May 2026 LibraryReads List

You voted, they counted, and Martha Wells (PLATFORM DECAY), Katherine Center (THE SHIPPERS), Alex Finlay (THE ANNIVERSARY), Veronica Roth (SEEK THE TRAITOR’S SON), Sarah Gailey (MAKE ME BETTER), and Nora Roberts (THE FINAL TARGET) are in the LibraryReads Hall of Fame for May 2026!

PLATFORM DECAY BY Martha Wells | 9781250827005 | 5/5/26

“Wells returns to form with this one, offering a setting and cast that feels smaller and more intimate, more like her earlier novellas. At the same time, she sets up exciting possibilities for where this universe could go next. The family dynamic adds real poignancy, providing one of the most emotionally resonant Murderbot tales yet… The success of the Apple TV series only adds to Murderbot’s popularity, and readers have patiently waited several years for the next installment in the series.”—Booklist, starred review

“Murderbot’s legion of fans will be thrilled by Wells’s latest series installment, and readers who love a good, snarky internal monologue will be glad to know that Murderbot is back in fine fettle after their self-doubt in the previous book, SYSTEM COLLAPSE.”—Library Journal, starred review

THE SHIPPERS BY KATHERINE CENTER | 9781250408051 | 5/19/26

“Center employs the forced proximity trope to excellent effect in bringing these two back together, and the characters’ sparkling banter effortlessly captures their long-standing intimacy. It’s a joy to watch their friends-to-lovers journey unfold.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE ANNIVERSARY BY ALEX FINLAY | 9781250360755 | 5/12/26

“Somehow, Finlay manages to improve with each amazing book, and he has crafted another terrific suspense novel that demands to be read in one sitting. Jules and Quinn fly off the page, and readers will be emotionally engrossed in their journey to see where they are in their lives each May 1.”—Library Journal, starred review

SEEK THE TRAITOR’S SON BY VERONICA ROTH | 9781250347909 | 5/12/26

“Roth’s worldbuilding is detailed without being overwhelming; she focuses more on dystopia in this book and promises to dive deeper into speculative SF adventure in the next installment of the duology. The romance element is seamlessly woven into the plot and comes off elegantly as a result of Roth’s excellent character development. A standout genre-bending adventure with a tender romantic streak.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

MAKE ME BETTER BY Sarah Gailey | 9781250851758 | 5/12/26

“A lonely woman seeks healing and kinship in an isolated island community in this slow-simmering horror from Hugo Award winner Gailey (SPREAD ME)… Gailey does impressive work making life on the island seem pleasant enough—and Celia disconsolate enough—that it’s understandable how warning signs get overlooked or deliberately ignored. Readers are sure to be unsettled. ”—Publishers Weekly

THE FINAL TARGET BY NORA ROBERTS | 9781250413581 | 5/26/26

“Roberts (THE SEVEN RINGS, 2025) masterfully delivers another of her infectiously readable mixes of sinisterly startling suspense and chemistry-rich romance layered into a meticulously crafted plot and enhanced with a realistically relatable cast of family and friends.”—Booklist