Best Books of the Year: 2026
- Greg Barlin
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
Technically, it’s all the books I've read in 2026, including the best, the worst, and everything in between. Below you’ll find 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 Barlin's Books, your literary companion for top new releases.
#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 - 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.
#6 - 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.
#7 - 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.
#8 - 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.
#9 - 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.
#10 - People We Meet on Vacation
by Emily Henry ★★★★☆
Full Review Coming Soon
#11 - 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.
#12 - 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.
#13 - 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.
#14 - 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.
#15 - 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.
#16 - 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.