Inspired by That Artsy Reader Girl, I’m back again with another (nearly) impossible Top Ten List: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026. I thought it’d be fun to a little research and have a little fun.
While some of the below upcoming book releases have been on my radar for a little while, many were happy surprises. The only problem with further researching upcoming releases is that my TBR has grown exponentially 😉 Truth be told, I’m sure many wonderful novels have slipped past my awareness and will saunter in later.
Additionally, I have zero doubt that, as soon as I start popping around to other participant’s lists, my personal list will explode.
Alas, there are worse things, no?
But, I digress.
Known Authors
The first seven upcoming releases are written by authors who I am familiar with/have read previous novels by and am so.very.excited to dive into a new world of their imagining.
- Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw – Genre: Adult Mystery/Magical Realism – A woman rediscovers the mythical island she stumbled upon as a child, and must choose between the life she’s built and a love that defies the laws of time and nature.
- Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan – Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery – A gripping high-stakes novel of suspense about three seemingly unconnected people, caught in a lethal web of deceit and unhealed wounds.
- Said the Dead by Doireanna Ní Ghríofa – Genre: Historical Figure Biographies & Memoirs/History – A story of a reader unraveling the legacies of a fabled asylum and the women who haunt its halls.
- Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. – Genre: Horror – Featuring stories of unspeakable yet satisfying terror…Never Whistle at Night, Part II: Back for Blood is a further celebration of Indigenous survival and the enduring tradition of transforming adversity into art.
- Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel – Genre: Science/Psychological/Dystopian Fiction – A breathtaking novel of doubles, shadow worlds, and fractured timelines.
- Daughter of Rot by Rios de la Luz – Genre: Horror – Daughter of Rot blends magical realism with dreamlike botanical horror and explores the intertwining of toxic parenting with childhood innocence.
- The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth – Genre: YA Dystopian/Science Fiction – Book One of a Duology about an alternate reality (to the Divergent series) in which Tris makes a different faction choice, changing everything.
New-to-Me Authors
The final three authors on my list are new to me or are making their debut, but won me over with their synopsis/description. Time will tell if any of them become regulars on my shelves but I’m excited to give them a try!
- Seven by Joanna Kavenna – Genre: Science Fiction – Who decides the rules of the games we play? Told, shared and mythologised by our narrator, along with a wild cast of dreamers, philosophers, poets, rebels and optimists, Seven is an extraordinary, uplifting journey through an ever darkening world.
- The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders – Genre: Fiction, Ghost Story – A multigenerational portrait of the American South, exploring land and legacy, race and generational wealth, and the sharp fragments of the past – how they spark and shine against the surface of our ordinary lives.
- Not With a Bang by Temi Oh – Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction – Station Eleven meets Leave the World Behind in this family drama at the end of the world about a crumbling household’s attempts to find their way back to each other amidst a cataclysmic event.
There you have it! A small sampling of what will soon be added to my shelves 🙂
Do tell, do we share excitement about any of the above books? What books are you most excited about in the second half of 2026?
Onward,
Melissa
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Said the Dead intrigues me, thanks for sharing your #TTT
I loved A Ghost in the Throat so Said the Dead is a must read. I cannot wait!
These are all new to me, though I am intrigued by the Veronica Roth, as I was a huge Divergent series fan!
My top pick coming this fall is Hollywood, Ending by John Green, his first novel for adults, about the modern fame machine. I find that I rush through his books like they are pamphlets, no matter what the topic or genre. I have already pre-ordered and can’t wait to read it.
Hi Jessica! I almost added Hollywood, Ending to this list! Alas, I adore John Green and it is on my TBR. With so many good books to look forward to, this list was almost impossible.
Ooh, I didn’t know Emily St. John Mandel had a new one coming. I read her STATION ELEVEN during early COVID, so it was unforgettable.
Indeed, I cannot wait for Exit Party! I trust we’ll both enjoy it greatly, she does not disappoint!
I see we both have Exit Party on our lists. The title gets my brain working. Do the earthlings host a party for those going into space? Is the book set that far in the future? Guess we’ll both have to read it to find out.
How fun to be able to include new to you authors as well! My list has been growing today too. I also have some screenshots that I need to add to my TBR, but haven’t found the time to do that either, LOL! I hope you enjoy these when you get an opportunity to read them. Have a good week!