Sunday, January 18, 2026

This month’s best new popular fiction

 
Readworthy by BookBub
This Month's Best New Popular Fiction
 
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Book cover for Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
This captivating tale of a dysfunctional family is one of January's buzziest books
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • As Catherine and Bud's marriage falls apart, their daughters' lives are also spiraling into chaos. Then, their fates become intertwined with that of a mysterious billionaire…
  • Starred reviews from Booklist ("Cash has a hit debut on her hands") and Publishers Weekly ("It's unforgettable")
  • "I've read entire books that contain less wit and inventiveness than a single one of Cash's sentences" (Eric Puchner, author of Dream State)
  • Perfect for fans of The Royal Tenenbaums
Learn more...
Media mentions for Lost Lambs by Madeline CashMEDIA MENTIONS:Book of the Month, TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Atlantic, Financial Times, Harper's Bazaar, Bustle, Good Housekeeping, Vulture, Forbes, The Times, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for Scavengers by Kathleen Boland
A woman and her estranged, eccentric mother embark on the road trip of a lifetime
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Inspired by a true story, this compelling, madcap novel is filled with "moments that gleam with brilliance" (Kirkus Reviews)
  • Bea and Christy are on the hunt for buried treasure in the American West — but their journey takes them down unexpected and transformative paths
  • Highly anticipated by Town & Country, Bustle, and more
  • The ending is guaranteed to surprise you
Learn more...
Media mentions for Scavengers by Kathleen BolandMEDIA MENTIONS:The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Town & Country, Bustle, San Francisco Chronicle, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Electric Literature, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for The Hitch by Sara Levine
Elizabeth Gilbert declares: 'Give this book a trophy. It's perfect'
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • While watching her young nephew, Rose finds herself facing off against the spirit of a dead corgi he claims has possessed him
  • "Simultaneously absurd and deeply moving, wise and absolutely, sidesplittingly uproarious… Destined to become a cult classic" (Kirkus Reviews starred review)
  • Roxane Gay's Audacious Book Club chose The Hitch as its January pick!
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Hitch by Sara LevineMEDIA MENTIONS:The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Roxane Gay's Audacious Book Club, Chicago Tribune, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin
This 'hilarious, relatable' tale is a must 'for all readers of fiction' (Library Journal)
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • When librarian Darcy returns to work after a medical leave, she finds herself navigating book-banning protesters and community unrest — as well as her own personal struggles
  • Penned by "the queen of darkly quirky, endearingly flawed heroines" (Reese's Book Club alum Sarah Haywood)
  • "I will read whatever Austin puts in front of me until I'm six feet under" (Jean Kyoung Frazier, author of Pizza Girl)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily AustinMEDIA MENTIONS:USA Today, Indie Next List, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for The Devil's Daughter by Danielle Steel
When two estranged sisters become roommates, simmering tension threatens to boil over
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Follow bookish, kindhearted Billie and bold, calculating Mickie as they navigate a storm of temptation, danger, and secrets
  • Another gripping family drama from "the world's most popular author" (Booklist)
Learn more...
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for Sheer by Vanessa Lawrence
Follow the rise and dramatic fall of a beauty mogul with a shocking secret
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • After scandal leads to suspension from her wildly popular makeup company, Maxine reflects on what brought her to this point
  • "Tightly plotted and full of insider detail, the novel shimmers with complicated truths about women, beauty, and betrayal" (Kirkus Reviews)
  • A propulsive tale told over the course of nine fateful days
Learn more...
Media mentions for Sheer by Vanessa LawrenceMEDIA MENTIONS:The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Bustle, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits
A 'beautifully quiet and devastating' Booker Prize finalist recommended by Sarah Jessica Parker
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • After dropping his daughter off at college, Tom isn't ready to face what's waiting for him at home — so he takes a cross-country road trip to confront various people and places of his past…
  • Ann Patchett says reading this "profoundly moving" novel is "like sitting in a car beside a dear friend"
  • Rave reviews from The Guardian, NPR, Kirkus Reviews, and many more
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Rest of Our Lives by Ben MarkovitsMEDIA MENTIONS:NPR, TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Parade, San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
The highly anticipated latest from a #1 New York Times bestselling sensation!
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • To save her floundering career, reclusive author Petra searches for inspiration at a remote lakeside cabin. The arrival of detective Nathaniel ignites something powerful within her — but it comes at a cost…
  • You won't predict what's coming next in this "dark and twisty" read (Kirkus Reviews) that's "sure to be a hit" (Publishers Weekly)
  • Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid, says, "My heart was pounding the whole time! One of my new favorites!"
Learn more...
Media mentions for Woman Down by Colleen HooverMEDIA MENTIONS:Time Magazine, TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, USA Today, Slate, Elle, Vulture, Parade, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews
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Book cover for Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie Storey
When Poppy poses as her dead sister on a date, she doesn't expect to fall in love…
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • As her relationship with Jake deepens, Poppy becomes further entangled in a web of lies
  • "Breathtakingly original. A brilliant premise, smart, funny, and heartbreaking in equal measure. I adored it" (Clare Leslie Hall, author of Broken Country)
  • A "moving and wildly entertaining" must-read (Publishers Weekly) for book clubs and fans of Dolly Alderton
Learn more...
Media mentions for Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie StoreyMEDIA MENTIONS:NPR, TODAY Show, People, Publishers Weekly, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
Book cover for You'll Never Forget Me by Isha Raya
Fans of Killing Eve will devour this witty cat-and-mouse tale
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Dimple is a murderous actress who won't let anyone get in the way of her stardom, and PI Saffi is determined to get her behind bars. But their undeniable chemistry proves to be a problem…
  • A "clever, absorbing" romp with "a well-thought-out plot, building tension, and beautifully fleshed-out characters" (Booklist)
  • "This is an intense and assured debut that will have readers by turns loving and loathing the protagonists" (Library Journal starred review)
Learn more...
Media mentions for You'll Never Forget Me by Isha RayaMEDIA MENTIONS:Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
GoogleOther formats and retailers
 
  

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