The Best Books of 2026 So Far (WE CRIED!)

In this episode of The Bibliofilles, Sophie and Chaya round up the best books of the year so far and it's not just their own picks. They've spent hours combing through every major "best of" list from Goodreads, The New York Times and NPR, then added their own favourites, submissions from Bibliofilles Insiders, and an exclusive segment from senior editors across Spotify Audiobooks worldwide. From the most talked-about book of the year to a lit RPG series flying completely under the radar, a devastating non-fiction deep dive, and the sports romance nobody saw coming, this episode covers new releases, overlooked backlist gems, and the books they simply can't stop thinking about. 📖 In this episode: The most talked-about book of the year so far and why it's dividing readers The lit RPG series outselling literary fiction that nobody's talking about Non-fiction picks spanning true crime, memoir and modern history Sophie and Chaya's personal favourite reads of the year (including one not even out yet) Exclusive best books recommendations from senior editors at Spotify Audiobooks (US, UK, Canada and Australia) Insider picks from Bibliofilles Substack subscribers A recommendation from the National Year of Reading campaign Independent bookshop bestsellers from The Wandering Chapter The books they're most excited to read before the year is out Whether you're searching for the best books of 2026, new book releases, literary fiction, book club recommendations, or your next unputdownable read, this episode has something for every reader. 👇 All books mentioned are linked below 👇 Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 👉 https://link.amazon/B05FZnSS2 Strangers by Belle Burden 👉 https://link.amazon/B08UUmiA7 Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash 👉 https://link.amazon/B0fC4AwVj Vigil by George Saunders 👉 https://link.amazon/B0aqKSm1Z The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett 👉 https://link.amazon/B0gUhlQrv The Palm House by Gwendoline Riley 👉 https://link.amazon/B0aaHd5kG London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe 👉 https://link.amazon/B05yqno0R Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe 👉 https://link.amazon/B0aSVsxyD A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman 👉 https://link.amazon/B0bzP9UYm Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick 👉 https://link.amazon/B02liHBM5 Whistler by Ann Patchett 👉 https://link.amazon/B0hSM2YrE The Dutch House by Ann Patchett 👉 https://link.amazon/B06kWomYD John of John by Douglas Stuart 👉 https://link.amazon/B01tbDnoE Transcription by Ben Lerner 👉 https://link.amazon/B00hzS8lk This is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin 👉 https://link.amazon/B01gLxEoj I Want You to be Happy by Jem Calder 👉 https://link.amazon/B01oYdh9a Famesick by Lena Dunham 👉 https://link.amazon/B0fx92u7y Lovelight series by BK Borison 👉 https://link.amazon/B0fx92u7y This Kingdom will not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews 👉 https://link.amazon/B03KOKKRr American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee 👉 https://link.amazon/B0e2TAAvB The Pretender by Jo Harkin 👉 https://link.amazon/B0h8HMY57 Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann 👉 https://link.amazon/B0hjI6qCS Buckeye by Patrick Ryan 👉 https://link.amazon/B09Qtnh4G A Private Man by Stephanie Sy-Quia 👉 https://link.amazon/B03Ngrey9 When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Rizden 👉 https://link.amazon/B02w4XMYM The Girls by Emma Cline 👉 https://link.amazon/B0gLIDWMI The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout 👉 https://link.amazon/B0hIvqyde Country People by Daniel Mason 👉 https://link.amazon/B0dzDqSiL Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff 👉 https://link.amazon/B0awQ3ksK Cathedrals by Claudia Piñeiro 👉 https://link.amazon/B05runErC Seek the Traitor's Sun by Veronica Roth 👉 https://link.amazon/B0a8VSPaN Fieldwork as a Sex Object by Meena Kandasamy 👉 https://link.amazon/B0gNbL3bc A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan 👉 https://link.amazon/B0j7Oazqf The Winged Game by Sophie Kim 👉 https://link.amazon/B0ifcOSpu Piranesi by Susanna Clarke 👉 https://link.amazon/B0dbl63If Life of Pi by Yann Martel 👉 https://link.amazon/B0dbZKMzL Munichs by David Peace 👉 https://link.amazon/B00VBaS89 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 👉 https://link.amazon/B0cUEf1VN Doom Painting by AK Blakemore 👉 https://link.amazon/B0iF1Hulv We Go Way Back by Niamh Connolly 👉 https://link.amazon/B09lbWKXj 👍 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more bookish conversations with Sophie & Chaya. 🎧 Subscribe on Substack for extended essays and exclusive bonus content. #BestBooksOfTheYear #BookRecommendations #BooksToRead #BestBooks2026 #MustReadBooks #BookTok #BookTube #BookClub #LiteraryFiction #ReadingList #BookLovers #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #TheBibliofilles #BookCommunity #NewBooks2026 #BookPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices