This week’s topic for Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl) is: “Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026”.
I’ve already listed some of my most anticipated historical fiction releases in a recent post, which you can see here. I’m listing below another ten books that I either found out about after putting that post together or that fall into other genres – so these are not necessarily my *most* anticipated books, but are still some that I would like to read.
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1. Strange Buildings by Uketsu, tr. Jim Rion (26th February 2026) – I loved Strange Pictures and Strange Houses, so I can’t wait for this one. It seems it will be in a similar format, with clues and secrets hidden within pictures and floorplans.
2. The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (26th February 2026) – This fantasy novel sounds very different from the other Kate Quinn books I’ve read, which were historical fiction, but I’m still interested in trying it.
3. The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski (5th March 2026) – This is a debut novel, so I’m not sure what to expect but it’s a 20th century family saga and sounds appealing.
4. Airing in a Closed Carriage by Joseph Shearing (10th March 2026) – I noticed that this is one of the upcoming titles from British Library Crime Classics in the first half of the year. I’m particularly intrigued by this one as I’ve read two other books by Joseph Shearing (a pseudonym of Marjorie Bowen).
5. The News from Dublin by Colm Tóibín (26th March 2026) – A collection of short stories about people living far from home. I’ve had mixed experiences with Tóibín’s books so I’m hoping this will be a good one!
6. Son of Nobody by Yann Martel (2nd April 2026) – I haven’t read anything by Martel apart from Life of Pi, which I liked, and this new one about the Trojan War sounds interesting.
7. A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz (23rd April 2026) – This will be the sixth book in the Hawthorne and Horowitz mystery series. I’ve enjoyed all five of the others so I’m looking forward to this one.
8. The Fourth Queen by Nicola Cornick (9th May 2026) – I can’t find any information on the plot of this book yet, but Nicola Cornick is an author I usually enjoy reading. Most of her novels are historical fiction with dual timelines and a touch of the supernatural, so I’m assuming this will be similar.
9. She Walks at Night by Seishi Yokomizo, tr. Jesse Kirkwood (21st May 2026) – Another Japanese book I’ll be looking out for this year. This is the eighth book featuring the detective Kosuke Kindaichi to be published by Pushkin Press; I’ve read all of the others and they’re always fascinating!
10. Whistler by Ann Patchett (2nd June 2026) – I’m sure this one will be on other people’s lists this week too. I’ve only read two Ann Patchett books so far and loved one but not the other, so I’m curious to see what I’ll think of this one.
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Do you want to read any of these? Are there any new releases you’re looking forward to in the first half of 2026?
She Reads Novels 
I like the sound of Whistler (I’ve yet to read anything by Ann Patchett but I’m not sure I would cope with the ‘epic in free verse’ aspect of Son of Nobody.
I’m not sure how I’ll cope with Son of Nobody either, but I have a copy from NetGalley so will be finding out soon!
I’m interested in the Ann Patchett book. I’ve only read one of hers but really enjoyed it!
I loved Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House but didn’t get on as well with Tom Lake. I’m looking forward to the new one!
Great list! Some books I’ve heard about, but some I didn’t know off yet (such as the new Cornick book).
I always enjoy Nicola Cornick’s books, so I’m looking forward to that one!
I didn’t know anther Hawthorne and Horowitz novel was coming out. That’s definitely on my list too!
Here’s my list: https://franlaniado.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-books-for-the-first-half-of-2026/
I’ve loved all the other Hawthorne and Horowitz books, so I’ll definitely be reading the new one. I hope we both enjoy it!
Ooh…The Astral Library! That sounds like a really good one. 😀
It does! I can’t wait to read it.
I recently added The Astral Library to my TBR too. I havent tried anything by the author yet but I have a few of her other titles on my TBR and was surprised to see how different this one sounds. The concept of visiting books sounds irresistible though.
I dont think I’ve heard of Nicola Cornick before but a historical fiction novel with a touch of the supernatural sounds fantastic. Are there any titles by her that you’d particularly recommend?
I hope you enjoy all of these and have a wonderful reading year.
I hope we both enjoy The Astral Library. Kate Quinn usually writes historical fiction – I particularly loved The Rose Code – so it definitely sounds like something completely different! Nicola Cornick’s books are usually very entertaining as well. My favourites are The Phantom Tree and The Last Daughter, which are both time travel/dual timeline novels with some supernatural elements.
It was The Alice Network that especially caught my eye by her as one to try but I’ll have to try The Rose Code sometime too. I really hope her change in genre works for you 🤞 I’ll look both of those up and add them to my TBR, thanks for the recommendations ☺️
I forgot about the new book by Yann Martel!
It sounds fascinating!
I keep seeing The Astral Library everywhere….it looks like fun, even though it isn’t what I usually read. Great list Helen!
It’s not really my usual kind of read either, but I’ve enjoyed Kate Quinn’s historical fiction so I’m happy to give it a try.
Hey Helen, I am excited to hear that Nicola Cornick has a new book coming out this year. Thank you for sharing there upcoming releases. Blessings, Jessica 💌
Yes, I was excited to find that there’s a new Nicola Cornick book out this year as well. I hope we both enjoy it!