Friday, April 17, 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 Go Gentle by Maria Semple
The author of Where’d You Go Bernadette is back with her first novel in 10 years!
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Just announced as Oprah’s latest book club pick, this brand-new release has been highly anticipated by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and many more
  • DivorcĂ©e Adora lives a carefully curated life in Manhattan — but a chance encounter with a stranger is the first of many strange events that turn her world upside down
  • “Now this, my friends, is what we call a romp… [The] plot has twists and turns in abundance” (NPR)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Go Gentle by Maria Semple MEDIA MENTIONS: Oprah's Book Club, Time Magazine, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Town & Country, Harper's Bazaar, Forbes, Parade, Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, New York Post, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for American Fantasy by Emma Straub
‘I can hardly remember the last time I read anything that brought me such pure joy’ (Ann Patchett)
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • While on a cruise with a 1990s boy band and thousands of their lovesick fans, recently divorced Annie develops a dizzying connection with band member Keith
  • From the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow and Modern Lovers
  • Rave reviews from Coco Mellors, Kevin Wilson, And Taylor Jenkins Reid, who calls it “such a fun, delicious, bighearted book”
Learn more...
Media mentions for American Fantasy by Emma Straub MEDIA MENTIONS: NPR, TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, People, USA Today, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Bustle, Elle, Forbes, Parade, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
A film adaptation is already in the works for this buzzy GMA Book Club pick
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Instagram influencer Natalie’s so-called traditional lifestyle is made possible by plenty of behind-the-scenes secrets. But one morning, she wakes up in 1855…
  • “In Natalie, Burke has given us an absolutely riveting character” (Kirkus Reviews starred review)
  • “Ingenious… Revelatory… Yesteryear draws to a dizzying conclusion” (The New York Times Book Review)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke MEDIA MENTIONS: Good Morning America Book Club, Book of the Month, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, Vogue, Elle, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin
When a new family moves in next door, lonely Eddie finds his life transformed
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Readers will be moved by this “compassionate and life-affirming tale about how human connection is critical to survival” (Kirkus Reviews starred review)
  • Seeking an escape from his chaotic home, eight-year-old Russell waits in Eddie’s backyard until he gets off work. As Eddie offers Russell small acts of kindness, Russell gives Eddie something to live for
  • “A heartbreaking, gritty, funny, and sensitive portrait of American life, complete with rich characters and a really great dog” (Annie Hartnett)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin MEDIA MENTIONS: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Into the Blue by Emma Brodie
Taylor Jenkins Reid highly recommends this ‘intoxicating’ page-turner
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Don’t miss the Reese’s Book Club pick for April!
  • When aspiring writer AJ encounters actor Noah, her life is changed — but then, Noah vanishes without a trace. Seven years later, AJ and Noah become costars on a TV show and must confront their painful past…
  • “I devoured Into the Blue in two sittings” (Clare Leslie Hall, author of Broken Country)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Into the Blue by Emma Brodie MEDIA MENTIONS: Reese's Book Club, TODAY Show, People, Good Housekeeping, Parade, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Love by the Book by Jessica George
‘A beautiful and all-too-rare look at the importance of platonic love’ (Kirkus Reviews)
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Novelist Remy and kindergarten teacher Simone are both feeling lost and isolated — but after they cross paths in a bookstore, they forge a transformative bond that helps them confront their long-hidden secrets
  • “Transporting… This novel might just inspire you to put yourself out there and ask a new friend out to dinner” (Emma Knight, author of The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus)
  • From the New York Times bestselling author of Maame, a Read with Jenna pick
Learn more...
Media mentions for Love by the Book by Jessica George MEDIA MENTIONS: TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola
During one fateful Thanksgiving, four estranged siblings confront their messiest secrets
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • “I already know Leave Your Mess at Home will be one of my (and your?) favorite books of 2026… Warm, smart, hilarious, delicious, riveting” (Curtis Sittenfeld)
  • When eldest daughter Sola returns home for the first time in 10 years, the other members of the Longe family have no choice but to reckon with the past
  • Penned by a Reese’s Book Club LitUp fellow hailed as “a born storyteller” (Jenny Jackson, author of Pineapple Street)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola MEDIA MENTIONS: Reese's Book Club, TODAY Show, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, The Millions, Electric Literature, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Upward Bound by Woody Brown
Angie Kim says this New York Times bestseller ‘will change the way you look at the world’
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • April’s Read with Jenna pick is “triumphant… funny and moving and ringing with life” (The Guardian)
  • At an adult day care center in Southern California, the lives of many disparate characters intertwine in surprising — and powerful — ways
  • One of 2026’s most anticipated reads, according to The New York Times, Time, Harper’s Bazaar, and more
Learn more...
Media mentions for Upward Bound by Woody Brown MEDIA MENTIONS: TODAY Book Club/Read with Jenna, Time Magazine, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Harper's Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, The Guardian, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell
‘Cherry is a heroine for the ages’ (Rufi Thorpe, author of Margot’s Got Money Troubles)
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • After her soon-to-be-ex’s new webcomic paints her in an unflattering light, Cherry decides to do something for herself for once — leading to an unexpected reunion with her college crush…
  • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick Slow Dance
  • “I read this book cover to cover and it was so hot and delicious, so funny and smart and real” (Catherine Newman, author of Sandwich)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell MEDIA MENTIONS: Time Magazine, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, Library Journal, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Dog Person by Camille Pagán
Can an elderly dog help his owner heal from loss?
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • As Harold sets out to save his struggling bookstore, his trusty canine companion, Miguel, guides him toward an unexpected second chance at happiness
  • “Not since A Dog’s Purpose have I been so besotted by a novel’s canine… This beautiful book will break your heart open and mend it all at once” (Colleen Oakley)
  • “An emotional story of love and grief, perfect for dog lovers and booklovers alike” (Library Journal)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Dog Person by Camille Pagán MEDIA MENTIONS: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
 
   
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The Most Uplifting Books Out This Spring

 
BookBub
Booktalk
The best and buzziest books to add to your wishlist, curated by our editors.
 
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18 New Literary Science Fiction Novels
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Improve Your Life with These Inspiring Nonfiction Reads
These valuable books can help you make this year a great one.
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