At a Glance
- Top Pick: Crux by Gabriel Tallent – a high-risk love story about friendship and climbing.
- Diverse Themes: The list includes adventure, spirituality, memoir, sports, mystery, fantasy, and science.
- Why it Matters: Readers get a curated snapshot of the most compelling reads released in early 2026.
The first half of 2026 has already delivered a vibrant array of books across genres. News Of Los Angeles‘s list of the best books released in January showcases the breadth of contemporary storytelling, from the grit of a Mojave desert climber to the introspective journey of a Buddhist misfit.
Climbing and Friendship
Crux by Gabriel Tallent is the opening highlight. The novel follows high-school friends Tamma and Dan as they scale boulders near their Mojave Desert town. Their climbs give them an “ecstatic aliveness” that contrasts sharply with their uncertain futures.
> “Home life is fraught and money always short for high school pals Tamma and Dan, who feel release and ‘ecstatic aliveness’ only while scaling boulders near their Mojave Desert town.” – Kim Hubbard
Tallent’s narrative focuses on the transformative power of friendship and the possibility that a high-risk sport could spare them a dead-end future.
Spiritual Journeys
Evelyn in Transit by David Guterson
Evelyn, a self-described misfit who hitchhiked across the American West, finds solace in Buddhism. Her beliefs are tested when Tibetan lamas declare her five-year-old son the seventh incarnation of a revered holy man, Tsering.
> “Evelyn’s beliefs are tested when Tibetan lamas declare her 5-year-old son the seventh incarnation of a revered holy man, Tsering.” – Louisa Ermelino
One Aladdin, Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson
Winterson blends memoir and storytelling, using Shahrazad of One Thousand and One Nights as a motif. The novel examines literature, imagination, and collective future.
> “A potent message delivered with a spoonful of sugar.” – Louisa Ermelino
Memoir and Reality
Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy
The 33-year-old former iCarly star returns with a novel inspired by her real-life relationship with an older man.
The Hitch by Sara Levine
Rose’s young nephew Nathan believes a dog’s soul has taken up residence in his body. She sets out to exorcise it before his parents return.
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
The Flynn family faces dysfunction after their parents open their marriage, and a criminal conspiracy emerges.
> “A fun page-turner.” – Madeline Cash
Sports and Society
Football by Chuck Klosterman examines how the sport has indelibly shaped American society. The author calls himself a “football psychotic” and offers an essential read for the playoff season.
Mystery and Suspense
A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James
Twenty years after the disappearance of their six-year-old brother, three siblings are summoned to find him.
> “Viscerally frightening.” – Rennie Dyball
Scavengers by Kathleen Boland
Set in Utah’s desert, the story follows a mother-daughter duo, Bea and Christy, who embark on a treasure hunt after Bea is fired from her New York City job.
> “Charming, propulsive and emotionally gripping.” – Louisa Ermelino
Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day
Frontwoman Dahlia “Doll” Devine hides a damaged heart behind a sassy onstage persona. Her estranged mother’s return and an ex’s murder threaten her career.
> “The expertly plotted mystery perfectly complements Doll’s journey of self-discovery.” – Paula L. Woods
The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery
In 1910, during Halley’s Comet panic, a new underbutler and an octogenarian solve a murder at a Cornish estate.
Literary Fantasies
Call Me Ishmaelle by Xiaolu Guo
An orphaned British woman cross-dresses as a cabin boy to work on a whaling ship, offering a modern take on Moby-Dick.
Sophia by Eisenstaedt by Sophia Loren
For more than 70 years, Loren defined international allure. The book showcases her partnership with photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Celebrity Memoirs
Enough by Ania M. Jastreboff and Oprah Winfrey
Co-written with endocrinologist Jastreboff, the book reflects on Oprah’s weight-loss journey and offers guidance to readers.
The Water Lies by Amy Meyerson
A young woman’s apparent drowning in a Venice, Calif., canal forces two mothers to confront indifferent cops and a family that dismisses their concerns.
> “A heart-wrenching yet redemptive story about maternal instinct, fertility and broken trust.” – Paula L. Woods
Health and Science
Why We Drink Too Much by Dr. Charles Knowles explores why both humans and monkeys can consume alcohol “until they vomit and fall out of trees.” The book blends personal stories and scientific research.
> “A fascinating read.” – Kim Hubbard
Historical and Cultural
The Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery
A historical mystery set in 1910 during the Halley’s Comet panic.
Skylark by Paula McLain
A young artist’s quest for freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s mission during WWII’s Nazi occupation.
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
A gripping page-turner featuring a decades-old murder, a writer in town, and an oncoming tempest.
Takeaways
- The list covers a spectrum of genres, showing that 2026 offers something for every reader.
- Themes of friendship, spirituality, and self-discovery recur across the books.
- Celebrity memoirs and scientific explorations provide both personal insight and broader societal context.
Readers can dive into any of these titles to explore adventure, introspection, and the human condition in the new year.
