Welcome to the Winter 2026 Book Preview with Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books!

Today, Catherine and Sarah share 16 of their most anticipated books releasing from January through March.

This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).

Announcement

The 2026 Reading Tracker is out! This year brings upgraded features across the board — including NEW average star rating and 5-star book tracking for every stat on the Dashboard — plus an updated Lite Tracker for those who prefer a streamlined version. Both Trackers are ONLY available to paid Patreon or Substack subscribers ($7/month) and is no longer sold separately. To avoid Apple's 30% fee, be sure to join directly from the Patreon website (mobile or desktop). Join our Patreon Community (here) OR become a Substack Paid Member (here)!

One of the many benefits to supporting the podcast through either our Patreon Community or our Substack Community (both for just $7/mo) is that you get access to several bonus podcast episode series, including Book Preview Extras! In these episodes, Catherine and Sarah share at least 4 bonus books we are excited about that we did not share in the big show preview episode. Get more details about all the goodies available and sign up here for Patreon and here for Substack!

Highlights

A lightning round of some big releases coming this winter that we're not featuring in today's preview.
Catherine chose books by authors she knows and trusts.
This year, Sarah dug deep into the publisher's catalog for potential hidden gems.
Sarah's books cover literary suspense, literary fiction, brain candy, nonfiction, and a thriller from 2 debut authors and 3 repeat authors.
Sarah has already read one of her picks — and it was 4.5 stars!
Plus, their #1 picks for winter.

Big Winter Releases

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave (January 6) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:39]
The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead (January 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:43]
My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney (January 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:46]
Once and Again by Rebecca Serle (March 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:49]
Crux by Gabriel Tallent (January 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:53]
Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (March 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [2:56]
Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh (March 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:00]
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (March 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:03]
Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (March 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:21]
Missing Sam by Thrity Umrigar (January 27) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:24]
This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman (February 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:28]
Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy (January 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:31]

Other Books Mentioned

Winter 2026 Book Preview [6:57]

January

Catherine's Picks

Other Books Mentioned

February

Sarah's Picks

Good People by Patmeena Sabit (February 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:59]
Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway (February 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:14]
Kin by Tayari Jones (February 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:01]

Catherine's Picks

Other Books Mentioned

March

Sarah's Picks