Book Riot – The Podcast

Episode: Our Most Anticipated Books of 2026

Hosts: Jeff O’Neal & Rebecca Schinsky
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

Jeff and Rebecca celebrate the start of 2026 by diving into their most anticipated books of the year, focusing primarily on releases from January through July, with teasers for an exceptional fall lineup still to come. Drawing from publisher catalogs, personal favorites, and buzzy literary projects, they enthusiastically count down the titles they’re most hyped about—offering both their shared “Book Riot Podcast Ten” and personal picks, plus plenty of signature riffing and playful debate.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

How the List Was Built (01:32–03:10)

• Jeff & Rebecca's Approach: Due to the unpredictable nature of fall publishing, the episode's main list focuses on January–July releases. Another episode will cover the year's second half.
• Patreon Plug: More deep-dives, such as their Winter New Releases Draft, are available for Patreon supporters.

The Book Riot Podcast’s Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of early 2026

1. Vigil by George Saunders (Jan 27th)

(07:56–13:36)

• Premise: A woman spends her afterlife ferrying souls—an afterlife Boatman of Styx scenario, with her latest “client” being a former oil tycoon. Expect Saunders’ signature blend of death, life, and the surreal, informed by classical literature.
• Both hosts agree this is their #1 most anticipated:
  • Rebecca: “It is my number one with a bullet for the season. Absolutely.” (09:29)
  • Jeff: “My most anticipated book of the whole year, I think.” (09:09)
• Memorable Moment: Playful banter about who’d make the better “boatman,” referencing The Good Place and the vibe you want in the afterlife.
  • Rebecca: “In this house, we believe in radical acceptance... let’s talk about crossing [the river].” (11:52)
  • Jeff: “Do you want the charge nurse in the emergency room or do you want your therapist?” (12:51)

2. On Morrison by Namwali Serpell (Feb 17th)

(13:38–17:40)

• Content: First major book-length study of Toni Morrison’s life and legacy; literary criticism and biographical focus.
• Companion Release: Morrison’s own essay collection, Language as Liberation, comes out Feb 3rd.
• Rebecca: “384 pages. I would read 900 of this.”
• Jeff’s Perspective: Looks forward, but “doesn't feel like appointment reading... more like a slow burner.” (15:03)
• Documentary Wish: They both wish for a documentary featuring Morrison’s peers.

3. Kin by Tayari Jones (Feb 24th)

(17:40–22:06)

• Details: Jones’s return after An American Marriage; follows sisters Vernice and Annie in Louisiana, exploring family and identity.
• Jeff: “I don’t need to know what this is about. I’m here for Tayari Jones.” (19:23)
• Rebecca: Praises Jones’s rare ability to “secure a really wide readership for herself,” likening her to Barbara Kingsolver.

4. Brawler by Lauren Groff (Feb 24th)

(22:06–23:59)

• Content: Groff’s new collection of short stories after the wild strangeness of Matrix and Florida.
• Both hosts are intentionally avoiding synopses.
  • Rebecca: “If the phrase Lauren Groff short stories doesn’t make you excited, I don’t know what to do for you.” (23:28)
  • Jeff: “Anytime you open a Lauren Groff book... number five for the year on my list.” (23:54)

5. Python’s Kiss by Louise Erdrich (Mar 24th)

(23:59–26:16)

• Content: Erdrich’s first(?) short story collection spanning two decades, exploring her range from grounded historical fiction to speculative and mystery.
• Jeff: Admits to not having read all Erdrich but highlights her perennial Nobel chatter and vast, consistent output.

6. London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Apr 7th)

(26:16–28:39)

• Nonfiction: Investigation of a mysterious death in elite London, uncovering class and family secrets.
• Jeff: “Keefe... will do more research than anybody else... write beautiful sentences all at the same time.” (27:26)
• Rebecca: Revels in Keefe’s modeling stint for J. Crew, notes rising literary profiles are good for books.

7. My Dear You by Rachel Khong (Apr 7th)

(29:00–30:22)

• First collection of short stories from Khong, following acclaim for recent novels.
• Rebecca: “At this point, Rachel Khong is on my list. Like, one of my writers.” (29:26)
• Jeff: Admits short-story fatigue—will wait for reviews possibly.

8. Go Gentle by Maria Semple (Apr 14th)

(30:44–34:12)

• Return of the author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette; focus on an Upper West Side stoic philosopher and her coven of friends.
• Rebecca: “The middle-aged lady book that I want.” (32:28)
• Jeff: “Ambitious and unsatisfied at the same time, smart and silly. I like all these things. I’m very much hoping... really want to like this.” (34:12)

9. On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward (May 19th)

(34:55–36:53)

• Ward’s essay collection—“collected creative nonfiction.”
• Jeff: “A book of Ward essays might be all that I’m looking for.” (36:14)
• Rebecca: “Everything else is gravy.” (36:22)
• Running Gag: Multiple autocorrect/typo issues with the word “respair,” which means "restoring hope."

10. Country People by Daniel Mason (Jul 7th)

(36:57–39:47)

• Follow-up to North Woods, centers on a family’s journey into the unknown (Vermont).
• Rebecca: “One of those books that... reminds you of how expansive and unusual the very best kinds of literary fiction can be. But also accessible.” (39:24)
• Jeff: Marks Mason as someone with back-catalog excitement potential.

Runners-up & Exciting Late-2026 Books (39:47–44:47)

• Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead – Final Harlem Trilogy book.
• Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel – September release, details TBA.
• American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee – Pachinko author’s new book, September.
• Other shoutouts:
  • Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
  • The Glorians by Terry Tempest Williams
  • The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood (comped to The Handmaid’s Tale)
  • Screen People by Megan Garber
  • Inside the Box by David Epstein (author of Range)—on the creative power of guardrails
  • Land by Maggie O’Farrell (June)
  • The Missed Connection by Tia Williams (June)
  • The Typing Lady by Ruth Ozeki (June, short stories)
  • Whistler by Ann Patchett (June; about a complicated family relationship)

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• On anticipation and comparison:
  • “When a book we’re this excited about comes out so early in the year, it becomes the one that everything else is judged against.” —Rebecca (09:29)
• On Tayari Jones’s appeal:
  • “She just secures a really wide readership for herself;... one of those rare writers who lives in the zone of book club friendly but also won’t be surprised at all if she gets nominated for some awards.” —Rebecca (19:23)
• On short story fatigue:
  • Jeff, candidly: “At this point in my list, I was short-storied out.” (30:00)
• On literary celebrity:
  • “A New Yorker writer’s profile has become large enough that J. Crew is like, let’s put this guy in ads and people will know who he is. This is good for books.” —Rebecca, on Patrick Radden Keefe (27:37)
• On Maria Semple's style:
  • “Somewhere between Amy Sherman Palladino and Nora Ephron... zany is the right word there. Like, quirky will get tossed around, but that’s too Zooey Deschanel. These are not manic pixie dream girls.” —Jeff & Rebecca in tandem (33:17–34:06)
• On “respair”:
  • “It’s an archaic word meaning on restoring hope, which feels very Jesmyn Ward.” —Jeff (35:09)
• On Daniel Mason’s North Woods:
  • “It was different and surprising, but it’s not performatively weird. It’s just—look at this cool trick.” —Rebecca (39:24)
• On back-catalog joy:
  • “If this one is awesome... there’s four or five other Daniel Masons I haven’t read, which is very exciting.” —Jeff (39:32)
• On literary FOMO:
  • “She’s maybe gone all the way around for me, in terms of so reliable and so familiar and so prolific that I kind of take Ann Patchett for granted. And I shouldn’t, because I always enjoy an Ann Patchett book.” —Jeff (43:40)
• Playful digressions:
  • Scooter from The Muppets as the “boatman” of the afterlife (48:10–48:43)
  • Rejecting lame book club questions:
    • Rebecca: “Let’s not do that to George Saunders. There’s so much.” (47:27)
    • Jeff: “Is that not just a version of how would you be as a boatman? Do you like my question better?” (47:27–47:39)

Recommended Listening—Segment Timestamps

• The Big List & Method – 01:32–03:10
• Vigil Deep-Dive – 07:56–13:36
• Literary Criticism & Toni Morrison – 13:38–17:40
• Book Club Literary Fiction (Jones/Groff/Erdrich) – 17:40–26:16
• Nonfiction & Keefe’s Dads – 26:16–28:39
• Spring/Summer Fiction Delights – 29:00–39:47
• Shout-outs (Fall Books, Runners-up) – 39:47–44:47
• Ann Patchett, Reader FOMO – 43:39–44:33
• Book Club Banter & Fun – 47:03–48:43

Reference Lists

Book Riot Podcast Top 10 (Jan–July 2026)

1. Vigil by George Saunders
2. On Morrison by Namwali Serpell
3. Kin by Tayari Jones
4. Brawler by Lauren Groff
5. Python’s Kiss by Louise Erdrich
6. London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
7. My Dear You by Rachel Khong
8. Go Gentle by Maria Semple
9. On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward
10. Country People by Daniel Mason

Noteworthy Upcoming Releases (July–December 2026)

• Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead
• Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel
• American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee
• Land by Maggie O’Farrell
• The Missed Connection by Tia Williams
• Whistler by Ann Patchett
• The Typing Lady by Ruth Ozeki

Closing Thoughts

Both hosts are deeply excited for the 2026 reading year, more so than 2025, and encourage listeners to chime in with their own most-anticipated picks. “Everything else is gravy,” says Rebecca, referencing the pleasure of a year that starts with new work from Saunders and Ward. If you’re looking for the literary pulse of 2026, this episode is your guide for what to preorder, request at the library, and add to your to-be-read pile right now.

For further details:

• Show notes and full list: bookriot.com/listen
• Listener feedback: podcast@bookriot.com
• Patreon bonus content: patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

Last but not least: Which Muppet would YOU choose as your afterlife boatman?