We have been having fun with Top Ten Tuesday, so we decided we will do one every week. This bookish meme was hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, and has been going since June 2010! Since January 2018 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week’s topic is Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026. I always love doing this topic, although I feel like I don’t have that many anticipated released yet. Let’s see what I can come up with!

1. Mr. & Mrs. Dixon Hide a Body – Jennifer Holdich

I loved Jennifer Holdich’s debut novel Julie Tudor is not a Psychopath. So obviously I was excited about her newest release! When I read this; a twisted new thriller following one couple who will do anything to get away with murder, even frame each other, I knew I wanted to read it and I can’t wait to find out what will happen in this one.

2. First to Finish – Rebecca J. Caffery

I really enjoyed Pole Position, a F1 romance, and I’m excited for this sequel. It follows different characters, but the new main character was a side character in Pole Position. I’m really curious about his story, there was something mysterious going on with him and I thought it was weird that plot line didn’t go anywhere until I saw he was getting his own story.

3. Thirty Love – Tom Vellner

I want to try more sport romances and this one sounded really cute. It’s about a tennis player and it’s a rivals to lovers story. Sign me up!

4. Cleopatra – Saara el-Arifi

I saw this title and I knew I wanted to read it. It’s a Cleopatra retelling and it’s a fantasy. I have been wanting to read a Saara el-Arifi book since her debut and I hope I will finally read one in 2026!

5. The Book Tour – Emily Ohanjanians

A lively debut author and her grumpy publicist on book tour, sounds cute to me! After loving the movie People We Meet on Vacation, I knew I needed to read more cute romcoms and this sounds like one I would really enjoy.

6. The Ending Writes Itself – Evelyn Clarke

I was already intrigued by this novel, but knowing that one half of this writer duo is V.E. Schwab makes it even more exciting to me. This is basically a locked room mystery, but on an island and I am hoping for some good twists.

7. The Ballad of Falling Dragons – Sarah A. Parker

I ended up really enjoying When the Moon Hatched and I’m excited for the sequel. Before diving into this one, I should probably reread the first book, because I don’t think I remember much of the details haha.

8. The Tapestry of Fate – Shannon Chakraborty

It’s been a while since I read The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, but I did love that book and I have been looking forward to the sequel ever since. I’m really excited for this release and I have high hopes for it!

9. Fever Dream – Elsie Silver

I need to finally read an Elsie Silver book! And look at this cover, isn’t this one gorgeous? I can already see it on my shelves, these are for sure my colours and I love the horse. This has the potential to be a favorite of mine for sure.

10. A Darker Shore: Letters From Ketterdam – Leigh Bardugo

I adore the Six of Crows duology and I have been wanting more from this world since I started reading the first book. These characters are absolutely amazing and I’m so excited we are finally getting more content. While it’s not a third book (yet), I am happy with whatever we get. It will be a short story, but I love that it is told through found documents.

These are 10 of my most anticipated releases for the first half of 2026. Are you excited for this releases? Did I miss any big releases? I would love to hear from you down below!