The air is crisp, the leaves are turning—and it’s the perfect time to curl up with a book from the library! This October delivers bestselling authors and a few surprise collaborations: Nicholas Sparks teams up with M. Night Shyamalan in Remain, and Reese Witherspoon joins forces with thriller legend Harlan Coben in Gone Before Goodbye. You’ll also find new series titles from Patricia Cornwell, Louise Penny, and Michael Connelly, plus holiday stories for those already craving a little Christmas cheer. And of course, plenty of thrills from authors like James Patterson, Freida McFadden, and John Grisham. Print your October Coming Soon list, circle your favorites, and let us help you place your holds today! Read on for some of our top picks this month.
Twice by Mitch Albom
What if you got to do everything in your life—twice? The heart of Mitch Albom’s newest novel is a stunning love story that dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along. When he is eight years old, Alfie Logan discovers the magical ability to get a second chance at everything. He can undo any moment and live it again. The one catch: he must accept the consequences of his second try—for better or worse. Inspired by his own marriage of 30 years, Albom will make you think, weep, and overflow with love from beginning to end. Available 10/7.
Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell
A killer known as the Phantom Slasher is terrorizing Virginia, striking victims in their sleep after appearing as a ghostly hologram. When Kay Scarpetta is called to investigate, she uncovers ties to her own past—and may become the next target. Fans won’t want to miss the latest in this gripping forensic series, soon to be streaming on Amazon Prime starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis. Available 10/7.
Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
#1 New York Times bestselling author and “queen of royal fiction” (USA Today) Philippa Gregory returns with a dazzling historical novel of ambition, betrayal, and survival in the court of Henry VIII. Jane Boleyn survives by playing every role required—devoted wife, loyal sister, and cunning observer. Perfect for fans of thrilling historical drama and readers captivated by the intrigue of the Tudor period. Available 10/14.
Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan
When New York architect Tate Donovan arrives in Cape Cod to design his best friend’s summer home, he is hoping to make a fresh start. But when he takes up residence at a historic bed-and-breakfast, he encounters a beautiful young woman named Wren who will challenge every assumption he has about his logical and controlled world. A one-of-a-kind novel that grapples with the supernatural mysteries of life, death, and human connection— and an unprecedented collaboration between the globally bestselling author of love stories like The Notebook and the renowned writer and director of blockbuster thrillers like The Sixth Sense. Available 10/14.
Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coban
This smart, fast-paced novel combines the storytelling talents of Academy Award-winning actor Reese Witherspoon and internationally bestselling author Harlan Coben. Gone Before Goodbye is the story of a woman trapped in a deadly conspiracy—where uncovering the truth could cost her everything. Army surgeon Maggie McCabe takes a high-stakes medical assignment that quickly spirals into a deadly conspiracy. When her patient vanishes, Maggie becomes the hunted. Available 10/14.
The Widow by John Grisham
#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller. Now, he’s back with his first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas. Small-town lawyer Simon Latch is accused of murder after his wealthy new client is hospitalized and her story unravels. With the odds stacked against him, he must solve the crime himself. Grisham’s latest is twisty and compulsively readable. Available 10/21.
Wreck by Catherine Newman
Two years after Sandwich, Rocky and her family are back—navigating life, uncertainty, and love in all its messy forms. With warmth, humor, and heart, Catherine Newman explores the hidden rules of family, the heavy weight of uncertainty, and the fact that people—no matter how much you love them—are not always exactly who you want them to be. Fans of Sandwich won’t want to miss Newman’s latest, which is as funny as it is profound. Available 10/28.
The Black Wolf by Louise Penny
Chief Inspector Gamache is recovering in Three Pines when he realizes a terrorist attack he stopped was only the beginning. From the apparent peace of his little village, Gamache finds himself playing a lethal game of cat and mouse with an invisible foe who is gathering forces and preparing to strike. A chilling, high-stakes entry in Penny’s beloved series. Available 10/28.
Finally, if you’re someone who starts humming Christmas tunes before Halloween, we’ve got you covered. October brings two festive new releases full of charm, romance, and a touch of holiday magic—perfect for those early seasonal feels.
A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber
A delayed ferryboat brings people together in the best of ways during the holiday season in this enchanting Christmas novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber. In this tale of holiday magic, siblings Avery and Reed Bond find themselves taking a chance on love, proving that sometimes the best moments in life come when we least expect them. Available 10/21.
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan
A new holiday story set in the Scottish Highlands to warm booklovers’ hearts by Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. A treasure hunt for a lost rare book brings rival antiquarian hunters to a snowed-in Scottish castle. Love, rivalry, and literary clues abound in this festive mystery with a romantic twist—perfect for booklovers and holiday dreamers alike. Available 10/14.