Exploring the Best New Books to Read in 2026
Whether you’re aiming to read more in 2026 or achieve your Goodreads goal, you’re in for a treat. From romance novels and historical fiction to crime capers and fantasy, the best new book releases offer an abundance of choices.
Jennette McCurdy’s Half His Age is a provocative story about an age-gap affair, while Roxy Dunn’s Wants & Needs delves into polyamory. Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs is a darkly comedic tale about three sisters and their obsession with a corrupt billionaire.
In February and March, Madeleine Dunnigan’s debut Jean presents a queer coming-of-age story set in a boy’s boarding school in the 1970s. Asako Yuzuki, who gained attention in 2024 with her novel Butter, returns with Hooked, a dark story that blurs the lines between friendship and obsession. Belle Burden’s memoir Strangers is an internationally bestselling eulogy of her marriage and its breakdown.
Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear explores the trad wife lifestyle, and Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart’s third book, John of John, is set to dominate bestseller charts. Maggie O’Farrell’s Land is her 10th novel, and Meg Mason’s Sophie, Standing There is a new novel. Eden McKenzie-Goddard’s Windrush novel Smallie has already received early critical acclaim.
For those catching up on past year’s reading material, there were acclaimed fiction from esteemed authors, including Lily King’s tear-jerker decade-spanning romance Heart The Lover, Ian McEwan’s unsettling dystopian fiction What We Can Know, and David Szalay’s Booker-winning novel Flesh. As for debuts, Florence Knapp’s The Names is a searing family drama that’s still topping book charts.
Top Picks for 2026
Best Overall – Yesteryear by Claire Caro Burke
Published by Fourth Estate: £14.19
Rating: 5/5
This gripping thriller/satire follows “trad wife” influencer Natalie, whose life mirrors real-life Hannah Neeleman. The clever time-travelling twist keeps readers engaged, making it a must-read for the summer.
Best Debut – The Names by Florence Knapp
Published by Phoenix: £8.49
Rating: 5/5
Florence Knapp’s debut explores how someone’s name can set the trajectory of their life. A profound and moving story, it’s a surprising page-turner that showcases the impact of small decisions.
Best Daring Debut – Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy
Published by Fourth Estate: £8.49
Rating: 4/5
A thought-provoking and shocking novel, it follows Waldo, a disillusioned 17-year-old high school student. The uncomfortable age-gap relationship is both gross and gripping, making it a conversation starter.
Best Family Saga – Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
Published by Doubleday: £16
Rating: 5/5
Garnering praise from Lena Dunham and Megan Nolan, this novel combines a comic and wry tone with quirky characters. It’s a wild ride exploring themes like grooming and tech-bro culture.
Best Unconventional Romance – Wants & Needs by Roxy Dunn
Published by Fig Tree: £13
Rating: 4/5
An unconventional love story with comedic elements, it follows Misty navigating the dating world after knee surgery. The novel is funny, witty, and fast-paced.
Best War Novel – The Shock of The Light by Lori Inglis Hall
Published by The Borough Press: £15.39
Rating: 5/5
This emotional novel explores the impact of World War Two on two siblings. It’s a devastating and masterfully told story that sheds light on female SOE agents.
Best Coming-of-Age Story – Jean by Madeleine Dunnigan
Published by Daunt Books: £9.49
Rating: 4.5/5
Set in the late seventies at a Sussex boarding school, this story follows Jean as he navigates adolescence and his relationship with Tom. It’s a beautiful but brutal coming-of-age tale.
Best Slow Burn Romance – A Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia
Published by Orion: £15.63
Rating: 5/5
Inspired by the author’s grandparents’ love story, this novel spans different eras. It’s a tender story of slow-burn romance and hard-won friendship.
Best Literary Romance – Heart The Lover by Lily King
Published by Canongate Books: £9.99
Rating: 5/5
A literary love story for those who don’t usually read romances, it begins with an unnamed narrator at college. Decades later, she’s married with children but is drawn back into the past.
Best Portrait of Masculinity – Flesh by David Szalay
Published by Jonathan Cape: £14.75
Rating: 5/5
David Szalay’s portrait of masculinity, money, sex, and chance has been longlisted for the Booker Prize. It’s a moving and propulsive whole-life story.
Best Dystopian Fiction – What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
Published by Jonathan Cape: £11
Rating: 4/5
Set 100 years in the future, this novel explores ecological disasters and nuclear war fallout. It’s a thought-provoking story with a domestic noir twist.
Best Magical Realist Novel – The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King
Published by Fourth Estate: £14.19
Rating: 4/5
A Reece Witherspoon Book Club pick, this century-spanning story includes magical realism and insights into 20th-century Chinese and Taiwanese history.
Best Marital Memoir – Strangers by Belle Burden
Published by Ebury Press: £14.75
Rating: 4/5
Belle Burden’s memoir details her husband’s infidelity during the pandemic. It’s a compelling and salacious account of a marital breakdown.
Best Short Story Collection – Antarctica by Claire Keegan
Published by Faber & Faber: £10.79
Rating: 4.5/5
Claire Keegan’s short stories are known for their quiet dread and powerful endings. This collection revisits some of her defining works.
Best Psychological Thriller – Hooked by Asako Yuzuki
Published by Fourth Estate: £7
Rating: 4/5
A psychological thriller with social commentary, it explores themes of food, friendship, and loneliness in contemporary Japan. The characters are both unlikable and addictive.
Why You Can Trust IndyBest Reviews
Daisy Lester is a senior IndyBest writer at The Independent. She specializes in reviewing books and has her finger on the pulse when it comes to new releases from both debut authors and acclaimed writers. Daisy knows what makes a gripping, moving, or important story, whether it’s a romantic comedy or historical drama. She loves books of every genre, from satire to mystery and crime, so there will be a book for every taste in her roundups.
