The Best Books of 2026: My Running Ranking
- Greg Barlin
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Searching for your next great read? Welcome to the definitive 2026 book ranking at Barlin’s Books. This isn't just a list of bestsellers—it’s a comprehensive, running tally of every book I’ve read in 2026, ranging from the five-star "hidden gems" to the "books better left shelved."
Whether you’re looking for the latest mystery thrillers, trending Romantasy, or literary fiction, you'll find my honest reviews and rankings here, updated after each book I finish. Bookmark this page as your 2026 literary companion for top new releases and deep-dive insights into the year's most talked-about titles.
#1 - Yesteryear
by Caro Claire Burke ★★★★★
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.
#2 - The Bright Years
by Sarah Damoff ★★★★★
A moving generational novel that authentically captures a litany of life moments, from the highs of true love to the challenges of addiction.
#3 - The Strength of the Few
by James Islington ★★★★★
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.
#4 - We Are All Guilty Here
by Karin Slaughter ★★★★★
Two teenage girls are abducted in a small Georgia town in this mystery filled with twists and family dynamics that will keep readers guessing.
#5 - Dolly All the Time
by Annabel Monaghan ★★★★★
When a $50k debt meets a fake-dating scheme with a wealthy heir, love blooms in Annabel Monaghan's modern retelling of Pretty Woman.
#6 - King Sorrow
by Joe Hill ★★★★★
An epic story about friendship and betrayal, this behemoth of a novel follows six college friends who make a Faustian deal with a dragon.
#7 - This Story Might Save Your Life
by Tiffany Crum ★★★★★
One half of a famous podcasting duo goes missing in this unique debut that artfully blends mystery with a will-they-or-won't-they romance.
#8 - Operation Bounce House
by Matt Dinniman ★★★★☆
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.
#9 - A Violent Masterpiece
by Jordan Harper ★★★★☆
A grisly dive into the dark underbelly of Los Angeles that blends the hunt for a serial killer with commentary on the corrupt world of the ultra-wealthy.
#10 - The Castaways
by Lucy Clarke ★★★★☆
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.
#11 - What Happened to the McCrays?
by Tracey Lange ★★★★☆
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.
#12 - A Court of Mist and Fury
by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★☆
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.
#13 - A Far-flung Life
by M.L. Stedman ★★★★☆
A tragic accident on a remote sheep station eventually leads to a dark family secret in this character-driven exploration of duty and psyche in the Australian Outback.
#14 - Anatomy of an Alibi
by Ashley Elston ★★★★☆
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.
#15 - The Burning Side
by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★☆
A house fire is the jumping off point for this novel less about the partial loss of a home and more about the fractured relationship in it.
#16 - When the Cranes Fly South
by Lisa Ridzén ★★★★☆
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.
#17 - Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley ★★★★☆
A heist/hostage situation at an elite restaurant is the vehicle for this novel to explore marriage and parenting as much as the heist.
#18 - People We Meet on Vacation
by Emily Henry ★★★★☆
An homage to When Harry Met Sally in which two opposites form a deep platonic friendship before eventually wondering if it could be more.
#19 - Read Your Mind
by Oz Pearlman ★★★★☆
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.
#20 - The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree
by India Hayford ★★★★☆
A snake-handling drifter crosses paths with a soldier recently back from Vietnam; together they help his family escape an abusive situation.
#21 - The Book Witch
by Meg Shaffer ★★★★☆
A "Book Witch" must use her ability to teleport into books to solve a mystery in her own life when her grandfather and most prized possession go missing.
#22 - Crux
by Gabriel Tallent ★★★★☆
Two high school friends use rock climbing to try to escape a seemingly predetermined future in this emotionally heavy character study from Gabriel Tallent.
#23 - Crooks
by Lou Berney ★★★★☆
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.
#24 - Lake Effect
by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney ★★★☆☆
An exploration of the fallout of a 1977 affair and divorce over several decades. Despite nuanced characters, this family drama mostly missed the mark for me.
#25 - We Burned So Bright
by TJ Klune ★★★☆☆
When an encroaching "rogue black hole" gives Earth less than a month before annihilation, two men travel by RV from Maine to Washington to complete one final task.
#26 - The Toll
by Neal Shusterman ★★★☆☆
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.
#27 - Detour
by Jeff Rake and Rob Hart ★★★☆☆
A six-person crew must man a space mission to deploy a satellite to Saturn's moon Titan in the hopes that it can be a refuge for a deteriorating Earth.
#28 - The List of Suspicious Things
by Jennie Godfrey ★★☆☆☆
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.