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

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