LibraryReads: October 2025

 

 It's LibraryReads day and that means four things here on RA for All

1. I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
2. I can remind you that even though the newest list is always fun to see, it is the older lists where you can find AWESOME, sure bet suggestions for patrons that will be on your shelf to actually hand to them right now. The best thing about LibraryReads is the compound interest it is earning. We now have hundreds and hundreds of titles worth suggesting right at our fingertips through this archive OR the sortable master list allowing you to mix and match however you want.
3. You have no excuse not to hand sell any LibraryReads titles because there is a book talk right there in the list in the form of the annotation one of your colleagues wrote for you. All you have to say to your patron is, “such and such library worker in blank state thought this was a great read,” and then you read what he or she said.
4. Every upcoming book now has at least 1 readalike that is available to hand out RIGHT NOW. Book talk the upcoming book, place a hold for it, and then hand out that readalike title for while they wait. If they need more titles before their hold comes in, use the readalike title to identify more readalike titles. And then keep repeating. Seriously, it is that easy to have happy, satisfied readers.

So get out there and suggest a good read to someone today. I don’t care what list or resource you use to find the suggestion, just start suggesting books.

Please remember to click here for everything you need to know about how to participate. 

And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.

Now let's get to the October 2025 list.... 

Overdue: A Novel

Stephanie Perkins

(Saturday Books)

Ingrid, a librarian in a cozy mountain town, has dated her boyfriend for eleven years. When her sister gets engaged, Ingrid's at an impasse. She and her boyfriend have nevermdated anyone else, so they decide to take a break and see other people. Ingrid hopes to finally get over her crush, Macon, but things get interesting in this slow-burn romance.

—Anna Louise Kallas, Durham County East Regional Library, NC

NoveList read-alike: Open Mindedby Chloe Seager

Now for the rest of the October 2025 list!

Crafting for Sinners

Jenny Kiefer

(Quirk Books)

Ruth makes a big mistake by shoplifting from the religious craft store in her small town. Things quickly get messy and she's trapped and fighting for her life. The rest is a scary bloodbath with clever uses for craft supplies. The zealots are after Ruth and others they deem sinners (gay, atheists or just non-conforming). This quick read is very scary and super gory.

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin TX

NoveList read-alike: Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

The Keeper of Magical Things

Julie Leong

(Ace)

When a new depository is needed for minor magical objects, two seemingly very different women are chosen to lead the mission. Sent to a small depressed village, they develop an unexpected relationship and magic starts to happen. This was an easy read romance that will keep readers captivated.

—Ron Haislip-Hansberry, Springfield City Library, MA

NoveList read-alike: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Red City

Marie Lu

(Tor Books)

Lu’s tale follows two young outsiders with a powerful connection who are brought up to wield both power and magic on opposing sides of a gang war. Both deeply emotional and electrifying, this will remind readers of Fonda Lee and Erin Morgenstern.

—Gregg Winsor, Johnson County Library, MO

NoveList read-alike: Silvercloak by L.K. Steven

The Women of Wild Hill

Kirsten Miller

(William Morrow)

Generations of women in the Duncan family have an important and magical legacy.  Three of the latest generation are going to turn the tide against patriarchal men, reclaiming the planet for the Old One, and restoring Earth’s balance. Readers will find it hard to put down this magical and fascinating story.

—Judy G. Sebastian, Eastham Public Library, MA

NoveList read-alike: Strange Folk by Alli Dyer

Wreck

Catherine Newman

(Harper)

Rocky is a mom who feels everything to the maximum degree. Her grown children and her dad still occupy most of her waking life and when tragedy strikes she has to find a balance that will allow her to just breathe and be thankful for the life they have. Written with real emotions and much humor, many moms will relate to this followup to Sandwich.

—Linda Quinn, LibraryReads Ambassador, MA

NoveList read-alike: Small World by Laura Zigman

Bog Queen

Anna North

(Bloomsbury)

The body of a woman is unearthed in Northern Britain, in this intricate and engaging atmospheric thriller. Offering three female perspectives, that reveal to readers the inner-thoughts of a contemporary newly trained forensic anthropologist, a young druid healer from centuries past, and a voice from the wild peat moss bog. For lovers of People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks.

—Shirley Braunlich, Lawrence Public Library, KS

NoveList read-alike: Daughter of Black Lak e by Cathy Marie Buchanan

The Missing Pages

Alyson Richman

(Union Square & Co.)

Harry is tragically lost when the Titanic sinks, having gone back to his cabin to retrieve a treasured book. Devastated, his mother has the Harry Widener Memorial Library built at Harvard to honor his memory and to house his book collection. Years later, a young woman working at the library while dealing with her own devastating loss starts to notice strange ghostly events in and around the library. A hauntingly beautiful story.

—Beth Mills, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

NoveList read-alike: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick

Remain: A Supernatural Love Story

Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan

(Random House)

Part romance, part ghost story, part murder mystery, this novel's chilling, yet heartfelt exploration of the bonds of family is written in the emotionally resonant style of Sparks and infused with Shyamalan’s signature suspense. This is a seemingly familiar tale with a haunting twist.

—Cathleen Clifford, Groton Public Library, CT

NoveList read-alike: The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen

Conform: A Novel

Ariel Sullivan

(Ballantine Books)

This debut is a fascinating look at a dystopian future based on a strict caste system that relies on fear and heavy indoctrination to maintain peace. Emmaline is being used as a pawn by both sides of a simmering rebellion but will she settle for this fate? Emmaline is a relatable protagonist and readers will eagerly await a sequel.

—Sara Pietrzak, Frederick County Public Library, MD

NoveList read-alike: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

Board Bonus picks:

Vampires at Sea

Lindsay Merbaum

(Creature Publishing) 

Editors Note: Creature Publishing is going to be featured on RA for All: Horror this October including Merbaum and a giveaway of this book (and more). 

Notable Nonfiction: 

F*cked Up Fairy Tales: Sinful Cinderellas, Prince Alarmings, and Other Timeless Classics

Liz Gotauco

(W. W. Norton & Company)

See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks

Click here to see the entire Hall of Fame

The LibraryReads Hall of Fame designation honors authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly LibraryReads list since 2013. When their third title places on the list via library staff votes, the author moves into the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the Hall of Fame authors organized in alpha order. Please note, the current year's Hall of Fame lists are pulled out at the top of the page.

Bellefleur, Alexandria    
The Devil She Knows      

Berkley 

Borison, B.K.   

Good Spirits    

Avon    

Briggs, Patricia    

Blind Date with a Werewolf        

Ace         

Charles, KJ    

All of Us Murderers        

Poisoned Pen Press    

Harrow, Alix E.    

The Everlasting        

Tor Books    

Hill, Joe    

King Sorrow    

William Morrow    

Jurczyk, Eva

6:40 to Montreal    

Poisoned Pen Press   

McFadden, Freida

The Intruder    

Poisoned Pen Press      

McFarlane, Mhairi    

Cover Story   

Avon      

Stevens, Chevy    

The Hitchhikers   

St. Martin's Press