26 Books to Read in 2026
Whether you’re setting new reading goals or just looking for something extraordinary to enjoy, we’ve got you covered. Below is a curated list of 26 books to read in 2026 — a balanced mix of genres, voices, and stories. From fiction that won prestigious awards to eye-opening nonfiction and everything in between, these titles from previous years remain highly recommended.
Get ready to discover your next favorite read.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr — Historical Fiction
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the intertwining lives of a blind French girl and a German boy during World War II. Doerr’s lyrical storytelling shines as he depicts Marie-Laure, who flees occupied Paris with a mysterious jewel, and Werner, a reluctant young Nazi radio tech searching for resistance broadcasts. Their worlds collide in the walled city of Saint-Malo, illuminating the humanity and hope that persist amid war’s darkness. Beloved by readers and critics alike, the book was also adapted into a Netflix limited series in 2023, inviting a new wave of readers to discover this poignant tale of courage, fate, and the enduring power of human connection.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett — Contemporary Fiction
One of the most talked-about novels of 2020, this #1 New York Times bestseller explores identity and family through the story of twin sisters who choose very different lives. Desiree and Stella Vignes grow up inseparable in a small Black community, but as adults in the 1960s, one twin secretly passes for white, even to her own husband. Bennett’s gripping narrative spans decades and generations, examining how race, colorism, and history shape the sisters’ fates. Hailed by critics and readers, The Vanishing Half won Book of the Month’s Book of the Year and is being developed as an HBO limited series. It’s a timely, thought-provoking must-read for 2026 that brings fresh insight into America’s past and present.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir — Science Fiction
A lone astronaut awakens on a spaceship light-years from Earth with no memory and a monumental mission: save humanity from an extinction-level threat. From the author of The Martian, this 2021 novel delivers an irresistible blend of hard science, humor, and heart. As Ryland Grace pieces together his identity, he discovers an unlikely ally in an alien lifeform, and together they tackle a cosmic problem of star-eating microbes. Widely acclaimed (a Hugo Award finalist and Audie Audiobook of the Year winner), Project Hail Mary has been lauded as one of the decade’s best sci-fi adventures. With a film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling slated for 2026, this thrilling tale of friendship and perseverance is a must-read before it hits the big screen.
1984 by George Orwell — Dystopian Classic
Orwell’s iconic 1949 novel still feels eerily relevant in 2026. It portrays a totalitarian future where Big Brother monitors every move and independent thought is crushed as “thoughtcrime.” Winston Smith, a lowly party worker in Oceania, dares to seek truth and love in a world of pervasive surveillance, propaganda, and historical revisionism. This cautionary tale coined terms like Big Brother, doublethink, and newspeak, which have entered our lexicon as warnings of government overreach and manipulation. Reading 1984 today offers a chilling reflection on issues of privacy, freedom, and truth. It's a profound, still-timely novel that every generation rediscovers — truly one of the must-read books of any year.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — Contemporary Fiction
This award-winning 2022 novel celebrates creativity, friendship, and the power of human connection. It follows Sam and Sadie, two brilliant friends who bond over video games as kids and later co-found a successful game design studio. Spanning 30 years of their partnership, from college collaboration to industry fame, the story delves into love (platonic and romantic), ambition, and the art we make together. Zevin’s writing is heartfelt and imaginative, appealing to gamers and non-gamers alike. Named Amazon’s Best Book of 2022 and a Goodreads Choice Award winner, this page-turner has earned widespread praise for its rich characters and nostalgic yet forward-looking look at what brings people together.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid — Historical Drama
Old Hollywood glamour meets modern empowerment in this addictive novel that’s taken BookTok and bestseller lists by storm. Reclusive film legend Evelyn Hugo finally decides to tell all about her scandalous life and seven marriages, choosing an unknown young journalist, Monique, for the job. As Evelyn’s tale unfolds, from her rise to stardom in the 1950s to her personal triumphs and tragedies, shocking secrets emerge that intertwine with Monique’s own life. Reid crafts a captivating narrative about identity, sacrifice, and love (including Evelyn’s hidden LGBTQ+ romance) that feels utterly real. A constant book club favorite and soon to be adapted by Netflix, Evelyn’s story is an unforgettable portrait of fame and authenticity that readers in 2026 will devour.
The Art of Overthinking Non-Existent Romances by J.V. Mateo — Self-Help/Relationships
In this insightful 2024 debut, J.V. Mateo tackles the emotional rollercoaster of modern dating and romantic self-sabotage. Blending poignant personal reflections with sharp psychological insights, the book examines how we often overthink our love lives — building castles in the sky and wrestling with “what-ifs” in relationships that never quite take off. Each chapter alternates between dreamy romantic imaginings and candid reality checks, guiding readers through unrequited crushes, ghosting, and the search for genuine connection in the digital age. Ultimately, an empowering read, it invites anyone prone to romantic overthinking to embrace the present, learn from heartbreak, and let go of fantasies holding them back from real happiness.
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover — Contemporary Romance/Drama
This viral novel has captured the hearts of millions with its emotional story and important message. It follows Lily Bloom, a young woman who falls for the charming Ryle Kincaid, only to discover the darker side of their relationship as it descends into cycles of abuse. Drawing from Hoover’s own experiences, the narrative is a heart-wrenching exploration of domestic violence, resilience, and the courage it takes to break the cycle. Far from a typical romance, the book earned critical acclaim for its touching themes and even won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance in 2016. With a film adaptation released in 2024, It Ends with Us remains a relevant, powerful read in 2026 — a story that reminds us why some endings can be the bravest beginnings.
Atomic Habits by James Clear — Self-Improvement
Few self-help books have dominated the conversation like Atomic Habits. Since its 2018 release, this practical guide to habit formation has sold over 10 million copies and spent years on bestseller lists. Clear presents an easy, evidence-based framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones through tiny, incremental changes. He introduces concepts like the “habit loop” and the Four Laws of Behavior Change, illustrating them with engaging examples from psychology and neuroscience. Whether you want to exercise more, write daily, or just be more productive, Atomic Habits offers a blueprint that readers consistently swear by. Start your 2026 off right with this hugely popular book that turns lofty goals into achievable daily routines.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari — Nonfiction / History
Travel through 70,000 years of human history in this eye-opening and highly readable book that has become a global phenomenon. Harari, a historian, traces how Homo sapiens rose from obscure apes to dominate the planet, exploring key revolutions in our evolution — cognitive, agricultural, scientific — and how they shaped society and beliefs. From the extinction of other human species to the creation of money, religions, and nations, Sapiens challenges you to reconsider what you know about our species. Praised by thinkers like Barack Obama and Bill Gates, this international bestseller is as enlightening as it is engaging. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of humanity in 2026 and beyond, Sapiens is essential reading.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman — Heartwarming Fiction
Meet Ove: a curmudgeonly widower with staunch principles and a short fuse, whose solitary life in a Swedish suburb is upended when new neighbors accidentally flatten his mailbox. This international bestseller (originally published in Swedish) unfolds into a charming tale of unexpected friendship and second chances. As the grumpy yet lovable Ove reluctantly helps those around him — from a stray cat to a young family next door — we learn about his past sorrows and the kindness behind his cranky exterior. Backman’s novel is laugh-out-loud funny one moment and heart-tugging the next, showing that even the most stubborn people can find connection. Beloved by book clubs worldwide and recently adapted as the film A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, this feel-good story will restore your faith in community.
The Prelude Girl by Marjorie Gavan — Poetry
Have you ever felt like the “one before the one”? In this bold collection of 26 modern poems, Marjorie Gavan gives voice to the experience of being a lover left in the wings — the prelude to someone else’s grand love story. With spare yet cinematic lines, Gavan traces the ache of “unfinished emotions” and the hard-won grace of choosing herself again. From clandestine hope to heart-rending heartbreak, each poem is a stepping stone toward healing and self-reclamation. Comparable in emotional honesty to the works of Rupi Kaur or Lang Leav, The Prelude Girl offers comfort and empowerment to anyone nursing a broken heart. It’s a luminous reminder that your story — not your heartbreak — is the main act.
Educated by Tara Westover — Memoir
Tara Westover’s astonishing memoir proves truth can be stranger — and more inspiring — than fiction. Raised by survivalist parents in rural Idaho, Westover never set foot in a classroom until age 17. Her childhood was spent preparing for the End of Days, isolated from mainstream society and sometimes exposed to brutal abuse. Yet driven by curiosity and determination, she self-studied her way to college and ultimately earned a PhD from Cambridge University. Told in vivid, haunting prose, Educated recounts Westover’s journey to educate herself and find her own voice. Since its 2018 release, the book has won countless accolades (Bill Gates and Barack Obama both listed it among their favorites) and struck a chord with millions. It's a testament to the transformative power of education and self-invention.
Becoming by Michelle Obama — Memoir
In this deeply personal and inspiring memoir, former First Lady Michelle Obama invites readers into her world — from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years in the White House and beyond. With warmth and candor, Obama shares how she found her voice, balanced work and motherhood, and navigated the pressures of being the first African American First Lady. Highlights include intimate stories of her marriage to Barack Obama and her initiatives empowering young people. Becoming became an instant global bestseller, celebrated for its honesty and wisdom. By the end, you’ll feel as if you’ve spent time with a close friend who overcame doubt and adversity to become one of the most influential women in the world. It's an uplifting must-read for anyone charting their own path.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas — Young Adult Fiction
A poignant and powerful novel that continues to resonate, The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter, a 16-year-old who witnesses her unarmed best friend fatally shot by a police officer. As Starr grapples with trauma and the pressures of speaking up, the incident ignites protests in her community and forces her to find her voice amid injustice. Thomas’s 2017 debut won numerous awards for its authentic portrayal of a Black teen caught between two worlds (her poor neighborhood and her fancy prep school) and its unflinching exploration of racism and police violence. Adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 2018, this novel remains a timely, essential read in 2026 — a moving call for empathy, equality, and social change.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee — Historical Fiction
An epic multigenerational saga that transports you to early 20th-century Korea and Japan, Pachinko follows one Korean family through hardship, resilience, and triumph. It all begins with Sunja, a humble fisherman's daughter who becomes pregnant by a wealthy stranger. To save her honor, she marries a gentle minister and moves to Japan, unwittingly setting her descendants on a path shaped by exile and discrimination. Over the decades (1910s–1980s), the novel explores themes of identity, faith, and fate as the family navigates everything from World War II to the rise of the yakuza. Lee’s rich storytelling earned Pachinko a National Book Award finalist spot and a devoted readership. With its sweeping portrayal of perseverance and love across generations (and a TV adaptation in 2022), this novel is immersive historical fiction at its finest.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver — Literary Fiction
Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Demon Copperhead is a modern masterpiece set in Appalachia that echoes the spirit of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. Our narrator, Damon (nicknamed Demon) Fields, is born to a teenage single mother in a trailer, inheriting nothing but a comic book sense of heroism and a sharp wit. Through Demon’s eyes, we experience the struggles of Appalachia’s lost boys: poverty, foster care, child labor, addiction, and the search for belonging. Kingsolver’s storytelling is both searing and heartwarming, painting an intimate portrait of a community crippled by the opioid crisis but also rich in courage and loyalty. Tragic and uplifting, this is a standout novel of recent years that illuminates invisible corners of American life with compassion and fury.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — Gothic Horror
This award-winning horror novel delivers spine-tingling thrills with a fresh twist. Set in 1950s Mexico, Mexican Gothic follows glamorous socialite Noemí Taboada as she travels to a remote mansion to check on her ailing cousin. What she finds at High Place is a nightmarish mystery: the once-grand house hides sinister mold, ghostly visions, and the family patriarch’s obsession with eugenics. As Noemí investigates, she encounters strange whispers in the walls and unearths horrific secrets brewing in the dark. Blending gothic tropes with Mexican folklore, Moreno-Garcia creates an atmosphere of creeping dread that builds to shocking revelations. A New York Times bestseller and winner of the 2021 Locus Award for Best Horror Novel, Mexican Gothic is perfect for readers craving a haunting page-turner.
Circe by Madeline Miller — Mythological Fantasy
Enter the world of Greek mythology through new eyes in this enchanting retelling. Miller’s 2018 novel reimagines the life of Circe, the famed witch from The Odyssey, giving voice to a woman often sidelined in myth. Born to Helios, god of the sun, Circe is deemed a strange, powerless nymph among Titans. But when she discovers her forbidden gift of witchcraft, the gods banish her to a deserted island. There, Circe hones her powers, tames wild beasts, and crosses paths with legendary figures like Odysseus, Daedalus, and Medea. Miller’s lush prose and feminist perspective transform this ancient tale into a celebration of resilience and self-determination. Circe became a #1 bestseller and won the 2019 Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy. Its spellbinding story will captivate mythology lovers and newcomers alike.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab — Fantasy/Historical Fiction
Addie LaRue made a Faustian bargain to live forever, but the catch is that no one remembers her once she’s out of sight. Thus begins Addie’s extraordinary journey across three centuries, from 18th-century France to modern-day New York, unseen and untethered. Everything changes when Addie meets a young man in a bookstore who does remember her name. Schwab’s genre-blending novel (a 2020 Goodreads Choice nominee) is equal parts fantasy, romance, and historical adventure. It explores the loneliness of immortality and the indelible marks we leave on others. Lyrical and imaginative, Addie LaRue has become a word-of-mouth favorite, beloved by readers for its unique premise and the unforgettable Addie, a defiant dreamer determined to be remembered.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros — Fantasy
One of the hottest fantasy debuts in recent memory, Fourth Wing took the book world by storm in 2023 with its adrenaline-fueled mix of dragons, war college drama, and slow-burn romance. Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail has trained her whole life to be a scribe, but fate (and her ruthless general mother) thrust her into the elite Navarre war academy to become a dragon rider or die trying. Surviving the deadly trials means outsmarting rivals and enduring harsh training, all under the watchful eye of Xaden Riorson, a brooding wing leader who might be her most dangerous threat or an unexpected ally. Yarros delivers nonstop action, witty banter, and sizzling chemistry that have earned Fourth Wing legions of fans and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy 2023. If you’re looking for pure page-turning escapism in 2026, this bestseller delivers.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi — Historical Fiction
A remarkable debut novel that spans continents and centuries, Homegoing tells the story of two half-sisters and the very different legacies they and their descendants inherit. In 18th-century Ghana, one sister, Effia, is married off to a British colonizer and lives in comfort at Cape Coast Castle, while the other sister, Esi, is captured and sold into slavery, bound for America. Each chapter follows a new generation of their families, from tribal wars and the Asante kingdom to Southern plantations, the American Civil War, and 20th-century Harlem. Gyasi’s storytelling is poetic and profound, illuminating how the trauma of slavery and colonialism reverberates through generations. Winner of the NBCC’s John Leonard Prize for Best First Book, Homegoing is an eye-opening, emotionally resonant epic that will deepen your understanding of history.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides — Psychological Thriller
This gripping thriller became an overnight sensation in 2019, keeping readers worldwide up late into the night. Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, seemingly has a perfect life until the night she shoots her husband five times and never speaks another word. Her shocking act and subsequent silence turn Alicia into a tabloid mystery, and she’s institutionalized in a secure psychiatric unit. Enter Theo Faber, a psychotherapist obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Alicia’s enigmatic motive. As Theo conducts probing sessions, diary dives, and questionable sleuthing, the twists and turns multiply toward a jaw-dropping reveal. The Silent Patient won the Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller and has sold over a million copies for good reason. It’s a masterclass in suspense that will leave you guessing until the final page.
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer — Nature/Essays
In this gentle and wise collection of essays, Indigenous scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves together ecology, memoir, and Native American wisdom to show us the profound lessons we can learn from the natural world. As a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer bridges scientific knowledge with the traditional teachings of her people. Through stories of planting gardens, harvesting wild strawberries, and, of course, braiding sweetgrass, she illuminates concepts like reciprocity and gratitude toward Mother Earth. Braiding Sweetgrass, originally published in 2013, found new popularity in the last few years as readers seek hope and harmony in a turbulent world. Reading it in 2026 will deepen your appreciation for nature’s gifts and perhaps inspire you to live a more connected, sustainable life.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig — Contemporary Fiction/Fantasy
Imagine if you could undo every regret and try out all the lives you could have lived. That’s the irresistible premise of The Midnight Library, a novel that has comforted countless readers since 2020. Nora Seed, overwhelmed by disappointments, stumbles upon a magical library between life and death where each book represents an alternate reality. With the guidance of a wise librarian, Nora gets to experience lives where she made different choices, becoming an Olympic swimmer, a rock star, a mother, a glaciologist, and more. Each “what if” teaches her something about happiness, regret, and what truly gives life meaning. Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction, Haig’s uplifting story is perfect for anyone reflecting on their path. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes the life you’re living is the one where you are most needed.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho — Spiritual Adventure
Coelho’s beloved fable has inspired a generation of readers to follow their dreams. Originally published in 1988, this slim novel has since sold over 65 million copies worldwide. It follows Santiago, a humble Andalusian shepherd boy who journeys from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a hidden treasure seen in his recurring dream. Along the way, he meets a cast of mystical characters (a gypsy woman, an Englishman, an alchemist) who each teach him about listening to his heart and reading the omens of life. Part adventure tale, part philosophical meditation, The Alchemist is all about finding one’s “Personal Legend” (life’s true purpose). Whether it’s your first read or a re-read in 2026, this timeless parable offers a gentle, uplifting reminder that the universe conspires to help us when we pursue our passions.
Which of these books will you be adding to your 2026 reading list? With genres ranging from historical fiction and sci-fi to memoir and poetry, there’s something here for every reader and every mood. Here’s to a year filled with great stories and literary adventures.