The colder weather is setting in, and with it, perfect reading weather. But with so many amazing new releases hitting the stands all the time, it can be hard to know where to begin. Never fear, as the books team from the AU Review are here to tell you all about the books you may have missed in April, the ones you should be reading right now in May, and the ones coming out in June to keep your eyes out for.
From book-thieving bluestockings in Oxford to ‘trad wives’ living in semi-dystopian realities reminiscent of The Stepford Wives, and a couple’s marriage devolving into a thrilling and destructive obsession; from bookshops to the goldfields to historic Ireland; these picks have the potential to transport, transfix and maybe even transform you. You’ll just have to read them to find out which.
By the way, you may have noticed that yet again, time has got away from us and we didn’t put this list out in time for it to be a true ‘Most Anticipated’ list, with some of these titles already available in stores. But we still wanted to tell you about these amazing books, and about why we’re excited to read them. We hope you will be too!
The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances – Glenn Dixon
HarperCollins| Pub date: 21 March 2026| Find a copy HERE
Jess: While over on Netflix, everyone is falling in love with an Octopus in the adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures, in the book world, it’s all about a young Roomba vacuum cleaner determined to save the humans in her life from a sinister technological threat. If you never thought you could learn about human connection from your appliances, you might want to think again.
The Society of Literary Marauders – Sasha Wasley
Pantera Press| Pub date: 31 March 2026 | Find a copy HERE
Emily: At Oxford University, 1928, four young women make a secret pledge to steal the books they are not supposed to read. So begins the society of literary marauders, determined to take back the power denied to them by making sure that knowledge is shared and history is reported properly. If the idea of a society of blue-stockinged lady scoundrels excited you too, then you’ll be even more thrilled to hear that this is the premise of the next novel by the author of Snapshots from Home. Sasha Wasley grounds her writing in a stellar understanding of history and classic literature, and creates lovable, feisty feminist heroes – and putting them into an Oxford setting this time around to combat censorship and narrowmindedness just sounds like my cup of Darjeeling.
Yesteryear – Caro Claire Burke
HarperCollins| Pub date: 7 April 2026| Find a copy HERE
Grace: The ‘tradwife’ trend has run rife on social media platforms over the last few years, and Yesteryear captures this aesthetic of ‘cottagecore’ and housemade sourdough, adding a dystopian and suspenseful spin. The story is very of the moment, with protagonist Natalie, a popular influencer, being thrown into an alternate reality where everything she once knew is being questioned. It’s even already been signed on for a film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway, which even more heightens my anticipation for this read.
The Bookshop of Buried Pasts – Sarah Clutton
Allen and Unwin | Pub date: 28 April 2026 | Find a copy HERE
Emily: Phyllida Banks is admired for her curiosity and wisdom, her antiquarian bookshop is the hub of her community in the Southern Highlands outside of Sydney. One day, Phyllida is suddenly gone, leaving her granddaughter, Lottie, a letter requesting she ‘Find Francis’. Lottie must grapple with her grandmother’s enigmatic past and discovers a trail that leads to Cambridgeshire, England, and another village bookshop with eerie similarities to their own.
No, my appetite for books about bookshops won’t be letting up any time soon, thank you for asking. Blending family drama with history and mystery, the second novel by Sarah Clutton sounds like it has a little bit of something for any reader, and comes highly recommended by bestselling authors, Tess Woods and Sophie Green. I hope that it is as sweet and quirky as it sounds, and I can’t wait to find out who the hell Francis is.
John of John – Douglas Stuart
Pan Macmillan Australia | Pub date: 12 May 2026 | Find a copy HERE
Simon: If you’ve read Shuggie Bain or Young Mungo, the chances are that Douglas Stuart’s latest is already firmly on your TBR. If you’ve not… you’re missing out; and really should get on that – quickly. John of John is the latest novel from the Booker Prize winning author and once again the reader is transported to Scotland; this time to the Isle of Harris. It follows the story of Cal, returning home to the isolated, wind-swept croft of his childhood, that he’d hoped he escaped. Told with the emotional range and sympathetic eye that has become a trademark of his writing; John of John confirms Stuart’s place amongst the best of British writing right now.
Platform Decay – Martha Wells
Tor| Pub date: 12 May 2026| Find a copy HERE
Jess: Our favourite misanthropic Murderbot is back, and still claiming not to care about humans! This time, Murderbot is being forced to interact with strangers, including children, as it embarks on a rescue mission that threatens to prevent it from its favourite pasttime- watching soap operas on its video feed. After all, what’s the point of being freed from your governor model if you are still choosing to look after the humans, just as you were supposedly programmed to do, right? It’s not as if Murderbot has feelings or anything like that… This is the eighth instalment in the series, which has also been adapted into a series starring Alexander Skarsgard for Apple TV.
The Divorce – Freida McFadden
Poisoned Pen Press | 26 May 2026| Find a copy HERE
Grace: With a history of hit thriller releases, Frieda McFadden returns in May with another subversive thriller to keep us on the edge of our seat. The Divorce follows a brutal marriage breakdown which turns into a story of a dark and twisted obsession.
The Between-Worlds B&B – Amy Mae Baxter
HarperCollins | 26 May 2026| Find a copy HERE
Jess: Another cosy fantasy, this time aimed at Young Adult readers (and the young at heart) and promising an escape to a magical bed and breakfast which promises everything that your heart may desire, including a handsome receptionist, a magical library and all the baked goods you can eat. We join Margo, decidedly unmagical, who finds herself a guest here and not entirely sure why. Is it all too good to be true, or is Margo just the luckiest girl in all the worlds? I’m getting Travis Baldree meets Diana Wynne Jones vibes from this one.
The Palace of Lost Virtue – Anthea Hodgson
Penguin Books | Pub Date: 2 June 2026 | Find a copy HERE
Emily: “In 1898, Marigold Harrington arrives on the goldfields of Western Australia with conviction in her heart. The daughter of a prospector and a proud member of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union, she dreams of rescuing women the gold rush has forgotten, those trapped in the shadows of brothels and bars. Across town, Pansy Arlington presides over the Palace of Pleasure, her own small empire built from ruin. The two women spark an unlikely friendship, but in a rough, lawless town built on greed and desire, their bond will be tested by betrayal, violence and a crime that will echo through the years.”
So reads the blurb for the latest novel by WA writer Anthea Hodgson, her second foray into the realm of historical fiction (welcome to the dark side, Anthea.) In 2024, Hodgson explored the story of nurses in World War II who survived the sinking of their ship only to be held in captivity, based on the story of her own aunt, Minnie. This time she’s taking us to Kalgoorlie just before the end of the nineteenth century, a place notable for gold and sin, where claims could be staked through the spilling of blood. This one is also inspired by true events and celebrates the women who had their mettle tested in the Australian wild West. In such capable hands as Hodgson’s, I am ready to be transported back in time.
Land – Maggie O’Farrell
Knopf Books | Pub Date: 2 June 2026 | Find a copy HERE
Grace: As a big Hamnet fan, Maggie O’Farrell’s upcoming historical fiction novel is a highly anticipated read for me. The novel is inspired by O’Farrell’s own family, exploring themes of family, survival and reunion. If you’re also a fan of this author’s intimate writing, this is one to put on your TBR list.
We hope that you’ve found something in this list to add to your cosy winter reading, or to at least inspire you to take a trip to your favourite local bookshop for a browse. If only there were more reading hours in the day!
Thanks to Grace, Emily, Simon and Jess for their contributions!
