Our Favorite Books of the Year So Far

It’s that time of year again—when we take stock of all the incredible stories we’ve read so far. Looking back, 2026 has been a truly spectacular year for books, delivering everything from sweeping literary epics to thrilling debuts. We’ve combed through the major “Best of 2026” lists to bring you the absolute must-reads that have defined the year. Here are our favorites (and the critics’ favorites, too).

👑 The Undisputed #1: ‘Kin’ by Tayari Jones

If there’s one book that has dominated the conversation in 2026, it’s Tayari Jones’s Kin. It has been unanimously crowned the #1 Book of the Year So Far by the Amazon Editors and is the most prominent literary novel of the first half of the year.

This powerful coming-of-age story is set in the Jim Crow South and follows two lifelong friends, Vernice and Annie, who are bound by the shared loss of their mothers. Amazon Editor Erin Kodicek called it “a nuanced portrait of family, friendship, and race” that “sings on every page”. It’s also an Oprah’s Book Club selection for 2026 and has garnered high praise from Goodreads readers, who’ve given it a 4.25-star rating.

📚 The Critics’ Darlings

These are the novels that have topped the prestigious lists of The New York Times and The New Yorker, cementing their status as essential reads of the year.

• John of John by Douglas Stuart: The Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain returns with a quieter, but no less emotionally substantial, novel. Set on a remote Scottish island, it’s a story of a young man, his father, and his grandmother, exploring the painful silences between generations. It’s a buzzy title on The New Yorker‘s best-of list.
• This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin: After a 17-year wait, Mueenuddin delivers a sweeping saga of Pakistan from the 1950s to the present. This is a favorite of The New York Times and The New Yorker critics alike.
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke: Described as the most formally inventive title of the year, this debut novel follows a “tradwife” influencer who wakes up one morning in the 19th century. It’s a funny, unsettling, and layered exploration of gender and domestic labor. It’s been named a best book of the year by The New York Times, and Amazon MGM has already picked up the film rights.
• Whistler by Ann Patchett: Patchett’s latest has been a mainstay on the bestseller lists, hitting #1 on the NYT Hardcover Fiction Bestsellers list. It’s also a favorite of The New Yorker and AARP’s books editor.

🏆 The Award Winners

These books have already taken home some of the year’s most prestigious awards, earning the official stamp of approval from librarians and the industry.

• Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Winner of the Libby Book Award for Book of the Year – Adult Fiction. This epic novel is set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program.
• Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry: Winner of the inaugural Libby Book Award for Reader’s Choice.
• Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory: Winner of the 2026 British Book Awards for Fiction.
• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins: Winner of the Libby Book Award for Book of the Year – YA Fiction. This is the story of a young Haymitch Abernathy’s Hunger Games.

💬 The Most Talked-About Books

Beyond the critical acclaim, these are the books that have generated the most buzz, from shocking memoirs to highly anticipated returns.

• The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett: The long-awaited return of the The Help author has been selected as a top Literature & Fiction title of the year. It’s also a frequent topic on podcasts and best-of lists.
• London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe: This true-crime narrative, which investigates a mysterious death in a “gilded city,” is #2 on Amazon’s list. It’s been praised as “illuminating and unforgettable”.
• Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden: Described as the “buzziest memoir of the year”, it debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Netflix has already acquired the adaptation rights.
• Land by Maggie O’Farrell: This enchanting story, which follows a 19th-century mapmaker and his son across Ireland, has been praised by Amazon editors and hit #3 on the NYT Hardcover Fiction Bestsellers list.