The year 2026 promises to be a rich one in terms of literature as well. Authors such as Maggie O’Farrell or Matt Haig will release new books. And right at the beginning of the year, Julian Barnes’ last novel will be released, including in Romania: Departure(s)/ Departure, departures. The moment brings a lot of emotion, because it will be the last in the life and career of the writer.
Departure(s), by Julian Barnes
Among the most anticipated titles are Departure(s), written by Julian Barnes, the British author who in 2011 won the Booker Prize. The book will be released on January 20 and will also appear in Romania, at the Nemira publishing house, under the title of Departure, departures. Radu Paraschivescu is the one who translated it.
“It is not easy for me to write these lines, nor to make you an implicit invitation. I left the translation of the last (yes, the last) book of Julian Barnes, “Departure(s)” at the Nemira publishing house. The book will probably come out in January and I think it would be nice to buy and read it. It will disturb you, it will make you sad, it will make you think. And it will be the last meeting with a sick Barnes and aware of the imminence of the end. He himself writes it twice: <
The novel tells the story of a man named Stephen and a woman named Jane who fall in love twice: once in their youth and the second time when they are old. The book also tells the story of how our bodies leave us, due to age, illness or accidents.
Land, by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell, author of the well-known novel Hamnet (which was also screened in 2025, starring Paul Mescal) will return with a new book: Land. Set in Ireland in 1865, just after the Great Famine, the novel explores themes of loss, survival and migration.
The book will be released on June 2, and in Romania it will most likely appear at the Trei publishing house, where the author’s other titles were also translated.
The Midnight Train, by Matt Haig
Six years after the success of the book midnight library, Matt Haig will be back in May this year with a story in the same style: The Midnight Train, title that could be translated in Romania as The midnight train.
“No one can change the past, but the Midnight Train can take you there. And to give you the chance to relive the moments that meant the most. To see what kind of person you really are”is the premise from which the novel starts.
In Romania, most of Matt Haig’s books have so far been translated by the Nemira publishing house.
Hooked, by Asako Yuzuki
The author of the novel Butter (translated in 2025 at the Litera publishing house), will return in 2026 with another book: Hooked. The novel, which will be released internationally on March 12, is suitable for those who love Japanese literature as well as psychological thrillers.
The book tells the story of Eriko, a woman who seems to have it all: a prestigious job at a large Japanese trading company, a perfectly clean apartment, and devoted parents. However, he experiences deep loneliness and has never been able to form a real friendship. While working on an ambitious project (reintroducing a controversial type of fish to the Japanese market), Eriko becomes obsessed with a blog written by a woman named Shoko—a content creator who describes her imperfect but authentic life.
Most likely, the novel will also appear in Romania, also at the Litera publishing house.
The ending writes itself, by Evelyn Clarke
Thriller lovers will also be able to delve into the mysteries of the novel The ending writes itself signed under the pseudonym Evelyn Clarke by two authors: VE Schwab and Cat Clarke. There is every chance that this year the publishers will fight for the title, after Stephen King declared that it is possible to become the best mystery of 2026 and that it will remind readers of Agatha Christie.
The story in the novel begins when six authors are invited to a private island in Scotland by Arthur Fletch, a successful world-renowned novelist. When they get there, however, they find out that Fletch is actually dead and that his last novel, highly anticipated by the public, has remained unfinished. Fletch’s publisher and agent offer them a unique opportunity: whoever writes an ending worthy of this book will win a major literary contract and substantial prize money. The perpetrators have 72 hours at their disposal, and during this time everyone’s isolation, competition and secrets are about to give rise to dangerous situations.
The night we met, by Abby Jimenez
Romance lovers will be able to enjoy a new novel written by one of the most famous authors of the genre, Abby Jimenez.
The night we met is a story about choices, friendship and love and how one choice can change everything: Larissa, the protagonist of the book, remembers the night she met two men who could have changed her life.
The book will be released in the UK on March 23. So far, Jimenez has been published in Romania by two publishing houses: Nemira and Bookzone.
The last contract of Isako, by Fonda Lee
For fantasy fans, one of the most anticipated novels is The last contract of Isakoby Fonda Lee.
“Isako is a legendary swordswoman, but no legend lasts forever”it says in the book description. When her longtime client suddenly retires, she plans to do the same and depart for the frozen expanses of their planet with her honor intact and her family’s future secured by her legacy. But everything changes when a rival offers him one last mission.
Until now, the Canadian author Fonda Lee has not been published in Romania.
The last king of Faerie, by Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare, on the other hand, one of the most beloved fantasy authors in the world, has numerous books published in Romania, at the Corint publishing house. This year, in the fall, he will release a new book: The Last King of Faeriethe first in the series The Wicked Powerswhich will conclude the literary trilogy Deadly Instruments.
