Book News

Your weekly digest of book industry trends and reader insights

Week 2026-W05 · Friday, January 30, 2026

This Week's Trending Books & Bestsellers

Hockey romances from the Off-Campus and Game Changers series are surging due to streaming adaptations on HBO Max and Prime Video, while memoirs like Strangers capture attention with raw personal stories amid pandemic fallout. NYT fiction bestsellers dominate with thrillers and mysteries from authors like Virginia Evans and John Grisham, boosted by word-of-mouth and high-profile releases. Children's classics see renewed interest from film adaptations like Wuthering Heights.

The Correspondent

by Virginia Evans

Tops NYT hardcover fiction with its intimate tale of revisiting the past through letters, hailed as a breakout hit by Ann Patchett.

Anatomy of an Alibi

by Ashley Elston

NYT #2 fiction, gripping thriller about two women uncovering secrets that lead to murder.

The Devil's Daughter

by Danielle Steel

NYT #3, emotional story of estranged sisters reconciling amid family history.

The Widow

by John Grisham

NYT #6 and PW mention, lawyer accused of murder hunts the real killer in rural Virginia.

Strangers

by Belle Burden

PW #9 nonfiction hardcover, buzzy memoir on marriage's collapse during Covid, praised for raw emotional arc.

The Deal

by Elle Kennedy

PW hardcover fiction surge from 2025 reissue, boosted by Prime Video's upcoming Off-Campus adaptation.

BookTok & Social Trends

What's buzzing on social media this week

BookTok trends this week center on long, immersive books over 600 pages dominating holiday breakouts amid some romance backlash, ongoing 2025 reading roundups transitioning to 2026 TBR lists, and creative book recommendations using classics like Heated Rivalry. Predictions highlight rising horror genres like weird fiction and femgore, while anticipated 2026 novels from authors like Maggie O’Farrell fuel excitement. Fanfiction sites like AO3 see peak traffic during family holidays for escapism.

#Long Books Reign

Viral holiday hits are 600+ page doorstoppers driven by Kindle Unlimited page-read pay, reader escape desires, and possible Alchemised influence, with growing romance market backlash.

#Reading Roundups

Feeds flooded with year-end best-of lists emphasizing high book counts read, now morphing into 2026 TBR additions.

#Heated Rivalry Recommendations

Creators innovatively using this book to recommend others, showcasing creativity in daily content.

#Horror Rise

Predicted surge in popularity for these subgenres on BookTok in 2026 per influencers.

#Anticipated Novels

Buzz around releases like Maggie O’Farrell's Land and debuts building hype for winter/summer drops.

#High Book Count Brags

Content creators highlighting triple-digit reads to stand out in best-of lists.

#TBR 2026 Lists

January shift from 2025 recaps to books begged to be read this year.

#AO3 Holiday Escapism

Christmas peak traffic on fanfiction site as people seek reading pockets amid family time.

Industry Analysis

Market insights and key developments

The books market, valued at US$161.12 Bn in 2025, is projected to grow at a 3% CAGR through 2032, driven by digital formats like online sales (8.6% CAGR) and e-books (4.0% CAGR), amid rising reader demand in North America and Asia Pacific. AI is transforming content creation, personalization, and audio production, while audiobooks surge past e-books in revenue, signaling a shift to immersive, voice-first experiences. Sustainability, blockchain for royalties, and digital-first marketing are key trends reshaping reader engagement and industry operations for 2026.

Key Takeaways

Books market to grow at 3% CAGR from 2025's US$161.12 Bn valuation, with online segment leading at 8.6% CAGR.

Audiobooks are the fastest-growing format, generating more author revenue than e-books and projected to hit nearly $3 Bn soon.

AI drives content creation, narration, machine translation, and personalized recommendations, enabling global multiformat releases.

Personalized publishing uses data analytics for customized editions based on reader behavior, device, and region.

Immersive e-books with multimedia, audio, and gamification deepen engagement; voice-first content dominates.

Digital-first marketing via social media, influencers, and niche communities replaces traditional promotion for discovery.

Sustainability practices like eco-friendly printing and digital workflows become standard to reduce waste.

Emerging Genres

New trends in book categories

Readers are gravitating toward hybrid genres blending romance with fantasy and heightened horror elements amid ongoing global anxieties. Young adult and LGBTQ+ fiction remain strong sellers with growing demand from adapted media and matured fan communities. Speculative fiction grounded in real-world issues like climate and AI is surging alongside niche historical periods.

Romantasy & Romance Hybrids

Blends romance with fantasy elements, continuing strong sales despite agent selectivity for new authors, boosted by reader loyalty and collectible editions.

Young Adult

High demand from agents, editors, and readers, amplified by Netflix adaptations and excited releases like Shadow Reaper and Throne of Nightmares.

LGBTQ+ Fiction

Expanding appetite linked to fan fiction evolution, with adults seeking mature versions of beloved tropes.

Horror

Thriving as escapist revenge fantasy in tough times, with buzz for titles like Mula and dark fairy tale hybrids like Honeysuckle.

Grounded Speculative Fiction

Explores climate change, AI, and space with realistic stakes, appealing to editors and readers amid current events.

Historical & Hidden History

Focus on 18th-19th centuries and early 20th, avoiding mid-20th periods, driven by fresh storytelling angles.

Paranormal Fantasy

Republished and new YA crossovers gaining traction, as seen in reader excitement for Fallen and Unicorn Hunters.

Research Sources

missdemeanors.com emmareadstoomuch.substack.com youtube.com publishersweekly.com

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Additional research sources available

publishersweekly.com libraryaware.com flyleafbooks.com