Books to read in 2026

It’s a tale as old as time: too many books, too little time. And if you’re a keen reader, it wouldn’t be farfetched to assume the thought of not getting through your staggering TBR (to be read) pile might keep you up at night. We certainly find that’s the case.

To help point you in the right direction of what to prioritise on your fiction reading lists this year, we’ve curated recommendations based on books we and our members have loved, as well as buzzy releases this year, and what you can see transported to the silver screen.

If you’re a keen reader and not yet a part of Boundless Reading Room, why not join and send in your recommendations to feature here next time.

Books releasing this year we can't wait to read

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Land by Maggie O'Farrell

Were you completely enchanted by Hamnet, which many have been reaching for for the first time with the release of the film adaptation (more on those below…)? Well, if you’re on a Maggie O’Farrell high then good news: she’s got a new one coming out!

Out 2 June, Land is another delicious slice of rich historical fiction which traverses through Ireland in the mid nineteenth century as Tomas and his son work on the great Ordnance Survey, mapping the whole of Ireland following the Great Hunger. It is a story of ghosts, tragedy, recovery, colonisation, and reunion.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Technically, The Correspondent came out last year, but if you’re more of a paperback fan then you’ll be able to grab your copy 2 July.

Longlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction, The Correspondent spills out the story of Sybil Van Antwerp through the letters she writes to her brother, her best friend, and her favourite authors. This is the way she makes sense of the world, while keeping those she loves otherwise at arms length. Until she receives a letter from her past that forces her to examine the most painful period of her life.

John of John by Douglas Stuart

Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart is back with his third novel. You might recognise the name as the author who wrote Shuggie Bain, a heartbreaking story of the gorgeous Shuggie who grows up in the 1980s post-industrial working-class Glasgow with an alcoholic mother.

No stranger to a sad book that depicts working-class characters tackling addiction, sexuality, and finding love in harsh environments, John of John follows a father and son relationship. John-Calum returns to the Isle of Harris from art school and finds himself falling back into old patterns as his way of life puts a strain on his devout father.

Books to read before the film

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The film and publishing industry go hand in hand. As ever, the 2026 film slate is full of adaptations. Of course, you can definitely just go and enjoy the film without cracking open the book, but if you pride yourself on reading it first, we’d recommend checking out these books before heading to the flicks to watch these upcoming new films.

Boundless offer: Once you’ve read the book, don’t forget you can save up to 37% with your Boundless membership on tickets for most cinema chains via The Cinema Society.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Currently proving a box office success, Ryan Gosling’s journey through space is capturing everyone’s heart alongside his alien friend. Having been in development before the book by Andy Weir was even published, you can rest assured that this is a faithful adaptation in which science teacher Rhyland Grace wakes up from an induced coma to find himself orbiting another solar system, lightyears away from Earth.

Piecing together his memories, he learns the weight of the world is very much on his shoulders and he must attempt to solve the mystery of the organism that is slowly causing the sun to die out. This is a funny sci-fi that’ll have you feeling a spectrum of emotions.

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

Take yourself back to your childhood. Whether you’re revisiting for nostalgia’s sake, or you’ve got little ones whose imaginations you’d like to capture. The Magic Faraway Tree is a series of books by Enid Blyton that sees a family move to a forest where they discover an enchanted tree that is inhabited by magical beings.

The film has a star-studded cast, including Andrew Garfield, Claire Foye, Nicola Coughlan, and Lenny Henry, and feels like an apt story to tell as conversations continue around the harm of screens as well as embracing and looking after the environment.

Odyssey by Homer

Are you up for the challenge? Odyssey is no walk in the park. But this Ancient Greek text is being adapted into a film by award-winning director Christopher Nolan.

It charts the journey of the king of Ithaca as he embarks on a treacherous journey home following the Trojan War. Along the way, he and his crew encounter mythical beasts aplenty, including Cyclops, sirens, and Circe, the witch goddess.

As only a Christopher Nolan film could be, the cast list is stacked. Read it ahead of the adaptation where you can see the likes of Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya in this epic.

Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert’s Dune Chronicles has been given a new lease of life in recent years with Denis Villeneuve’s film series, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya among others. The third and final film is coming out right at the end of 2026, loosely based around the events of the second book, Dune Messiah.

Whether you’re already locked into the book series or thinking about starting it, the good news is there’s plenty of material to get lost in, filled with space politics and sandworms! While there will be only three films, there are six novels in total.

Book recommendations from the Boundless Reading Room

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Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

If you’re after a small but mighty read that packs a punch, Amanda Giles only had praise for the Fredrik Backman short story: “Fredrik Backman’s moving short story of love, Alzheimer’s, and letting go.” – Amanda Giles

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca Reilly

Want to read a chaotic, funny family drama? Rhona Morris loved Greta & Valdin: “I read Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly as a part of a blind date with a book gift last year. I began with some trepidation, having been put off by the bright pink cover, but it was an absolute joy once I got stuck in. A real heartwarming and uplifting family drama.”

I Wanted You to Know by Laura Pearson

Sheena Ellis has really sold us on I Wanted You to Know by Laura Pearson for an emotional rollercoaster kind of story.

“It’s all here, all the things any of us would have to face. Decisions about medical treatments, the potential impact of those treatments on one’s body, wanting resolution in troubled relationships, regrets, considering final goodbyes, and, most importantly, planning Edie’s future – all are included in author Laura Pearson’s novel. It’s quite an emotional roller-coaster. For both the characters and the reader.”

The Washington Poe series by M. W. Craven

Boundless member Alan Longstaff described the series as: “Interesting nitty gritty crime series; the who dunnit and why last until the last few pages.”

The Offing by Benjamin Myers

Lynne Cramman recommends The Offing: “A brilliant story about the relationship developed between a teenage boy and bereaved older woman, paired with excellent descriptions of the countryside. Benjamin Meyers at his very best.”

Boundless offer: If any of these books appeal to you, why not check out Daily Discounts where you can save 10% on purchasing books from Foyles.

Alternatively, if you enjoy reading books via audiobook, Boundless members can get 75 days of free audiobooks with BookBeat. After your trial period ends you can then save 10% on your subscription. 

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