I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the new year. I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.
Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums by Stan Sakai
The first new book I want to highlight in this Book Haul post is the awesome Usagi Yojimbo comic volume, Ten Thousand Plums by Stan Sakai. An excellent new volume in one of my favourite comic series, Ten Thousand Plums features two excellent new stories that sees the titular rabbit ronin continue to encounter trouble in his treks across feudal Japan. I have already read this outstanding new volume and it was another deeply impressive read with some real emotional heart to it. A truly incredible comic and a great starting point for this post.
The Trespassers by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
I was also very happy to receive a copy of the young adult thriller The Trespassers from Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. An amazing sounding novel that will follow a group of teens as they try to cover up the events of a deadly party in the Alaskan wilderness. I have been looking forward to reading The Trespassers for a while, especially after deeply enjoying Alvarez’s previous young adult thrillers, Lies Like Wildfire and Friends Like These, and I am sure this is going to be another gripping novel.
The Gambler by J. P. Pomare
The next book I recently received is the intriguing 2026 thriller, The Gambler. The upcoming novel from acclaimed Australian author J. P. Pomare, The Gambler will see the author’s returning private investigator protagonist investigate deadly political violence. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Pomare’s previous books, and I am very keen to try out his next book in the new year.
The Delivery by Gregg Hurwitz
While thriller author Gregg Hurwitz has a full novel coming out in 2026, with his next Orphan X entry Antihero, I was very happy to find out that he was also releasing a cool sounding novella with The Delivery. A somewhat more science fiction focused novel than his typical work, The Delivery will see a struggling family deal with the attention of a murderous AI, in what is sure to be an exciting and captivating read.
Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman
Australian author Amie Kaufman looks set to continues to dominate the young adult genre in 2026 with her new science fiction novel Red Star Rebels. A cool sounding science fiction adventure set on futuristic Mars, Red Star Rebels will see two fractious teens attempt to stop a deadly explosion and the mercenaries behind it. I’m sure this is going to be a very fun read, and I’m keen to check it out.
A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M. K. Oliver
Up next we have a very fun sounding debut, A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage, that will see a murderous housewife attempt to cover up her deadly deeds while also achieving her other ambitious designs for herself and her family. I really loved the sound of this book’s fantastic plot, and I have a feeling it is going to be a very special debut.
Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn
The final new book I recently received is the entertaining thriller Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn. Another novel that looks set to blend mystery with humour, Payback will see the seven inmates of a luxury weekend prison attempt to solve the murder of their abusive guard before they lose their cushy arrangement. I really love Payback’s fantastic plot, and I cannot wait to read it next year.
Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.
The Unseen Library 