Ben & Books

2025 has been a brilliant year for me, in terms of reading. With over 50 books read, it has been by far my most active year, undoubtably helped by factors such as the Publishing MA that I completed this year, and my choice to start reviewing books on my blog and Instagram. Throughout the year I have read books that I have eagerly awaited all year from familiar and favourite authors such as Catherine Rundell and Rick Rioedan. I have also found new and unexpected favourites from books that I normally wouldn’t have looked at. I have found new horror favourites through Grady Hendrix and C.J. Cooke, I have been mystified by the unique mystery storytelling of Uketsu, I have gone on unforgettable fantasy adventures with S.F. Williamson and Riley August, and I have been left utterly heartbroken by Jennie Godfrey. And as 2025 goes into its final month, I find myself often looking to next year. What books am I looking forward to the most? Which new books and authors will surprise me this year? So, with a view to 2026, here are the five books I am most looking forward to next year:

A War of Wyverns by S.F. Williamson (1.1.2026)

Ever since I finished A Language of Dragons back in September, I have been desperate to return to the story to see how it ends. With a beautifully written world, deep and compelling characters, and a shocking, cliffhanger ending, I cannot wait to finally pick up a copy of A War of Wyverns and see the conclusion of this epic YA fantasy series.

The Barbecue at No.9 by Jennie Godfrey (12.02.2026)

The List of Suspicious Things was one of my favourite reads of 2025. Charming and heartbreaking in equal measure, it made for a book that I still think about even months later. Thus, when a new novel by Jennie Godfrey was announced, I was naturally very interested in it. I cannot wait to see what this new novel, set in the summer of 1985, will bring.

Strange Buildings by Uketsu (26.2.2026)

Having read both Strange Pictures and Strange Houses in one sitting each earlier this year, the announcement of another mystery book by Uketsu was more than welcome to me. I have no doubt that this next book will be just as creepy, unique, and gripping as the other two were.

A Planet Called Happy by Riley August (23.7.2026)

The Last Gifts of the Universe was probably the biggest surprise of 2025. A book I originally bought just for the cat on the cover, I did not expect the raw, emotional beauty of the book I was about to read. So, with the announcement of another book set in the same universe, I am naturally very excited to see what will happen in A Planet Called Happy.

Impossible Creatures Book 3 by Catherine Rundell (27.8.2026)

Both books in Catherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures series have been favourites of mine in 2024 and 2025, so naturally the third instalment of the fantasy series is one that I am looking forward to very much. With book 3 being the mid-point of the series, I cannot wait to see what new characters, twists, and most importantly, what new magical and mythical creatures are to come.