Notes from the Shelf

I’m back with the follow-up post on my most anticipated fiction for the second half of the year. I’ve found 24 books I’m most excited about, coming out between June and December 2026. Let’s dive in!

Read the first half of the year’s anticipated fiction 

Anticipated Fiction for 2026

1. Earth 7 by Deb Olin Unferth
   Expected publication June 9, 2026; Dystopian Sci-fi
2. Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller
   Expected publication June 16, 2026; Contemporary fiction
3. Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul Tremblay
   Expected publication June 30, 2026; Horror/Sci-fi
4. Moss’d in Space by Rebecca Thorne
   Expected publication June 30, 2026; Cozy Sci-fi
5. Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle
   Expected publication July 7, 2026; Horror
6. An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton
   Expected publication July 7, 2026; Historical Fiction
7. If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle
   Expected publication July 21, 2026; Romance/Thriller
8. Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente
   Expected publication July 28, 2026; Romance
9. The Good Parts by Evann Normandin
   Expected publication July 28, 2026; Romance
10. (Mostly) Human Resources by Grace Viall
    Expected publication Aug 6, 2026; Horror 
    Book 1 of Entity Case Files series
11. The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson
    Expected publication Aug 4, 2026; Magical Realism
12. A Thousand Little Goodbyes by Lucy Gilmore            
    Expected publication Aug 11, 2026; Romance
13. A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett
    Expected publication Aug 4, 2026; Fantasy/Mystery
    Book 3 for Shadow of the Leviathan series
14. I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by Mackenzie Reed
    Expected publication Sept 1, 2026; Paranormal Romance
15. Taipei Story by R.F. Kuang
    Expected publication Sept 8, 2026; Contemporary Fiction
16. Tempest by Victoria Aveyard
    Expected publication Sept 8, 2026; Romantasy
    Book 1 for The Lyrian Sea series
17. We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman
    Expected publication Sept 10, 2026; Mystery
    Sequel to We Solve Murders             
18. Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen
    Expected publication Oct 13, 2026; Mystery/Thriller
19. The Tarot Trials by Katee Robert
    Expected publication Oct 20, 2026; Romantasy
20. Mortal Things by Marie Lu
    Expected publication Oct 27, 2026; YA Fantasy
21. Heart of Ruin by A.C. Arthur
    Expected publication Nov 3, 2026; Dark Academia Fantasy
22. Whale Harbor  by Mary Beth Keane
    Expected publication Nov 3, 2026; Historical Fiction
23. Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts
    Expected publication Nov 17, 2026; Fantasy
    First book in A Coven of Three trilogy
24. Singularity by Joshua T Calvert
    Expected publication Dec 1, 2026; Sci-fi

Those are my 24 most anticipated fiction reads for the rest of 2026, and I can’t wait to see which ones live up to the hype!

I’d love to know which upcoming releases you’re most excited about—or which of these are already on your TBR.

In the meantime, check out related book reviews:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett
This Story Might Save Your life by Tiffany Crum
One & Only by Maurene Goo

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