As the new year approaches, literary enthusiasts are looking ahead to the stories that will define the coming months. To guide readers, insights have been gathered from key figures in the literary world across Nigeria, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, highlighting a diverse array of forthcoming titles.
From Abuja, a leading figure at a prominent publishing house points to several anticipated releases. The selections include vibrant children’s literature, such as a colorful picture book following two friends on an adventure through a Nigerian village, and a touching tale about twins navigating gender expectations on their birthday. For adult readers, notable works entering paperback include a lyrical and tense novel examining trauma, justice, and masculinity in Jamaica, and a translated political drama about a woman whose sheltered life collides with the dangerous artistic dissent of a friend. Also forthcoming is a powerful courtroom and family drama centered on a mother on trial, laying bare themes of patriarchy and silent suffering. Rounding out the list is a debut political satire from an Ethiopian author, following a student whose brush with state violence propels him into activism.
In Brighton, the proprietor of a bookstore specializing in works by Black authors recommends several standout titles from the past year. The list features a gripping young adult thriller inspired by real events, a uniquely crafted memoir exploring womanhood and legacy, and a celebrated examination of Black British culture beyond London. Also highlighted are a comedic yet enlightening book of historical anecdotes for all ages, a cozy crime novel set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s film industry, and a bestselling debut fantasy novel that begins an epic trilogy.
From Nairobi, the owner of the city’s oldest bookshop, who also runs a publishing press, shares current bestsellers and forthcoming highlights. The shop’s top sellers include a major historical work offering a first-hand, scholarly analysis of post-colonial state formation in East Africa, and a critically acclaimed debut collection of short stories from a Kenyan writer, focusing on love, loss, and belonging. His press is also releasing an anthology of contemporary Kenyan short fiction, born from collaborative workshops, which spans genres from folklore-inspired horror to modernist realism. Finally, he notes one of the most anticipated literary events of the past year: a major new novel from a globally renowned author, marking her return to long-form fiction after more than a decade with a transatlantic story of four women.
This curated preview showcases the dynamic and expansive scope of storytelling set to engage readers in 2026.