National Year of Reading: MMA’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026

Maddy Belton, Literary Agent

The sequel to When The Moon Hatched, Sarah A. Parker’s The Ballad of Falling Dragons, publishing May 19^th 2026 with HarperVoyager is the book I anticipate this year. When The Moon Hatched is such an amazing, gorgeous book with heartbreaking doomed lovers and an intriguing magic system, and I’m so excited to read the second instalment for more amazing slowburn romance and to continue exploring the vibrant world Parker has created.

Callen Martin, Associate Agent

For me, it has to be Lee Newbery’s Holomonsters, publishing on 7^th May with Puffin. I’ve been such a huge fan of Lee’s writing since his debut, The Last Firefox. And with gaming, a Pokémon-esque monster system, and the level of heart I think of as Lee’s signature, Holomonsters is my most anticipated middle-grade book of the year. It’s Pokémon meets Jurassic Park!

Ella Welch, Children & YA Assistant

For me, I’m anticipatingThe Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark (VE Schwab and Cat Clarke) – publishing on 7^th April 2026. It’s a twisting, thrilling mystery with an amazing premise making satire about the publishing industry. I absolutely love V.E Schwab’s work, so I’m excited to read something she’s co-written in a completely different genre to what she usually writes in, and from what I usually read.

Virginia Ivaldi, Assistant to Liv Maidment and Rachel Yeoh

My pick is Attention Seeking Behaviour by Aea Varfis-van Warmelo coming with Peninsula Press UK and Graywolf US in May 2026. She is a friend and the most talented writer I know! Blending fiction and non-fiction the book is ultimately about the proximity of literature and lying. Attention Seeking Behaviour is the most funny and gorgeously written book you’ll read this year.

Phoebe Fawcett, Non-Fiction Assistant

I haven’t started reading this, but Virginia me her copy to read and I’m really, really looking forward to it: Mrs S by K Patrick. A sapphic forbidden romance between a young teacher and the headmaster’s wife. It’s got it all: dark academia, slowburn, and lesbian representation to combat all the attention Heated Rivalry is getting.

Sinead Cox, Office Assistant

The book I anticipate the most this year is Eyes of Kings by Chloe Gong, publishing 6^th August 2026 with Hodderscape. I’m a huge fan of her work and so excited for the conclusion to her Flesh and False Gods trilogy. The series uses a cool body swapping mechanic, infusing Chinese culture and history to create a rich world and background to the messy, morally grey characters and plots that never stop twisting. It’ll be the book of my summer for sure!