Happy October! This month’s batch of must-read books features cozy supernatural stories and cozy winter tales, a few romances and whole lot of worthy options to add to your spooky season TBR.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Though this book came out last month, I had to include it in this month’s roundup. This is one of the month’s must-read books is by Katherine Rundell, one of my favorite middle-grade novelists. Her stories are warm and whimsical with a dash of adventure and perfect for any age. Impossible Creatures is no exception. If you’re a fan of Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Material series, you’ll love this book!
Synopsis: The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever.
It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.
Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.
Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.
Available now from Alfred A. Knopf Books For Young Readers. Order here.
No Rules Tonight by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada
A timely graphic novel, this is one of October’s must-read books. Set in South Korea, No Rules Tonight is a sweet and thrilling story about a generation of teenagers who have one night without curfew on a weekend away from home.
Synopsis: It’s time for the annual winter camp at Anjeon University. A full weekend, deep in the mountains, with no parental supervision. But this is no ordinary getaway. It is 1980s South Korea where the police are always watching and even the slightest bit of self-expression can lead to arrest. Luckily, it’s the only night of the year when generations of Koreans had no curfew, no obligations, and no rules: Christmas Eve.
In the snowy mountains, everyone has a different plan for their one night of freedom. Hyun Sook is trying to restart her banned book club but has to hide from a boy she suspects of being a spy. Taehee and Kiwoo are trying to build up the nerve to confess their feelings for one another, while Suji pines after her crush, ready to risk it all and finally tell someone the secret she’s been hiding for her entire life.
Acclaimed creators Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada deliver a cinematic, hilarious, and heartfelt story about the universality of growing up, making friends, and falling in love.
On Sale: October 1, 2024, via Penguin Workshop. Order here.
Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll
Some Like It Cold didn’t just make my must-read books of the month list because the synopsis compares it to Gilmore Girls. I ALSO loved the promise of wonderful writing, characters, great neurodivergent rep, and small-town charm. If that sounds like the perfect read for you, you must add it to your TBR this month.
Synopsis: Jasper Montgomery is heading home for the holidays and keeping secrets. Determined to return to her small town home one last time before leaving for good, Jasper doesn’t bank on accidentally ruining her sister’s engagement – or bumping into her teen adversary, budding filmmaker Arthur Lancaster.Jasper came back to Lake Pristine for one to say goodbye. But during the holidays, old relationships come to light, small-town tensions rise, and a certain brooding film buff starts to look like a very big reason to stay. Can Jasper decide what she wants from Arthur, and from Lake Pristine, before she leaves them both forever?
On Sale: October 1, 2024, via Wednesday Books. Order here.
Make My Wish Come True by Rachel Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
Sapphic fake dating set at Christmas time? Sign us up! One of the sweetest must-read books this month, Make My Wish Come True has all the hallmarks of a delightful and charming YA romance with a few favorite tropes thrown in.
Synopsis: A sapphic Netflix-esque Christmas movie meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days from the New York Times bestselling author duo of She Gets the Girl Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick.
Hollywood teen actor Arden James’ messy reputation is interfering with her career when a notoriously picky director won’t give her a role based on her party-girl image. So she and her publicist make up a lie – not only is she from a small town (true) but her childhood best friend Caroline, is her long-term girlfriend (false) and she can prove it when she goes home for Christmas.
Caroline Beckett hasn’t thought about her ex-best friend Arden James for years, focusing instead on her dreams about becoming a journalist. When Arden turns up on her doorstep and promises her an article in Cosmopolitan magazine on their twelve snow-covered romantic days together, Caroline agrees to play along.
But when old feelings start to bubble up, what will fall faster – Arden and Caroline or the Christmas Eve snow?
On Sale: October 1, 2024, via Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. Order here.
The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski
There’s always one book a month that gets added to the must-read books list because of it’s gorgeous, arresting cover. It just so happens that this cozy read about fate and sisterhood is a beautiful, comforting tale with just a hint of fantasy to keep you entranced on a cool Autumn evening.
Synopsis: Ever since the untimely death of their parents, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have made a business of threading together the stories that rest in the swirls of ginger, cloves, and cardamon that lie at the bottom of their customers’ cups. Their days at the teashop are filled with talk of butterflies and good fortune intertwined with the sound of cinnamon shortbread being snapped by laced fingers. That is, until the Council of Witches comes calling with news that the city Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters suddenly find themselves being pulled in different directions.
As Anne’s magic begins to develop beyond that of her sisters’, Beatrix’s writing attracts the attention of a publisher, and Violet is enchanted by the song of the circus–and perhaps a mischievous trapeze artist threatening to sweep her off her feet–it seems a family curse that threatens to separate the sisters is taking effect. With dwindling time to rewrite their future and help three other witches challenge their own destinies, the Quigleys set out to bargain with Fate. But in focusing so closely on saving each other, will they lose sight of themselves?
On Sale: October 1, 2024, via Simon & Schuster. Order here.
My Life: Growing Up Native In America by Illuminative
A collection of essays from Native Americans, this is essential reading and is being released just in time for Indigenous Peoples’ Day this October. One of our must-read books of the month and the year, readers can enjoy essays from a wide , including New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley, as well as award-winning composer Mato Wayuhi.
Synopsis: With heart, pathos, humor, and insight, twenty renowned writers, performers, athletes, and activists explore what it means to be Native American today. Through a series of essays and poems, these luminaries give voice to their individual experiences while shedding light on the depth and complexity of modern Native American identity, resiliency, and joy. The topics are as fascinating and diverse as the creators. From Mato Wayuhi, award-winning composer of Reservation Dogs, honoring a friend who believed in his talent to New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley exploring what it means to feel Native enough, these entries are not only an exploration of community, they are also a call for a more just and equitable world, and a road map toward a brighter future.
Edited by IllumiNative, an organization dedicated to amplifying contemporary Native voices, My Life: Growing Up Native in America features contributions from Angeline Boulley, Philip J. Deloria, Eric Gansworth, Kimberly Guerrero, Somah Haaland, Madison Hammond, Nasugraq Rainey Hopson, Trudie Jackson, Princess Daazhraii Johnson, Lady Shug, Ahsaki Baa LaFrance-Chachere, Taietsarón: sere Leclaire, Cece Meadows, Sherri Mitchell, Charlie Amaya Scott, Kara Roselle Smith, Vera Starbard, Dash Turner, Crystal Wahpepah, and Mato Wayuhi.
On Sale: October 1, 2024, via MTV Books. Order here.
Swordcrossed by Freya Marske
I really enjoyed Freya Marske’s Last Binding series so I was thrilled to see another romantasy from her. And this one is an exciting bodyguard fantasy which is the key to being one of my choices for must-read books of the month.
Synopsis: Mattinesh Jay, dutiful heir to his struggling family business, needs to hire an experienced swordsman to serve as best man for his arranged marriage. Sword-challenge at the ceremony could destroy all hope of restoring his family’s wealth, something that Matti has been trying — and failing — to do for the past ten years. What he can afford, unfortunately, is part-time con artist and full-time charming menace Luca Piere. Luca, for his part, is trying to reinvent himself in a new city. All he wants to do is make some easy money and try to forget the crime he committed in his hometown.
He didn’t plan on being blackmailed into giving sword lessons to a chronically responsible — and inconveniently handsome — wool merchant like Matti. However, neither Matti’s business troubles nor Luca himself are quite what they seem. As the days count down to Matti’s wedding, the two of them become entangled in the intrigue and sabotage that have brought Matti’s house to the brink of ruin. And when Luca’s secrets threaten to drive a blade through their growing alliance, both Matti and Luca will have to answer the question: how many lies are you prepared to strip away, when the truth could mean losing everything you want?
On Sale: October 8, 2024, via Bramble. Order here.
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
Enemies to lover romances in a spooky setting (what’s more spooky than a haunted Scottish castle?!) is one of the most obvious selections for must-read books of the month. Cozy horror fans will gobble this one up!
It’s been months since horror author Penelope Skinner threw a book at Neil Storm. But he was so infuriating, with his sparkling green eyes and his bestselling horror novels that claimed to break Native stereotypes. And now she’s a publishing pariah and hasn’t been able to write a word since. So when her friend invites her on a too-good-to-be-true writers retreat in a supposedly haunted Scottish castle, she seizes the opportunity. Of course, some things really are too good to be true. Neil wants nothing less than to be trapped in a castle with the frustratingly adorable woman who threw a book at him. She drew blood! Worse still, she unleashed a serious case of self-doubt! Neil is terrified to write another bestselling “book without a soul,” as Pen called it.
All Neil wants is to find inspiration, while completely avoiding her. But as the retreat begins, Pen and Neil are stunned to find themselves trapped in a real-life ghost story. Even more horrifying, they’re stuck together and a truly shocking (extremely hot) almost-kiss has left them rethinking their feelings, and… maybe they shouldn’t have been enemies at all? But if they can’t stop the ghosts pursuing them, they may never have the chance to find out. Full of spooky chills and even more sexy thrills, If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens is the funny, fast-paced romp romance readers have been waiting for!
On Sale: October 8, 2024, via Macmillan. Order here.
A Cozy Winter Day by Eliza Wheeler
I had to add this adorable and cozy (it’s in the title!) picture book to my must-reads books list for October. No matter what age, life is vastly improved with an adorable picture book and A Cozy Winter Day by Eliza Wheeler is one you should read.
Synopsis: The busy animals of Acorn Village love to spend winter days doing all sorts of cozy activities together, whether they’re indoors reading, baking, and doing art projects or outside playing in the snow. And at the end of the day, the coziest activities await — sharing songs, hot drinks, and stories in front of a crackling fireplace, and then snuggling into bed and drifting off into dreamy sleep. Eliza Wheeler’s charming illustrations give her story the feel of a beloved classic and are full of rich, cozy details sure to ignite imaginations and make readers want to visit Acorn Village again and again.
On Sale: October 15, 2024, via Nancy Paulsen Books. Order here.
Nothing Special (Volume 2): Concerning Wings by Katie Cook
Have I told you that I love Katie Cook? I’ve followed her since I saw her at New York Comic Con years ago, at a booth where she was making mini individual commissioned illustrations for eager fans. I bought a Doctor Who print from her and have been a fan ever since. I was thrilled when I found out she was publishing a graphic novel series and her incredible creativity and talent is on display in this fun, adventurous work, making it one of the must-read books to enjoy this October.
Synopsis: After defeating her neurotic wood nymph mother, all Callie wants to do is help her dad with his magical antique shop, tease Lasser about his newfound romance novel addiction, and—most important—spend time with her boyfriend, Declan. But when Declan’s injured fairy wing starts shooting sparks and causes him to collapse in pain, Callie decides to take matters into her own hands and find a way to heal him.
She knows where to start, at least—with her dad’s boring friend, Professor Larkspur, who in addition to serving the grossest cup of tea in history, is a fairy himself and incredibly knowledgeable about his kind. Armed with new information, Callie, Declan, Lasser, and Radish set out to find a fairy healer. But what starts as a simple four-day journey to visit a particular enclave of fairies ends up becoming a much more profound exploration of not only what Declan is, but exactly who he is to the fairies….
The second installment of Katie Cook’s Nothing Special collects the first 25 chapters of Season 2 of the webcomic and features exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
On Sale: October 22, 2024, via Ten Speed Graphic. Order here.
The Sweetness Between Us by Sarah Winifred Searle
If you like cozy supernatural romances like Mooncakes, you might like Sarah Winifred Searle’s latest graphic novel, The Sweetness Between Us. Heartfelt and charming, it’s one of the most perfect must-read books just in time for spooky season.
Synopsis: After health problems wiped out their first few weeks of school, Perley and Amandine are both starting their Junior year behind their classmates, and both have major changes in their lives that they’re struggling to get used to. Perley was diagnosed with diabetes over the summer, and worries that all these new medical expenses will be a hardship on his family. And Amandine, part of a venerated family of vampires, has been turned much younger than she expected to be after a car accident nearly killed her.
The two of them form a fast friendship – both feel a little out of step with their old lives, and as a bonus, it turns out that Amandine’s new vampire abilities can help Perley save money on blood glucose tests. But as the year goes on, they’re forced to admit that maybe their coping strategies – and their blood-sipping-turned-romance – aren’t working out so well after all. Will they be able to get their lives back to normal? Or will both have to figure out new ways for their “normal” to look?
On Sale: October 22, 2024, via First Second. Order here.
Brianna Robinson is a book publicist and Sarah Lawrence College alum. She lives in New York with too many books and two enthusiastic dachshunds. You can find her on twitter @blrobins2.
