With a new year comes thousands of new stories and ideas. The true beauty of the world of books is that there is truly something for everyone. All around the world there are experiences and ideas that deserve to be told. From young adult to nonfiction, the bookish world in 2026 has something to offer everyone.
“Half His Age” by Jennette McCurdy
After her first book, New York Times bestselling author Jennette McCurdy has written her first fiction novel for the public. Taking a distinctive shift from her previous work, “Half His Age” follows a 17-year-old girl as she wrestles with her desire for her English teacher and her dreams of a life with him. The audience gets to join the main character, Waldo, on her journey of growth and change.
“Mestra” by Madeline Miller
The fabled and most well-loved ancient Greek author has returned after years of rumors about new stories in the works. Madeline Miller recently announced “Mestra,” the story of a girl and her father, the king of Thessaly.
“A Wild Radiance” by Maria Ingrande Mora
A bookish article is nothing without a romantasy mention. “A Wild Radiance” is a young adult novel that takes place in a dystopian oligarchy with a burgeoning magical revolution. The book follows Josephine, a girl thought to have a volatile personality, as she gets her foothold in the world with everything changing around her.
“A Prince Among Pirates” by Katie Abdou
For fans of queer love, pirates, princes or all of the above, “A Prince Among Pirates” may be the perfect book for you. Compared to “Our Flag Means Death,” this book follows Kit Davenport, a prince running away from his royal duties and an arranged marriage, who ends up on a pirate ship. And as one does, he ends up being swept up into the life of a pirate with Captain Shape at the helm.
“Hemlock: A Novel” by Melissa Faliveno
“Hemlock” is a new book for the American Gothic world that is being called a “carnal coming-of-addiction,” if that can give any glimpse into what this is about. It follows Sam, a girl finally sober and living a normal life until she returns to her hometown in Hemlock, Wisconsin. As she continues to stay, she and the world around her begin to change as her inheritance finds her.
“Language as Liberation” by Toni Morrison
The once-in-a-lifetime voice of Toni Morrison will be heard by the American literary canon once more in her new book, “Language as Liberation.” Morrison will be sharing some of her ideas and lectures on how race, America and the world of storytelling intersect.
“Kin: A Novel” By Tayari Jones
Set to release this month is “Kin” by Tayari Jones. Set in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, the novel follows best friends Annie and Vernice as they grow and follow different paths. One friend heads off to Spelman College in Atlanta while the other tries to find herself in the world.
“The Red Winter” By Cameron Sullivan
Based on a real phenomenon in French history, “The Red Winter” is about Professor Sebastian Grave as he and the people in the French countryside are confronted with the Beast of Gévaudan. An animal with unfinished business, the Gévaudan returns after 20 years to wreak havoc.
“Land” by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell, author of the New York Times bestselling book Hamnet, returns with a new book set in Ireland after the effects of the Great Hunger. “Land” follows Tomás and his son Liam in the time following one of the most important times in Irish history.
“The Faraway Inn” By Sarah Beth Durst
Who doesn’t want to escape to a small, cozy cottage in the northeast? 16-year-old Calisa picks up and moves into her Aunt’s bed-and-breakfast cabin after any chance of a good summer in Brooklyn was ruined. When Calisa arrives, she sets out to bring the inn back to life, but there may be some magical things with other plans.
