While the world outside speeds toward Monday, the most radical act you can perform this morning is getting lost in a story. February 2026 is proving to be a heavyweight month for literature, offering everything from high-stakes magical realism to the long-awaited return of modern masters.

If you’re looking for a reason to stay in your jammies a little longer, these four new releases are it.

1. The Literary Return: Kin by Tayari Jones

Following the massive success of An American Marriage, Jones returns with a bracing, textured novel about two motherless women, Vernice and Annie. Growing up together in Louisiana, their lives eventually diverge into starkly different worlds of affluence and struggle. It is a profound exploration of what we owe to our past and the people who knew us before we knew ourselves.

Why we think it’s the perfect Sunday read: It’s “slow-burn” storytelling at its finest. You know, the kind that requires a second cup of coffee.

2. The Genre-Bending Escape: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn

Imagine a library where books aren’t just stories, but portals. Alexandria Watson is a foster-system survivor who finds a hidden door in the Boston Public Library leading to a place where the desperate can literally live inside their favorite novels. Quinn (author of The Alice Network) weaves a “fantastical adventure” that feels like a love letter to every bibliophile who ever wished they could step into the pages of a Regency romance or a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Why we think it’s the perfect Sunday read: It’s pure, high-end escapism. Perfect for those who want to travel without leaving their nook.

3. The ‘Cozy-Witchy’ Pivot: Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

If your Sunday mood is “low-stakes and high-comfort,” look no further. Agnes runs a meticulously organized cat rescue in Montreal, but when she’s forced to rent space from a cantankerous wizard, her life gets a lot more… supernatural. It’s part rom-com, part fantasy, and entirely charming.

Why we think it’s the perfect Sunday read:  It’s the literary equivalent of a warm weighted blanket.

4. The Psychological Page-Turner: It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica

For those who prefer a little “Sunday Suspense” to wake up the brain, Kubica’s latest is trending for all the right reasons. A peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare when Courtney Gray finds her family dead and her niece missing. It’s a masterclass in unreliable narration and small-town secrets that will keep you guessing until the brunch reservations.

Why we think it’s the perfect Sunday read:  You won’t be able to put it down, making it the perfect “one-sitting” challenge for a lazy morning.