October is the perfect time to get lost in a book that matches the season whether it’s eerie, heart-stopping, or swoon-worthy. This month, Book of the Month has curated a lineup that balances thrill and emotion, mystery and romance, and a little bit of magic for the crisp fall nights. From haunted houses to steamy second-chance romances, these picks are sure to satisfy every mood this spooky season.
Reminder: if none of this month’s picks are calling your name, don’t forget to scroll through my Most Anticipated New Releases for more inspo. And if you’re looking to bulk up your box, check out my regularly updated BOTM add-on recommendations, you might just discover a new favorite tucked in there.
September MOST ANTICIPATED
October Most Anticipated
Summer 2025 MOST ANTICIPATED
Fall 2025 Most Anticipated
BOTM ADD-ON GUIDE
October 2025 Picks
Add-ons
My Box
The main picks include Hazelthorn by C.G. Drews, a heartfelt story of love, identity, and self-discovery; Red City by Marie Lu, with high-stakes action and political intrigue; Never Over by Clare Gilmore, a second-chance romance full of tension and passion; The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong, a gothic tale with a mysterious inheritance; The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss, where nostalgic romance and cinematic magic collide; and The Ten-Year Affair by Erin Somers, a slow-burn romance of longing and missed connections. The add-on picks include memoir Told You So by Mayce Neeley, ; Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance by Kate Robb, a cozy mystery with charm and suspense; Flat Earth by Anika Jade Levy, a thought-provoking speculative fiction; and The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey, a deeply psychological, darkly gripping novel.
That said, I have to admit I’m skipping this month and I’m not crazy about the lineup overall. I’ve started The Second Chance Cinema and, while I don’t dislike it, I’ve put it down twice, though honestly, that’s 100% a me thing, not the book. I’ve just been so indecisive and wishy-washy with reading lately, so you could say I’m in a weird reading spot right now.
I was kind of surprised by this month’s picks; none were super high on my TBR, and while I do want to read The Haunting of Paynes Hollow and Red City, I already have copies and I’m not dying to dive into them. I’d never heard of Flat Earth, though I have seen a lot of good buzz for Kitty St. Clair’s Last Dance.
Lastly, I’m not a huge nonfiction or reality-TV fan, but I loved bingeing Secret Wives of Mormon Life during maternity leave, so I’m curious about Mayce Neeley’s Told You So, though I’d probably prefer to listen on audio through the library.
All in all, I skipped this month. Now on to thinking about November!
What books did you pick this month? Let me know in the comments below or over on my Instagram HERE.
Happy Reading
WHAT IS BOOK OF THE MONTH?
For those who haven’t heard of Book of the Month club or BOTM, it is a subscription program, similar to audible or other box subscription services, where you get (you guessed it) a new book every month. Each month members are given 5 different books to choose from. BOTM generally focusing on debut and emerging writers, and is known for having helped launch the careers of some of the most acclaimed authors in American literary history. In an attempt to read more books outside my favorite genres without having to siphon through all the duds, I decided to sign up for the monthly subscriptions. It costs me $15.99 per month, I choose 1 of the 5 books on the first of every month, and it’s delivered straight to my door. You can skip any month or roll your credits over to the next month, at any time. Since I started getting BOTM in 2018, I’ve really enjoyed some of the new authors I’ve been exposed to. If you’re interested in joining BOTM, I’ve added my referral code to the bottom of this post, which if you use, you’ll be able to get a discount on your first month (book)!Interested in joining Book of the Month?
Get your first book for $10.99 when you sign up using my link! Either click HERE or enter the url into your browser: https://book-of-the-month.ixmz.net/kvzez https://book-of-the-month.ixmz.net/c/1803400/761424/9782