We’re almost at the end of the year, that magical time when we start to feel like we haven’t done nearly enough. Very few of us manage to achieve our New Year’s resolutions – if we have any – but there is still time to make a few of them; it’s only November, after all. If your intention was to read a little more, you’re in luck, because there were several great books in 2026, some of which you probably haven’t read yet.
Better late than never, and early November is still a good time to pick up one of these 2026 gems and lose yourself in their captivating narratives. They might be a good fantasy adventure, or they might be a romantic drama – the point is, these 2026 books are amazing, and you still have time to start and finish them before the ball drops on December 31st.
‘Sea of Charms’
Let’s start with a cute romance book, because who doesn’t love romance? Sea of Charms is the third individual entry in the Spelling shop series and tells a classic high seas adventure with plenty of romance and fantasy to boot. The plot follows Marin, a supplier runner who travels from island to island to deliver goods with her crew. On the island of Alyssium, Marin meets Dax, a stubborn writer who she believes will be her boyfriend at the upcoming End-of-Harvest festival.
Sea of Charms mix a typical romcom plot with an exciting adventure at seaand the result is one of the most singular and interesting books of 2026. All the comforting tropes that romance fans love are alive and well here: fake courtship? Please! Find a family? Please! Self-discovery amidst hardship? Please! What more can you ask for? Author Sarah Beth Durstthe writing is witty, atmospheric, and utterly relatable, making it impossible not to fall for Marin and Dax. In most cases, his soft prose makes it impossible to put Sea of Charms downand at 384 pages, it’s a great choice to finish before Christmas Day. However, there is perhaps no better time to read this than in the week between Christmas and New Year.
‘The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State’
Now for something much more serious and relevant. The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State is a non-fiction book about, you guessed it, AI. Written by the Harvard historian Jill Leporethe book deals with serious related issues how artificial intelligence and corporations are interfering with the democratic process. Lepore traces the evolution of systems designed to aid democracy, including ID numbers and consensus mechanisms, and describes how they evolved into tools for mass surveillance and classification.
In a world where AI is such a hot topic of discussion, like books The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State become more relevant and important. Interestingly, Lepore traces how many of sci-fi’s most daring ideas, first presented in books and movies, were developed in real life, ultimately leading to the situation we find ourselves in today. The author also pulls no punches when it comes to criticizing oligarchs and tech mogulswho continue to push for invasive technologies aimed at the slow erosion of democracy. Non-fiction books can be just as strong as works of narrative fiction, and this gem proves it; there are opportunities no 2026 book is more determined or urgent than this one.
‘Last Night in Brooklyn’
Finally, we have an amazingly original book that renews F. Scott Fitzgeraldand The Great Gatsby for the new millennium. Last night in Brooklyn set in 2007, shortly before the 2008 financial crisis that would shape much of the lifestyle of the early 2010s. The main character is Alicia Canales Forten, a 26-year-old whose ordinary life is consumed by her mysterious and charming neighbor, a designer called La Garza.
Genre version of The Great Gatsby maybe not particularly interesting in and of itself, but an author Xochitl Gonzalez opting for a modern and insightful approach. Here, she tackles classic subjects depending on the situation – in fact, everything from economic uncertainty of class and racial struggle available here. However, Gonzalez is far more insightful than the average writer, especially when it comes to matters of ambition and what it means to exist in a world driven by appearances and money. In addition, the book is extremely atmospheric, with the author painting a vibrant, explosive picture of Brooklyn that feels powerful, inevitably immersive, and ultimately unforgettable.