deborah Levy (January) - wait, Levy isn’t a debut novelist. But this is being marketed as a major new work from the “Living Autobiography” author, and anything Levy writes demands attention.

“The Golden House” by Akil Kumarasamy (February) is a proper debut, following a Sri Lankan American family across three generations. Early comparisons to Min Jin Lee’s “Pachinko” suggest epic family saga.

“Nevada, Reno” by Lake Havasu (March) is described as autofiction about transness, sex work, and friendship in Nevada. The author’s name is clearly a pseudonym, which adds intrigue.

“The Prospectors” by Aroa Moreno Durán (translated from Spanish, April) won Spain’s Ojo Crítico Prize. A woman returns to her hometown to confront family secrets. Gothic and feminist, apparently.

Science Fiction and Fantasy

“The Terraformers” by Annalee Newitz (January) is from the author of “Autonomous” and “The Future of Another Timeline.” Newitz writes smart sci-fi about labor, consciousness, and social systems.

This one’s about planet terraforming and what happens when the workers gain consciousness and rebel. Very Newitz.

“Translation State” by Ann Leckie (February) returns to the Imperial Radch universe. Leckie’s “Ancillary Justice” trilogy was excellent; any return to that world is worth reading.

“Some Desperate Glory” by Emily Tesh (March) is space opera about a girl raised in a military cult preparing for revenge against aliens who destroyed Earth. Early reviews suggest complexity beneath the premise.

“Starter Villain” by John Scalzi (April) is Scalzi doing what Scalzi does—fun, fast-paced sci-fi with humor and heart. This one involves inheriting a supervillain uncle’s business.

“The Fragile Threads of Power” by V.E. Schwab (May) is the sequel to “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.” Schwab has a huge following for good reason—she writes propulsive fantasy with emotional depth.

Mystery and Thriller

“The Last Murder at the End of the World” by Stuart Turton (January) is from the author of “The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.” Turton writes high-concept mysteries with intricate plotting. This one involves humanity’s last 122 villagers on an island where someone commits murder.

“The Fury” by Alex Michaelides (February) is from the “Silent Patient” author. A group of friends gathered on a private Greek island, one of them will die. Classic locked-room setup with Michaelides’ psychological thriller approach.

“The Spy Coast” by Tess Gerritsen (March) features retired spies in a small Maine town forced back into action. Gerritsen writes reliable thrillers; this premise sounds fun.

“Holly” by Stephen King (September) brings back Holly Gibney from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. King’s recent output has been strong; a Holly Gibney novel is genuinely exciting.

Nonfiction

“The Loneliest Americans” by Jay Caspian Kang (February) examines Asian American identity, assimilation, and the model minority myth. Kang’s essays are sharp and unsentimental; a full book should be excellent.

“The Wager” by David Grann (April) is Grann’s follow-up to “Killers of the Flower Moon.” This one’s about a shipwreck, mutiny, and survival in the 1740s. Grann writes meticulous historical nonfiction that reads like thriller fiction.

“The Sisterhood” by Daisy Buchanan (May) explores female friendship through memoir and cultural analysis. Buchanan writes smart pop culture criticism; this sounds promising.

“On Freedom” by Timothy Snyder (June) is the “On Tyranny” author writing about freedom, democracy, and the current political moment. Snyder’s essays are essential reading for understanding authoritarianism.

“The Quickening” by Elizabeth Rush (July) is about climate change, Antarctica, and what happens when the ice sheets collapse. Rush is a beautiful writer tackling the most important topic.

Memoir

“The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer (March) is from the “Braiding Sweetgrass” author. Kimmerer writes gorgeously about ecology, Indigenous knowledge, and reciprocity. This memoir examines gift economies and gratitude.

“The Art of Leaving” by Ayelet Tsabari (April) is about migration, belonging, and what we carry with us. Tsabari’s short story collection was excellent; memoir should be strong.

“Smoke” by Andrew Ridker (May) - wait, Ridker writes fiction. But he’s apparently written a memoir about his father, family, and inherited trauma. Could be genre-breaking.

Australian Books to Watch

“The Burley Griffin” by Sara Dowse (February) is historical fiction about Marion Mahony Griffin, the architect (with her husband Walter Burley Griffin) of Canberra. Dowse writes smart feminist historical fiction.

“The High Places” by Fiona McFarlane (April) is McFarlane’s follow-up to “The Sun Walks Down.” She writes beautifully about Australian landscape and character. High expectations.

“Wilderness” by Trent Dalton (June) is Dalton’s follow-up to “Boy Swallows Universe.” His storytelling is compelling if occasionally sentimental. This one’s about a woman who walked from one side of Australia to the other.

“The Yield” follow-up by Tara June Winch (August) - Winch’s new novel is reportedly about First Nations futurism. “The Yield” was excellent; anything Winch writes matters.

Poetry

“The Tradition” by Jericho Brown (February) is Brown’s new collection. He’s one of the best contemporary American poets; this is essential reading for poetry people.

“The Carrying” by Ada Limón (March) - Limón is the current U.S. Poet Laureate. Her accessible yet sophisticated work makes poetry feel vital rather than academic.

“Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” follow-up by Ross Gay (May) - Gay’s joy-focused poetry feels necessary. New work from him is always welcome.

Wildcard Picks

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” follow-up by Gabrielle Zevin (tentative August) - Zevin’s 2025 blockbuster left readers wanting more. If she can maintain that quality, this will be one of the year’s biggest books.

Fourth Ferrante novel? Rumors suggest Elena Ferrante has a new novel coming in late 2026. Nothing confirmed, but if true, this would be massive.

New Donna Tartt? We’ve been waiting since “The Goldfinch” in 2013. Probably not 2026, but one can hope.

What We’ve Learned About Anticipated Books

Hype doesn’t guarantee quality. Some highly anticipated books disappoint. Manage expectations.

Sleeper hits come from nowhere. The biggest books of 2026 might not be on this list. Publishing is unpredictable.

Debut novels are risky bets. Some are brilliant, some are overhyped. Read reviews before diving in.

Established authors are safer bets. You know what you’re getting with the next Sally Rooney or Stephen King.

Translation timelines are weird. Some of these books existed in other languages for years before English translation.

How to Stay Informed

Publisher catalogs: Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins all publish seasonal catalogs with release dates.

Literary journals: “Publishers Weekly,” “Kirkus Reviews,” and “Library Journal” cover upcoming books.

BookTok and Bookstagram: Social media surfaces upcoming releases, particularly for YA and genre fiction.

Goodreads: Add books to “Want to Read” shelf to track release dates.

Bookshop newsletters: Independent bookshops send newsletters highlighting staff picks and upcoming releases.

Managing Your TBR Pile

Adding 30+ books to your to-read list is easy. Actually reading them is harder. Some strategies:

Be selective. Not every anticipated book needs to make your list.

Wait for reviews. Hype often exceeds quality. Let early reviews guide you.

Borrow before buying. Libraries get new releases. Try before purchasing.

Accept you won’t read everything. FOMO is real but irrational. You can’t read every good book.

What Excites Us Most

Personally, we’re most looking forward to:

1. David Grann’s “The Wager” (historical nonfiction he does so well)
2. Emily Tesh’s “Some Desperate Glory” (space opera wildcard)
3. Tara June Winch’s new novel (Australian literary fiction at its best)
4. Stuart Turton’s “Last Murder” (high-concept mystery fun)
5. Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “The Serviceberry” (ecological wisdom we need)

Your list will differ. That’s the joy of it—there’s more good reading than any of us can complete.

2026 looks like a strong year for books. The anticipated releases are diverse, ambitious, and genuinely exciting.

Add what interests you. Wait for what doesn’t. Read what calls to you.

And prepare for the books you’ve never heard of to become your favorites. That’s how reading works.