The thought of uninterrupted relaxation often conjures images of curling up with a captivating book during the winter months. In summer, the setting simply shifts to a sun lounger in the garden – or perhaps a more exotic locale.
With 2026 on the horizon, here’s an eclectic selection of literary offerings worth considering over the coming year.
Prepare for an emotional finale. Alice Oseman concludes her acclaimed graphic novel series, which chronicles the lives of Nick and Charlie, two teenage boys who fall in love at school. Alongside their friends, readers have followed their relationship’s joys and challenges, including family conflicts, homophobia, and mental health struggles, all set against the backdrop of first love.
The popular Netflix adaptation introduced “Heartstopper” to a broader audience, making the series’ conclusion highly anticipated. Volume 6 explores whether Nick and Charlie’s relationship can endure as Nick heads off to university.
Adding to the excitement for Maggie O’Farrell’s fans, with the “Hamnet” film adaptation arriving next year, a new novel is also on the way in the summer.
The bestselling author returns with “Land,” another ambitious and compelling work inspired by her own family history.
Set in Ireland in 1865, following the Great Hunger, O’Farrell explores themes of loss, survival, and migration in this multi-generational epic.
O’Farrell has expressed feeling “more than a little nervous” about her latest work, but her track record suggests she has little to worry about.
Other notable novels slated for release next year include Son of Nobody: A Novel by Yann Martel (Canongate), Julian Barnes’s Departure(s) (Vintage), The News from Dublin by Colm Toibin (Pan Macmillan), Vigil by George Saunders (Bloomsbury), Glyph by Ali Smith (Hamish Hamilton), The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (Viking), John of John by Douglas Stuart (Picador), Three Days in June by Anne Tyler (Vintage) and the final novel from the late Mario Vargas Losa, I Give You My Silence (Faber & Faber).
Following the success of her debut novel, “Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line,” Keralan-born author Anappara shifts her setting from India to Tibet for an epic historical adventure.
In this tale, an Indian teacher spying for the British Empire and an English female explorer, rejected by the Royal Geographical Society, must survive storms, frostbite, and more.
Set in 1869, it’s a thrilling story of personal ambition against the backdrop of colonial expansion, certain to keep readers engaged.
Known for his YA novels, British author Silver ventures into adult fiction with “Fruit Fly.”
The novel explores the collision of wealthy author Mallory’s world with that of Leo, an addict and sex worker, after she uses a gay hook-up app for inspiration.
Sharp, dark, and humorous, it promises to be a gripping read.
Screenwriter Russell T Davies has praised the book as “tough and raw and merciless but funny and kind at the same time,” further raising anticipation.
With over 20 novels to her name, Yuzuki gained international recognition with “Butter,” her first book translated into English.
Her new novel, “Hooked,” explores themes of food and obsession through the story of Eriko, who works in the seafood industry and becomes entangled with a social media blogger.
As Eriko’s longing for companionship turns into obsession, the drama escalates.
This debut novel follows three friends on an eventful night out along Manchester’s Curry Mile, or Wilmslow Road.
Winner of the new writing prize from Stormzy’s publishing imprint, the book transforms the familiar street into a vibrant and chaotic landscape, showcasing a fresh and original voice.
The legendary star had previously resisted writing a memoir, but changed her mind after seeing others tell her story without true understanding.
Readers can expect insights into her childhood, her rise to fame, struggles with addiction, marriages, friendships, and personal heartbreaks.
Other noteworthy memoirs include Starchild: My Life Under the Night Sky by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock (Ebury), My Truth, My Story: Part 2 from Cher (HarperCollins), Gisele Pelicot – A Hymn to Life: Shame has to Change Sides (Vintage), Lena Dunham’s Fame Sick (Fourth Estate) and James Bailey’s biography, Like a Cat Loves a Bird: The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark (Sceptre).
For Wham! and George Michael fans, Sathnam Sanghera’s Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael (Picador) explores his pop stardom against a backdrop of social upheaval.
Stephen King has lauded this book as a potential “best mystery of 2026,” reminiscent of Agatha Christie, while Val McDermid has also praised it.
The thriller follows six authors on a private island with 72 hours to write the ending of a book by the late writer, Arthur Fletch, offering a satirical take on the publishing industry.
The book is penned by Evelyn Clarke, a pen name for two authors who revealed themselves at the Bloody Scotland Crime Festival.
“Shadowhunters” fans can anticipate Cassandra Clare’s “The Wicked Powers,” book one in the final trilogy of “The Shadowhunter Chronicles.”
The series follows Kit Herondale, Ty Blackthorn, and Drusilla Blackthorn as they face the ultimate conflict between demons and angels.
Dystopian romance gains popularity, with Rebecca Wright’s Songbird (self-published) and Ariel Sullivan’s Beneath (Tor Bramble/Pan Macmillan), the prequel to “Conform,” generating buzz.
For those who prefer contemporary fiction, Abbey Jimenez returns with The Night We Met, a sequel to Say You’ll Remember Me, and a novella, Marry Little Christmas (Piatkus/Hachette UK).
This family drama, set against the Horizon Post Office scandal, marks the debut novel from the Londoner who received acclaim for his play “Punjabi Boy.”
Brar was inspired by his father’s experience running a sub-Post Office for over twenty years.
Set in 2007, the book follows Mr. Sidhu, a sub-postmaster in Richmond, as he navigates grief and finds love while facing mysterious losses in his accounts.
If you don’t fall for Mr. Sidhu, I can’t help you!
Other debuts include Liz Allan’s In Bloom (Sceptre), Jeanette McCurdy’s Half His Age and Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear (4th Estate).
The US crime noir writer returns with a thriller set in the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles.
“All City” features fame, power, sex parties, a serial killer, and a Hollywood paedophile, promising a dark and intense journey.
Harper has also written for TV shows like “Gotham” and “The Mentalist,” and his novel “She Rides Shotgun” was recently adapted into a film.
Other crime novels to anticipate include Peter Hanington’s The Darkest Tide, set in Brighton.
In an unexpected collaboration, James Patterson and Viola Davis have teamed up for a legal thriller called Judge Stone (Century/Penguin).
The book centers on a doctor arrested for performing an abortion on a 13-year-old girl in Alabama.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, but how can we maintain control while embracing its benefits?
The author of “The Dark Net” and “The People vs Tech” explores the pitfalls and opportunities of AI chatbots like Chat GPT and Copilot.
The book emphasizes the human impact and implications for democracy of this “second industrial revolution,” while thoroughly examining the current limitations of large language models.
An essential read.
With additional reporting and research by Ian Youngs and Freddy Tennyson.
Moyes has credited Kinsella with inspiring her when she nearly gave up after writing 20,000 words.
Librarians take Humphrey books off shelves after a link inside them lead to phishing websites.
Author has strongly denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour which emerged last week.
Walliams is one of the UK’s most successful children’s authors, having sold more than 60 million books.
Staffordshire County Council reveals which books were the most borrowed from its libraries in 2025.