Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

A lit candle and a red apple sitting on a stack of hardcover books in a dimly lit room. It amazes me that books have already been scheduled for publication this upcoming summer!

How far in advance publishers schedule these things?

If it’s not a season-specific title, how do they decide in which month a book should be published?

Sometimes I‘ve seen publication dates being pushed back by a few months, too, which is another mystery.

I don’t expect anyone reading this to know the answers to these questions, but it’s sure fun to think about.

These are ten of the titles I’m looking forward to reading in the first half of 2026.

 

 

1. She Made Herself a Monster by Anna Kovatcheva

Release Date: February 10

Why I Want to Read It: Vampire hunters are interesting to read about.

 

2. Shake Out the Ghosts by Al Hess

Release Date: March 10

Why I Want to Read It: I love a good ghost story.

 

3. Everyone in the Group Chat Dies by L.M. Chilton 

Release Date: March 13

Why I Want to Read It: The playful title caught my attention.

 

4. Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher

Release Date: March 24

Why I Want to Read It: How does Kingfisher write so quickly? I’m amazed and interested in seeing what this one is about.

 

5. Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Release Date: April 21

Why I Want to Read It: Portal fiction often grabs my attention.

 

6. We Burned So Bright  by T.J. Klune

Release Date: April 28

Why I Want to Read It: Black holes are one of those natural phenomenon that truly scare me. I can’t imagine a happy ending for these characters, but maybe it will be a memorable one?

 

7. Young World by Soman Chainani 

Release Date: May 5

Why I Want to Read It: The plot sounds like something from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Pure silliness!

 

8. All Them Dogs by Djamel White

Release Date: May 19

Why I Want to Read It: This sounds dense, heavy, and thought provoking. Sometimes that’s exactly what I need to read.

 

9.The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden

Release Date: June 2

Why I Want to Read It: I’ve enjoyed some of her previous books and hope this one is good, too.

 

10. Land: From the no. 1 bestselling author of Hamnet, a multigenerational epic of loss, hope and reunion (Audible Audio) by Maggie O’Farrell

Release Date: June 2

Why I Want to Read It: Hamnet is still on my TBR list, but this sounds like a great read as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Ooh, I like the sound of LAND.

  2. Klune’s book, and Land are both on my posted list. The blurb for Shake Out the Ghosts is so unique, I think I might add that to my WTR too.
    Thanks for sharing your #TTT

  3. I hope you get a chance to read all of these anticipated books. One of these days, I’ll read a TJ Klune book. I’ve bought them as gifts to others and still haven’t read one myself.

  4. Land is on my list, too. I love Maggie O’Farrell’s writing and won’t miss any of her new books. I keep telling myself to read her backlist, so maybe that will happen in 2026.

  5. I’m curious about Land!

  6. It is always interesting to see how far in advance publishers plan things. I am sure there are always unique marketing ideas and reasons behind the publication dates. 🙂 Hope you enjoy these all – and many thanks for the visit to my list today!

  7. I have seen Wolf Worm on a number of lists. I haven’t read T Kingfisher yet but I have one planned for this year.

  8. I really enjoyed Worm Wood! She Made Herself a Monster and Japanese Gothic both really intrigue me, and I *love* the painting they’ve sampled for the She Made Herself a Monster cover.

  9. I love the cover for Shake Out The Ghosts! We Burned So Bright made my list too. Hope you’ll love all of these!

  10. An interesting looking list. Everything seems to be getting earlier. I got emailed Christmas books to read and review in July last year!

    Have a great week!

  11. Oo yes, the Unicorn Hunters looks good!

  12. Everyone in the Group Chat Dies sounds like I need to read it by the title alone. haha! Great list. I hope you enjoy all of these.

  13. Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog says

    Land is on so many lists this week!

  14. T. Kingfisher really is very prolific! Feels like it’s almost impossible to keep up with her releases, I am way behind haha.

  15. Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is an excellent title. I hope you have an opportunity to read them all.

  16. Oooh, so many of these look so good, particularly the ghost and vampire ones!

  17. Everyone in the Group Chat is an attention grabbing title! I hope you enjoy all on your list!

  18. Nice list! Everyone in the Group Chat Dies is a book I’ve been wondering about. Hope you get to read these.

  19. The Unicorn Hunters looks so good! And Everyone in the Group Chat Dies has a stunning cover 😊.

    If you’d like to visit, here’s my TTT: https://thebooklorefairyreads.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/top-ten-tuesday-the-most-anticipated-books-releasing-in-the-first-half-of-2026/

  20. Looks like a great lineup! I hope you enjoy all these.

    Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!

    Susan
    http://www.blogginboutbooks.com

  21. I need to keep an eye out for Wolf Worm too! I can’t believe how fast T. Kingfisher writes, ahaha, I feel like I can barely keep up. Nice list!

  22. All of these are new to me. I hope you enjoy these when you get a chance to read them.

  23. I’m very excited to hear there’s a new one by Katherine Arden. Also looking forward to new books by Klune and O’Farrell. Hamnet is amazing, I hope you read it!

  24. I have at least three of these books on my list. Happy reading!

  25. Lynne @ Words of Mystery says

    Interesting list! I think I’ve only heard of one of these titles.

  26. I’m planning on reading more Kingfisher this year! Great list. 🙂

  27. I am also excited about Land. Fun list! Mine is here if interested 🙂 https://theparteveryoneskips.com/posts/20260107-top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-books-beginning-2026/

  28. Right? How much is Kingfisher releasing this year? I think I missed Wolfworm on my list but i’m also looking forward to it.

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