First Half of 2026: New Releases That Shouldn't Be Missed

A new year means new books to add to your TBR! 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for readers, with something for everyone. I’m focusing on releases from January through June, so bookmark this page and refer to it when you’re at the library or bookstore to see which exciting new titles are coming out and when.

 

1. Skylark by Paula McLain (1/6)

"The parallel lives of two women are explored in this grand story of resilience, hope and bravery that takes place centuries apart."

 

 

2. First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave (1/6)

"Dave delivers a raw and powerful sequel (to The Last Thing He Told Me) continuing the evocative family drama that kept us at the edge-of-our-seats."

 

3. The Storm by Rachel Hawkins (1/6) 

"Hurricane season can be murder." 

 

4. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston (1/13)

"Lives unravel as lies resurface in this story of two women who hatch one chilling plan. Ashley Elston, author of First Lie Wins, weaves a web of deception in this suspenseful thriller that will keep you guessing." 

 

 

5. My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney (1/20) 

"Imagine coming home from a run and being replaced. This is what happens to Eden ... or does it? The author of Rock Paper Scissors returns with another crafty domestic thriller."

 

6. Vigil by George Saunders (1/27) 

"Saunders returns with an imaginative new story about the pivotal moment between life and death. Jill “Doll” Blaine accompanies the dying as they transition to the afterlife—but her latest assignment forces her to reckon with the fragility of humanity."

 

7. It's Not Her by Mary Kubica (2/3)

 "A double murder at a tranquil lake resort — now that’s a thrilling mystery. Suspenseful and twisty, everyone is a potential suspect here. If you love locked room mysteries with true crime vibes, then this one will grip you from the start."

 

8. This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman (2/10)

"A kaleidoscopic portrait of a modern American family—steadfast, complicated, begrudging, and loving—from the bestselling author of Isola."

 

9. Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson (2/10) 

"Powerful and poignant, three fates intersect across generations in this moving story of family, courage and self-discovery from the author of The House of Eve."

 

10. The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (2/17) 

"Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures."

 

11. More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen (2/24)

 "This tender novel of self-exploration reminds us that it’s never too late to discover something new about yourself. After a surprising ancestry test, Polly embarks on a journey to confront her past, learn from the present and grow into her future."

 

 

12. Kin by Tayari Jones (2/24) 

"The complex relationships between mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends in the American South are examined in this sharp and entertaining story."

  

 

13. Once and Again by Rebecca Serle (3/10) 

"If you had one chance to rewind the clock, would you do it? For the Nowak family this miraculous ability is both a blessing and a curse. Returning to her hometown, Lauren confronts her memories — especially the love she lost a long time ago."

 

 

14. The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez (3/24) 

 "All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy, but here’s the catch — Chris is not her boyfriend.  A beautiful, compelling novel that revels in laughter, friendship, and the messy choices life can throw our way."

 

 

15. The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (5/5)

"A deeply engaging story of community and survival set in 1933 Mississippi. This conversation-starting second novel from the bestselling author of The Help was fifteen years in the making — and worth the wait." 

 

 

16. Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune (5/5)

"Her wedding might be off, but the honeymoon is just beginning. Frankie sets off to paradise with her complicated best friend George, but when their bond begins to shift, friendship may no longer suffice."

 

 

17. The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout (5/5)

"With her award-winning prose, Elizabeth Strout paints a tender and insightful picture of a lonely schoolteacher who reconsiders his own life path and choices after an unexpected secret is revealed."

 

 

 18. Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey (5/5)

 "Woodson returns with a heartfelt escape to coastal Carolina."

 

 

19. Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen (5/5) 

"A romantic coming-of-age novel about an unassuming girl who learns to stand on her own while falling in love during a life-changing summer."

 

 

20. The Shippers by Katherine Center (5/19)

Center's "latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship."

 

 

21. Dolly All Over Again by Annabel Monaghan (5/26) 

"A hardworking single mom returns to her seaside hometown and stumbles into a fake dating situationship with a wealthy, workaholic scion, from the New York Times bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script.

 

22. The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (5/26)

"All aboard this sweeping journey through time. If you could travel back to a moment in time, when would you go? After a near-fatal heart attack, one man is given the ultimate chance to relive both his brightest moments and his deepest regrets in this transformative novel."

 

 

23. Whistler by Ann Patchett (6/2)

"Patchett returns with a powerful novel about the choices we make and the ones that are made for us. After reuniting with a prominent figure from her past, Daphne confronts the impermanence of life and the beauty of connection."

 

 

24. Land by Maggie O'Farrell (6/2)

"O’Farrell delivers a sweeping journey through history and memory, loss and survival in a haunting story that captures post-famine Ireland through the eyes of one family." 

 

 

25. It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell (6/23) 

"Jewell brings her signature dark, atmospheric suspense and sharp acuity to this new psychological thriller about a lost dog, a missing woman, and a mysterious house."

 

 

26. The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (6/30)

"An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town."

  

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 Let me know in the comments which books you are most looking forward to for the first half of 2026. 

Book Review: Conform by Ariel Sullivan

Pages: 416 

Genre: Adult Fiction/Sci-Fi

Pub. Date: October 14, 2025 

Publisher: Ballantine

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Centuries after a catastrophic world war nearly decimated the human population, a city arose from the ashes, ruled by an elusive and technologically advanced group called the Illum.

At twenty-seven, Emeline lives in limbo, wasting away her days in a job sorting ancient human art for destruction and waiting to be selected as a Mate for a procreation contract. Where others look forward to being chosen, Emeline has never felt like she fit into a society where a person’s worth is determined by constantly monitored genes, health, and the ability to procreate. She’s struggled to keep her discomfort secret, but when she is finally chosen, her Mate is revealed to be a member of the Illum named Collin, a man who seems to be harboring secrets of his own.

It is the first time an Illum has taken a Mate in decades, leaving Emeline—and others—baffled as to why she was chosen. Soon, she is swept into the dangerous game of Courting, filled with ballgowns, lavish dinners, and watchful eyes, where one wrong move can mean elimination. While parts of this elite lifestyle are unexpectedly appealing, the more embroiled she becomes, the more she sees its dark underbelly—and a rebellion rising in secret. Collin is confusing, both cold and protective, and worse, she finds herself drawn to the very last person she should be falling for: Hal, one of the resistance leaders.

As she draws closer to both Collin and Hal, the Illum exercise their power in increasingly brutal ways, forcing Emeline to question everything—most of all whether she’ll have to give up her heart and even her life to stop them."

 

Emeline works a job on the ground, helping go through old works of art after the Last War. The Last War raged through the world, and now society is left with the main focus being on procreation, but with requirements. The Illum, the elite group of authoritarian rulers, run the show and prioritize procreation, but with people who have the best genes and traits. Emeline, a "minor defect, " is paired with Collin, the youngest Illum, which seems like an unconventional pairing and one that is unprecedented. This could be a way out of the drudgery for Emeline and a way into their world of comfort in the clouds. Except this isn't going to be easy. Emeline has met a charismatic man, Hal, while at her job. He just showed up in her office one day, as he is interested in the art she is going through. They hit it off and have a connection, but she slowly realizes that Hal is on the outskirts of society. With her recent pairing with Collin, how on earth could she actually have a genuine relationship with Hal, and even worse, what if the people in charge find out? While all this is brewing, there is an uprising occurring that makes Emeline question which path she should take. Conform, a debut novel by Ariel Sullivan, is an engaging dystopian, reminiscent of the many young adult dystopians that swept the literary world years ago.
 
I enjoyed the character of Emeline a lot in Conform. She recognizes her place in society, but isn't exactly a conformist. She has dreams and desires outside of what the Illum want for her. While Conform does have a love triangle (Collin vs. Hal), I think it is done well as each man represents a different path Emeline could take. Plus, there are some twists and turns coming down the road as she progresses with her assigned relationship with Collin.
 
My only issue with Conform was the lack of world-building. Usually, dystopian novels really flesh out the setting a bit more, and that wasn't the case here in Conform. I wish Sullivan had explained it a bit more, but other than that, I really enjoyed the novel. 

If you, like me, were really into all those dystopian novels from 10-15 years ago, this will be right up your alley. Conform ended up being one of my favorite books of the year! 

 

10 Books to Read in January

 

We made it through the busy holiday season, and now January has arrived, bringing cold weather and possibly snow, depending on where you live. If you’re in the Northeast like me, you’re probably anticipating a snowy—or at least chilly—January, which makes for excellent reading weather. What’s better than canceling plans and curling up with a good book? Here are the books that have caught my eye this month.

 

1. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston (1/13)

 

"A tense, feverish thriller about two women’s lives that are forever intertwined when a murder threatens to expose them both."

 

 

2.  Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra (1/20)

 

"A woman learns to be the heroine of her own life in this heartfelt novel inspired by Anne of Green Gables."

 

 

3. Skylark by Paula McLain (1/6)

 

"A mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time."

 

 

4. Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven (1/6)

 

"A novel about America’s favorite TV family, whose perfect façade starts to crack."

 

 

 

5. The Storm by Rachel Hawkins (1/6)

 

"Hurricane season can be murder."

 

 

 

6. The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave (1/6)

 

"Laura Dave continues Hannah Hall’s pulse-pounding journey in the riveting and deeply moving sequel to the The Last Thing He Told Me."

 

 

 

7. My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney (1/20)

 

"A psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity, and revenge."

 

 

 

8. The Odds of You by Kate Dramis (1/6)

 

"Once is chance. Twice is fate." 

 

 

 

9. Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel (1/13)

 

"Miss Congeniality meets The Bachelor in this action-packed rom-com debut about an investigative journalist who sneaks onto reality TV only to fall for the wrong guy."

 

 

10. A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James (1/20)

 

"Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home."

 

 

Let me know which books are on your January TBR list in the comments below.

 

Best Books of 2025

 

Every year it gets harder to narrow down my “best books of 2025” list, and this year is no different. I was surprised by how many great audiobooks I listened to--way more than last year! This was such a fun discovery. I've linked to my reviews when possible and a ⭐ next to the title, means it was a 4.5/5 star read!

 

Adult Fiction:

 

1. Wreck by Catherine Newman ⭐

2. Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall ⭐

3. Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

4. Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman ⭐ 

5. Conform by Ariel Sullivan (Review to come) 

6. The Favorites by Layne Fargo 

 

 

Audiobooks:

 

1. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans ⭐

2. Heart the Lover by Lily King

3. Buckeye by Patrick Ryan ⭐

4. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

5. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

6. The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff 

Beach Reads:

 

1. One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

2. Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams ⭐

 

 

Young Adult:

 

1. Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson

2. Rebel Witch by Kristin Ciccarelli

 

Backlist:

 

1. Why We Love Baseball by Joe Posnanski

2. Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

3. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt ⭐

4. Wild Love by Elsie Silver

5. Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

6. Quicksilver by Callie Hart 

I’d love to hear which titles made your own “best of” list, so let me know in the comments below.

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Happy Holidays!

 

Happy Holidays! I hope you find time to enjoy a good book and relax amidst the hustle and bustle. I’ll be popping in a few times before the New Year to share my favorite books of 2025, and I can’t wait to hear which books made your list. Thank you for all the support, the comments, and the wonderful bookish discussions we’ve shared this year. I’m looking forward to 2026 and all the good books that await us. 

Happy Holidays,