Sarah Jessica Parker's 'Early 2026' Book Roundup Has Readers Rushing to Preorder Her Faves

We’re less than two weeks into the new year, but Sex and the City star and reading enthusiast Sarah Jessica Parker has already dropped her “early” 2026 roundup of book suggestions—and many of them haven’t even been released yet! Scroll down for SJP’s full list of what to read in 2026!

“Dear readers, I offer an early 2026 roundup,” she wrote in the caption beside the video, which shows her shuffling through books that she’s “very excited about,” even though some of them haven’t been released yet. So, why mention them so early?

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“This gives everybody an opportunity to reach out to their local public libraries and local independent booksellers,” she explained. She urged fans to “put your name on a list and reserve a book” at the library ahead of time, or to “speak to your local independent bookseller and find out when they might have a copy.”

“Hope some of or all of the books find their way to your hands,” she concluded. “Happy reading!”

There’s no celebrity more trusted when it comes to books than Parker. The actress runs her own publishing imprint, SJP Lit, which focuses on “Thought-provoking, inclusive, and big-hearted stories.” In 2025, she was named as one of the judges for the highly prestigious Booker Prizes, which required her to read more than 100 books in just seven months. In an interview with the prize company, she shared her surprising tip for reading quickly.

Related: Goodreads Just Revealed Readers’ Most Anticipated Books of 2026

“I’ve also discovered that my finger being a guide on the page has moved me more quickly,” she said. “I’m maintaining story and plot and specificity about the book, but I kind of let my hand keep me moving.”

And if your New Year’s resolution is to read more, Parker has some advice for you, too. “You probably have more time in the day than you think,” she said. “In between appointments or calls or waiting for a bus or a train or at the laundromat… take full advantage of [those moments] and, as always, I just never leave home without a book.”

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Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto

“My friend from publishing, Rachel, sent me this book and I was so thrilled,” Parker said of the classic Japanese crime novel, which got a fresh English edition release by Random House Publishing Group in October 2025.

“I’m ashamed to admit I knew nothing about this author; that has all changed,” Parker continued. “It’s quite slim… [and] it was mentioned last week as books that the New York Times was wanting to highlight.”

I Am You by Victoria Redel

Parker mentioned SJP Lit Imprint I Am You alongside Tokyo Express, despite being “wonderfully different,” because it was also recently highlighted by NYT. “Our book was included in their roundup of sumptuous historical fiction—couldn’t agree more,” she said, adding that it’s a “fantastic read.”

The book was released by Penguin Random House in September 2025, and is available for purchase.

Black Bag by Luke Kennard

“This book was recommended to me by somebody special, an author that I love [named Zadie Smith],” shared Parker. “She was reading it in advance, and she said, ‘I’m reading this wonderfully amusing book, and I think you’d really love it,’… I’m very excited about it.”

This Penguin Random House release will be available on Mar 17, 2026.

The Optimists by Brian Platzer

“This book is called The Optimists,” said Parker. “It is available very soon, written by Brian Platzer. So excited about this book. It’s a Little, Brown book.”

The Optimists will be released by Little, Brown and Company on Feb. 24, 2026. The publisher describes the novel as “an ambitious, big-hearted story of learning and legacy,” about a teacher chronicling the rise of his best student.

Whistler by Ann Patchett

“This book I’m very, very excited about. Whistler by the great Ann Patchett,” said Parker of the upcoming novel, set to be released on June 2 by Harper Collins.

The novel follows a chance reunion of a woman and her former stepfather and their rekindled connection. The publisher describes it as “a moving, luminous novel that reminds us of the sweetness and impermanence of life and the power of connection to defy time.”

John of John by Douglas Stewart

“So excited about this book,” said Parker of the third novel from Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stewart. This one follows “a young man returning to his Hebridean island home, a portrait of a father’s expectations and a son’s desires,” and will be released by Grove Atlantic on May 5, 2026.

Douglas was thrilled to be included on Parker’s list, writing, “You’re the greatest. Thank you,” to which Parker responded, “Everyone is so excited about the release of your new book. As am I. Sending love!”

Room 706 by Ellie Levenson

“This book is our next book from SJP Lit, and you [need to] sit down and basically carve out about two hours because you will rip through this book,” said Parker. “It is a thriller. It’s this really compelling, exciting, very surprising story of a woman in contemporary London and what happens to her over the course of an afternoon in room 706.”

This Penguin Random House book will be released on Jan. 20, 2026.

Defiance by Loubna Mrie

“This book, Defiance, came to my attention via [CNN chief international correspondent] Clarissa Ward,” shared Parker. “I saw an Instagram post and was about to pre-order it, and it showed up.” Parker described the book as “an extraordinary memoir.”

Defiance: A Memoir of Awakening, Rebellion, and Survival in Syria by Loubna Mrie will be released by Penguin Random House on Feb. 24, 2026.

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

“I’ve talked a little bit about this book by Patrick Radden Keefe—a lot of you know his work, Empire of Pain and Say Nothing,” said Parker. “This book is coming in April. It’s an amazing recounting of an event that happened in London.”

“It’s just deeply upsetting, incredible journalistic, investigative writing, as we expect from Patrick,” she concluded. London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truthwill be released on Apr 07, 2026, by Penguin Random House.

The Promise by Damon Galgut

“This is a book I read because I had a goal to start reading previous Booker winners,” said Parker of the book, which was the 2021 Booker Prize winner. “That’s going to take me a lifetime, but I was so glad I had this to reach for. It’s beautiful.”

The Promise was released by Chatto & Windus in June 2021.

A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot

Last, Parker suggested reading the upcoming memoir by Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman who bravely waived her right to anonymity in her legal fight against her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, and the fifty men accused of sexually assaulting her for nearly a decade.

“Those of you who followed her story in France, it’s quite something,” said Parker. “It’s a really brave, honest, and heartwrenching memoir.” The memoir has been named the most anticipated book of 2026 by Vulture, NYT, NPR and more.

A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides will be released by Penguin Random House on Feb 17, 2026.