Whether you’re looking to recapture your love of reading or just hoping to pick up more books, there are plenty of exciting releases lined up for 2026.
With highly anticipated releases including The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke – which has gained the approval of authors such as Stephen King – and Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart’s upcoming novel John of John, this could be the year that you discover your new favourite book.
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Perhaps instead of a new book, you will uncover a new favourite author. There are a number of exciting debuts novels due out this year, including A Bad, Bad Place from Glasgow author Frances Crawford as well as Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, which has been praised by The Scotsman’s own Stuart Kelly.
READ MORE Stuart Kelly: 'These are the books I'm looking forward to reading (and re-reading) in 2026'
It could even be that you’re eagerly awaiting the latest instalment of your favourite series, with follow ups coming from authors including Ali Smith. There’s also the upcoming release of The Ballad Of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker to look forward to, with the novel marking the highly anticipated sequel to her hugely popular romantasy book When The Moon Hatched.
Regardless of your preferences, there is sure to be something for everyone in this list of 27 of the most exciting books coming out in 2026.
5. Glyph by Ali Smith
A companion piece to Gliff from last year, Ali Smith will return with Glyph later this month. One of the books Scotsman critic Stuart Kelly is looking forward to the most in 2026, this anti war novel questions where we are now in our divided times. — Out January 29 | Hamish Hamilton
6. Land by Maggie O’Farrell
Hamnet author Maggie O'Farrell will release her latest book, Land, in a few months. Inspired by the mapping of Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century, the new novel is set in 1865 as Tomás and his reluctant son, Liam, work for the great Ordnance Survey project to map the whole country following the Great Hunger. Following an unexpected encounter in a copse, the family will never be the same again. — Out June 2 | Tinder Press
7. The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
The Things We Never Say may not yet have its final cover, but as one of this year's most highly anticipated releases the new novel from Elizabeth Strout is worth keeping an eye out for. This standalone tale follows Artie Dam, a high school history teacher who is plagued by feelings of isolation, until one day, he learns that life had been keeping a secret from him. — Out May 7 | The Scotsman
8. John of John by Douglas Stuart
Fans of Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart will be looking forward to the release of his latest novel John of John in May. The Glasgow-born author's latest tale follows John-Calum Macleod, a young gay man returning home home to the Isle of Harris after moving away for art school. Finding that he is the only thing from home which appears to have changed, the book is a heart-breaking tale of family life and expectations. — Out May 21 | Picador