Amazon’s Must Read New Books of January

I hope your reading goals are off to a strong start! The good news is that there’s no shortage of exciting new books releasing this year to help you stay motivated. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at Amazon’s list of the best books releasing in January. Keep reading to see which upcoming titles earned a spot on their list.

One of the best pieces of advice for anyone setting a reading goal for 2026 is to keep it realistic. Setting the bar too high can quickly become discouraging, especially if you start to fall behind. A simple way to stay on track is to build a strong to-read list filled with books you’re genuinely excited about.

That’s where new-release lists really shine. Browsing curated selections—especially from trusted sources—is a great way to discover books you might have otherwise missed. Sometimes it’s a highly anticipated new novel from a favorite author, and other times it’s a debut or unexpected release that completely surprises you.

Amazon has a solid track record when it comes to spotlighting standout new books, and their January picks are no exception Scroll down to see the full list of new releases that caught our attention and find your next great read.

Amazon’s Must Read Books of January

• Crux by Gabriel Tallent
• The Castaways by Lucy Clarke
• The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans by Maya Shankar
• Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
• The Typewriter and the Guillotine: An American Journalist, a German Serial Killer, and Paris on the Eve of WWII by Mark Braude
• Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
• This Is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin
• The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead
• Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block
• Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet

Crux

I will admit, I don’t remember reading a novel about rock climbing before. Crux by Gabriel Tallent is centered around the friendship of two senior high schoolers who love to rock climb. Dan and Tamma are complete opposites but their love of rock climbing brings them together.

Dan is a gifted student while Tamma is a burnout who might not even graduate. But they both love rock climbing. An unlikely bond brings their worlds together as they deal with the pressures they face. Crux reminds us that friendships can be found in the unlikeliest of places and what the power of friendship is capable of.

The Castaways

I love a good mystery and thriller novel and The Castaways by Lucy Clarke is just that. With so many good choices on this list, this is the one I am most excited about.

Lori and Erin, sisters, booked a trip to Fiji that they were excited for. But an argument leads to Erin not showing up for the flight. Lori gets on the plane and isn’t heard from again as the airplane mysteriously vanishes.

Two years later, the pilot of the plane is found in Fiji. That reaffirms Erin’s belief that her sister is alive. But the pilot doesn’t remember anything about the crash. Now, Erin flies to Fiji to solve the mystery of the plane and to find her sister.

This Is Where the Serpent Lives

What I love about reading is how it takes you all around the world while you read comfortably in your bed. In Daniyal Mueenuddin’s novel, This Is Where the Serpent Lives, we travel to Pakistan and see all the residents of this country.

The novel has four parts that tell the story of a post-Partition Pakistan through the lenses of the rulers and those who serve them. This is ultimately a story of loyalty, ambition, and greed and of a changing world and its impact on a family over multiple generations.

The Future Saints 

You don’t often come across a fictional story of a band trying to make it big. That’s probably because we have a ton of true stories that people would rather read about. But The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead is a beautiful tale that is worth reading.

The band Future Saints is set to disband after one last album. But when Hannah, the lead singer of the band, debuts a new song, it goes viral and breathes new life into the band. Now, Theo, the music executive, gives it his all to help the band reach stardom.

But he doesn’t understand the grief of the band over the loss of their band manager. Hannah is self destructive despite the newfound success. A new relationship blossoms and might be what the band needs to start anew.

Beth is Dead

I love when novels adopt a classic novel and give it a breath of fresh air. Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet incorporates the plot of Little Women by May Alcott. Even if you haven’t read the classic novel, you will still enjoy this mystery novel.

As the title suggests, Beth is dead, has been murdered and her sisters try to solve her murder. The novel tells the story from the perspective of the sister in contemporary Massachusetts. This is a thriller that reimagines a classic and will keep you hooked until the last page.

Conclusion

I am still trying to make headway of all the amazing books released in 2025. But the world doesn’t stop for anyone. There are a ton of amazing new books releasing just this month. It can be a little overwhelming but remember that it isn’t a race. Read at your own pace and pleasure.

Amazon’s list of the best books of January 2026 includes a bunch of amazing novels. I have added a bunch of them to my reading list and I can’t wait to see what other readers think of these books. And with no big name author on this list, it gives new authors and lesser known authors to make a name fo themselves.

What books form this list are you most excited to read? What other books releasing this month are you eager to read? Let us know in the comments below.. Until next time, happy reading!

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