January is that rare, quiet pause between reflection and ambition. A new year invites fresh starts, better habits, and—if you’re a reader—a renewed commitment to your reading resolution. Whether your goal is to read across genres, discover new voices, or simply spend more mindful hours away from screens, the top books to read in January should set the tone for the months ahead.
This carefully curated list of top books to read in January 2026 spans new releases published in this month, and spans across literary fiction, poetry-driven history, contemporary romance, biography, and reflective non-fiction. Each offers a different way to think, feel, and engage with the world. These book recommendations are designed to help you start the year strong.
By Amitav Ghosh
Genre: Literary Fiction / Speculative Realism
Amitav Ghosh blends memory, ecology, and the uncanny into a quietly powerful narrative that moves between 1970s Calcutta and present-day Brooklyn. The story begins with three-year-old Varsha Gupta, who insists she remembers a past life as a fisherwoman in the Sundarbans—a claim that draws psychiatrist Shoma Bose into a case that defies rational explanation. Decades later, Shoma’s nephew Dinu revisits Varsha’s mysterious story through fragmented notes and fading memories. As personal recollection intersects with environmental loss, the novel becomes an elegy for disappearing worlds—both ecological and emotional.
Genre: History / Religion / Cultural Studies
Rebellion in Verse explores the radical spiritual revolution that unfolded in medieval Tamilakam, where poet-saints challenged rigid Vedic orthodoxy through deeply personal devotional poetry. Writing in Tamil rather than Sanskrit, figures like Andal, Tirumangai Alvar, and Periyalvar reshaped who could speak to—and for—the divine. This book traces how the Bhakti movement became a force of social inclusivity, foregrounding voices from marginalised communities and professions. Perfect for those interested in faith, resistance, and how poetry can transform society.
By Durjoy Datta
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Emotional Fiction
Durjoy Datta’s While We Wait is a tender exploration of grief, companionship, and the silences that bind two wounded people together. Aditi and Raghav don’t fall in love in conventional ways; instead, they share space, pain, and quiet understanding after life upends everything they know. The novel focuses less on healing and more on endurance—how sometimes presence alone can make loss survivable. With restrained prose and emotional honesty, this story captures a softer, more introspective side of romance.
Genre: Romance / Emotional Drama
Known for his deeply affecting poetry, Rithvik Singh brings the same emotional intensity to his debut romance novel. I Cannot Say Goodbye to You follows Aashna, a young woman navigating abandonment, first love, and the painful realisation that some goodbyes are forced upon us. Set against boarding schools, broken homes, and fleeting moments of joy, the novel captures love that feels cinematic yet achingly real. With sharp dialogue, tender vulnerability, and unexpected twists, this is a story about choosing yourself when love becomes unbearable.
By Mohar Basu
Genre: Biography / Pop Culture
This vibrant biography traces the extraordinary career of one of Indian cinema’s most enduring superstars. From romantic icon Prem to action hero Tiger, Salman Khan’s screen presence has shaped decades of Bollywood fandom. Mohar Basu weaves together fan interviews, insights from collaborators, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes to create a layered portrait of fame, controversy, and reinvention. Beyond the headlines, the book examines Salman Khan’s cultural impact and lasting mystique.
Genre: Non-Fiction / Self-Reflection
Blending storytelling with gentle life lessons, You Can Have It All is Gaur Gopal Das’s most personal work yet. Set around a wedding in Jaisalmer, the narrative unfolds through conversations that reveal hidden fears, ambitions, and emotional blind spots. Drawing from his own journey, Das explores the tension between success and fulfilment, offering insights on perspective, self-compassion, and balance. Warm, humorous, and deeply relatable, this book is ideal for January readers reassessing priorities and setting intentions for a more grounded year ahead.
The top books to read in January are not about ticking off resolutions but about choosing stories that resonate with where you are right now. From literary fiction and cultural history to romance, biography, and reflective non-fiction, these book recommendations offer multiple ways to begin 2026, with curiosity, comfort, and clarity. Pick one, settle in, and let your reading year unfold naturally, one page at a time.
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