Book Club Picks for October 2026
It’s time to check out my book club picks for October 2026!
It might still be warm outside, but fall is coming! As I write this in the middle of September, I’m already seeing people decorate for Halloween. So it’s a perfect time to start thinking about which books to read in October!
This is a huge year for publishing. And fall just keeps making our TBR grow larger and larger. So there is no shortage of new reads, and many of these will have longevity too.
BTW, I have put together a huge book club list for the year that features several fall titles such as Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult and the upcoming Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus.
There is a ton of new literary fiction by authors who previously won huge awards in publishing. I’m quite amazed at how many of these authors are releasing new books this year. What a joy for us as readers.
But of course, it’s good to have the balance of new with the old. So this list will feature several new titles, but also older ones as well.
Whether you’re looking for a fall-themed book or crave thought-provoking literary fiction, there is something for everyone. Let me know what you plan to read in the comment section below!
Let’s get to the list!
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman: A Novel – A Sharp Satirical Drama of Megachurch Scandal, Shame, and Freedom by Deesha Philyaw
Deesha Philyaw is the author of the award-winning hit short story collection The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. Her debut follows the wife of a popular and powerful megachurch pastor who upends her charmed “rags-to-Rolex” life when her secret past comes into the spotlight.
There is a ton of buzz surrounding this one! They say it’s funny, messy, and so entertaining.
American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee
The National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of Pachinko returns with a contemporary story. This is an epic that covers family life across continents and generations from Korea to Sydney to Southern California.
This will no doubt be an impactful read that will be ideal for book clubs, with so much to discuss and analyze.
Ply by Hernan Diaz
Hernan Diaz is the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel Trust. His latest novel, Ply, examines the place of technology in the American imagination.
The story takes place centuries from now, where life is very different, and humans are trying to coexist with nature. An orphan finds work stealing electricity and selling it on the black market, but everything changes when she encounters a life-altering scientific invention.
Partita by Barbara Kingsolver
Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver is back with her latest novel, Partita. This one focuses on a woman who is content with her marriage and life on a farm. However, a call from an old lover shakes her world.
And she begins to go down the path of what could have been, and where does she go now?
This will be my first Barbara Kingsolver novel, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe
If you’re seeking a Halloween-themed romance, Entities to Lovers sounds like a great choice. It follows two rival tour guides who will do anything to stop the jinx a matchmaking ghost puts on them.
This one sounds like a fun one to read during the Halloween season!
Samantha: The Next Chapter by Fiona Davis
If you’re a fan of the American Girl dolls, you’ll have to check out Samantha: The Next Chapter by bestselling author Fiona Davis. The story follows Samantha as an adult as she seeks justice when her legacy is stolen in New York City in 1920.
Fiona Davis always writes such vivid and transformative historical stories set in New York. I’m really looking forward to this one!
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson, who previously wrote six YA novels under the pen name Riley Redgate. Bad Words follows an author and critic whose public sparring boosts both careers, but as they get to know each other more, their unexpected closeness creates other problems.
This one features glowing reviews from Emily Henry (she called it a “once in a lifetime read” and Carley Fortune (“…easily one of my favorites of the decade”), so I’m definitely excited about it.
Older Titles
Real Americans: A Read with Jenna Pick by Rachel Khong
This story raises a lot of questions, from genetics to changing one’s future to the ethics of experimental medical treatments. It focuses on the impact of family secrets and selfish decisions.
Check out my full review here and my book club questions here.
Wrong Place Wrong Time: A Novel – A New York Times Bestselling Psychological Thriller by Gillian McAllister
If you’re seeking an engaging mystery/thriller, a solid one is Wrong Place, Wrong Time. It’s such an interesting, chilling, and addicting read about a mother’s quest to change her son’s future.
Check out my full review here and my book club questions here.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
I just saw that Brie Larson will star in the adaptation of One Italian Summer, so it’s a great time to pick up the book! It’s a magical realism story about a woman who travels to Italy and meets the most unexpected person: her mother at age 30.
It’s one of those stories you just go with it regarding the how, but it does cover grief and moving forward in a very heartfelt way.
Check out my review here and my book club questions here.
Happy reading!
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