The 6 Must-Read Books For Spring 2026

You won't be able to put these down!

By
Published April 17, 2026
AARP

Most of us welcome springtime for its longer days and warmer temperatures, brightening our moods. It’s also a time for the arrival of some of the most anticipated books of the year. Publishers are awash with new titles in every genre. It’s the perfect time to dive into your favorite authors’ books, as well as to discover new voices. Start with these six recommendations.

Land by Maggie O’Farrell

Courtesy Penguin Random House

June 2, 2026

A follow-up to O’Farrell’s Hamnet, which was adapted into a film, Land is O’Farrell’s new historical fiction book, moving from Shakespeare’s land to Ireland, her birthplace, sweeping back to two years past the 1845 famine. You’ll be transported to an Atlantic peninsula, where Tomás and his 10-year-old son Liam are surveying the land to put maps here on a permanent record. Suddenly Tomás’ disposition changes mysteriously and drastically, which will change the course of this family forever. Dive into this spellbinding tale of buried treasure, approaching British soldiers, ghosts, ancient woodlands and a loyal dog.

Hooked, A Novel of Obsession by Asako Yuzuki and Polly Barton

Courtesy Ecco

March 17, 2026

As a follow=up to her bestselling novel Butter, Asaka Yuzuki creates a story about the nature of female friendship as it becomes an obsession. Protagonist Eriko seems to have an envious life. She comes from a solid family upbringing and has a rewarding career. Yet, she’s had trouble finding true long-lasting friendship. She becomes obsessed with a lifestyle blogger named Shoko, whose life is the polar opposite of Eriko’s. When they meet in person, Eriko imagines this might be the type of friendship she’s been longing for. Then everything spins out of control.

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

Courtesy Penguin Random House

May 5, 2026

Strout usually sets her novels in Crosby, Maine, from her Pulitzer-prize winning Olive Kitteridge to My Name is Lucy Barton. Here, the main character is Artie Dam, a high school history teacher who is truly dedicated to his students, with a reputation of being kind and supportive. He lives with his wife near Massachusetts Bay, where he enjoys sailing and spending time with his family. All seems well — until a secret is revealed. Why do we know so little about the people that are closest to us? Artie is faced with having to re-evaluate everything, from his wife and friends to the course of his entire life.

Kin by Tayari Jones

Courtesy Penguin Random House

Feb. 24, 2026

What happens when two childhood friends live different lives as adults? Annie and Vernice start out as neighbors in Louisiana. One leaves for college, discovering a new world after being abandoned by her mother. The other is raised by an aunt after her mother dies. Eventually they meet again in the face of a tragedy. Kin explores the complexities of their upbringings and the journeys they’ve taken, exploring themes of friendship, mothers, daughters and love. Fans of Jones’ best-selling novel An American Marriage will surely be captivated by Kin.

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

Courtesy Penguin Random House

April 7, 2026

Fans of best-selling novelist Emma Straub love her wise and witty stories about marriage and middle age. Her seventh novel for adults, American Fantasy, features Annie as a recently divorced empty nester who boards the American Fantasy cruise ship with the nostalgia of a legendary 1990s boy band. Seeing and hearing the idols of her youth, Annie reflects back to her own childhood. Among thousands of middle-aged women fawning over the boy band as if they were teenagers again, Annie discovers something new that’s been buried inside of her. When she forms a relationship with one of the band’s members, are they friends in need of each other or something more? Straub owns the independent New York City-based bookstore Books are Magic, and in this uplifting novel, she explores the magic of what it was like to be a teenager.

The Keeper by Tana French

Courtesy Penguin Random House

March 31, 2026

Tana French is back with The Keeper, the third and final mystery in the trilogy that features retired detective Cal Hooper. Major reviewers have named this crime novel one of the most anticipated books of 2026, and writers like Stephen King have called her work “incandescent.” Cal and his fiancée Lena are investigating a young woman’s death in a small Irish village’s river. The victim was about to be married to one of the town’s most eligible bachelors and her personality has always been loving and kind. As a result of Cal and Lena’s search, power struggles emerge and decades of secrets come to the surface throughout this small town. Although you don’t have to read these novels in order, it may be a wise approach to diving into these riveting stories. This final one in the series is as spellbinding as all the others.

What book are YOU most excited to read? Let us know in the comments below.

Candy Schulman’s essays, health, and travel pieces have appeared in AARP, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Next Avenue, Oldster, Parents, Travel & Leisure, among others. She is a creative writing professor at the New School in New York City and a private writing coach. Learn more at candyschulman.com.