17 Books Our Editors Couldn't Put Down This October

Literary Picks and Publishing Highlights for October

In a feature published by Scary Mommy, the editorial team compiled a list of books they read throughout October, featuring new releases, historical topics, and older classics. The roundup spans several genres, capturing everything from Booker-shortlisted literary fiction to fantasy and children’s literature. Most titles on the list are already released and ready to be read, while a few arrive next spring and are described as 100% worth preordering. The editorial team noted that every book shares one common trait: the team could not put it down.

Among the most prominent titles on the list is Barbara Kingsolver’s new novel, Partita, marking her first novel since Demon Copperhead.

Elizabeth Strout’s The Things We Never Say also anchors the literary selections. Shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize and selected as a Barack Obama summer reading pick, the novel follows Artie Dam, a 57-year-old history teacher in coastal Massachusetts who is quietly dealing with isolation and a secret he cannot voice. Katie Garrity, senior editor of news and social, describes the book as an example of the Booker judges’ newly named “radical normalcy” genre, noting that it breaks readers open in the quietest, most devastating way and makes the ordinary feel unbearably significant.

17 Books Our Editors Couldn't Put Down This October — Photo: briefly.co

Dystopian Futures and Historical Nonfiction

Emily St. John Mandel makes an appearance with Exit Party, set in a fractured 2031 America where California has declared itself a republic. Following an 18-year prison release, protagonist Ari Waker attends a Los Angeles gathering where the host disappears and guests seemingly occupy two places at once. The New York Times bestseller is currently being adapted for television by Mandel herself, and the editors noted it is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

Shifting from speculative futures to maritime disaster, David Grann’s historical non-fiction title The Wager earns praise from Sarah Aswell for its meticulous research. The book details the doomed journey of the titular ship, tracking mutiny, scurvy, and survival on a desolate island.

Among the classic selections, Kate Moore’s The Radium Girls features a Young Readers Edition that is highlighted as a great option to read along with middle-grade children. Stephen King box sets including Carrie, Salem’s Lot, and The Shining also appear on the radar for readers preparing for spooky season or checking out titles ahead of Mike Flanagan’s new Prime Video series adaptation. Author Andrew Sean Greer describes his latest book as a “charm novel,” and Sarah Aswell noted she laughed out loud multiple times during the read.

On the historical front, Julie Sprankles, deputy editor of lifestyle and entertainment, revisits Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 classic The House of the Seven Gables following a research trip to Salem. The novel examines an ancestral curse tied to Hawthorne’s own family history during the Salem witch trials.

Upcoming Releases and Genre Fiction Highlights

Several titles highlighted in the roundup are scheduled for publication later:

Soul Sworn by Kate Dylan (Releasing Nov. 17): Highlighted by Scary Mommy, this romantasy novel introduces a magic system where golden soulmate rings and red enemy rings appear on fingers, following a reaper who is paid to eliminate her assigned sworn enemies. Katie McPherson, associate editor of lifestyle and entertainment, notes that the protagonist faces a dilemma when assigned a target that does not align with her moral code.
A Bittersweet Spell by Rebecca Ross (Releasing April 2027): Praised by Katie McPherson for its eldritch mystical atmosphere, beautiful writing style, and fresh character dynamics that evoke a craving for hot tea.
Abner and the Bubblegum Balloon by Jon Klassen (Releasing February 2027): Noted by Katie Garrity as a highly anticipated picture book featuring Klassen’s signature deadpan humor.
Harbinger by Geneva Lee: Highlighted by Katie McPherson as a title that requires pushing through initial confusion akin to reading ACOTAR, while offering wonderful love, yearning, and atmosphere that leaves the reader looking forward to the next installment.