With 2026 officially underway, our editors and reporters are already looking ahead to the books they can’t wait to get their hands on.
From buzzy new fiction by Emily St. John Mandel and TJ Klune to must-read nonfiction — including memoirs from Lena Dunham and Christina Applegate — these are the upcoming releases we’re most excited about.
See below for recommendations for every type of book lover.
Release date: April 7, 2026
“I love a great narrative nonfiction book, and Patrick Radden Keefe is among the very best in the genre. I devoured his searing exposé of the Sackler dynasty, ‘Empire of Pain,‘ as well as ‘Say Nothing,’ his gripping account of the history of the Troubles in Ireland. In his new book, ‘London Falling,’ Keefe explores the tragic death of a 19-year-old and a family’s harrowing discovery of their son’s secret life within London’s criminal underworld.” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor
Release date: April 14, 2026
“Like many, I did a big ‘Girls’ rewatch recently. I’m eager to get my hands on Lena Dunham’s new memoir, which features frank reflections on illness, creativity and fame — including her experiences writing, producing and starring in her iconic HBO show at just 25 years old.” — Hannah Southwick, Associate Editor
Release date: April 28, 2026
“Every single Klune book has tugged at my heartstrings and I have no doubt this one will do the same, following two partners racing to complete their unfinished business in the face of the end of the world.” — Nicole Mazza, Deputy Photo Editor
Release date: March 3, 2026
“I’ve long been a fan of Christina Applegate, but her candid confessions while battling multiple sclerosis in recent years have made her particularly relatable. Per a synopsis, her memoir promises to be ‘unflinchingly honest and darkly funny’ as it examines the life of a child star who transcended the industry to face some of life’s toughest battles.” — Audrey Rock, Reporter
Release date: Jan. 13, 2026
“Give me all the reality show-inspired romance novels! This one stars a journalist weaseling her way onto a ‘Bachelor’-esque series in order to write an exposé — only to fall for the host, her former one-night stand. The wait won’t be long for this 2026 release, which comes out Jan.13.” — Riley Cardoza, Associate Editor
Release date: April 7, 2026
Nancy Lemann returns with a doubleheader release: the reissue of ‘Lives of the Saints’ and a new novel, ‘The Oyster Diaries.’ New Orleans, a mid-life crisis, breakdowns and recurring characters, these two releases contain all of Southern literature’s trademarks that puts Lemann back on the main stage. — Kyle Schnitzer, Courts Reporter
Release date: May 26, 2026
“I absolutely loved ‘The Midnight Library’ and was excited to find out that this is set in the same universe. I find the exploration of different lives in a revolving door type story to be oddly comforting – though I know that’s not the case for everyone – and the concept of applying that to lifelong romance should be so bittersweet.” — Jacquelyn Kozak, Senior Photo Editor
Release date: March 3, 2026
“Prepare to fret, quaver and, maybe, breve a sigh of relief as debut author Juliet Izon brings us a highly strung tale of talent and tribulation in ‘The Encore.’ Out March 3 and available for pre-order now, it’s the story of ‘driven pianist and singer Anna Buckley… composer wunderkind Will Pendleton’ and ‘sixteen-year-old piano virtuoso Lottie Thomas,’ which winds its way from an elite northeastern conservatory to ‘a rock tour-bus… careening cross-country,’ with more twists and turns than a French horn.
Izon is a veteran journalist — something of a queen of the scene, in fact! — whose work I’ve long enjoyed in New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest and elsewhere, and I’m fascinated to see what she does with the freedom of fiction.” — Oli Coleman, Deputy Editor
Release date: Feb. 24, 2026
“I’m a sucker for a good rom-com, so this opposites-attract story of two competing meteorologists being forced to work together is right up my alley. Bonus points that it’s inspired by ‘When Harry Met Sally.’” — Antoinette Bueno, Reporter
Release date: May 26, 2026
“I’m a big fan of Brooke Averick’s podcast and her unapologetic fangirl demeanor (#relatable), so I know I’m going to love her debut novel ‘Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It.’” — Ally D’Aluisio, Managing Editor
Release date: April 21, 2026
“Over the past year, I’ve been dipping my toes into the horror genre, and the only book that has truly terrified me so far is Marcus Kliewer’s ‘We Used to Live Here.’ I can’t wait to pick up his new novel, ‘The Caretaker.’ The supernatural thriller follows a woman who accepts a suspicious Craigslist job watching over a secluded home in the woods — what could possibly go wrong?” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor
Release date: Aug. 4, 2026
“Every summer I look forward to picking up Sager’s latest thriller release and ‘The Unknown’ is no exception. With a remote location, a mystery surrounding missing women in the 20s, and a struggling actress main character, I’m down.” — Nicole Mazza, Deputy Photo Editor
Release date: March 24, 2026
“By now, you’ve probably heard of Larry McMurtry after TikTok gave his iconic novel, ‘Lonesome Dove,’ a deserved boost decades after the iconic book was released. But there’s much more to McMurtry, who died in 2021, than just his vision of the West and musings on Hollywood. ‘Western Star’ comes two years after the first big biography of McMurtry was released, and gives readers a peek behind the curtain of McMurtry’s personal life via longtime friend and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Streitfeld.” — Kyle Schnitzer, Courts Reporter
Release date: April 7, 2026
“HarperCollins’ highly-hyped ‘The Ending Writes Itself’ is actually written by a mystery duo under the pen name Evelyn Clarke, and that in itself intrigues me enough to want to read it. It’s also about writers, who are invited to a private island to complete an unfinished book — with just 72 hours to spare – by its deceased author. Sparing synopses of the book provide a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be a killer mystery novel.” — Audrey Rock, Reporter
Release date: Aug. 4, 2026
“I’ve been really loving this series so far. It’s light and easy to read, but the tension is sweet. I’m excited to see where the finale brings us, especially after three books of pining between the two main characters.” — Jacquelyn Kozak, Senior Photo Editor
Release date: Sept. 15, 2026
“I’ve read many of Emily St. John Mandel’s novels, and I adore her writing. Her newest book, ‘Exit Party,’ coming out later this year, follows a girl who attends a party in a war-torn Los Angeles in 2031 and the repercussions of that night as they echo through her life for years to come. I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.” — Lindsey Kupfer, Deputy Editor
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