Thursday, June 11, 2026

The best new books according to readers

 
Readworthy by BookBub
This Month’s Best New Reader Favorites
What are readers saying about the buzziest books of the month? We’ve rounded up their top-rated picks — including an absorbing coming-of-age novel, Ann Patchett’s highly anticipated latest, and more!
 
.
 
Book cover for The Final Target by Nora Roberts
‘America’s favorite author’ (The New Yorker) is at her very best in this dark, twisty thriller
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Author Arden thinks Dustin is just another harmless fan — but she’s terribly wrong
  • Readers say: “I think this book is going to be among my favorites for the year… The author paints a picture with her words that I can see the setting and characters very clearly when reading. It makes me feel immersed in the story”
  • This gripping story of obsession and resilience boasts a 4.46 average rating on Goodreads
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Final Target by Nora Roberts MEDIA MENTIONS: New York Post, Library Reads, Library Journal
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West
A TV adaptation is already in the works for this reader-recommended mystery!
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • When an influencer vanishes from a luxury hotel in Chicago, it’s the latest in a string of unsolved disappearances. Can Detective Redding Stark unravel the shocking truth?
  • “There is a great deal of suspense within this novel that locks the reader in” (Booklist)
  • Readers say: “Talk about an intense ending… I did not see that coming”
Learn more...
Media mentions for Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West MEDIA MENTIONS: Variety, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Whistler by Ann Patchett
One of 2026’s most anticipated releases is here — and fans are loving it
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • While visiting a museum, 53-year-old Daphne unexpectedly runs into her former stepfather — who she hasn’t seen since the fateful event that changed both their lives forever
  • Readers say: “In Whistler, Patchett has given us a beautifully written, eloquent, insightful, and sensitive story encompassing the complexity of families, connections, and relationships over time”
  • The beloved, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake and Bel Canto delivers “her best novel yet” (The Boston Globe)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Whistler by Ann Patchett MEDIA MENTIONS: NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Financial Times, USA Today, Elle, Good Housekeeping, Vulture, Parade, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Murder at the Hotel Orient by Alessandra Ranelli
Armchair detectives are devouring this clever whodunit inspired by a real-life hotel
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Sterling is used to keeping the secrets of Vienna’s Hotel Orient — but when two guests are murdered, she’ll have to turn detective…
  • “A delightful treat of a novel” (Gilly Macmillan) that’s perfect for fans of The Maid and Golden Age mysteries
  • Rave reviews highlight the glamorous setting and surprising plot twists
Learn more...
Media mentions for Murder at the Hotel Orient by Alessandra Ranelli MEDIA MENTIONS: The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for The Story of Birds by Steve Brusatte
You’ll learn something new in the pages of this fascinating New York Times bestseller
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • “One of the stars of modern paleontology” (National Geographic) takes you through millions of years of avian history — and it’s “even stranger than you imagined” (The Times)
  • Meet penguins the size of gorillas, crows that outsmart most mammals, seabirds with 20-foot wingspans, and much more
  • Readers say: “The book is fun, informative, and easy to read. The author clearly has so much love for his subject matter that the reader can’t help but be captivated”
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Story of Birds by Steve Brusatte MEDIA MENTIONS: NPR, New Scientist, Financial Times, Scientific American, The Guardian, The Times, New York Post
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman
See why this sparkling coming-of-age novel is earning glowing reviews
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Over one fateful summer, 15-year-old Mina and her friends navigate desire and longing — and decades later, Mina reflects on the consequences of the past
  • Readers say: “This book captivated me right from the start and I couldn’t put it down… Wonderfully written and engaging”
  • This “poignant, funny” read “will hook you from the first page until the gorgeous and moving final lines” (Kristin Koval, author of Penitence)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman MEDIA MENTIONS: The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Booklist, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline
The beloved author of Orphan Train delivers her most affecting work yet
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • In 19th-century North Carolina, sisters Sarah and Adelaide marry world-famous conjoined twins from Siam
  • Readers say: “This is a captivating, emotional, and downright unique tale you do not want to miss!”
  • Hailed as “moving [and] hard to put down” (Library Journal), this mesmerizing novel is inspired by the author’s own family history
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline MEDIA MENTIONS: Oprah Daily, People, Real Simple, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, The Millions, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint
An unforgettable Greek myth retelling that’s captivating booklovers everywhere
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • Aphrodite is the goddess of love — so when she falls for Ares, their romance is one of epic proportions…
  • “What a marvelous addition to Saint’s already magnificent legacy as one of the best mythological storytellers in the world” (New York Times bestselling author Nikita Gill)
  • Readers recommend this breathtaking tale to fans of Madeline Miller
Learn more...
Media mentions for This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint MEDIA MENTIONS: Locus, Elle
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for The Sane One by Anna Konkle
Comedy fans shouldn’t miss this memoir that’s ‘equal parts hysterical and moving’ (Marie Claire)
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • The cocreator of Hulu’s Pen15 shares her own coming-of-age story — complete with a roller coaster of family drama
  • “Elegant prose, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and a tender heart make this a delight even for readers unfamiliar with Konkle’s TV work” (Publishers Weekly starred review)
  • Readers suggest keeping the tissues handy for this book that will have you laughing one moment and crying the next
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Sane One by Anna Konkle MEDIA MENTIONS: The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, USA Today, Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
Book cover for The Divorce by Freida McFadden
The latest thrill-ride from the author of The Housemaid is leaving readers stunned
WHY IT’S READWORTHY:
  • In the wake of a bitter divorce, Naomi develops a twisted obsession with her ex’s younger new girlfriend. And the more secrets she uncovers, the more danger she’s in…
  • Already has over 24,000 five-star Goodreads ratings — and counting
  • Readers say: “In true Freida fashion, just when I thought I had the story figured out, she turned everything upside down”
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Divorce by Freida McFadden MEDIA MENTIONS: USA Today, Parade, The Times, Variety, Library Reads
GET EBOOK ON:
Amazon Other formats and retailers
 
   
.

No comments: