The Best New Books to Add to Your Reading List

🏆 The Year’s Biggest Critical Hits

These are the novels that have dominated “best of” lists from The New Yorker, Amazon, and more, establishing themselves as the defining books of the year.

• Kin by Tayari Jones: Named the #1 Book of 2026 So Far by Amazon Editors, this is a must-read. Jones, author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick An American Marriage, delivers another powerful and intimate story that has resonated deeply with critics and readers alike.
• John of John by Douglas Stuart: The Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain returns with this deeply moving story set in the 1990s Scottish Isle of Harris. It has been featured on nearly every major “best of” list, from The New Yorker to the BBC, cementing its place as a literary event of the year.
• This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin: After a 17-year wait, the author delivers a sweeping saga of Pakistan from the 1950s to the present. It has been praised for its graceful style and has been named a best book of the year by both The New York Times and The New Yorker.
• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke: This indie darling turned bestseller is a sweeping work of literary fiction that has earned a spot on the Indies Introduce list. Its powerful word-of-mouth has made it a fixture on Goodreads’ best books of 2026 lists.
• Vigil by George Saunders: The first full-length novel from the Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo is a major literary event. Described as thoughtful, bittersweet, and classic Saunders, it’s one of the most anticipated books of the year.

📚 Can’t-Miss New Releases for Fall

As we move into the latter half of the year, these new and upcoming releases are generating significant buzz.

• Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang: Kuang, a powerhouse in speculative fiction, turns to a more personal story with this coming-of-age tale set against one unforgettable summer in Taipei. It’s been named one of Waterstones’ best fiction books of 2026.
• The Radiance by Ayad Akhtar: From the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright comes a novel about a writer who experiences a spiritual awakening after a devastating accident. It’s been called a New York Times novel everyone will be talking about in 2026.
• American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee: The beloved author of Pachinko returns with a highly anticipated new novel set in the world of Korean cram schools, or hagwons. It’s already being highlighted as one of the best books to read in September.
• The Disappearers by Marlon James: The Man Booker Prize-winning author is back with a fascinating new work that is sure to be a topic of conversation.
• Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson: The acclaimed author delivers another masterful work, which has been selected as a September pick by Goodreads editors.