October Book Releases: Books to Look out for This Month

October is my favorite reading month. I plan all year for what spooky and mysterious books I am going to read throughout the spookiest month of the year. There is nothing quite like the feeling of curling up with a good book, goosebumps rising on your arms every time something scary happens. Meanwhile, the world practically melts away around me as I slowly fall deeper and deeper into the story. This is why I am always so excited to see what the October book releases will be. Publishers definitely know what they are doing this time of the month. While I’m just adding more and more books to my neverending TBR!

It is also important to plan ahead with book releases, especially this year. If you haven’t heard, there are supply chain issues currently happening with the printing and distribution of books. That means it may be difficult to find or purchase the books you desperately want to read! So preorder as much as possible, especially as the holiday season comes around.

This year there are a ton of books to be excited for. Check out the ones I am particularly excited about in this post, and add them to your very own TBR!

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According to Goodreads, Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper is supposed to be a mix between Chilling Adventure of Sabrina and The L Word. When I read that statement of the summary and I was hooked. Then I continue reading to find out it is about a spell-casting tournament. With a revenge plot! This book is sure to be a fun read for the fall season. It may not sound scary, even though there is dark magic, but it does sound fun. Like a Disney Channel Original, Halloweentown vibes.

I only started reading historical fiction this year. I was never interested in them. However, The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling promises to be filled with horror, the paranormal, and gothic vibes. Those are most certainly all things I love. And to be honest, what attracted me to this book most is the cover! It is so spooky and reminds me of those creepy candle holders that Bath and Body Works released this year. Do you know what I’m talking about? I’m a little worried because it is giving off The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle vibes, and I didn’t enjoy that as much as I thought I would. Therefore, I hope it is better than that book.

One of my favorite Halloween movie series is Scream. I was never one for slasher movies, but when I watched those, I felt in such a Halloween mood. In The Violent Season by Sara Walters, a town is plagued with violence. With multiple violent murders, there is an urban legend behind the constant deaths. Wyatt, the main character, is trying to figure out if there is anything to this legend when the violent impulses might be impacting her best friend. Although I don’t often read thriller books about real humans murders, I think this one will be fun.

I have always been interested in the idea of a grim reaper, or a collector of souls. I love anything that has to do with that subject, so I obviously had to add The Keeper of Night by Kylie Lee Baker to my list. This book is about Ren, who has been collecting souls in London for some time now. But when an issue arises, she decides to escape to Japan, where she hopes to find acceptance and to serve the Goddess of Death. This story sounds perfect for October. With a little spookiness and a ton of fantasy elements, it is sure to become one of my favorite reads.

Looking for a shot yet horrifying novella? I wasn’t looking until I found Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw and now I am hooked. This book is about a group of friends who hold a wedding at an old mansion. But while they are celebrating, a ghost bride comes out of the shadows to haunt the venue. This book is only 128 pages. I don’t read a lot of novellas, but this book seems like it will be great to read over a night while drinking a warm apple cider and burning a cinnamon stick candle.

And look at that cover! Such a rich visualization of the ghost bride will help my little aphantasia brain, and make it all the more spooky.

As you can tell, October puts me in the mood for anything and everything witchy. However, this year I wanted to switch it up a bit with some murder mystery stories. With all these on my TBR, I am hoping to find a few favorites this month. Above all else, I want to be spooked!

Let me know in the comments below what books you are excited to read this month! There are so many fantastic books coming out this month, from a lot of debut authors. I can’t wait to find some new favorites amongst the mix.

Thank for reading!