A running tally of the books that I have reviewed this year, updated and reranked after each book that I finish. Explore the latest reviews and discover hidden gems with insights from BarlinsBooks, your literary companion for top new releases.

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.

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

★★★★☆ 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.

★★★★★ Two teenage girls are abducted in a small Georgia town in this mystery filled with twists and family dynamics that will keep readers guessing.

★★★★★ The sequel to The Will of the Many sees the footprint expand from a single world into three, an ambitious choice that is impressively executed.

★★★★☆ An 89-year-old Swedish man narrates as we sail along this sad journey focused on the challenges and indignities encountered at the end of life.

★★☆☆☆ Two young girls try to catch the Yorkshire Ripper in 1979, but their "list of suspicious things" is just a vehicle to clumsily comment on prejudice.

★★★★☆ A snake-handling drifter crosses paths with a soldier recently back from Vietnam; together they help his family escape an abusive situation.

★★★★★ A "tradwife" and Instagram influencer has cultivated a seemingly idyllic life for herself and family, but it's all upended when she wakes up one day in 1805.

★★★★☆ A man returns home to Potsdam, NY to care for his father after a stroke, forcing him to confront past demons that led to his abrupt departure.

★★★★☆ A war novel blended with humor and social commentary that pits peace-loving settlers of a planet against an invasion of giant robots intent on killing them.

★★★★★ A moving generational novel that authentically captures a litany of life moments, from the highs of true love to the challenges of addiction.

★★★★☆ A heist/hostage situation at an elite restaurant is the vehicle for this novel to explore marriage and parenting as much as the heist.

★★★☆☆ The third and concluding book the "Arc of a Scythe" trilogy answers a myriad of open questions but plods along for much of the story.

★★★★☆ A short story collection masquerading as a novel, it follows the exploits of a family who consistently find themselves on the fringe of honest society.

★★★★☆ A two-tiered whodunit focused on the murder of a prominent Baton Rouge lawyer and its potential connection to a hit-and-run from a decade prior.

★★★☆☆ An interesting start to a series, but be warned that this is purely setup for a broader story with no resolution in this first installment.