Whether you’re looking to recapture your love of reading or just hoping to pick up more books, there are plenty of exciting releases lined up for 2026.
With highly anticipated releases including The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke – which has gained the approval of authors such as Stephen King – and Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart’s upcoming novel John of John, this could be the year that you discover your new favourite book.
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Perhaps instead of a new book, you will uncover a new favourite author. There are a number of exciting debuts novels due out this year, including A Bad, Bad Place from Glasgow author Frances Crawford as well as Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, which has been praised by The Scotsman’s own Stuart Kelly.
READ MORE Stuart Kelly: 'These are the books I'm looking forward to reading (and re-reading) in 2026'
It could even be that you’re eagerly awaiting the latest instalment of your favourite series, with follow ups coming from authors including Ali Smith. There’s also the upcoming release of The Ballad Of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker to look forward to, with the novel marking the highly anticipated sequel to her hugely popular romantasy book When The Moon Hatched.
Regardless of your preferences, there is sure to be something for everyone in this list of 27 of the most exciting books coming out in 2026.
21. The News from Dublin by Colm Tóibín
Colm Tóibín is set to release a collection of nine short stories, which delve into the lives of people across the world and could be a great introduction to those unfamiliar with his work. Spanning countries including Ireland, Spain and America, themes including family dynamics, the past and the impact of quiet revelations are explored. — Out March 26 | Pan Macmillan
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22. Departure(s) by Julian Barnes
Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes' Departure(s) is part memoir, part novel. Its description states that it is "a work of fiction – but that doesn’t mean it’s not true", with the book following couple Stephen and Jean as they fall in love both when they are young and when they are old. — Out January 22 | Jonathan Cape / Penguin
23. Look What You Made Me Do by John Lanchester
Marking his first novel since he was nominated for a Booker Prize in 2019, John Lancaster returns in 2026 with black comedy, Look What You Made Me Do which follows two very different women of two very different generations, in a tale of resentment and entitlement. — Out March 13 | Faber & Faber
24. Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
From Emily St. John Mandel, the bestselling author of Station Eleven, Exit Party is a sci-fi novel set in 2031. America is at war with itself with hope and a fragile peace beginning to emerge. Freshly out of prison, Ari heads to a party with her friend Gloria, only to discover something is very wrong. Picking up with years later as she is living in Paris, Ari's past keeps haunting her and it could hold the key to a different world. — Out September 17 | Pan Macmillan