A running ranking of the books that I have reviewed this year, updated and reranked after each book that I finish.

Whether you’re looking for the next viral BookTok recommendation, a thriller from a favorite author, or a Pulitzer-worthy literary fiction masterpiece, I’ve rounded up the top upcoming books of 2026 that you need to preorder now.

★★★★☆ A self-help book from the "World's Greatest Mentalist" in which he shares advice for how best to connect with people based on how the human mind works.

★★★★☆ Following the events of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the story continues in a longer and more polished follow-up that's a step up from Book 1.

★★★☆☆ When a "rogue black hole" leaves Earth less than a month before annihilation, two men travel by RV from Maine to Washington to complete one final task.

★★★★☆ An homage to When Harry Met Sally in which two opposites form a deep platonic friendship before eventually wondering if it could be more.

From the early "enemies-to-lovers" attraction of Beach Read to the small-town charm of Book Lovers, Emily Henry has mastered the art of the literary rom-com. But with so many five-star hits, which one truly reigns supreme?

★★★★☆ After a flight to a remote island goes missing, a dual-timeline thriller follows two sisters—one who was on the flight and one who missed it.