The Most Anticipated Books Of October Include Some Spooky Halloween Tales

Oct. 6

As a loyal fan of the books on which his hit TV show is based, lead actor Marcus hates the way the series presents his character. Unable to vent publicly, he masquerades online as a fic writer: Book!AeneasWouldNever. When April's cosplay of Aeneas' paramour, Lavinia, goes viral online, Marcus finds himself set up on a date with her at the next fan convention. But after learning that April is the his fandom BFF, Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, Marcus must decide whether keeping his secret identity under wraps is worth missing out on a shot at real-life love with his date.

Oct. 6

Heid E. Erdrich's latest poetry collection is Little Big Bully: a slim volume of poems illuminating the highs and lows of Native American and First Nations women's experiences in the modern world.

Oct. 6

Cal bought a house in Ireland to get away from police work, but the retired detective finds himself pulled back into his old life in Tana French's The Searcher. A boy in the local village has gone missing, but only his brother seems to want answers. It's up to Cal to find out what's going on near his new home, but his involvement will come at a price.

Oct. 13

There are fictional scary stories, and then there are the real life nightmares when life creeps up and sucker punches you at the worst possible time. If this happens to be one of those years for you (and isn’t it for all of us?) pick up Wise As Fu*k by New York Times bestselling author, Gary John Bishop. Bishop’s words of wisdom will help you deal with whatever sh*tstorm life throws your way— from heartbreak, to losing a job, to grieving and whatever else could possibly go wrong. Nobody told you how to handle these things, but Bishop’s book is the crash-course manual you’ll be glad you have to guide you through it all.

Oct. 6

A.J. Hackwith's sequel to The Library of the Unwritten is The Archive of the Forgotten: a new tale centering on Claire and Brevity, two employees of Hell who must attempt to stop a new threat against the Library.

Oct. 6

A new novel in the vein of Emma Donoghue's Room, Romy Hausmann's Dear Child follows Lena, a woman held in captivity with her children, as she flees to safety. 14 years earlier, Lena disappeared... but is she the woman waiting to be reunited with her family?

Oct. 6

Practical Magic author Alice Hoffman returns to the Owens family in Magic Lessons. Centering on Maria, a 17th-century foundling adopted by Hannah Owens, this new novel explores the origins of the Owens' women's infamous curse.

Oct. 6

Filled with prompts and plenty of reflection space, How to Be an Antiracist author Ibram X. Kendi's new guided journal, Be Antiracist, is perfect for anyone who wants to fight for what they believe in this year.

Oct. 6

The Twisted Ones author T. Kingfisher returns this October with The Hollow Places: a new horror novel about one woman's quest to understand a bunker full of strange clues. Do several realities converge at her uncle's house, or is Kara's sanity slipping away from her?

Oct. 6

From the author of Convenience Store Woman comes this new novel about a fish out of water. When she was a lonely child, Natsuki decided that she must be an alien, because she did not fit in with humans. Now married and feeling pressured to start a family, Natuski flees her life and begins looking for answers to the puzzle of her identity in Earthlings.

Oct. 6

Newly transplanted to a country home near her intrusive in-laws, Asa is left to her own devices for much of the day. While exploring her new town and its surroundings, she stumbles upon a strange creature and a bizarre set of landscape features in Hiroko Oyamada's The Hole.

Oct. 6

Centuries ago, Addie LaRue exchanged fame for longevity. She'll live forever — or for as long as she wants — but no one will ever remember her. That's worked out fine until just recently. As it turns out, someone does remember Addie's name, and now that they've met, she can't bear to part with him.

Oct. 6

In a moment when witches are going mainstream and stepping up to hex corrupt and powerful men, Lucile Scott's An American Convenant, which centers on five witchy women who influenced American spirituality and culture, couldn't be more timely to read.

Oct. 6

The latest installment in Sherry Thomas' Lady Sherlock series, Murder on Cold Street follows Charlotte Holmes as she attempts to exonerate her longtime friend, Inspector Treadles. He's been found with two corpses in a locked-room murder case that seems pretty much open and shut. Treadles swears he's innocent, but Holmes has her work cut out for her in this new mystery novel.

Oct. 13

Two boys turned into criminals by their corrupt teacher must work together to survive the mean streets of Dakar in Keisha Bush's Oliver Twist-esque debut novel.

Oct. 13

The United States has been placed under an evil spell. The Birth of a Nation was actual witchcraft from sorcerer D.W. Griffith, and it has led to thousands of deaths across the country. But things are about to get much worse. Only one woman, Maryse Boudreaux, has the power to stop the Ku Klux Klan from bringing the powers of Hell to Earth in Ring Shout.

Oct. 13

Evvie is the latest in a long line of Black women and girls who have inherited the jubilation: a magical set of abilities that she must learn to control. With danger rising all around her in the Jim Crow South, however, Evvie must learn how to use her powers quickly... or risk further endangering everyone she loves.

Oct. 13

From the author of The Ten Thousand Doors of January comes this new novel about feminist witches at the turn of the century. Living in late 19th-century New Salem, the three Eastwood sisters find themselves caught up in the suffrage movement and attempt to resurrect old, witchy practices in Alix E. Harrow's The Once and Future Witches.

Oct. 13

If you're looking for a feel-good book this October, pick up Jenny Holiday's A Princess for Christmas. Stuck managing her country in the wake of a family tragedy, Princess Marie of Eldovia is alone in New York City. When a kindhearted cab driver named Leo steps into her life, Marie seizes the chance to start building her American staff, but neither she nor Leo can anticipate how much their lives are about to change.

Oct. 13

When they leave the city to live in his peaceful hometown, newlyweds Sam and Annie are excited to start their new life together. Sam runs his therapy practice from home, which is all well and good... until Annie overhears an inappropriate interaction between her husband and one of his patients.

Oct. 13

In a world where married women cannot practice magic, an aspiring Magus named Beatrice must choose between practicing her craft and making a match that will get her family out of debt. She has the opportunity to make a love match with a man who doesn't know she plans to become a Magus, but doing so means giving up the magical knowledge she's worked so hard to obtain.

Oct. 13

The first in a new series from Trail of Lightning author Rebecca Roanhorse, Black Sun centers on three people: the Sun Priest of Tova, a sailor who can calm treacherous water and angry thoughts, and a prisoner destined to become the avatar of a powerful god. Set in a fantasy world unlike any you've ever read, Black Sun is the start of a new series to watch.

Oct. 13

The Miseducation of Cameron Post author Emily M. Danforth publishes her first novel for adults this month. Years ago, the Brookhants School for Girls closed after several students died under mysterious circumstances. Now the subject of a new movie, to be filmed on location at Brookhants, the school is about to open its doors and let out its dark secrets, one last time.

Oct. 20

Decades after her tragic death by suicide, Sylvia Plath remains a fascinating bright star in the literary sky. Heather Clark explores the poet's brief life in Red Comet.

Oct. 20

An artist drafted by the government discovers the military's dark history and practices in this new novel from Ninefox Gambit author Yoon Ha Lee. Jebi doesn't want to be part of the military machine, but when they're conscripted to paint magical emblems to animate the Ministry of Armor's technologically advanced soldiers, they can't say no. Caught in a web of corruption, Jebi must choose between self-preservation and whistle-blowing in Phoenix Extravagant.

Oct. 27

Another series-starter, Alice Henderson's A Solitude of Wolverines centers on Alex, a biologist whose work often runs her afoul of the locals. But when her latest investigation into a wolverine den turns up the work of a serial killer, Alex finds herself hunted down in the wilderness in this exciting new novel.

Oct. 27

Lot author Bryan Washington's new novel centers on Mike and Benson, a gay couple who find themselves living on opposite sides of the world when Mike's father grows gravely ill in Japan. While he discovers his family's long-kept secrets, he leaves Benson to — uncomfortably — keep his mother company at home in the United States.

Oct. 27

When her star employer gets sick on Oscars night, P.A. Amanda heads to the show in her stead. There, she meets Sam: a handsome new leading man, fresh off his first big award win. It's just a fling... until Amanda and Sam accidentally swap swag bags.