2026 Books

Fall 2026 Book Releases

Fall 2026 Book Releases I Can’t Wait to Read!

Is there anything better than autumn reading? Once the air turns crisp, I naturally reach for big, immersive historical fiction—usually while sipping a pumpkin spice latte and pretending I don’t have a massive to-do list waiting for me.

There are so many great Fall 2026 book releases coming out. From Irish sea captains and 1920s American Girl nostalgia to small-town mysteries and Tudor court drama, here are six upcoming fall 2026 book releases sitting right at the top of my stack.

fall 2026 book releases

The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (Sept 8)

I’ll read pretty much anything Ariel Lawhon writes. Code Name Hélène and The Frozen River were both fantastic, mainly because she knows how to take real, complicated women from history and make them feel completely alive on the page.

Her new one is about Grace O’Malley, the 16th-century Irish sea captain who built her own fleet and went head-to-head with Queen Elizabeth I to protect her land and family. High-seas battles, royal politics, and two fiercely stubborn women taking each other on? Count me in.

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Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson (Sept 15)

Kate Atkinson is one of those authors who can write a brilliant, dark story and still make it funny. If you’ve read Life After Life, you know how good she is at building a plot.

This one is set in post-WWII Britain while the country is trying to rebuild itself. It’s full of secrets, manipulation, and the quiet lengths people go to when power shifts. It sounds like a smart, cozy read for a rainy September afternoon.

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Fall 2026 Book Releases
Fall 2026 Book Releases

The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford by Nafissa Thompson-Spires (Oct 6)

I love a good historical mystery, and this debut caught my eye right away.

Set in 1920s small-town Oklahoma, a wealthy moonshiner turns up dead. Instead of focusing on the police, the story centers on the four women he left behind—each with her own motives, secrets, and very different versions of the truth. It sounds dark, atmospheric, and perfect for October.

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Samantha: The Next Chapter by Fiona Davis (Oct 13)

If you grew up with American Girl books, this is going to hit you right in the nostalgia. Fiona Davis (The Lions of Fifth Avenue) teamed up with American Girl for their 40th anniversary to write an adult novel about Samantha Parkington.

It picks up in 1920s NYC. Samantha is 25, working to help women get out the vote, when her inheritance is stolen. To get it back, she has to navigate the city’s criminal underworld. It’s such a fun concept, and Fiona Davis is great at bringing historical New York to life.

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Royal Witch by Philippa Gregory (Oct 20)

Philippa Gregory is the queen of Tudor drama for a reason.

Her latest goes into the dark crossover between royal politics and the paranoia around witchcraft. As power struggles brew around the throne, accusations of the supernatural get turned into deadly weapons. It drops right before Halloween, which feels pretty ideal for spooky season.

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The Lost Kingdom of Daughters by Weina Dai Randel (Nov 1)

I always appreciate historical fiction that takes me somewhere I haven’t read about a dozen times before.

This one is set in 1950s China in the remote mountains home to the Moso people—one of the world’s few matrilineal societies. It follows a young woman caught between her traditional home and two American brothers who show up in her village. It sounds like a really moving, beautiful saga to close out the fall stack.

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Which one of these are you adding to your TBR list first? Are you going for high-seas adventure with Ariel Lawhon, nostalgic 1920s NYC with Fiona Davis, or spooky Tudor drama with Philippa Gregory?

Drop a comment below and let me know!

If you liked this Booklist make sure you check out my other ones Here!

Summer Reading Challenges

Summer Reading Challenges

Trading Screens for Pages: How to Gamify Summer Reading with Action-Packed Challenges

Let’s be honest: competing with tablets, video games, and streaming apps over summer break can feel like an uphill battle. One way we can get our kids away from electronics this summer is by making reading feel like a game.

Summer reading programs are the ultimate way to inject some adventure into the season and replace mindless screen time. The best part? These programs aren’t just for kids anymore. Whether you’re keeping track of pages between laundry loads or carving out a reading oasis at swim team practice, there’s a challenge waiting to reward you. Cue the family competitions!

The Kid & Teen Summer Reading Playbook:

To break the screen habit, we have to out-incentivize the devices. We sign up for summer reading challenges every year, and there are so many fantastic national programs out there. So, check out some of these great options to keep the page-turning momentum going:

  • Your Local Public Library (Beanstack): Always make your local library your very first stop! Most modern library branches use apps like Beanstack or Reader Zone to turn summer reading into an interactive game. As kids log their pages, they unlock digital badges, earn certificates, and get entries into local raffle drawings for prizes.
  • Pizza Hut’s Camp Book-It: Earning free personal pan pizzas for tracking summer pages is a total nostalgia trip that still works wonders. Their digital summer camp program keeps the rewards rolling all through vacation!
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes (Books & Bundts): This massively popular youth program is built for kids ages 4 through 12. Once young readers hit their tracking milestones for the month, they earn a coupon for a free mini Bundtlet cake. Check a Nothing Bundt Cake location near you to see about participation.
  • Barnes & Noble Summer Reading: Kids can log any eight books in a downloadable reading journal and hand it in at a physical store to score a free book from their curated summer shelf.
  • Chick-fil-A: Many local franchises partner directly with area library systems or run independent tracks where kids can trade completed reading logs for free kids’ meals or soft-serve ice cream cones. (Tip: Because this is operator-led, be sure to pop into your local branch to check their active promos!)
  • Chuck E. Cheese: You can download their summer reading logs online or check their mobile app to reward consistent reading streaks with free arcade play points.
  • Scholastic Summer Reading Home Base: A great digital oasis where kids can log their reading hours to unlock virtual badges, play games, and unlock book donations for children in need.

The Adult Summer Reading Playbook:

Modeling a great reading routine for your kids shouldn’t feel like an obligation. If you’re spending your summer mornings baking in the sun while your kids swim laps, you’ve earned some gold stars—and treats—of your own. Pair those reading opportunities with an adult challenge designed to make your summer reading life a blast:

  • The Adult Library Track: While the kids are logging their books for stickers, sign yourself up for your public library’s adult summer track (often hosted right on the Beanstack app). Most libraries have you log your pages to win local coffee shop gift cards, bookstore vouchers, or premium library gear.
  • The StoryGraph Summer Challenges: If you love tracking data or want a fun community push, use The StoryGraph app. They host summer challenges designed to get you out of your reading comfort zone while tackling that tower of books on your nightstand.

Looking for something less formal? Try these make-your-own challenges:

  • The Swim Team “Ten-Page” Anchor: Rebuild your own attention span by matching your reading list to the swim meet or practice schedule. Commit to reading just ten pages during morning warm-ups or between your child’s events. It turns frantic pool noise into a relaxing, private retreat.
  • The Poolside Luxury Jar: Match the playful energy of the kids’ pizza and arcade rewards. Write down a few simple milestones on a clean sheet of paper. Every time you finish a summer thriller or read uninterrupted for an hour, treat yourself to a tiny luxury—like a fancy seasonal iced latte on the way to the pool, a premium pool towel, or a fresh audiobook credit for the drive home.

Interested in more ways to build in more reading time? Check out my other posts on How to Get Kids Reading and How to Read More for Adults!

2026 Books: My Top Picks for April–June

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Keep your 2026 TBR growing!

If you’ve been following my recent newsletters, you know I’m officially counting down the days until winter is over. Despite it still being cold outside, I’m thinking about my Spring Break reading list. I’ve put together a selection of the 2026 books I’m most excited to clear space for on my shelf this spring. We’re traveling from the movie sets of 1950s Hollywood to the hills of Ireland, and these April, May, and June releases are the ones I can’t wait to dive into.

Enjoy and tell me which 2026 book releases you’re adding to your list in the comments!

April 2026: New Lives and Hard Choices

In late April, we’re heading back to the American frontier with Jane Smiley’s Lidie (releasing April 21). This is actually a long-awaited sequel to her 1998 classic, The All-True Travels and Adventures of Lidie Newton. For those who remember the first book, it followed Lidie’s dangerous life in the 1850s “Bleeding Kansas” territory. This new addition to the 2026 books picks up her journey as she leaves a divided America behind for a completely new start in England. I’ve always liked how Smiley shows the gritty, honest side of history instead of making it look like a romanticized old movie. It’s a great pick if you like stories about strong women trying to find their way when the world is changing around them.

Jane Smiley
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Alvaro Enrigue

May 2026: High Stakes & Epic Adventures

In May, I’m looking forward to Álvaro Enrigue’s Now I Surrender (May 12). Enrigue gained a lot of attention for his unique book Sudden Death, and this is one of the boldest 2026 books on my radar. This is a powerful story about the final days of the Apache wars in the 1880s. But it’s not your typical Western. It connects the story of a woman trying to survive in the desert with threads from a much earlier time. Enrique covers a lot of ground and shows how different groups of people fought for their land and their lives. If you like historical novels that feel massive in scale and make you see the past in a new way, this is definitely one for your list.

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June 2026: Hollywood Secrets & Irish History

June brings a fascinating new book from Natasha Lester called The Chateau on Sunset (June 2). If you enjoyed her bestsellers like The Paris Seamstress or The Riviera House, you know she is the queen of mixing fashion and history. Set in the 1950s at the famous Chateau Marmont hotel, this new addition to my 2026 books is a creative retelling of the classic story Jane Eyre. It follows a young woman in Hollywood who realizes that the sparkle of the movie business hides some dark, unsettling secrets. I’ve always loved how Lester combines Hollywood glamour with serious historical themes, and moving this classic story to a legendary hotel is such a clever idea.

The Chateau on Sunset
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Maggie O'Farrell

Finally, I’m making time for Maggie O’Farrell’s Land (June 2). I’ve been a fan of hers for a while, especially after the huge success of her books, Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait. Her new book is set in Ireland right after the Great Famine. It’s about a father and son who are trying to map out the country while dealing with their own family heartbreaks. It’s a story about resilience and how people try to hold onto their homes even when everything is falling apart. O’Farrell has a way of making history feel incredibly personal, and I think this will be one of the stand-out books of the summer.

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Which 2026 Books are you adding to your TBR?

Are you packing your bags for a trip or planning a staycation with a good book? Let me know in the comments!

In the meantime, visit the Amaryllis Co. Shop for custom designs perfect for every book-loving history nerd!

Like this Booklist? Check out my other Booklists here!

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE!

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2026 Book Releases

Most Anticipated 2026 Book Releases – Part I

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Line up your 2026 Book Releases TBR List!

You know I love to plan. And one of my favorite ways to plan—figuring out my TBR list for the year. What am I MOST excited to read? Check out Part I of my Most Anticipated 2026 Book Releases below!

I’ve curated this list to include the January, February, and March releases that I’m most excited about. Whether you are looking for deep archival research or a lighter “palate cleanser,” these 2026 Book Releases have something for every history lover. Enjoy and tell me what you’re adding to your list in the comments!

January 2026 Book Releases: New York Icons & Pirate Queens

The Architect of New York by Javier Moro

The Architect of New York by Javier Moro (January 6)

I am always a sucker for a New York City icon story! Since I spend so much time researching the grit of old Manhattan for my own books, this one is at the very top of my list of 2026 Book Releases.

Much like the stories I love to uncover, this one follows Rafael Guastavino, the Spanish immigrant whose architectural genius defined the Gilded Age. From the Grand Central arches to the hidden treasures of the NYC subway, this is a moving father-son story filled with deeply researched real-life characters.

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Fire, Sword, and Sea by Vanessa Riley (January 13)

Vanessa Riley is such a master of “overlooked history.” This latest epic follows Jacquotte Delahaye, a real-life biracial woman who disguised herself as a man to become a pirate queen. It’s a story of survival and identity that I know I will devour.

Fire, Sword, and Sea by Vanessa Riley (January 13)
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The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn

The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn (January)

I’m adding this as a “palate cleanser” because I love a bit of whimsical mystery! Set in 1920s Chicago, it shimmers with the charm of an early-century carnival. If you’re a fan of atmospheric, early 20th-century settings, this is a must-add to your 2026 Book Releases list.

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February 2026 Book Releases: Grit, Grace, and Dance

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson (February 10)

I absolutely loved The House of Eve, so I couldn’t wait to add Sadeqa Johnson’s newest to my list. In 1950s occupied Germany, an American officer’s wife discovers a hidden world of mixed-race children in local orphanages. It’s a powerful example of the “archive-to-novel” storytelling I admire.

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Where the False Gods Dwell by Denny S. Bryce (February)

I try to read anything Denny S. Bryce writes, but this one is particularly close to my heart. As many of you know, long before I was an author, I was a ballet dancer myself. While my days in pointe shoes are behind me, I still have such a deep appreciation for the grit and discipline of the dance world.

This novel is inspired by the legendary Katherine Dunham—a classically trained ballet dancer and anthropologist—and her 1935 research trip to Jamaica. I can’t wait to see how Denny captures the movement and soul of Dunham’s journey.

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March 2026 Book Releases: Scholar Picks & Reimagined Villains

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (March 24)

I LOVE Marie Benedict! She is a huge inspiration for my “Scholar Talks” because she picks such fascinating, real-life women to highlight. This novel follows Lady Evelyn Herbert, the woman who helped unearth King Tut’s tomb, and the legacy she has to fight to claim as her own.

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (March 24)
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The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw (March)

If you love stories of women in science fighting to be taken seriously, this is for you. It’s the story of Caroline Herschel, a groundbreaking astronomer in the Regency era. It’s a beautiful look at science, sisterhood, and breaking the rules.

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Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (March)

Ready for a fun reimagining? I love when authors take a “villain” and show us their side of the story. This is a feminist reimagining of Cinderella’s “evil” stepmother, showing her as a nuanced woman navigating the social pressures of her time. It’s clever, addictive, and a top pick for my 2026 Book Releases!

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (March)
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Which 2026 Book Releases are you adding to your TBR?

Check back soon for Part II of Most Anticipated 2026 Book Releases! In the meantime, visit the Amaryllis Co. Shop for custom designs perfect for every book-loving history nerd!

Like this Booklist? Check out my other Booklists here!

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE!

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Harriet Stratemeyer Adams

Carolyn Keene- The Hidden Changemaker

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The Real Mystery: Who REALLY wrote Nancy Drew?

Nancy Drew

Who was Carolyn Keene?

We all know Nancy Drew—she’s smart, she drives a cool car, and she’s the ultimate inspiration for independent women everywhere. However, there’s a secret behind the Nancy Drew series. The woman who truly made Nancy the icon we love today was operating in plain sight for fifty years, completely uncredited.

Forget the official name, Carolyn Keene. The actual literary powerhouse who secured Nancy’s legacy was Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Her story is pure Changemaker gold, proving that the most influential figures often work behind the curtain!

The Unexpected Heir

Harriet didn’t plan on becoming a publishing legend. She was a teacher and musician, but life had other plans. Her father, Edward Stratemeyer, ran the massive Stratemeyer Syndicate, a company famous for creating popular series like The Hardy Boys and, yes, Nancy Drew. The Syndicate’s unique model involved hiring ghostwriters to produce books from detailed outlines, all published under those famous pseudonyms.

The crisis hit hard in 1930 when Edward died unexpectedly, right after the first few Nancy Drew books were released. Everyone thought the Syndicate—and the teenage sleuth—was toast.

But Harriet, along with her sister Edna, stepped up. While Edna handled the books, Harriet took on the far bigger task: becoming the chief creative mind and author of their most valuable characters.

Nancy Gets a Makeover (and a New Attitude)

For the next five decades, Harriet wasn’t just managing. She was writing. Harriet penned or heavily edited nearly 200 of the Syndicate’s titles, defining the definitive voice of “Carolyn Keene.”

Harriet Adams fundamentally changed Nancy Drew for the better:

She Made Her Relatable: Harriet took the initial 1920s thrill-seeker and transformed her into the poised, responsible, and clever detective we cherish. Nancy always had her own money, her own friends, and, crucially, she drove her own car—a huge statement of independence!

Nancy Became Timeless: As the decades marched on, Harriet understood that books had to evolve. She orchestrated a massive project to “revise” the older novels. This included updating the language to ensure Nancy’s style felt modern, also removing outdated references and stereotypes. She kept Nancy relevant generation after generation.

The Power of the Hidden Hand

Harriet Adams’s story is incredible because she was one of the most commercially successful and prolific authors in history. And yet, she chose to remain in the shadows. For fifty years, she was the engine that kept the most popular girls’ series in the world running, without a single public nod of recognition.

Her journey teaches us an invaluable lesson: Changemaking isn’t always about being on the cover of a magazine. True impact comes from a fierce, unyielding commitment to nurturing and improving a vision. Harriet Adams proved that being the quiet, consistent force behind the success can be the greatest achievement of all, turning a fictional character into a timeless, global inspiration.

Enjoy reading about incredible Changemakers? Here are a few more you should get to know:

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE!

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Book Gifts

The Ultimate Book Lover Gift List

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Don’t let shopping for your favorite reader stress you out, we are the EASIEST to shop for! Here is my ultimate book lover gift list for this year!

Book Gifts

E reader. 

When you gift an e reader you are gifting access to millions of books anywhere a reader could possibly want to read. The glare free screens and e-ink display make reading easier on the eyes regardless of the lighting where they are reading. Also a good e reader has a battery life that can really last chapter after chapter. It is a must have item for avid readers. I talked about the pros and cons of different readers HERE if you want to do some research on which one will be best for your favorite reader.

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Mood Setting Drinks

There is something special about cozying up with a book and a nice cup of tea, or rich cocoa. Every reader is different, some readers prefer a nice glass of wine to pair with their page-turner. Build your own gift pack with a book and a bottle of wine and a bookish wine tumbler, or a bookish mug and a holiday blend of coffee. You would be gifting the reader equivalent to bundling up relaxation and putting a bow on it, and who doesn’t want that?

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Reading Journal

If you know that special reader who reads so many books they just can’t remember which ones they have read, a reading journal is such a fun keepsake. Us book lovers tend to read so many books we lose track of which books we read, which we liked, and the few that made the DNF list. A reading journal is a fun way to celebrate the books we loved and keep track of our reading journey. Pair the journal with some bookish stickers and a nice pen and you’ve just achieved elf status!

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Bookish apparel

I am not going to lie, as a book lover I have a ridiculous amount of socks, t-shirts and socks with book quotes and witty book inspired one liners on them. Does this mean Santa shouldn’t deliver more this year? Absolutely not. Just like I could never read enough books, there are never too many ways to celebrate that kind of love! Pick out the perfect tote for hauling around books and fill it up with book inspired apparel, it’s like filling a stocking, but better!

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A Book Subscription

What is the one thing every single book lover wants? More books. Picking out books for a book lover can be tricky unless you have their book wishlist. Subscription boxes like these are a fun way to put new books in their hands and keep the gift coming all year.

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Hope this helps with your gift shopping list, let me know what you end up putting under the tree this year!

Enjoy this read? Here are a few more you may enjoy!

Find more ways to spoil your inner bookworm!

Check out the Amaryllis Co. Shop, fully stocked with custom designs perfect for every book loving Amaryllis Girl! From shirts, mugs, wine glasses, and more, I have curated a shop with all of my favorites! SHOP HERE!

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