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Must-Read Books October 2026 |
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| Under Story by Chloe BenjaminAfter a terrible loss and a divorce, grieving Wisconsin scientist Laurel Salter takes a job washing dishes at Antarctica’s McMurdo Station. When a surreal light, dubbed the Arc, suddenly appears near the research base, it draws in more scientists, including Laurel’s ex, Eli. Believing the Arc is evidence of Eli’s theory of a second universe where time moves backward, Laurel tries to talk him into entering the Arc. For fans of: Scott Alexander Howard’s The Other Valley. |
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| Immortal Rose by Alexandra BrackenWhen the king of Albion is poisoned, underground perfumier Viola is the only one who can save him. She reluctantly teams up with Hugh Thorton, the royal spymaster, to hunt down the ingredients she'll need. But danger lurks around every corner, and both Viola and Hugh harbor secrets that could doom their quest. This slow-burn 1st in the Immortal Rose duology is perfect for fans of emotionally intense romantasy. Try this next: A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan. |
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Partita
by Barbara Kingsolver
Livia Cable has made her peace with her marriage and modest livelihood in the farm country where she grew up, until a shocking phone call from an old lover shakes her to the core. Decades earlier, this man knew her as Livia Bohusz, a music conservatory student estranged from her home and family, uncertain of anything except her passion for music and promise as an extraordinary pianist. His request, now, to see her again stirs up ghosts she's kept at bay for a lifetime.
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| Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy FoleyAgatha Christie’s Miss Marple returns in this latest from bestselling author Lucy Foley. In 1950, Miss Marple travels to a luxury Swiss Alps resort with her friend Dolly Bantry, finding an interesting assortment of guests. But it isn’t long before a murderer strikes and a blizzard snows them all in. For fans of: twisty Golden Age mysteries; Sophie Hannah’s Hercule Poirot mysteries.
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| The Silent Appeal by Janice HallettTruth emerges one message at a time as two investigators sift through emails, texts, and case files to solve a murder tied to an amateur theater group. The latest entry in Janice Hallett's innovative series, it rewards attentive readers with ingenious plotting, dry wit, and satisfying, clue-driven twists. |
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| Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel HarrisonShaken after a run-in with her ex-fiancé at a mutual friend’s wedding, Willa Sullivan’s night goes from bad to worse when a masked figure kills everyone at the reception. But then Willa wakes up...and discovers she’s re-living the day of the wedding. Stuck in a time-loop in which she is killed in increasingly disturbing ways, Willa alone must fight back to unmask the killer and save herself and her friends. Read-alike: Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle. |
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| Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. (editors)This creepy and visceral follow-up to bestselling Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology collects 21 horror stories from established and emerging Indigenous authors, including Stephen Graham Jones, Ramona Emerson, and Tommy Orange. It’s “a rare sequel that is better than its predecessor,” says Library Journal. Try this next: Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror edited by Cynthia Pelayo. |
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| Sublimation by Isabel J. KimWhen you immigrate, you create a copy of yourself that stays behind. Soyoung Rose Kang hasn't spoken to her "instance" in years, but when she returns to Korea for a funeral, she realizes that the other Soyoung has a plan to steal her life. Fans of the TV show Severance will devour this provocative and complex speculative horror novel, along with similar books such as Ezra Claytan Daniels' Upgrade Soul or Maud Woolf's Thirteen Ways to Kill Lulabelle Rock. |
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| Daggerbound by T. KingfisherWhile transporting an ancient sword to a temple, scholar Edmund is set upon by bandits, and is forced to draw the sword to defend himself. But instead of unsheathing a weapon, he summons the Dervish, an immortal warrior cursed to serve whoever wields the sword. As they traverse a dangerous countryside, the pair's banter-filled misadventures unexpectedly lead to love. Read-alike: Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die by Greer Stothers. |
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| The Pirate Queen by Ariel LawhonIn 16th century Ireland, Grace O'Malley dreams of a life at sea, but her chieftain father insists she marry to forge an alliance. She obeys and has children, but after her husband’s death, she becomes the leader of her clan’s ships, fights battles, and finds love. This well-researched, adventure-filled saga moves back and forth across time, with alternating chapters depicting the three eras of Grace’s life (Maiden, Mother, and Matriarch). For fans of: intriguing biographical novels based on strong heroines. |
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| The Inevitable Undoing of Zahara Douglass by Leslye PenelopeIt's 1999, and Zahara Douglass is haunted by the disappearance of her twin sister Annica four years ago -- the actual memory of her has completely vanished for everyone else. When she finally has concrete evidence of Annica's existence, Zahara's investigation leads her to uncover a dangerous family secret. This rich story is "an inevitable winner for lovers of urban fantasy and Black family stories with a SFF twist" (Library Journal). For fans of: Nicole Glover's Murder and Magic series and Clarence A. Haynes The Broken Hearts Agency. |
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| The Birthing Tree by Amanda PetersUnder a tree sacred to Mi'kmaq women, Aliet Paul’s mother died giving birth. Since her father wasn’t named, Aliet grows up in 1960s and ‘70s Nova Scotia with her Mi'kmaq grandmother Kiju, learning about her midwifery work. But when Aliet is 17, a disturbing event sends her away. After Kiju’s death in the 1990s, Aliet leaves her nursing job in the city to return home and reckon with the past. Read-alike: Mona Susan Power’s A Council of Dolls. |
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| They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah PinboroughA skilled con artist with a talent for assuming new identities finds her carefully controlled world threatened when she is assigned her most dangerous job yet. Stylish and fast-moving, this psychological thriller combines deception, shifting loyalties, and clever twists with a sharp, character-driven narrative about identity, survival, and reinvention. For fans of: The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson. |
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| Murder in St. James's Park by Vanessa RileyIn 1807 London, Lady Abigail Worthing's husband from a marriage of convenience returns after months away. After she finds him dead in the park, everyone thinks she did it. Teaming up with her handsome neighbor to investigate, she uncovers stunning revelations that leave her questioning everything. Newcomers to the series can start with this 4th book, but those who want all the backstory should pick up the 1st entry, Murder in Westminster. |
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| The Savage Landscape: How We Made the Wilderness by Cal FlynJournalist Cal Flyn proposes the ironic notion that the very concept of “wilderness” is manufactured by humans, since we tend to define it by the areas where people aren’t. The author travels to wild landscapes in her native Scotland, Brazil, Uganda, and Antarctica, marveling at the sights while referencing mythology, philosophy, and literature to examine the meaning that humans have invested in wild places. If you enjoy this, try Flyn’s last book, Islands of Abandonment: Nature Rebounding in the Post-Human Landscape. |
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| The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State by Jill LeporeTaking inspiration from Hannah Arendt’s 1951 classic The Origins of Totalitarianism, Pulitzer Prize winner Jill Lepore’s thought-provoking latest examines the origins and evolution of artificial intelligence, detailing AI’s damaging influence over politics, economics, and the everyday fabric of life. Try this next: Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy by Beth Simone Noveck. |
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| The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men by Jon RonsonIn his nuanced and compelling latest, bestselling investigative journalist Jon Ronson (So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed) explores the modern masculinity crisis, focusing on the eyebrow-raising exploits of predatory steel industry heir Chris Mark; actor and alleged cannibal Armie Hammer; Ronson’s former friend, disgraced Irish showrunner Graham Linehan; “manosphere” content creator Dan Bilzerian; and more. Read-alike: What Is Wrong with Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything by Jessa Crispin. |
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| Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature by Emily WilsonIn this engaging and accessible essay collection, classical studies professor Emily Wilson, whose work includes revered translations of Homer’s The Odyssey (which served as the inspiration for Christopher Nolan’s recent film adaptation) and The Iliad, discusses the complex history and challenges of translating ancient literature. Try this next: Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old by Mary Beard. |
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| Anger Is Only a Shadow by Elizabeth AcevedoAs Liliana awaits trial for her latest impulsive mistake, she notices her brother acting unusually. Visiting him while he’s away at college would violate the terms of her release, but she may be his only hope. This nuanced verse novel explores the complex realities of juvenile detention and mental illness. |
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| Game of Pets: The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron BlabeyAfter buying a talking axolotl named Bob, allergy-riddled 11-year-old Griff is saddled with an unexpected quest: to stop an intergalactic game show that uses pets to destroy the Earth. Packed with puns, chaotic action, and zany illustrations, The Boy Who Knew Too Much launches a new series from the creator of The Bad Guys. |
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| Night Ride by Christopher MyersInstead of words, this unique picture book uses stained glass art to convey the exhilaration of five kids on a nighttime bike ride through New York City. Those who are familiar will spot various landmarks, while readers of all kinds will be dazzled by the kaleidoscope of light, color, and motion created by the intricate illustrations. Read-alike: Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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