Book recommendations: My priority books for 2026

2026 is full of new book releases, and I've got a list of 26 books that I'm prioritising for this year, including both old and new recommendations.

Last year, I made a '25 Books for 2025' list. I managed to read all but three of the novels on that list and found it enjoyable to have a set TBR that I could tick off.

For 2026, I'm doing a similar thing. I have made a list of 26 books for 2026. On this list, there is a diverse mix of books, and I have included the three I didn't get to last year.

I'm hoping to read more dark academia and thrillers, as well as fantasy and romance, so I have listed quite a few different genres and authors.

If you're a reader and looking for some new recommendations this year, then carry on reading and check out the books on my '26 Books for 2026' list.

Romance

Meet Me At The Lake by Carley Fortune

Carley Fortune was a new author for me last year, and I joined many readers in the hype for her novel, One Golden Summer. I loved her writing style so much that I knew I needed to read more of her work, and Meet Me At The Lake looks like a perfect summer read, so I'm excited to delve into this novel this year.

At Whit's End by Bailey Hannah

Normally, I read Bailey Hannah's books as soon as they're released, but as At Whit's End came out in December, I didn't get around to it (I only read festive books in December).

However, it's high up on my TBR for 2026, especially with the final book in the Wells Ranch series coming out as well.

Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles

If you've read one of my quarterly reading round-ups from last year, you'll know that I discovered Catherine Cowles. I devoured her Sparrow Falls series, and for 2026, one of my priority books is her upcoming release, Across the Vanishing Sky, which I know I'll just love.

Rewind It Back by Liz Tomforde

Liz Tomforde is another auto-buy author for me, but for some reason, I haven't read Rewind It Back, the fifth and final book in the Windy City series. I'm not sure why, maybe because I love the series so much, I don't want it to end, but 2026 is the year I'm going to finish it.

Rewind It Back is the final interconnected standalone in the sports romance series and follows Rio and Hallie as they get a second chance at love.

Breathe With Me by Becka Mack

Becka Mack's series, Playing For Keeps, is one of my favourite hockey romance series. It is full of fab characters, lots of fun and lots of emotion.

And Breathe With Me, the final book in the series, is one I've been eagerly anticipating since I met the two protagonists, Emmett and Cara, back in book one. I can't wait to dive into their emotional story and pick up Breathe With Me this year.

Wild Card by Elsie Silver

Wild Card is the final book in the Rose Hill series by Elsie Silver. That is a series I love, and Elsie is an author whose books I have enjoyed every time, but I haven't got around to picking up Wild Card and finishing off her third series.

So, for 2026, I'm going to read the final book in the series and join in with the hype, before Elsie releases her upcoming book, Fever Dream, and starts a new series.

You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry

One of my favourite authors is Emily Henry. I've read four of her books so far, and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. However, heading into 2026, one of her books I had yet to read was You and Me on Vacation (People We Meet on Vacation in America).

This book has been talked about a lot, and Netflix released the movie adaptation of Alex and Poppy's story last week. Knowing I want to watch the movie, You and Me on Vacation, is a priority read of the year, and I managed to read it as my second book, finishing it over the weekend.

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

Binding 13 is a brick of a book, and one many people have told me to read, but with tissues on hand. It's a novel that's intimidated me in the past, but I feel like 2026 is the year to finally read book one of the Boys of Tommen series and see why everyone ends up crying whilst reading it.

And Now, Back To You by B.K. Borison

Not only do I love books, but I also love movies, especially romcoms. B.K. Borison's upcoming book, And Now, Back To You, is book two in an interconnected standalone series all based on Nora Ephron films.

I loved First-Time Caller (Sleepless in Seattle-inspired), so I knew I would be so excited to read And Now, Back To You (When Harry Met Sally-inspired), which is why it's a priority read for me.

The Favourites by Layne Fargo

The Favourites by Layne Fargo is a book I've had my eye on for a while, especially since I did work experience at the publishers. I've had it on my shelf since October, but I haven't yet picked it up; it's become a priority read for me this year because of its resemblance to Wuthering Heights.

It includes romance, but is more of a contemporary fiction read, so I'm excited to branch out more into that genre.

Thrillers

The Exes by Leodora Darlington

This novel is actually a debut by Leodora Darlington, set to be released at the end of February. I was lucky enough to receive a proof from Penguin Michael Joseph and made sure to read it before its release.

The Exes was my first read of the year, and it was such a gripping thriller! I absolutely loved this book and found the writing incredibly easy to read, with truly shocking twists. If you love a good thriller and a debut novel, then you need to read this.

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell

I do love a good thriller, but for some reason, I've never picked up a Lisa Jewell book. I know, tragedy; however, I now have my hands on one of her books, gifted as a birthday present, and I can't wait to read it.

The title is intriguing enough on its own, let alone the blurb. But 2026 is the year I finally read a Lisa Jewell book.

Twisted by Steve Cavanagh

One of my favourite authors is Steve Cavanagh. Granted, I've only read three of his books; however, I know enough to call him a favourite author.

Twisted is a standalone novel from Steve Cavanagh, and it's high on my TBR because I have heard such good reviews about it, and I want to read more thrillers this year.

Dark Academia

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

I am on a dark academia journey this year. It's a genre that's become more involved with my writing, and it's a genre I also quite enjoyed last year. Donna Tartt is said to have kind of kick-started the dark academia genre with The Secret History, so it was a must-read for me.

Babel by R.F. Kuang

Similarly to The Secret History, if you ask someone to list some dark academia books, they'll probably mention Babel by R.F. Kuang. This novel is one all about literature and translation and language, which I love, and I really enjoyed R.F. Kuang's writing in Yellowface, so I knew that my sister and I would need to read this book eventually.

Fantasy

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

I have heard nothing but good things about this fairy-tale YA romantasy since I joined the bookish communities on social media. As someone wanting to read more fantasy in 2026, it was a no-brainer that I would add this to my priority list.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Two Twisted Crowns is book two in the Shephard King duology. I read One Dark Window, book one, last year and really enjoyed it. However, I didn't read book two before the New Year, so I'm planning to read it in the first few months of this year.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

If you're a reader, you'll likely have heard of Fourth Wing. It's a romantasy series that received rave reviews quite quickly. But again, it's a book that intimidates me because of the high expectations. But this is the year that I finally give in to temptation and see what it's all about.

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J Maas

This book is the prequel to the Throne of Glass series, although there are different reading orders to this series (a bit like Fast and Furious with Tokyo Drift). I'm not sure what reading order I'll use when I come to reading the series, but I do know it's a priority to start the fantasy series.

The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

The Rebel Witch is the second novel of The Crimson Moth duology. Much like the Shepherd King duology, I read book one in 2025, but never got around to book two. Hence why it's a priority read for 2026.

Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu

Heavenly Bodies is another fantasy novel that I have been wanting to read for a while. It's got a lovely cover, and based on my friend's recommendations, I'm going to enjoy it, so it's another fantasy book to help me discover more in that genre.

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

If you've seen my BookTok or read some previous blog posts, you'll know I'm a huge fan of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. I have read those books so many times, but for some reason, I've never picked up Tahereh's other series, This Woven Kingdom.

So, 2026 is the year I discover more of Tahereh's writing in a new series that I have a feeling I'll love.

Dystopian

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Growing up, I very much enjoyed the dystopian era of the 2010s when The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner all came out. So much so, I still love reading dystopian novels today.

The Hunger Games series is one of the best I've read, and it's a treat for readers that Suzanne Collins is continuing the series with a book about other characters. This one has already been made into a film, so I'm hoping to read it before finally watching the movie.

Historical Fiction

The Women by Kristin Hannah

I absolutely loved Kristin Hannah's novel, The Nightingale, last year when I read it. I admire her writing style and the emotion she packs into her prose, so it was a no-brainer for me to want to read more of her books, and The Women is the novel I've chosen to read next.

Non-Fiction

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

I haven't read much non-fiction in my life, but I've been told this is a book to read, particularly if you are a woman in your 20s. I know a little bit about Dolly Alderton and have seen rave reviews of this book, so I am looking forward to delving into her stories.

Classics

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

I've been meaning to read this classic ever since I read Cressida McLaughlin's Christmas book, The Secret Christmas Bookshop. In that novel, the protagonist receives a special edition of Jane Eyre, and it intrigued me.

I want to read more classic literature, and with Jane Eyre already on my bookcase, 2026 is the perfect year to pick up the classic and find out the story of Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester.

These are the 26 books I'm hoping to read before the end of the year. There's quite a variety of genres and authors, but I'm determined to complete them all.

And if you're a reader, I hope these book recommendations help you in discovering new books to add to your TBR.

What books are you hoping to read this year?

Until next time...