Tap a cover to jump to that book
Looking for something good to read? These are twenty of the best new books of 2026, all picked by our editors as Books of the Month: fourteen novels and six non-fiction books, newest first. Every one was read and chosen by our editorial team, and each comes with a line from our review.
The short answer
- The one to start with
- The Witching Hour by Bridget Collins and others — Delightfully sinister and spooky, take a walk on the dark side with these…
- A favourite to share
- The Witch by Freida McFadden — This thrilling and unsettling tale features two time frames, two resilient…
- Non-fiction pick
- Castles by Dan Jones — Abundantly full of fascinating facts this wonderful LoveReading Star book…
How to choose your next book
Start with the genre you already love, then try one book from outside it. A Book of the Month has already been read and championed by our editors, so it is a safer bet than a cover in a shop window. If you want to know what everyone else is buying, our UK Top 10 tracks the bestsellers each week.
Our editors’ picks for 2026
The Witching Hour by Bridget Collins and others
Delightfully sinister and spooky, take a walk on the dark side with these thirteen chilling short stories of the ghostly and supernatural.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Witch by Freida McFadden
This thrilling and unsettling tale features two time frames, two resilient women, allegations of witchcraft, and a house in Massachusetts that carries secrets across the…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamTell Me Something True by Michael Robotham
Emotionally intelligent and exquisitely and beautifully painful, Australian small town politics rule in this compelling character-driven mystery spanning either side of…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Winter Bride by Rosie Goodwin
Huge social change sits as the backdrop to this rewarding saga novel set in the 1920’s where resilience, divided loyalties, and social constraints sit as central themes.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamMuse of Fire by Howard Linskey
A fascinating and atmospheric historical crime mystery starring William Shakespeare as he investigates the death of one of Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamSon of the Serpent by Shauna Lawless
In a beautiful meld of myth and the history of 1169, Ireland comes to vivid vibrant life with magic, battles for power and invasion thrumming across the pages.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Big Cats Dance Party by Alexander McCall Smith
If you are seeking comfort and kindness, intrigue and mystery, along with warm characters wrapped in gentle wit, then join the residents of this detective agency in…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Knife Maker of Venice by David Gilman
A story of survival in 17th century Venice after a brother and sister are captured by slavers, this character-based novel sets the scene and time beautifully before…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamOutside by Charlotte Levin
This beautifully-written, beautifully-balanced novel explores grief, anxiety and love through the heart-rending, poignantly funny lens of an actress who’s trapped by…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamLoose Threads by Martin Stewart
Stuffed full of dark humour and quick wit, this pacy crime novel set in Glasgow boasts gangsters galore, a drawer full of radioactive shoes, llamas, an emu, and the most…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe End of the Line by John Uttley
Life comes full circle in this witty page-turner about rekindled romance, late-life love, and enjoying what time you have left.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Weekend by T.M. Logan
A hugely entertaining and addictive thriller with a fascinating premise that pulls you in tight and just doesn’t let go.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamAugusta Pine Does Not Exist by Emily Lloyd-Jones
A twisty, fast-paced heist thriller with a strong girl lead and mounting tension.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Spy and the Snake by M J Robotham
The indomitable Mrs Spy is back: a 1960s spy thriller with a difference. And we bloody love her!Reviewed by the LoveReading teamCastles by Dan Jones
Abundantly full of fascinating facts this wonderful LoveReading Star book explores all aspects of castles across centuries and continents the author himself has visited.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamFight to the Death by Paul Brand
A truly thought-provoking and compassionate book about assisted dying, covering some of the real lives and deaths that have been chosen around the world, even as the…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamWilderness Songs by Justin Anderson
A gorgeous generous book highlighting the importance of the sounds that can be discovered in nature, QR codes lead to the sounds, allowing a full immersion.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamDomesday by Max Adams
Based on the author’s physical retracing of paths taken by King William I's Domesday Book agents, this presents an exhilaratingly fresh take on eleventh-century England.Reviewed by the LoveReading teamThe Cosy Commonplace Book by Miranda Mills
This lovely welcoming hug in book form contains a thoughtfully collated collection of all things cosy, from book excerpts, poems, and recipes, to quotations, book lists…Reviewed by the LoveReading teamWhen the Sky Falls by Jade Angeles Fitton
A treasure trove detailing the human history of shooting stars awaits in this loveliest of books, it would make a perfect gift for others or yourself as it explores the…Reviewed by the LoveReading team
-268x400.jpg)
Want more? Browse every Fiction Book of the Month and Non-Fiction Book of the Month, or find a guide to your favourite genre in our reading guides, from crime to book club picks.
Who chose these books
Every title here was picked by the LoveReading editorial team as a Book of the Month in 2026. This is not a bestseller chart: our editors read far more books than they put forward, and choose on merit.
Our editorial panel includes a former judge of the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger, a former Managing Director of the Hay Festival, the founder of London’s Murder One bookshop and books journalists whose work has appeared in the Guardian, Observer and Sunday Times. Each is named, with a photograph and full biography, on our editorial experts page.
Members of the panel include:
Liz RobinsonLoveReading reviewer since 2014 and former judge of the CWA Gold Dagger
Alison FloodBooks journalist and critic whose work has appeared in the Guardian, Observer and Sunday Times
Joanne OwenAuthor, publishing expert, and LoveReading’s Literary Fiction Champion and YA Lead Reviewer
Lois CudjoeBook critic, content creator and passionate cross-genre reader
LoveReading has been recommending books since 2004. Every physical book bought through us donates 25% of the cover price to a school of your choice.
Your questions answered
What are the best books to read right now?
Our editors recommend starting with The Witching Hour by Bridget Collins and others, The Witch by Freida McFadden and, for non-fiction, Castles by Dan Jones. All three are new in 2026 and were picked by our editors as Books of the Month. The full list of 20 is on this page.
What are the best books of 2026 so far?
The 20 books on this page are new books published in 2026 that our editors picked as Books of the Month: 14 novels and 6 works of non-fiction, each chosen on merit by the LoveReading editorial team.
How are these books chosen?
Each month the LoveReading editorial team picks its Fiction and Non-Fiction Books of the Month from the hundreds of new titles it reads. We choose on merit, not sales rank.
What are the bestselling books in the UK right now?
Our UK Top 10 chart lists the week’s bestselling books. This page is different: it shows the books our editors rate most highly, whether or not they are bestsellers.