Welcome to the midyear list bonanza that is the Best of the Year (So Far). As book nerds, we are always busting at the seams to shout about our favorite books to anyone who will listen, so waiting until the end of the year to do one big list is torture. That’s why I love the June marker, where we get to do part one of the list. While 2026 is not an easy year to be a human enjoying things, it is truly saying something when a book is able to break through all the noise and fully grab a reader’s attention.
Below, I’ve picked three of my fellow Book Riot writers’ picks from the Best Books of the Year So Far mega list (which includes all the genres!), and then I have my personal picks. There’s true crime, a family-centered novel following everyone’s opinion after a tragedy, a twisty puzzle mystery, and many more great 2026 releases for crime readers!
Rioters selections
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English (US)