New Books to Read in 2026

If you’re looking for books to read, beyond the latest Read With Jenna picks, you’re in the right place. Throughout the year, authors stop by TODAY to share the books they’re reading and loving lately.

Here, you’ll find the books of 2026 that some of your favorite authors are enjoying. They’ve also including a few books that inspired buzzy screen adaptations, like “The Odyssey,” because it’s never too late to catch up.

The experts cited in this story include:

• Harlan Coben, a thriller author whose adaptations are sweeping streaming platforms, and whose latest book is the memoir “Plot Twist”
• Julia Quinn of “Bridgerton” fame
• Isaac Fitzgerald, memoirist and author of “American Rambler”
• Yasmine Cheyenne, wellness expert and author of “The Comeback Era”
• John Searles, the former books editor at Cosmo and the author of “Single Girls”
• Brad Thor, author of thrillers set in the world of counterrorism including the latest “Choke Point”
• Emma Straub, a Read With Jenna author whose latest is “American Fantasy”
• Poet and author of children’s fiction Kwame Alexander, who also edited the poetry collection “This Is the Honey”

Here are the books to try this year, ranging from romance to thriller and beyond.

July 2026

A rom-com about a woman who wakes up on her 35th birthday and is trapped in a game she created as a teen.

Print length: 336 pages | Dimensions: 5.16-by-0.68-by-7.97 in | Publication date: July 2026

What John Searles said: “For fans of ‘13 Going on 30’ comes Laura Marie Meyers’ sparkling and laugh-out-loud funny romantic comedy about a woman who wakes up the morning after her 35th birthday to find that she is trapped inside a game of MASH that she created in the 7th Grade. This hits the millennial sweet spot and is a fun read.”

The first book apart of Kwok’s new fantasy series.

Print length: 448 pages | Dimensions: 6.3-by-1.2-by-9.29 in | Publication date: July 2026

What John Searles said: “‘Fourth Wing’ — by way of Chinese mythology — meets ‘The Hunger Games’ in a perilous world where a young woman with no memory and little magic may hold the key to uniting the Dominions and saving the mortal realm, the first in The Silk and Iron trilogy, from the New York Times bestselling author of Read With Jenna pick ‘Searching for Sylvie Lee’ and ‘Girl in Translation.’”

A woman who attends her college professor’s funeral is kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend in this twisty thriller.

Print length: 320 pages | Dimensions: 6-by-1-by-9 in | Publication date: July 2026

What John Searles said: “A successful Hollywood producer returns to her college alma mater and is reunited with her volatile, obsessive ex-boyfriend. What begins as an unsettling chance encounter spirals into a dark, twisty erotic thriller when Henry drugs and kidnaps her, forcing Faye to confront years-old secrets and the true, dangerous nature of their twisted past. Juicy and fun and full of twists.”

The greek classic.

Print length: 592 pages | Style: Paperback

What John said: “It seems so surprising to me but the classic Greek poem we all had to study in college is being released as one of summer’s biggest movies, starring Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon and Tom Holland. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film was shot entirely on IMAX cameras in breathtaking locations like Greece, Iceland and Italy. It stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as Telemachus, and Zendaya as Athena.”

June 2026

A funny, warm story about a hopeless romantic determined to lose her virginity before her 30th birthday.

Print length: 304 pages | Dimensions: 6.36-by-1.06-by-9.54 in | Publication date: May 26, 2026

What Isaac Fitzgerald said: “‘Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It’ is oh so warm and deeply charming — a novel about romance, friendship, anxiety, and the strange little deadlines we invent for becoming ourselves. In this case, well, losing one’s virginity before turning 30. Laugh-out-loud funny while still being tender and big-hearted, here is a love story in the truest sense, about learning to want honestly, messily and entirely on your own terms.”

A love story of a pair whose paths unexpectedly cross throughout two decades, told from outside perspectives.

Print length: 416 pages | Dimensions: 6.35-by-1.38-by-9.55 in | Publication date: June 30, 2026

What Isaac Fitzgerald said: “Main Characters’ is a brilliant book — a captivating love story told from the margins by the people who perhaps understand us before we understand ourselves. The book follows Clara and Seb across two decades as their lives brush up against one another’s, but is told from the perspective of everyone around them. A clever concept that totally works, here is a great summer read for anyone who has ever believed in the life-changing power of truly being seen.”

After years of research, this is an entertaining history of US history’s two famous explorers.

Print length: 544 pages | Dimensions: 6.13-by-1.3-by-9.25 in | Publication date: April 21, 2026

What Isaac Fitzgerald said: “An incredible feat, Craig Fehrman’s ‘This Vast Enterprise’ is a wildly entertaining history of Lewis and Clark — the product of more than half a decade of rigorous and immensely impressive research — that never loses sight of the adventure at its center. Fehrman brings this legendary expedition thrillingly to life by turning our attention beyond Lewis and Clark themselves, revealing the oft-overlooked people and perspectives that made the journey possible. Expansive, compelling, and alive on every page, this is a perfect summer read for America’s 250th anniversary.”

The sequel to Bishop’s “Only for the Week” of an intimate, spicy romance set during a bucket list road trip.

Print length: 432 pages | Dimensions: 5.44-by-1.25-by-8.25 in | Publication date: April 14, 2026 | Series: The Forever Falling Series

What Yasmine Cheyenne said: “Impossible to put down, this romance winds you through love, loss and the joy thats possible on the other side of change. If you love a plot that moves you as much as it inspires you, this is your pick!’

An honest story about the complications of adult friendships and new connections.

Print length: 336 pages | Dimensions: 6.65-by-1.15-by-9.55 in | Publication date: April 7, 2026

What Yasmine Cheyenne said: “A page-turner that puts words to what so many of us quietly feel about adult friendships — the growing pains, the unexpected shifts, and the beauty of who finds you in the in-between.”

A story about friendship and community during a time of defiance and loss.

Print length: 288 pages | Dimensions: 6-by-1.02-by-8.52 in | Publication date: May 26, 2026

What Yasmine Cheyenne said: “A debut that somehow makes you feel more alive the deeper it pulls you into loss — an absolute love letter to a moment in history that still echoes today, with all the heart and humor to prove it.”

May 2026

What Isaac Fitzgerald said: “This is a wildly entertaining retelling of the King Arthur myth, focusing on the life of Lancelot through a lense of queer exploration. Glynn does a fantastic job blending historical elements alongside adventure and fantasy. Filled with incredible world building, Glynn’s writing shines as he explores the Arthurian era with authority, and breathes new life into these long-known legends.”

Pages: 416 | Genre: Biographies and memoirs

What Isaac Fitzgerald said: “’Famesick’ is the singular memoir from a singular voice — famously ‘a voice of a generation,’ as the line on her show ‘Girls’ goes — and polarizing figure in millennial culture, Lena Dunham. But you don’t have to be a GIRLS fan to enjoy this marvelous memoir. For starters, it’s rare to get a celebrity memoir this dishy and confessional, this genuinely shocking, sure. But also, you rarely if ever get them this well-written. You can feel how much care and craft went into this book, how much intelligence and skill, which is why it’s getting the response it’s getting, and why it is likely to stick around well past the news cycle.”

What Isaac Fitzgerald said: “’Burnout Summer’ follows the story of Camille Luna, a young woman who has just gotten out of a night in jail for some small crimes after losing her job and spiraling. Camille is picked up by an old friend, Danny, who whisks her off to his beachside hometown in Rhode Island, saving her for the summer from her flailing, corporate life in Washington DC. What ensues is an utterly spectacular will-they-or-won’t-they where the guy is delightfully straightforward and has his life together and the girl is the messy one. Ramirez’s sparkling writing makes the beach town come to life on the page — you can almost smell the sea salt in the air — a perfect blend of escapism and romance.”

April 2026

Stephen Fishbach survived “Survivor” twice and wrote a novel inspired by his experiences. For Straub, a “Survivor” fan, this book is all a person could ask for.

“This is a novel about a reality TV program based on ‘Survivor.’ He’s a really smart, funny writer,” Emma Straub said.

Emma Straub likens “Reservation” to “bingeing a whole season of ‘The Bear.’” It’s an “immersive novel” set over the course of one day at a small restaurant in a college town, she says. The headline news in the restaurant? John Grisham has made a reservation and everything needs to be perfect.

Vera Van Valkenburgh has returned home for the first time in 128 years. After enjoying the fruits of the fountain of youth, Vera is tired and ready for a release.

“We need more contemporary novels with fantastical elements,” Emma Straub said. “This is a debut, smart and fun. Immortality in the Hudson Valley!”

Filled with humor, this is a story about growing old and the love that connects a family across generations.

Page count: 336 | ISBN-13: 9780593447840 | ISBN-10: 0593447840

How is it possible that an apple pie could cause a years-long rift between sisters? After Sylvia and Helen Rubinstein’s sister passes away, their relationship is in turmoil, enough so that a baked good could cause a major problem.

Coben calls this his “favorite novel of the year” so far.

This text is an honest display of the power of friendship and how, in various ways, it can save our lives.

Page count: 256 | ISBN-10: 006334663X | ISBN-13: 978-0063346635

“The Left and the Lucky” is the latest from an author who is known for his portraits of contemporary American life. In this one, a young boy befriends his next-door neighbor, offering him an escape from his tumultuous family life.

Coben calls this book “gut-wrenching” and “compassionate,” with shades of John Steinbeck. There’s “dignity and integrity” in this working-class story, he says.

Mad Mabel is a funny, inspiring, story of an underestimated woman about to prove everyone wrong.

Page count: 352 | ISBN-13: 9781250284549 | ISBN-10: 1250284546

At 15, Elsie Fitzpatrick became Australia’s youngest convicted murderer. Now 81, Elsie has left that behind her — until a young girl moves in across the road and unearths her past.

“Sally Hepworth is a huge star in Australia. This is the book that’s going to make her a huge star here,” Harlan Coben said on TODAY. He calls this book “funny, twisty and suspenseful.”

March 2026

This psychological thriller explores guilt, retribution, love and betrayal through three fascinating perspectives.

Page Count: 304 | Genre: Thriller

Nancy Hennessy is murdered and leaves behind a secret: The identity of a lover who nobody knew about. Not her husband. Not her friends. Not her daughter. The adaptation is soon to air on AppleTV+ starring Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington.

Be inspired by Terah Shelton Harris’ newest story of survival and redemption.

Page Count: 496  | Genre: Southern fiction

“Where the Wildflowers Grow’ opens with a harrowing scene: A prison bus crashes over a ravine leaving only one survivor. Leigh survives and runs away to a flower farm in rural Alabama, starting a tale of hope and redemption.

Inspired by The Golden Girls, this hilarious story celebrates love, aging, and finding your people.

Page Count: 352 | Genre: LGBTQ+ Family Life Fiction

Fans of “The Golden Girls” will love this book inspired by the show about friendship and aging in style. Theodore Copeland’s estranged sister and her granddaughter show up at his oasis in Palm Springs, bringing secrets and disruption to his life with the “Golden Gays” (his nickname for his friend group).

Explore Louise Erdrich’s writing with this magnificent collection of her stories.

Page Count: 240 | Genre: Literary fiction

Louise Erdrich, whose last book was chosen for Read With Jenna’s book club, has a new collection of short stories written from the past two decades of her storied career. According to the description from the publisher, the story collection features characters like “a tribal newsletter editor whose son tells her a story that nothing in her experience can encompass” and a girl who decides to spend her life with a stone.

February 2026

What Julia Quinn said: “I’m not saying B.K. Borison has magic powers, but it’s a little suspicious that her romance novel about two meteorologists stranded together during the storm of the century is landing in bookstores right now… as half the country is clearing out from the storm of the century. Seriously though, ‘And Now, Back to You’ is simply delightful in every way. The characters are charming and real, and the book manages to make you laugh and tug on your heartstrings. Five stars, all the way.”

What Julia Quinn said: “I love when fiction introduces me to a piece of history I never knew about, and ‘Keeper of Lost Children’ does just that by shining a light on the true story of the ‘Brown Baby Plan,’ a 1950s movement spearheaded by African-American journalist Mabel Grammer to bring biracial children of white German women and Black American GIs to the United States for adoption.’ In Keeper of Lost Children,’ Mabel has been fictionalized as Ethel Gathers, who has moved to Germany with her husband, who is an officer in the US Army. She is shocked when she discovers hundreds of biracial babies living in German orphanages and, after adopting several children herself, begins a one-woman mission to find homes for the rest. I loved everything about this book, from the impeccably researched plot to the beautifully-drawn characters.”

What Julia Quinn said: “I loved ‘The Martian,’ both on page and screen, so it was a no brainer for me to pick this up. Andy Weir puts a lot of science in his science fiction, but he also spins a terrific story with compelling characters, including our protagonist, Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who is somehow tasked with saving the world from a climate fueled apocalypse. Fortunately for humanity, Ryland soon teams up with Rocky, an alien life-form who’s a bit like a metallic spider (but with a heart of gold and a keen sense of sarcasm). The stakes in this novel are sky high, but Weir keeps the story grounded with geeky humor, and it’s easy to see why ‘Project Hail Mary’ is predicted to be one of the biggest blockbuster movies of 2026.”

What Julia Quinn said: “Every now and then I pick up a book solely because I’m intrigued by the title. What is a postcolonial murder? And why do I want to know how to commit one? Georgie Ayyar Creel is a 12-year-old Indian-American child, who, along with her sister Agatha, are navigating girlhood in a very white Wyoming town where ‘Indian’ usually means Native American. Their lives are upended by the arrival of their uncle Vinny, who emigrates from India with his family. Vinny molests them, repeatedly, and the two girls decide to poison him slowly with antifreeze. I thought this books would be a mystery, and in some ways it is, but is much more a tale of girlhood, and sisterhood, and all the ways a family bond can fracture. Georgie’s narration is wry and sharp, often speaking directly to the reader, and in this way, we are forced to reckon with her choices as if they were our own. ‘How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder’ is the kind of book that is difficult to describe, but so very easy to recommend.”

More 2026 Recommendations

Quinn also shared a list of books she read and enjoyed for the rest of the year:

• “And the Crowd Went Wild“ by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (February)
• “She Fell Away“ by Lenore Nash (March)
• “The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire“ by India Holton (April)
• “Annie Knows Everything“ by Rachel Wood (April)
• “The Paris Match“ by Kate Clayborn (April)
• “Anxietyland“ by Gemma Correll (April)
• “All We Have is Time“ by Amy Tordoff (June)
• “Game of Rogues“ by Julie Anne Long (June)
• “The Missed Connection“ by Tia Williams (June)

January 2026

What Brad Thor said: “Ten years after her best friend vanishes, a woman poses as a journalist to infiltrate the wealthy family connected to her disappearance. Every answer raises a worse question — was her friend a victim, or was she playing a deeper game?”

What Brad Thor said: “Like an even steamier version of the Brad Pitt movie ‘F1.’ She’s an up-and-coming Formula 1 team principal. He’s her new hotshot driver — and her childhood crush — so their careers depend on working together without blowing up the team or each other. It’s high-speed romance with stakes you instantly get.”

What Brad Thor said: “A dying man hides something priceless inside the suit he plans to be buried in — then he’s murdered for it. It’s a killer premise with a personal gut-punch payoff!”

What Brad Thor said: “Best friends, polar opposites, years of summer trips — and the one question they’ve avoided: are they actually meant to be together? Read the book now, then watch the Netflix adaptation drop January 9. It’s your perfect ‘book first, binge next’ pick.”

Pages: 288 | Genre: Self-help

What Brad Thor said: “A lot of people don’t need another goal — they need to feel like they actually count. Mattering goes straight at the quiet stuff driving burnout and drift: feeling invisible, disconnected, and stuck on autopilot. Wallace lays out concrete ways to rebuild connection and purpose — so the New Year isn’t just a reset of your calendar, it’s a reset of your life.”