Best Books of 2026 So Far
2026 has been a great year for reading so far. I have read 26 books so far. I selected 8 books that are my top books. These books have a rating of 4.5 to 5 stars. The genres are Lit Fic, Horror, and Fantasy. If you would like to see an impassioned Ryan explaining why these books are the top 8 I made a Youtube video. Please watch.
8. Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman is a wild horror ride where a drug lets you see—and get addicted to—the dead.
It’s The Sixth Sense meets Fight Club, blending grief, addiction, and hauntings in a way that’s creepy and clever. The imagery is seriously unsettling (in the best way), with moments that are equal parts disgusting and darkly funny.
Fast-paced, weird, and haunting—this one sticks with you. And that ending? Brutal.
7. Kin by Tayari Jones is an immersive, character-driven historical novel set in the Deep South. It is an empowering story of femininity and found family. The narrative voice is clear and the emotions are raw. Although it is historical fiction, the novel mirrors many issues that still resonate today.
The story unfolds as a dual narrative following two Black girls, Vernice and Annie. They call themselves “cradle friends,” but they are as close as kin. Born around the same time, both girls grow up without mothers. Vernice’s mother has died, while Annie’s has run away, and that shared absence shapes their search for belonging and family.
The novel travels to unexpected places as life unfolds for both girls. Some turns lead to hope, others to heartbreak, but the story is never dull. The pacing is steady and I found it difficult to put down. I was deeply invested in both the main characters and the supporting cast.
6. Pet Sematary by Stephen King is grief horror at its darkest—asking how far you’d go to bring someone you love back.
Death hangs over every page, with the chilling idea that “sometimes dead is better.” Jud Crandall steals the show, acting as both guide and warning.
It’s one of King’s most disturbing, well-paced stories, with an ending that’s shocking, haunting, and left entirely up to you.
5. When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is a brutal, modern dark fairy tale that feels like Terminator 2 colliding with The Three Little Pigs. It introduces a “big bad wolf” that is as terrifying as it is unforgettable.
The horror is relentless and in-your-face, with bone-crushing violence and imagery that lingers. Cassidy balances the fantastical with real emotional weight, making the fear feel grounded and personal.
Themes of anxiety, fear, and complicated father relationships run throughout the story, adding depth beneath the chaos. These elements build alongside the action and give the novel real substance.
The pacing never lets up, and the twists elevate it from good to great. By the end, Cassidy delivers a final surprise that ties everything together in a powerful, satisfying way.
4. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab is a richly layered, sapphic vampire novel that explores power, queerness, and survival across centuries. It’s both haunting and beautifully written.
The story follows three women across different time periods, each navigating a world that denies them power, until they take it. For them, becoming a vampire is less a curse and more a form of liberation.
Schwab’s vampires are tragic, vicious, and deeply human, and the novel thoughtfully examines gender and privilege in ways that feel fresh for the genre. It invites comparisons to Interview with the Vampire while carving out its own identity.
The structure moves between past and present, with each timeline building toward a rewarding payoff. It’s immersive, emotional, and ultimately a bold reimagining of vampire lore.
3. Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser is a grounded Cinderella retelling told from the stepmother’s perspective, and it completely reframes the story.
With no magic, this version leans into realism, power, and survival, showing a woman shaped by hardship and willing to do anything for her daughters.
It’s a character-driven story full of heart, heartbreak, and sharp commentary on marriage, status, and feminism.
And honestly… you might find yourself rooting for Lady Tremaine.
2. Sarafina by Philip Fracassi is a historical horror set during the Civil War that blends brutal realism with supernatural dread.
It follows three deserters who stumble upon a supposed sanctuary in the woods—only to find something far more terrifying waiting for them.
The first part builds strong characters and atmosphere, then shifts into intense, bloody horror with disturbing body horror and biblical undertones.
With short, bingeable chapters, unforgettable tension, and a shocking but earned ending, this is one of the most gripping horror reads I’ve picked up.
1. The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow is a sweeping time travel fantasy that reads like a forgotten fairy tale, blending romance, legend, and fate into one unforgettable story.
Drawing from Arthurian legend and real historical moments, Harrow creates a world that feels both familiar and magical. At its core is a question: are we destined for legend, or can we shape our own fate?
The writing is lyrical and immersive, though the story takes its time to build. That slower beginning lays the groundwork for a narrative where moments repeat and evolve as time shifts.
By the second half, it becomes impossible to put down. The ending brings everything full circle, delivering an emotional and satisfying conclusion that time travel stories rarely achieve.
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