New year, same habit: buying more books. As 2026 gets underway, January brings a fresh slate of compelling new releases across fiction and non-fiction, from richly imagined historical novels and cosy fantasy to gripping history and thrilling crimes. Whether you’re easing into the year or already tearing through books at speed, there’s plenty here to tempt you back to the shelves.
Fantasy
Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher
A funny and clever adventure from T. Kingfisher, Nine Goblins follows a troop of goblins lost behind enemy lines, balancing chaos, courage and camaraderie as they face dangers both magical and mundane on their journey home.
Quiet Spells by Isa Agajanian
When a long-missing woman leaves a child behind and a ghost rises from a farewell letter, a grieving witch is pulled into a web of necromancy, rival covens and unresolved love in this dark academic fantasy.
The Bloody Branch by Brigid Lowe
Rooted in ancient myth, Bloody Branch is a dark, sensual reimagining of Celtic legend, following three powerful women who must unite to defend their land, their bodies and the natural world from a ruthless magician’s ambition.
Twelve Months by Jim Butcher
The latest installment in the hugely popular Dresden Files series, Twelve Months finds Harry Dresden grappling with grief, ghouls, vampires, and the Fae as Chicago teeters on the brink, forcing him to see if there’s enough of the man behind the wizard to save the city once more.
Fiction
Berlin Shuffle by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz
A vivid snapshot of 1920s Berlin, this incendiary debut captures a city of hedonism, poverty and unrest, where pleasure and violence collide on the eve of fascism.
The Dead Don’t Bleed by Neil Rollinson
A brutal and beautifully written debut, The Dead Don’t Bleed traces two estranged brothers across the dying coalfields of Northumberland and the scorched landscapes of Andalusia, as they confront family trauma, fraternal rivalry and the lingering legacy of violence.
The Life of Herod the Great by Zora Neale Hurston
Written in the 1950s but never published in her lifetime, Hurston’s novel brings Herod to life as a beloved king and shrewd political actor, offering a fresh, intimate portrait of a man often misunderstood by history.
The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
Spanning Tehran and the United States, this exuberant debut follows three generations of Valiat women whose carefully constructed lives begin to unravel when an ill-fated family holiday exposes buried truths.
History
Her Secret Service: The Forgotten Women of British Intelligence by Claire Hubbard-Hall
From codebreaking and propaganda to espionage and infiltration, this gripping history sheds light on the women whose work shaped Britain’s secret services and whose contributions were long overlooked or erased.
To the Edge of the World: A Perilous Storm, A Mutinous Crew and the Woman Who Defied Them All by Tilar J. Mazzeo
In 1856, nineteen-year-old Mary Ann Patten is forced to take command of a clipper ship after her husband falls gravely ill, guiding a priceless cargo through mutiny, storms and the deadly waters of Cape Horn in this gripping true maritime story.
A Shellshocked Nation: Britain Between the Wars by Alwyn Turner
From jazz clubs and radio comedy to strikes, scandals and the rise of fascism, Turner paints a vivid portrait of interwar Britain, capturing a nation searching for escape as it hurtles towards profound change.
Science & Nature
Return to My Trees: Notes from the Welsh Woodlands by Matthew Yeomans
Walking more than 300 miles through the forests of Wales, Matthew Yeomans combines history, folklore and personal reflection in an evocative exploration of our relationship with nature and the uncertain future of the natural world.
Be More Bird: Life Lessons from a Hawk by Candida Meyrick
Set during the stillness of lockdown on Anglesey, Be More Bird traces the bond between a writer and a Harris Hawk, blending nature writing and memoir to explore freedom, patience and a renewed connection with the wild.
Crime & Thrillers
A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar
In a near-future Kolkata beset by famine and flooding, Megha Majumdar paints a vivid, kaleidoscopic portrait of two families, each acting from love and fear. A Guardian and a Thief is a masterful and urgent meditation on desperation, resilience and the lengths we go to protect those we love.
Perspectives by Laurent Binet and Sam Taylor
Set in Renaissance Florence, Perspectives follows Giorgio Vasari as he investigates the murder of a painter whose scandalous artworks threaten to upend the city. A dazzling and vivid tale of art, intrigue and courtly machinations.
Comment below which book you’re looking forward to reading this month, and if you’ll be adding any of these to your reading list!
The Ink Thief 