Best books to read in January to get ahead of your New Year’s resolution | Books | Entertainment
2026 is officially here, marking the beginning of a fresh set of New Year’s resolutions. Reducing screentime, getting fit and eating healthily are some of the most common resolutions set each year.
Reading more is another common goal, with many people taking to Goodreads to set their reading goals for the coming year. But where should you start? From fantasy and romance to crime and literary fiction, here are 10 of the best books coming out this month to help you get ahead of your New Year’s resolution. And for more book recommendations, reviews and news, you can subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack.
1. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she’s given advice to the wives of New England, hearing from countless women who feel ignored, belittled or even abused by their husbands.
But when her life starts spiralling out of control, she realises it’s time to take some of her own advice.
Twisty and fast-paced, this page-turning thriller is the ideal book to get you in the mood for reading more in 2026.
Dear Debbie, out January 27, is available to pre-order now.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
2. So, I Met This Guy… by Alexandra Potter
When Maggie’s relationship ends in the supposed love-of-her-life stealing her home and life savings, she does what anyone in the same situation would certainly do: embark on a road trip with a young reporter looking for her big break to catch the fraudster as he goes on the run.
With unexpected friendships, self-discovery and some gorgeous views along the way, this has all the ingredients of the perfect holiday read.
So, I Met This Guy… is out on January 29 and is now available to pre-order.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
3. Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon
If you’re a fan of family sagas, Rebecca Fallon’s stunning debut is the book for you this January. The story revolves around Susan, a soap opera star in the 1990s who balances her time between L.A., where she’s growing her acting career, and New England, where she’s wife to a history professor and raising young twins.
Family Drama is told in dual time lines, with things looking very different in the 2000s. Susan died tragically young, and her now teenaged twins have little idea of their mother’s fame. As they each investigate the past, they begin to question their memories.
Family Drama, out January 15, is available to pre-order now.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
4. Television by Lauren Rothery
An ageing, A-list film star lotteries off the entirety of his mega-million blockbuster salary to a member of the general viewing public before taking up with a much younger model.
Meanwhile, his non-famous best friend (and often lover) looks on, which reflecting on their years of friendship, and, unknown to them both, an aspiring filmmaker labours over a script about best friends and lovers.
Think BoJack Horseman meets Joan Didion. Bold and funny, this is a smart debut.
You can pre-order Television, out January 15, now.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
5. Vivian Dies Again by C.E. Hulse
At a family gathering where everyone hates her, Vivian is murdered – and then wakes up… only to be murdered again. And again.
Stuck in a baffling time loop and with trust in short supply, her only ally is a sleep-deprived waiter desperate to finish his shift. As time keeps resetting, Vivian tries to solve her own murder before her luck, and life, finally run out.
You can pre-order Vivian Dies Again, out January 29, now.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
