I read 2026's most exciting new books — here are the best ones for your summer reading list

From BookTok sensations to indie gems, digital features editor and avid reader Denise O’Donoghue has read the year’s most talked-about titles — these are the ones worth making room for in your suitcase

Denise O’Donoghue gives you her picks for the best summer holiday books. Picture: Noel Sweeney

It is a lit-girl summer on social media. To claw back time spent scrolling online, content creators are promoting their offline hobbies, and to fight back against ‘brainrot’ caused by too much time on devices, people are increasingly undertaking reading challenges to ensure they are consuming something meaningful.

All that is to say – a book is the number one accessory to have in your analogue bag (yes, that’s a trend too) this summer.