Need a new book to read? Add these books to read to your book list and be prepared to be blown away by adventure, current events, and action. There’s something for everyone on this constantly updated list of book recommendations!
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Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been an avid reader. It’s one of the major reasons I decided to major in English at college (reading was my kind of homework) and one reasons I ran a book review blog for a long time.
Reading has always given me a way to escape from the real life stress and jump into another world that I can watch from a distance without having to be truly involved.
I used to read so much that my mom would literally ground me from reading. It’s a habit that’s stuck and I still read way more than any other hobby.
I used to be a huge fan of buying actual books but once I started traveling, I realized carrying a book or five in my bag just wasn’t practical, so I’m now an electronic reader all the way, although I still love the feel of a good book. I don’t go anywhere without my Kindle!
Or my Airpods because honestly I listen to books as much as I read actual books these days!
2026 Book list
This year I went through tons of lists on Facebook to create my must-read list for the year. I’ve already read a handful of these – the others are ones that other people have said are their top books for the year!
Since I see people regularly ask what book they should read next, I thought it might be helpful to put together a book list for people who need a new book to check out!
Tip!
Bookmark this post and come back to it if you ever need new books to read. It’ll be constantly updated with more books to read as I read ones on this list and others that I absolutely love this year!
I tried to include a little bit of everything (other than non-fiction) since my reading tastes are eclectic so I hope you can find something you love! So grab yourself one of these bookish gifts and start reading!
Thrillers to Read
These are the books designed to keep you turning pages and hyped with anticipation. They’re called thrillers for a reason – they’ll thrill you!
1 – The Only One Left by Riley Sager
At the age of seventeen, Lenora Hope allegedly hung her sister with a rope, stabbed her father, and took her mother’s happy life. No one ever proved it but the Hope family murders shocked the entire community. Now at the age of 70, Hope has been rendered mute after a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. Together the two write the story leading up to the family massacre and there’s more to the story than anyone knows.
2 – Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
Camille Bayliss appears to have the perfect life but nothing is ever as it seems. She’s convinced her husband Ben has been hiding dirty secrets for years. Aubrey Price has been haunted by a terrible night a decade ago and is convinced Ben knows what happened. Aubrey and Camilla hatch a plan where Aubrey takes Camille’s place for 12 hours, except Ben ends up murdered in the morning. Both women need an airtight alibi and one false step could ruin everything.
3 – The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander
This one actually came out a few years ago but there are two more books in the series that were released more recently, so I’m including it on the list this year. Bookseller Annie Murray is thrilled when the mystery-themed book festival she sets up seems like it’ll be a success, until a body is discovered hidden behind the shelves. Annie pieces together clues with the help of her friends in this charming whodonuit style mystery book that’s everything you want in a cozy crime novel.
4 – Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
This is a thriller that I haven’t read yet. It came out last year and was the Goodreads #1 Thriller of the year and a Good Morning America book club pick, so it’s been on my TBR ever since I heard about it. The description basically says that Jet Mason will be dead in seven days but before then, she’s going to solve her own murder. That alone sold me on it!
Historical Fiction Books
These books are all take place during historical events. Some are based on true stories, others take liberties with the history of the times. But they all share a sense of history.
1 – The Book Club for Troublesome Women
As someone who is part of a book club and someone who lived in Northern Virginia all growing up, the description of this one sounds fascinating to me. It’s the 1960s and Margaret wants to get to know the new woman in the neighborhood so she invites a bunch of women over for a book club and this changes everything when they read the book The Feminine Mystique.
2 – The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
I don’t know if I’ve ever read through a book series as fast as I read through this one. It follows Emma, a witty 20-year-old woman living an eccentric London neighborhood full of charm and unique characters. There are eight books so far, all of them short and concise, and all of them absolutely addicting. If I had one book I recommend everyone read, it’s this series. I absolutely adored it.
3 – Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall
I’ve heard so many amazing things about this book that is part thriller, part romance, and part historical fiction. This is at the top of my TBR right now!
4 – The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel
This is the book I’ve seen recommended the most out of the entire year. Colette has been stealing jewels for years but everything goes wrong one night when her mother gets arrested, her sister dies, and a bracelet they had with them disappears. Seventy years later that bracelet reappears and the book follows what happens after it reappears.
General Fiction Books
These books are the ones that don’t necessarily have a genre – they’re just books that come highly recommended and make you think.
1 – The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
I’ve seen so many good things about this book that follows a family of four after their house burns to the ground. The novel is told in alternating perspectives of April who is struggling with the weight of motherhood, Leo a high school history teacher, and Deb, April’s no-nonsense mother.
2 – Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
I have seen such mixed reviews on this one, but it feels like something I need to read even if it’s just a train wreck waiting to happen. Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle and her followers are sick with envy – but they don’t know it’s all faked just for the views. Then one morning, Natalie wakes up in a strange horrible version of reality where she’s actually living the life she presents but never really wanted.
3 – Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
I’m just about done with all of the books in this series (eight of them so far) and have enjoyed every step of the way. These books follow Carl and Princess Donut (his pet cat who becomes an actual talking and thinking character) as they navigate a series of games and levels to try and stay alive as the world is collapsing around them.
Each book adds onto each other but they don’t get old, they’re all a unique story in themselves, and I constantly find myself laughing out loud at the absurdity of it all, but in a good way. It’s like a mix between Ender’s Game and well I really can’t think of another book that made me laugh this much in a while.
4 – This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page
This book sounds magical and whimsical and like a romance I’d love to read. Tilly’s husband Joe died five months ago when she gets a call from the bookstore that her left her a gift – one book every month for the first year after his death, to help her turn the page on her new life. Through this thoughtful gift, Tilly sets out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that teach her how to live again.
5 – Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
I’ve heard this one is just beautiful in descriptions, in settings, and in the writing. If it’s anything like the moody, brooding, and beautiful book cover – I’d guess I’ll love it. It’s about a family that lives on a remote island outside of Antarctica and what happens when a mysterious stranger washes up on their shore.
6 – The Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
When I read the description of this one and saw that it includes a challenge of sorts to win an inheritance, I was in. I’m also a sucker for anything that includes games (for obvious reasons) and this one follows a group of siblings as they complete a series of assigned tasks to earn their inheritance. It’s supposed to be messy, chaotic, and unputdownable.
Beach Reads & Romance
While these books would be good to read by the pool or beach, they’re also great for reading at home or during the day. Love stories, stories that make you think, and books that might just be a great read for a beach or pool day. This doesn’t include Romantasy or fantasy, I’ve included a section for those below this!
Also, for the all of the romance books – I wish I could tell you the spice level but I skip a lot, don’t remember a lot, and really just don’t trust myself to make a judgement on that. If you’re concerned about spice, there are plenty of websites out there that will give you the rundown on specific books and spice levels.
1 – The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
I’m always a fan of Abby Jimenez’s books and this year’s The Night We Met sounds heartbreakingly amazing, all about the impact split-second decisions can change everything. For the main character Larissa, that decision was who to ride home with from a concert one night – and it was not her current boyfriend, it was her boyfriend’s best friend.
2 – And Now Back to You by B.K. Borison
This is the second book in a series (read First Time Caller first) that I adored, so I definitely want to read the second. The first book is about a radio show host and this one seems like it’ll have a similar feel but with two people who work at the TV show instead. Definitely a beach read for me!
3 – Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghen
If they start by pretending, can they end up with something real? This brand new romance released this year has a 4.3 review on Goodreads with almost 100,000 reviews already so you know it’s going to be good. From what I’ve heard, it’s a romance that feels like reality, tugs on the heartstrings, and has a main character people adore.
4 – The Favorites by Layne Fargo
Call it Winter Olympics hangover but this story about an ice skating pair that includes a regular girl and a foster home boy just peaked my interest. It’s also a top romance book for Goodreads in 2025, so I’m definitely adding it to my list for the year!
Romantasy Books
This deserves its own category because if you don’t want werewolves and vampires and fae, you probably want to stick to normal romance and not romantasy. These books all include a combination of fantasy elements with romance in some way. Think ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and Blood and Ash. Again, I don’t know the spice levels on these so know that going into reading any of these books.
1 – Secret in the Garden by Jeneane O’Riley
I first thought this was just a romantasy version of The Secret Garden then realized it said Secret in the Garden. I’m excited about this one because it’s supposed to be a dark, whimsical, standalone romance – that means I don’t have to wait for book two, three, six. It’s about a botanist who makes a gamble with a billionaire heir and agrees to restore a conservatory that’s full of magic, thorns, and disturbances that are impossible to ignore.
2 – The Sun and the Starmaker by Rachel Griffin
I don’t know if it’s the colors of the books covers or the story in this book but it grabbed me from the moment I saw it in a local bookstore. Aurora has a powerful magic within her and when the Starmaker senses it, he demands she come and study in his castle. She spends her days exploring the castle alone while getting closer and closer to the secrets the Starmaker is hiding. Kind of reminds me of a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story but with a sun and star!
3 – Cruel King by Rina Kent
I love a good magic school story and this one is all about the villains and secrets of the Royal Elite school. I did see that this one has quite a bit of spice so if that’s not your cup of tea, maybe skip this one. But reviews are good if you’re comfortable with spice.
4 – The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
I’ve had this one on my list for a few years but a friend reminded me about it a few days ago so it’s going to the top of my list! It’s a second chance paranormal romance about a witch and someone she thought she’d never get the chance to love. It’s supposed to be super witty, funny, and just cute. I need cute in my life!
5 – The Vow in the Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez
This book has been all the talk on Booktok lately. It’s by an author new to the Romantasy scene and supposed to be one of the biggest hits of the year. Every year selected humans are forced to journey into the Immortal Realms but this year Rune gets herself selected and joins a cutthroat college to try and find her family. It’s supposed to be a great debut novel!
6 – We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark
This is a slow-burn romantasy that’s set in a Roman-inspired world ruled by vampires. That in itself was enough for me to be intrigued! It’s a brand new book by the author of the popular Kingdom of Lies series and has been highly recommend by plenty of people I know who read Romantasy, so it’s on my TBR list for the year!
Oh and of course I have to mention that you’ll likely want to read all of the new releases coming out this fall – Burn of the Everflame, Threshing Day, and ACOTAR Book 6!
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