The 25 best books of 2026
The 25 highest-ranked books first published in 2026 in our ranking of 2,819, scored on how much readers love them, their prize, best-list and bestseller record, and current buzz. We rank 30 books of 2026 in all. How we rank
- 1London Falling82.0Must-Read Score
London Falling
It was a finalist for the Baillie Gifford Prize, Britain's leading nonfiction award, and has spent 25 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists.
- 2John of John81.0Must-Read Score
John of John
It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize, from the author of Shuggie Bain, which won it.
- 3Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump80.0Must-Read Score
Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump
It spent eight weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 4You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir79.1Must-Read Score
You with the Sad Eyes: A Memoir
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026 and has spent 30 weeks on the lists.
- 5Whistler76.6Must-Read Score
Whistler
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 6The Things We Never Say75.5Must-Read Score
The Things We Never Say
It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize.
- 7The Calamity Club74.4Must-Read Score
The Calamity Club
It has spent 23 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in 2026.
- 8The Sun and the Starmaker74.0Must-Read Score
The Sun and the Starmaker
It has spent 20 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in 2026.
- 9A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness73.1Must-Read Score
A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness
It has spent 17 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists.
- 10Judge Stone72.7Must-Read Score
Judge Stone
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 11Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage71.6Must-Read Score
Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage
It spent seven weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 12The Disappearers71.5Must-Read Score
The Disappearers
It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize, from Marlon James, who won the Booker for A Brief History of Seven Killings.
- 13The Land and Its People71.1Must-Read Score
The Land and Its People
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 14Black Bag70.8Must-Read Score
Black Bag
It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize.
- 15May We Feed the King70.4Must-Read Score
May We Feed the King
It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize.
- 16Hollow Bones69.3Must-Read Score
Hollow Bones
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 17
Hollywood, Ending68.5Must-Read ScoreHollywood, Ending
It hit #1 on the New York Times list.
- 18Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About65.9Must-Read Score
Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 19
Yesteryear65.4Must-Read ScoreYesteryear
It spent months on the New York Times lists.
- 20The Witch64.8Must-Read Score
The Witch
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 21Release Me63.4Must-Read Score
Release Me
It has spent 20 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in 2026.
- 22Famesick: A Memoir63.1Must-Read Score
Famesick: A Memoir
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 23This Is Me: A Reckoning62.8Must-Read Score
This Is Me: A Reckoning
It spent two weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.
- 24The Faraway Inn62.4Must-Read Score
The Faraway Inn
It has spent 17 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists in 2026.
- 25Dear Debbie62.2Must-Read Score
Dear Debbie
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2026.