The Best Books of April 2026

Who we are with different people is really up to us, and Sybil channels different parts of herself into the letters she writes. A journey of growing older, healing and reluctantly embracing the winds of change, this reflective and funny read is perfect for epistolary fans.

Hop in and let an award-winning historian take you on an American adventure where the past meets the present. Journey through thirteen landmark locations that together reveal the full sweep of U.S. history.

After the death of mystery author Arthur Fletch, six unknown writers are recruited to finish the author’s final novel. But the group quickly becomes entangled in a twisted game in this clever locked-room mystery.

Set sail on a parasocial voyage of friendship, nostalgia and resurfaced teen angst. Emma Straub’s latest story follows Annie, who boards a ‘90s-themed cruise ship and unexpectedly bonds with her favorite boy band while rediscovering the joys — and frustrations — of her youth.

The voices behind the hit podcast share their tips, tricks, and entertaining anecdotes to help readers make economic decisions, build wealth and feel financially confident.

An intergalactic war rips through the empire in the second volume in James S. A. Corey’s exhilarating space opera, The Captive’s War.

Patrick Ness returns to the world of Chaos Walking in this tale of fear, power and propaganda. Two decades after the New World was torn apart, a new quest for answers begins.

Natalie seemingly has it all, the perfect husband, kids and a thriving social media empire — but things are about to change. When she suddenly finds herself in an alternate universe from another century, a darkly hilarious story unfolds.

The author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette is back with a transformative novel of new beginnings and second chances. Headstrong and determined, modern philosopher Adora Hazzard questions her future after a meeting with a mysterious yet alluring stranger.

In 2007, on the cusp of her thirties, Alicia faces her future with uncertainty in this stunning examination of ambition, desire, and the struggles of growing up.

Tasked with interviewing his mentor without a recording device, the narrator of this Ben Lerner novel falls into a tender meditation on art, technology and what it really means to be alive.

From insight into symptoms to guidance on advocating for better medical care, the author of The New Menopause offers science-backed and empowering solutions to help you feel heard and supported.

Kylie Lee Baker, author of Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng blends Japanese mythology with modern horror in this haunting tale of two lives from two time periods.

The author of We Used to Live Here brings you to another house that creaks with a lurking dread. A young woman takes a mysterious caretaking job and discovers a chilling supernatural presence as her reality plummets into chaos.

Lena Dunham forges forward, finding a way back to herself following a whirlwind dance with fame and success. Drawing hard-earned insight from life’s twists and the hardships her body endured, she opens her heart to reveal her journey.

Full of revelations and rich analyses of his paintings, this sweeping biography of Johannes Vermeer dives into the life and vibrant work of one of the greatest painters from the Dutch Golden Age.

Annie Adams is back on the case in a dual-timeline mystery that shifts between the 1960s and the present day, where nearly identical murders blur the line between a haunting past and a gritty present.

World War II history comes alive in unexpected ways in another harrowing true tale from the authors of Ghosts of Honolulu and Ghosts of Panama. This time, the focus in on the daring agents who called for an unlikely ally against Nazis: The Italian mob.

Retired Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf shares practical lessons and valuable wisdom he learned during his extensive military career.

Patrick Radden Keefe uncovers the gripping true story of a young man whose life is cut short after he becomes entangled in London’s dark underworld. As his parents launch a harrowing search for answers, the case exposes danger, corruption and one family’s devastating loss.

The author of Make Your Bed shares even more words of wisdom for those looking to lead a life of honor and loyalty through his speeches, letters and toasts from over the years.

Rescue pup owner Isabel Klee, the mind behind the social media phenomenon SimonSits, tells stories of love, loss and, most importantly, the dogs who keep us company along the way.

Amir Levine has developed a new approach to cultivating security in your life so you can thrive and navigate even the hardest of life’s tests with ease and confidence.

Alan Shipnuck masterfully takes Rory McIlroy’s incredible life story and paints an illuminating portrait of one of the most important golf players in the post-Tiger Woods era.

Noma teaches you to build flavor through unique seasonings, sauces, condiments and more. With unique recipes featuring step-by-step techniques, this is your go-to guide for living a life full of flavor.

Return to a world of powerful monsters and cunning hunters in the highly anticipated follow-up to Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry.

If the world were ending, where would you go? Husbands Don and Rodney embark on one last road trip across the country before a black hole consumes everything in this unique story about humanity at the end of life.

You’ve never seen Oz like this. This dark and bloody reimagining of The Wizard of Oz brings a new side to Dorothy’s story. When she lands in Oz, she learns that she can’t trust anybody, even the handsome stranger who joins her. Nobody is safe on this Yellow Brick Road.

On an escape room-themed reality show, a real murder takes center stage as a group of teenage contestants fights for survival while piecing together a puzzling mystery.

A missing young woman, a serial killer on the loose, and deep-rooted corruption pulse through this gripping Hollywood noir thriller, drenched in violence and glitter.

This is a riddle wrapped in a secret inside a mystery. Anthony Horowitz’s latest story takes place on a movie set where the lead has just been murdered … and everyone has a motive.

After a beloved monk is found dead, Detective Sergeant George Cross struggles to find the murderer and the motive in this fast-paced thrill ride from Tim Sullivan.

An aspiring Faerie anthropologist must fix up her uncle’s dilapidated manor in the English countryside or risk losing her inheritance in this enchanting tale of love and fate.

From the author of The Secret History of Bigfoot comes the wild and weird history of psychedelics, from the early discovery of “magic mushrooms” to the potent, complicated relationship between humans and the trippy substances.

Sharing his firsthand account of his time at USAID, Nicholas Enrich reflects on his personal experience in relation to the major challenges faced by the humanitarian institution.

This spellbinding story follows two women who journey into the depths of a nearby lake and discover a surreal world unlike anything they’ve ever encountered before.

After the death of his daughter, a grief-stricken father turns to dark magic to resurrect her from the grave, but a strange darkness comes back with her in this haunting exploration of death, family and identity.

Desire, devotion and deceit. In a self-contained community where adulterers live as couples, Clara and Francis navigate their new life and reconsider the idea of “forever.”

Inspired by a real tragedy, this gripping and powerful novel examines the moral cost of complicity through the inner life of a coast guard worker who rationalizes her decision not to help stranded refugees.

Offering a behind-the-scenes look at Infowars, Josh Owens reflects on his experience working there and the perspective he gained over time while helping create its media content.

Reaching out to his beloved son through heartfelt illustrations, Luke Adam Hawker invites reflection on evocative artwork that explores love, connection and friendship.

Inviting readers inside the Supreme Court, this insightful read presents the ins and outs of the court’s daily existence. With entertaining anecdotes and balanced reflections, this is a thoughtful look at how the nation’s highest court operates.