Our most anticipated titles of 2026
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but our bookselling team loves to read, and widely. We move through all kinds of stories and follow our curiosities across genres, authors, topics. As we look ahead to 2026, we already have a strong list of upcoming releases on our radar. These early picks grew out of that same spirit of exploration. From memoir to fantasy, these are the books we cannot wait to talk about with you. Read on to see what we loved, and what we’re looking forward to in the New Year.
Happy reading!
-Ally
Check out the full list and pre-order your copies on our website!
“This year, I’m excited to recommend STRANGERS by Belle Burden, which is out on January 13th. This memoir reads like a novel. It’s about heartbreak and survival, and is just an absolute page-turner of a read.” - Ally
“DAUGHTER OF EGYPT by Marie Benedict in on my most anticipated list for 2026. Marie Benedict is an auto-buy author for me; I love how her novels weave together women tangential to famous events in history that may have otherwise been forgotten with the stories of women in the not-so-distant past with writing so immersive that you forget you weren't actually there.” - Robyn
“Kate Clayborn has a new book out in April called THE PARIS MATCH and I'm so ready to make it my entire personality. In classic Clayborn style I'm excited for the swoony romance, the sharp writing, and the wonderful characters.” - Kim
“Lauren Groff's new short story collection, BRAWLER, is out on February 24th. I read the ARC and I was blown away by how good it is. All of the stories touch on the play of good and evil within every human. The characters are richly developed, and the prose is beautiful. There was not a single story I did not love.” - Sarah
“I am very excited for THE ASTRAL LIBRARY by Kate Quinn (out Feb 17). Kate Quinn is a brilliant historical fiction writer that I’ve read everything by and this is her first contemporary AND magical realism novel, two of my favorite genres. The novel is a magical library adventure and I am so excited to dive into it.” - Anna
“In 2026, I’m looking forward to BAD WORDS by Rioghnach Robinson, which I was lucky enough to read an ARC of already, was a five-star read for me. It’s about a book critic and an author in a public feud. It's funny and sharp and full of the best kind of romantic tension.” - Leah
“I’m currently reading the ARC of the next Sally Hepworth, MAD MABEL, and loving it. The people least suspected of being killers? Little girls and old ladies. And old lady Mabel's past may be coming back to haunt her…” - Cate
“When your two very favorite contemporary authors are both releasing books in the same year on the SAME DAY, you can't possibly pick! My summer will be booked with Ann Patchett's WHISTLER — a reunion between an adult woman and her stepfather that leads to an exploration of memory and time — and Maggie O'Farrell's LAND — gorgeously spun Irish historical fiction that will no doubt make me cry.” - Melissa
“I am excited about KIN by Tayari Jones. I read An American Marriage for a literature class and I was obsessed and want to read all of her works.” - Kai
“I’m excited for HEAP EARTH UPON IT by Chloe Michelle Howarth- a historical fiction about family secrets and the line between love and obsession from the author of the cult classic novel Sunburn.” - Lane
“With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there are several great books on America's founding to look forward to. A PERFECT COINCIDENCE: THE EXTRAORDINARY FRIENDSHIP AND ASTONISHING DEATHS OF JOHN ADAMS AND THOMAS JEFFERSON by Jim Rasenberger really piques my interest. These presidents both iconically died on July 4, 1826, and I know I am not alone in being fascinated by the interpersonal relationships of our founding fathers.” - Adela