Every new reading year kicks off with one of the most anticipated lineups in the book world: Book of the Month’s January picks. With publishers rolling out their biggest titles for the new year. Think debuts poised to explode, buzzy thrillers with movie rights already sold, and the kind of conversation starting fiction BOTM loves; it’s always fun to guess what might land in those iconic blue boxes. January traditionally spotlights high-appeal fiction, propulsive mysteries, and heartfelt contemporary novels, so 2026 is shaping up to bring a fresh mix of addictive reads perfect for setting the tone of your reading year. Bonus is that some of my absolute favorite authors (and previous BOTM authors) also have releases coming. January is shipping up to be a killer month.
Whether or not these are actually picks, only time will tell. Even if they are not, all or most of these are on my January Most Anticipated New Releases list and my Winter 2026 Most Anticipated.
When the picks are announced and you find you have space in your box still, make sure to also check out my most recent version of BOTM Add-On recommendations HERE, because who couldn’t use even more books!
Keep in mind that these are simply predictions and books I hope get chosen. I could get these completely wrong but the anticipation and guessing is part of the fun right?!
Mysteries & Thrillers
The amount of previous Mystery/Thriller BOTM authors with new books coming out in January is wild. I have no idea what they’ll end up picking but I can see any of these either being main picks or at the very least add-on’s. I have copies of all of them so be sure to come back for my reviews as I make my way through them.
The Briars Review
A Box Full of darkness review
Contemporary & Literary Fiction
I’m looking closely at repeat authors because BOTM loves bringing back past favorites. The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave, The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead, and Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin all feel like strong contenders, each with the kind of high-appeal, discussion-worthy storytelling BOTM leans towards. I’m also eyeing a few exciting possibilities from fresh-but-familiar voices: The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski, Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven, and Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie Storey.
Romance
The Re-Do List by Denise Williams has all the ingredients for a standout selection: warmth, wit, emotional depth, and a beloved author BOTM has featured before (maybe, I feel like Williams was a previous pick but I could be wrong. . Alongside it, The Odds of You by Kate Dramis brings swoony chemistry and a compulsively readable premise that feels tailor-made for romance readers looking for a fresh start-of-year favorite. Both books strike that ideal balance of charm, tension, and big feelings that BOTM romance fans consistently fall for.
Historical Fiction
Kate Quinn and Paula McLain are both auto buy authors for me. BOTM has offered a few of each of there books and honestly I’d be happy with either Skylark or The Astral Library the picks for January. I’m reading Skylark now so be sure to come back for my review soon!
Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara blends speculative elements with emotional, character-driven storytelling which feels kind of BOTMesque. On the sci-fi side, Detour by Jeff Rake brings high-concept tension and propulsive plotting that would appeal to readers who love fast-paced, reality-twisting narratives. Both seem like good contenders for January!
I hope you found a book that you are truly excited about in this post. Let me know which other new releases you are excited for this month or that you’re hoping are BOTM picks, by commenting below or by messaging me on Instagram @speakingof_books. Don’t forget to follow me to get weekly updates and new reviews!
Happy Reading!
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