It’s not just a reading list, it’s an early look at the narratives that will shape next year’s cultural conversation.
If you want to stay ahead of the buzz and reach each premiere with the book in hand —and a well-formed opinion— this is where your journey begins.
The Odyssey, Homer
Epic poetry
Published: 8th or 7th century BC
Pages: 541
Author’s nationality: Greek
The novel follows a hero who, after the devastating Trojan War, begins an endless journey back home. It’s a voyage filled with sea monsters, capricious gods, and impossible challenges across an unpredictable sea.
The Odyssey is an epic adventure where the mythical and the human intertwine, telling a story about home, sacrifice, and what it means to survive a world determined to test everything. The story is a reminder that great feats don’t always happen on the battlefield, but in the quiet struggle to rebuild the life one left behind.
The adaptation is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Who’d like this?
This tale will resonate with anyone fascinated by classical myths and inner and outer journeys. It will also attract fans of large-scale epic cinema who care as much about drama as grandeur, and about the eternal question of what it means to return home after war and chaos.
Quote
“A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time”.
Readers say
- “This book is absolutely beautiful with its deckled-edge pages. It’s a great gift for anyone who loves the classics,” says an Amazon user.
- “Like Homer’s Iliad story the Odyssey takes place in a sort of Twilight Zone realm where the Olympian gods and goddesses are always working behind the scenes to influence the affairs of mortals,” says an Amazon user.
Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir
Science fiction novel
Published: 2021
Pages: 496
Author’s nationality: USA
You wake up on a spaceship with no memory, and little by little you realize you’re humanity’s last hope. That’s what happens to the protagonist — an ordinary guy, a former high-school teacher turned astronaut — who finds himself alone in space after a mysterious catastrophe threatens all life on Earth.
Using his ingenuity and scientific knowledge, he launches into a desperate mission to uncover the cause of the disaster and find a solution before time runs out.
The film adaptation is set to hit theaters in March 2026, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with Ryan Gosling starring and producing.
Who’d like this?
This story will appeal especially to readers who love science fiction. Fans of astronomy, physics, or biology who appreciate technical details that make sense —without turning the book into a dense manual. It’s also ideal for those who enjoy existential thrillers where survival, discovery, and human ingenuity collide with the unknown.
Quote
“Human beings have a remarkable ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal.”
Readers say
- “I love, love, love this book! The story is incredible and kept me hooked from the very first page,” says an Amazon user.
- “Easy to read, great pacing, relatable character,” says an Amazon user.
People We Meet on Vacation, Emily Henry
Romance novel
Published: 2021
Pages: 384
Author’s nationality: USA
Two seemingly opposite souls who complement each other perfectly. For nearly a decade, they take a trip together every summer, but during one journey to the Croatian coast they break their tradition. After that falling-out, they spend two years without speaking.
When she realizes that her life — all her trips, jobs, and accomplishments — hasn’t given her the happiness she found with him, she decides to invite him on one last getaway. Their reunion becomes a mix of nostalgia, self-reflection, and romantic tension: enough time to clarify what they feel, what they hid, and what they risk by accepting that their friendship might be something more.
The novel comes to life in a film adaptation arriving January 9, 2026, on Netflix, directed by Brett Haley.
Who’d like this?
This story will captivate readers who want contemporary romances that feel genuine, with real characters and believable, un-idealized conflicts. If you enjoy stories of friendships that could turn into something more, quick dialogue, and a balanced mix of humor and emotion, this book (and its adaptation) is for you.
Quote
“But most of us are too scared to even ask what we want, in case we can’t have it.”
Readers say
- “If you love slow-burn romances with humor, emotional depth, and beautiful settings, this one’s a must-read,” says an Amazon user.
- “My favorite Emily Henry book! The yearning had me screaming, crying and blushing,” says an Amazon user.