Here Are Our Top Fiction Picks From Barnes and Noble’s Summer 2026 List—Ann Patchett to ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’
These 8 can't-miss novels are the best way to close out your summer reading list
Key Takeaways
- Barnes & Noble's summer reading 2026 list features Ann Patchett's new novel ‘Whistler.’
- ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ by Matt Dinniman made the list for sci-fi fans.
- The roundup includes thrillers, family dramas and one buzzy road-trip novel.
Summer might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in another beach read—or two! Barnes & Noble has shared their 2026 summer reading list, packed with dozens of titles spanning nearly every genre, but narrowing it down can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in: From family sagas to science fiction and suspense, we’ve rounded up our top eight fiction picks from the list, so you can skip the scrolling and get straight to reading. Page-turning tales await!
‘Whistler’ by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett’s newest family saga follows Daphne and her former stepfather, Eddie. One day, while walking through the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Daphne runs into Eddie, who was married to her mother for less than a year and whom she hasn’t seen in decades after a car accident changed their lives. As the two reconnect, they realize just how much they have missed each other and soon, what started out as a chance meeting turns into a relationship that will change both of their lives.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “This is a wonderful tale. I enjoyed reading it during a few summer evenings and mused about the many places Ann Patchett was taking me. It is enthralling and beautiful.”
‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ by Matt Dinniman
Science fiction fans will adore this bestselling novel by Matt Dinniman. After breaking up with his girlfriend and getting stuck with her prize-winning show cat Princess Donut, Coast Guard vet Carl is shocked when an alien invasion destroys all of Earth and forces him into an intergalactic game show. Now, Carl and Princess Donut must navigate a video game-like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy and make it to the end of the world. Can he and the cat escape in time?
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “A genre-bending, explosive end of the world adventure that knocked my socks (and pants) off! I flew through this and can’t wait to take the stairs into the next level. Matt Dinniman has created something really special here. It’s weirdly engaging, hilariously funny and entirely human. 5/5 stars.”
‘The Divorce’ by Freida McFadden
In this New York Times bestseller, Naomi is living the perfect love story. She’s married, living in her dream house and ready to start a family. But when her husband unexpectedly kicks her out, drains their accounts and starts dating a 20-year-old, Naomi begins to investigate who she is. But the longer she spends fixating on the young woman, the more dangerous it becomes—and soon Naomi discovers that her life might be in danger.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “The Divorce is hands down my favorite Freida McFadden book so far. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. Every time I thought I had worked out what was going on, another twist came along and proved me wrong. The pacing was perfect, keeping me glued to the pages and constantly needing to know what would happen next.”
‘The Road to Tender Hearts’ by Annie Hartnett
At 63, PJ Halliday is convinced his best days are behind him. He’s suffered three heart attacks and is divorced, drinking too much and estranged from his grown daughter, Sophie. But when he decides to embark on a cross-country road trip to track down an ex-girlfriend, things change. Now, he finds himself as the guardian of his late brother’s two grandchildren, who he’s never met, but he decides to bring them and Sophie along for the ride, in addition to a stray cat they pick up on the way. What follows is a fun mix of love, heartache and second chances.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “This was such an unexpectedly lovely story. I fell in love with the characters, especially Pancakes the cat. Although the novel explores heavy themes such as grief, family dysfunction and heartbreak, it’s told in a way that has you laughing out loud. Perhaps I wouldn’t want PJ as my dad, but I really loved his character and his growth throughout the story. Recommended for fans of heartwarming, funny, contemporary fiction.”
‘Valley of the Moms’ by Hannah Selinger
Set in Hamilton, Massachusetts, this novel follows housewife Anna Plummer, who never thought she would be married with two kids, and is getting more and more bored by the second. Then, when she realizes that her second grader won’t be able to attend the school dance because she didn’t pay for a “Premium” membership, Anna sends an email to the PTO and the town erupts. A year later, Anna is found dead and her husband Danny knows he’s going to be the prime suspect. He also knows that if he wants to find out what happened to Anna, he’s going to have to do it himself. A twisty suburban thriller that will leave readers guessing.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “If you are in need of a fast-paced, drama-filled thriller, make this your next read. I flew through this book! As a Massachusetts local, I can confirm that Hannah Selinger nailed the local nuances of life in suburbia (the local references added so much to this story). I wish I could read this again for the first time.”
‘These Summer Storms’ by Sarah MacLean
Secrets, scandals and suspense abound in this novel by Sarah MacLean. Alice Storm has built a life far away from the powerful Storm name, and she hasn’t set foot in her family’s palatial beach house in five years. But when her father suddenly dies, she’s forced to return home. Now, Alice must reunite with her three siblings and mother to play an “inheritance game” that will unearth long-buried family secrets and force them all to confront their past.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “This might be the perfect summer read. Family Drama. Billionaires. Forbidden relationships. Mystery. Death. And a game. The head of the family dies bringing his wife and kids together for what they think is a celebration of his life. I loved the twists and the not knowing. Little hints dropped here and there for what is to come, but you second guess yourself. I was wrong more times than I was right.”
‘Don’t Let Him In’ by Lisa Jewell
If you love page-turning tales that leave you guessing until the very last page, don’t miss this novel. On the surface, the charming Nick Radcliffe seems perfect— he’s just what Nina Swann needs after her husband’s unexpected death. But Nina’s daughter Ash isn’t convinced. She thinks Nick is too charming and begins looking into his past. Meanwhile, across town, a florist named Martha suspects her husband Alistair is hiding something. As these three women’s lives collide, secrets are brought to the surface and everyone is left with questions.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “Lisa Jewell has once again proven why she is one of my favorite thriller/mystery authors. This is a gripping book woven with lies, deceit, missing people, murder and more. Her ability to keep readers glued to her stories while delivering crazy twists is remarkable. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, Don’t Let Him In is a book you won’t want to miss!”
‘The Rest of Our Lives’ by Ben Markovits
Travel across the country within the pages of this novel by Ben Markovits. When Tom Layward’s wife had an affair 12 years ago, he vowed to leave her as soon as their youngest child moved out. Now, while driving his college-bound daughter to Pittsburgh, he remembers his promise to himself and decides to keep driving. He has no destination in mind and no goals. He just knows that he’s trying to outrun his health issues, his job that he was forced to leave and so much more. While on the road, he meets up with an old college friend, his ex-girlfriend, his brother, his son and many more people he hasn’t seen in quite a while—all of whom love him and all of whom have a story to tell.
What Barnes & Noble customers are saying: “The Rest of Our Lives is a road trip story, a midlife story, and even a love story. It’s warm, human, surprisingly funny, and very touching. The writing is so lovely and detailed—I even read portions out loud to my husband!”
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