2026's most anticipated literary fiction, according to booksellers and BookTokers

Why read this: Exquisite writing and an increasing sense of unease combine to create a sinister, chilling story, based on Welsh folklore. When Carwyn discovers a buried prehistoric ruin in one of the fields on his land, his curiosity quickly descends into obsession. As the harsh winter closes in, his wife, Rhian, finds herself alone with her increasingly peculiar husband, and the mountains, and the looming megalithic stones.

If you’re looking for: Literary/horror crossover, books based on folklore, rural isolated setting, books with a growing sense of dread.

Great for fans of: Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller, The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley.

What the experts think: 'I love literary horror, and you don’t get to see it that often so I’m very excited for this one.' – @joe.reads

Why read this: A story of doppelgängers and corporate intrigue: in this literary speculative fiction crossover, when you emigrate, you leave a version of yourself behind. Literally. Some keep in touch with their separated identities, hoping for future reintegration. Others, like Soyoung Rose Kang, leave home at age ten and never speak to their other selves again. But then her grandfather dies, and her Korean instance calls her back home from New York. . .

If you’re looking for: Speculative fiction, books on identity and immigration, 

Great for fans of: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang, Past Lives (film).

What the experts think: 'It explores some really important topics on the immigrant experience and the idea of doppelgangers is really interesting. I can't wait to get to this one.' - Andrea, bookseller at Waterstones Chichester. 'The fact that it’s taking the dystopian element of coming from a different country, and taking literally the split in that, really interests me.' Avni, bookseller at Waterstones Hitchin. 'I am super excited for Sublimation. I’m a huge fan of books on displacement and identity, and this brings that together with speculative fiction.' - Thuvaja, bookseller at Waterstones Trafalgar Square.

Why read this: The world of 1930s Berlin becomes a lethal game of survival for two women consumed by desire and art in the debut novel from art historian Rebecca Birrell. Hannah is an artist and a runaway, finally creating and loving without boundaries. But when she begins an affair with a powerful man’s wife, it threatens to do more than ruin their reputations. People are disappearing. The shadows of something unspeakable are growing darker. Hannah's art could be the thing that secures her survival – or that will deny her any chance of escape.

If you’re looking for: Gripping historical fiction, LGBTQIA+ love story, books about art.

Great for fans of: In Memoriam by Alice Winn, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden, Sarah Waters.

What the experts think: 'I love character driven novels, but I also really like lyrical writing, and queer stories when I can get them. I am really looking forward to Venus, Vanishing.' - @readwithmeg

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What the experts think: 'I think it’s very relevant: we need to talk about these issues more, and we need to know what happened in the past.' - xyz

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What the experts think: 'It’s a different take on non-fiction and I love reading about Arctic Exploration and I want to read about it in the 21st century.' - xyz