My Top 10 Most Anticipated Reads of 2026

2026 TBR

I’m not one to create a list of books to read for the year. I usually follow my whims, letting books find me. But I do hate that feeling of finishing a great book and having no idea what I’m going to read next. Plus, over the past few months I snatched up quite a few Kindle books on sale (their daily emails really get me), and I don’t want them to sink into the depths of my Kindle library, commingled with random book samples I never finished and expired Libby loans.

So this year I busted out a glue stick, printed out little book covers, and created a physical TBR list in my bullet journal. And it was fun. I mapped out the order, timing them perfectly with the changing seasons and corresponding movie and show releases, and added little notes and stickers about each one. For the record, I only have 10 books on my list so I can still go wherever the wind blows (e.g., if those forever-week loans from the library ever come through), but now I have a loose outline so when I finish a book, I won’t lose time or money waffling through Goodreads reviews. So in a sense, I suppose this list contains my most anticipated books of 2026.

Without further ado, here is my 2026 TBR:

1. An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (Benedict Bridgerton’s story)

I didn’t have this one on my bingo card. I’ve read each of the first three books along with their Netflix releases, but to be honest, based on the show, I’m just not that into Benedict. So I had no intentions of picking this one up. But right after I finished my cozy Christmas read, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan (5/5 stars, would highly recommend, but start with the first one in the series: The Christmas Bookshop), I perused my wish list on Libby and saw Benedict’s story was available to borrow immediately; I was shocked, considering the new season airs on Netflix Jan. 29, but I figured, why not?

2. The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

YA romance. Time loop. Set on Valentine’s Day. The same author of Better Than the Movies. Say less!

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Obviously I have heard of this classic, but know absolutely nothing about it. So why now? All the buzz about the new movie coming out Valentine’s Day weekend, of course! Plus, I recently finished Jane Austen’s Emma and need a new classic to chew on. I usually like to watch the movie adaptation of classics first to help me better follow the storyline and characters when I do dig into the text, but allegedly this movie is very different from the book, so I’m not sure it will make a difference if I get to this one before or after I head to the theaters. Let me know if you have a POV on that one!

4. Call It What You Want by Alissa Derogatis

I first learned of Alissa through a Charlotte newsletter, Tiny Money. She’s a local author who rose to fame on TikTok and her book has sold more than 100,000 copies! I gotta support the local girlies. This almost-love story is about a situationship and may not have the cliche ending. (At least, not the one you’d expect.)

5. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

I absolutely loved this YA romance movie when it aired on Netflix back in 2022. So now I have to know: is the book better? Two teen insomniacs exploring their little beach town together over summer break? I was never one to sneak out, but man, I can still feel the electricity of balmy summer nights deep in my core, back when nothing but time stretched out in front of us. Funny enough, this was exactly the type of book I would have rolled my eyes at back in high school because I was way 2 c00l. What can I say? Love and motherhood have softened my sharp edges.

6. The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton

This has been turned into a series on Apple TV. I watched the first two episodes and had absolutely no idea it was based on a book, let alone a book by Edith Wharton! (Mostly; unfortunately she didn’t finish it before her death and the book was finished by another author.) It’s set in the 1870s and follows five new-money American girls who are snubbed by New York society, so they head to London. I downloaded a sample from Amazon and on the first page, the characters were at the Saratoga Race Track (right near where I grew up!) so I knew I had to read it. Book first. Then I’ll finish the series. Maybe. Reddit says Edith Wharton would not approve.

7. Crazy Spooky Love by Josie Silver

When it comes to spooky, Halloween books, I’m here for the vibes. I cannot deny myself a spooky-cute book in the month of October. This one features a love triangle, a medium, and a haunted house. I mean… it’s a hard yes.

8. Just Friends by Haley Pham

I pre-ordered this one! I love Haley’s book vlogs and have enjoyed following her journey to becoming an author. Second-chance romances aren’t usually my favorite, but this one features childhood friends (adorable) and she has described the prose as flowery and poetic, which is right up my alley. I haven’t read much about it and am looking forward to being surprised when it comes out this March.

9. Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz

Non-fiction pick! I had written off non-fiction books as I rarely glean new insights from them anymore, but I’ve been following Amanda on social media for years; first on Twitter, and more recently on LinkedIn, and have found the glimpses she’s shared of her story inspiring. Plus it’s a career book written by a woman… who is also a mom of 3… a tad more relatable than all the doodz out there. Listen to this: “Women have been taught to chase goals and to hold everything together while quietly falling apart. Somewhere in the middle of the meetings and the milestones, we lost something: ourselves.” Yup.

10. Raising Mentally Strong Kids by Daniel G. Amen, MD and Charles Fay, PHD

Another nonfiction pick. Always trying to up my mom-game.

I’m sure there will be many more new releases throughout the year I’ll want to get my hands on, but I like the idea of having this roadmap of books at my fingertips.

What are your must-reads this year?