Explore The Best January 2026 Book Releases
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Ready to discover your next literary obsession? Explore the hottest January 2026 book releases, including my top picks and the most talked-about titles of the month.
It’s always exciting to start a new month, especially when you get to plan out your reading list! There are some fantastic books coming out soon, ranging from romantic novels to popular New York Times bestsellers, thought-provoking coming-of-age stories, and gripping historical fiction novels.
With so many new books being published every month, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to include in your reading list. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Every month, I’ll highlight some of the most exciting upcoming releases that you should remember. As an eclectic reader, I balance my reading list and recommendations with a mix of genres from both established and debut authors to give you the best and most varied reading experience possible. So, I’m confident that you’ll find something you’ll love on this list.
Happy Reading!
If you’re looking for all the upcoming books, take a look at
Best January 2026 Book Releases
Anatomy of an Alibi
by Ashley Elston
The Future Saints
by Ashley Winstead
My Husband’s Wife
by Alice Feeney
Thriller
Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Eden comes home to discover another woman living her life—and married to her husband. Months earlier, Birdy arrives in the same house carrying secrets of her own and a chilling knowledge about death. As their stories converge, nothing is as it seems, and the truth becomes dangerously elusive.
A Box Full of Darkness
by Simone St. James
Half His Age
by Jennette McCurdy
Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Waldo is seventeen—restless, sharp, and painfully hungry to be seen. She becomes fixated on Mr. Korgy, her creative writing teacher, drawn less to his authority than to his understanding of art, language, and her inner world. As admiration slips into obsession, Waldo pushes against emotional and moral boundaries, testing how far desire can go before it reshapes who she is.
Top Thrillers January 2026
The Storm
by Rachel Hawkins
The Shark House
by Sara Ackerman
Publication Date: January 13, 2026
When shark attacks shake Hawaiʻi’s Kohala coast, marine biologist Minnow Gray returns to investigate—and is forced to face the traumatic past she fled. As science and memory collide, long-hidden secrets rise to the surface with devastating consequences.
Save for Later
The Room in the Attic
by T.M. Logan
Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Adam and Jess think they’ve found their forever home until Adam uncovers a hidden room filled with unsettling personal items. While Jess wants to forget it ever existed, Adam becomes consumed by the mystery behind the objects. His growing obsession starts to strain their marriage and draws their family dangerously close to a secret that refuses to stay hidden.
It Should Have Been You
by Andrea Mara
Top Historical Fictions January 2026
The Star Society
by Gabriella Saab
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
By 1946, Ada Worthington-Fox is a rising Hollywood star desperate to keep her past as a Dutch resistance fighter hidden. Her fragile reinvention shatters when her sister Ingrid resurfaces, bringing political danger and buried secrets with her. As Cold War paranoia tightens its grip, the sisters must choose between survival, justice, and loyalty in a world where exposure can be fatal.
When We Were Brilliant
by Lynn Cullen
Save for Later
The Sea Child
by Linda Wilgus
Most anticipated January 2026 New Books
How To Commit a Postcolonial Murder
by Nina McConigley
Literary Fiction
Publication Date: January 20, 2026
In the summer of 1986, Georgie Ayyar’s quiet life in rural Wyoming is upended when her relatives arrive from India. What begins as an act of family duty slowly exposes deep-rooted harm, forcing Georgie to confront both personal trauma and the legacy of colonial violence.
Catch Her if You Can
by Tessa Bailey
This Book Made Me Think of You
by Libby Page
Reese's Book Club Pick January 2026
Reese’s Book Club is a book club founded by Reese Witherspoon. The club reads one book a month and then discusses it online. All the books are chosen with a wide range of readers in mind. Reese’s Book Club is a great way to get recommendations for books to read and to connect with other readers. Here you’ll find the updated list and know about my favorite picks.
The First Time I Saw Him
by Laura Dave
Read With Jenna Book Club January 2026
The Read with Jenna Book club is a great way for fans of Jenna Bush Hager to connect with each other and discuss their favorite books. It’s also a great way to discover new authors and learn more about the reading experience. If you’re looking for a way to get more out of your reading, be sure to check out the Read with Jenna Book Club. You won’t regret it!
Homeschooled
by Stefan Merrill Block
Memoir
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Pulled from school at nine by a mother determined to shape his childhood herself, Stefan grows up inside an increasingly isolated and eccentric world. What starts as a bid for creativity turns into years without structure, peers, or boundaries. When he finally returns to public school, the outside world forces him to reckon with the true cost of his upbringing.
GMA Book Club January 2026
Skylark
by Paula McLain
Book of the Month January 2026
Book of the Month is perfect if you’re looking for a subscription that will keep you entertained and engaged. They carefully select books from well-known authors and new releases to send to their subscribers. You’re guaranteed to find a great book each month.
So if you’re looking for a great way to get new books each month, Book of the Month is a great option. Try it out today!
Stolen Midnights
by Katherine Quinn
One & Only
by Maurene Goo
The Exes
by Leodora Darlington
Good People
by Patmena Sabit
A Good Animal
by Sara Maurer
It's Not Her
by Mary Kubica
What books are you most excited about this month? Share your top picks in the comments below and let’s discuss our TBR piles!
