The must-read books of 2026

min read

··1

Whether you’re looking to read more in 2026, set yourself a fun new reading challenge, explore a new genre, join a book club, or simply find some new books to read on holiday, the year ahead is packed with unmissable new books for every kind of reader.

From hotly anticipated new releases by beloved authors, to twisty murder mysteries and thrillers that will have you hooked from the first page, to swoon-worthy romances, to timely and eye-opening memoirs, these are some of the must-read books coming to shelves in 2026.

Fiction

Contemporary fiction

Departure(s) by Julian Barnes

It may be a work of fiction, but Julian Barnes’ last ever novel is grounded in truth. At its centre is the story of two people, close university friends of Barnes’, who fall in love twice over the course of their lives. Throughout its pages, Departure(s) seamlessly weaves a love story with meditations on memory, identity, mortality, loss, and the moments and hazy anecdotes that define a life, resulting in a witty yet deeply affecting read that will stay with you.

Out 22nd January

Glyph by Ali Smith

When sisters Petra and Patch hear a terrifying story from the past, they invent a ghost-like character that haunts their imaginations. Decades later, the pair are estranged, but when Petra comes home to a phantom horse destroying her furniture, she immediately picks up the phone to call Patch. Glyph complements Ali Smith's dystopian 2024 novel Gliff as a story hidden within its pages. But it also stands alone as a masterful anti-war novel for our times that sees Smith at her most playful, profound, and incisive.

Out 29th January

The Barbecue at No.9 by Jennie Godfrey

Jennie Godfrey’s debut novel The List of Suspicious Things was a runaway success in 2024, transporting readers to late 1970s Yorkshire with a true crime-inflected coming-of-age story. With her second book, set in the summer of 1985, we meet the residents of Delmont Close as they prepare for a barbecue to watch Live Aid, like nearly 2 billion people around the world. But as the neighbours gather at house-proud Lydia Gordon’s family home, a litany of shocking secrets begins to emerge...

Out 12th February

Welcome to the Neighbourhood by Jane Fallon

Ashdown Close is the kind of street where everyone knows everything, nosy neighbours are par for the course, and nothing exciting ever really happens – so when glamorous newcomers Sian and Richard move into house number 8, long-time resident Kitty can’t help but be by dazzled by them. When Kitty notices a mysterious stranger leaving their house one day, however, she begins to piece together a not-so-perfect picture of the couple’s life, but her sleuthing could have dangerous consequences.

Out 15th January

Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor

Booker Prize-shortlisted author Brandon Taylor returns with a modern love story that explores art and faith with gorgeous prose. Set over the course of an oppressively hot New York summer, Minor Black Figures follows Wyeth, a fledgling Black painter trying to break into Manhattan’s art scene, as he meets Keating, a white former priest contending with his faith. As the pair become closer, the bond between them grows, but so too does the starkness of their differences.

Out 19th March

My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy

Deborah Levy’s latest novel is narrated by a woman determined to understand the American poet, editor, literary linchpin, queer icon, and cultural force that was Gertrude Stein. As her quest takes her to Paris, she gets swept up in a new life and a circle of beguiling characters, in a fascinating read that is at once a meditation on the competing desires of modern life, and a portrait of Stein herself, who wrestled with the same challenges a century prior.

Out 16th April

All Grown Up by Daisy Buchanan

Just when she thinks all three of her daughters have flown the nest, Louisa finds herself with a full house again. Meg has cold feet about her marriage, Jo’s career is hanging by a thread, and Amy has unexpectedly dropped out of university. If she has any hopes of recovering her peace (and love life), Louisa will have to teach them to grow up – but maybe she herself has something to learn about adulthood from them...

Out 4th June

Books in translation

Hot Chocolate on Thursday by Michiko Aoyama

From the bestselling author of What You Are Looking For is in the Library comes a beautifully touching novel set in a quiet Tokyo neighbourhood, beginning and ending with a woman who frequents the mysterious Marble Café. Hot Chocolate on Thursday weaves together the small, everyday moments that quietly define a life and the people who cross paths with us. Those who want to return to the Marble Café can look forward to Matcha on Monday in July 2026. (Translated by E. Madison Shimoda)

Out 19th February

The Soul-Catchers by Naoko Higashi

In this unique modern classic, multi-award-winning writer Naoko Higashi offers his own witty yet moving take on the Japanese folk belief that human spirits can inhabit inanimate objects. In the world of The Soul Catchers, 11 people who recently died are offered the chance to be reunited with their friends and family, returning from the spiritual realm and assuming the form of an object as they watch over their loved ones – but a world filled with restless spirits begins to take unexpected turns. (Translated by Lucy North.)

Out 19th March

Mrs Shim is a Killer by Kang Jiyoung

Mrs Shim is a widowed 51-year-old mother two of in need of a job so she can put food on the table. Sharp, clean, and discreet, she's the perfect fit for a new listing advertised by the Smile Detective Agency. But as she begins her new line of work and enters a strange world of criminals, corrupt police, assassins, and even ghosts, Mrs Shim evolves from passive people-pleaser to bloodthirsty, vengeful killer. (Translated by Paige Morris.)

Out 23rd April

Crime, mystery and thriller

Judge Stone by James Patterson and Viola Davis

Master of the thriller James Patterson has teamed up with multi-award-winning actor Viola Davis (as seen in How to Get Away with Murder, Fences, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and more) for a truly explosive read. In small-town Alabama, upstanding judge Mary Stone is tasked with presiding over the South’s most controversial case to date. In the eyes of the law, it’s open-and-shut – but this case is a matter of life and death.

Out 9th March

The Family Friend by Claire Douglas

In a bizarre turn of events, Imogen has inherited a country house from the late, reclusive artist Dorothea Roe, who she last saw 16 years ago during a summer that was traumatic and tragic. Moving to the house with her partner Josh presents a much-needed opportunity for a fresh start, but when she finds an old box with her name on it in Dorothea’s study, Imogen begins to think that her inheritance was more than just a generous gift.

Out 12th March

The Parkwood Murders by Chris Chibnall

Following on from his bestselling debut novel Death at the White Hart, Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall is back with a twisty new mystery in an unassuming setting. When a body is found the idyllic woodlands of Parkwood Holiday Village, Detective Nicola Bridge is tasked with investigating a crime scene filled with potential suspects, but no witnesses. She begins to piece together details with the help of Parkwood’s overworked staff, and when the victim’s identity is revealed, it’s clear that the killer could strike again...

Out 16th July

The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent

From the award-winning author of Strange Sally Diamond comes a gripping new story about two sisters whose lives are forever changed by a tragic incident. Raised in a close-knit church community in Boston, Erin and Ruby live a picture-perfect life – but Ruby’s involvement in an incident when she’s 16 causes their whole family’s world to shatter. Decades later and miles apart, the two sisters are still living with the fallout of their past, and harbour secrets that can’t stay hidden forever.

Out 12 March

The Keeper by Tana French

Cal Hooper, the retired detective who left Chicago for a quiet life in rural Ireland, is faced with a chilling new murder case that is haunting the small Irish village he now calls home. When missing woman Rachel Holohan is found dead in the river, old feuds and grudges stretching back generations begin to surface, and the community is divided. And as he uncovers more secrets, Hooper’s attempts to crack the case could put him and the whole village in danger.

Out 2nd April

Shrink Solves Murder by Philippa Perry

Psychotherapist and artist Philippa Perry is widely considered the nation’s favourite therapist, thanks to her bestselling books filled with honest yet compassionate advice for navigating life’s most challenging moments and relationships. With Shrink Solves Murder, however, she turns her talents to the world of cosy crime, with a novel about a therapist who turns amateur sleuth when one of her patients is found dead. Unlike the police, she believes he was killed and is determined to catch the culprit.

Out 7th May

Romance

Don't Fall in Love With Me by Paige Toon

Grace has been in love with her childhood best friend Jackson ever since she was 15 – but it was a love always out of reach, as Jackson went on to marry someone else. Fast-forward several years, and Jackson, newly single, has re-entered Grace’s life with the offer of a dream job. In a bid to get Jackson’s attention and make him jealous, she and an old friend hatch a fake-dating plan that has profound and far-reaching consequences.

Out 9th April

Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune

Frankie and George are the lifelong friends who are so similar they’re prone to frequent, fiery clashes – including on the eve of Frankie’s wedding. When Frankie is unceremoniously dumped by her fiancé the following morning, George encourages her to still go on her honeymoon – only with him. Over the course of one week in paradise, the pair will see if they can mend or end their friendship for good, ultimately sharing secrets neither of them knows how to handle.

Out 7th May

People in Love by Claire Daverley

From the bestselling author of Talking at Night comes a tender new story about a love triangle, unspoken feelings, and the “what if?” moments that can shape our decisions. When her partner of ten years Robin proposes, Nora is taken by surprise, but nonetheless says yes. But when childhood friend Bren turns up at their engagement party, Nora begins to feel an undeniable spark reignite between them. Before she knows it, she is torn between two people and faced with an impossible choice.

Out 4th June

Fantasy and romantasy

Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

Devney Perry dazzled readers in 2025 with her romantasy debut Shield of Sparrows, an enemies-to-lovers story in which a princess and a monster hunter must traverse a cursed land where dangerous monsters roam and rival kingdoms conspire against each other. Rites of the Starling is the highly anticipated second instalment of the series that sees Princess Odessa forge a new identity as a warrior, as she encounters new challenges that could threaten everything.

Out 9th April

Historical fiction

Agrippa by Robert Harris

Robert Harris, master of the historical thriller, returns with a gripping new story set in Ancient Rome. Following the death of his uncle Julius Caesar, Octavius and his closest friend Agrippa unite in a power struggle at the heart of the Roman Empire. Together they defy the odds, and Octavius becomes the Emperor Augustus with Agrippa as his powerful deputy. Decades later, Agrippa’s memoirs see him reflecting on a life of epic conflicts, endless wars, and the enduring influence of Octavius, who defined his life’s story.

Out 27th August

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

In her first novel since her blockbuster 2009 debut The Help, Kathryn Stockett transports us to 1930s small-town Mississippi, where we meet fiercely independent 11-year-old Meg Lefleur. Meg has learned to fend for herself ever since her mother disappeared on Christmas Eve, but begins to find unexpected connection and belonging among a disreputable group of defiant women in this story of resilience in the face of the most difficult circumstances.

Out 21st May

Non-fiction

A World Appears by Michael Pollan

Award-winning author, activist and journalist Michael Pollan has written bestselling books about food, health, cooking, and even psychedelics. But with his latest book, Pollan turns his attention to the strange, fascinating, and elusive world of consciousness. From neurobiologists studying the hidden complexity of plants’ intelligence, to experts attempting to engineer feeling in AI, A World Appears offers an astonishing, timely exploration of a phenomenon at the heart of the human experience and world around us.

Out 24th February

How to Talk to AI by Jamie Bartlett

Artificial intelligence has dominated headlines, transformed society, and, for many of us, entered our lives, our workplaces, and even our relationships. But most of us are still far from understanding exactly how AI works and how to harness these powerful new tools. Here to help is leading technology writer Jamie Bartlett, whose clear-eyed, accessible new book offers an essential guide to the potential, the pitfalls, and possible dangers of this transformative new technology.

Out 9th April

Protocols by Andrew Huberman

Learn how to improve your brain function, enhance your mood, and optimise your health with this new guide by Dr Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist, tenured professor at Stanford School of Medicine, and host of the chart-topping health podcast Huberman Lab. With Protocols, you’ll find simple, powerful and evidence-based advice for tackling everything from sleep to brain function to optimising your bodily health, with customisable and actionable tips for becoming the best version of yourself.

Out 15th September

Memoirs

A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot

In 2024, the name Gisèle Pelicot reverberated around the world after she courageously gave up her right to anonymity when her husband was put on trial for secretly drugging and raping her and inviting dozens of other men to abuse her without her knowledge. With A Hymn to Life, her powerful memoir, Pelicot shares her message of resilience and defiance, reiterating her rallying cry to change the narrative of shame that surrounds victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

Out 17th February

Starchild by Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Space scientist, author and broadcaster Maggie Aderin-Pocock dreamed of going to space from the age of three. From then on, she developed a love for science and the secrets of the universe that has never faltered, even amid a chaotic upbringing, challenging home life, and an education system that tried to steer her away from her dream career. Starchild tells the story of a woman whose career has broken barriers and helped bring the wonder of science to new generations of children.

Out 19th February

Making the Cut by Max Olesker

This is a true story of boy meets girl – with a unique, irreverent, and, well, unorthodox twist. When Max, a comedian, writer, and uncircumcised liberal Jewish man, and Eliana, an Orthodox Jewish woman, cross paths, their connection is instant and profound. But standing in the way of their relationship is a significant barrier: in the eyes of the Orthodox community, Max is not really Jewish. So begins his rigorous, trying journey towards conversion, recounted in this book with incredible humour and heart.

Out 5th February

Looking for more reading inspiration? Find all our new book releases here.

The must-read books of 2026

Fiction

Contemporary fiction

Best books of 2025: A look back at the year’s most exciting reads

The best dystopian books of all time

‘The day that Peter Sutcliffe was caught is etched on my memory’: How I wrote The List of Suspicious Things

Books in translation

The best Japanese fiction in translation

The best Korean fiction in translation

Must-read classics in translation

Crime, mystery and thriller

Where to start reading James Patterson

Extract: Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

Romance

Best romance books for ultimate escapism

New romance books to read in 2026

Fantasy and romantasy

Historical fiction

New historical fiction books to read in 2025

30 must-read romantasy books and series

A guide to speculative fiction

Non-fiction

7 books about nutrition and healthy eating

Memoirs

New autobiography books and memoirs to read this year

New autobiography books and memoirs to read this year

The best Korean fiction in translation

The best Japanese fiction in translation

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter