October is officially here, which means spooky season is in full swing, the cozy reading pile is growing, and of course, it’s time to see what Book of the Month has in store for us. And while October is usually the month, I’m hunting for anything creepy, mysterious, or just a little unhinged, BOTM’s lineup this month has a pretty wide range of genres to choose from. We’ve got romance, thrillers, fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and literary fiction, so whether you’re looking for something spooky to match the season or something completely different, there’s a little something for everyone.
There are seven main picks for October 2026, and as always, I’m breaking down what each one is about, what kind of reader I think might enjoy it, and most importantlywhich ones caught my attention enough to potentially make their way into my own box. Because let’s be honest, I may already have a TBR that could last me several lifetimes, but that has never stopped me from adding another book.
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
Fall Most Anticipated
BOTM ADD-ON GUIDE
October 2026 Picks
Add-ons
Centennial & Offset
My Box
American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee is my main pick this month. Since I had to have Peck & Peck as an add-on, I needed a main pick to go with it, and this was an easy choice. I’ve heard excellent things about this one, and I’m really curious to see what I think. It’s literary fiction centered around family, education, ambition, and the pressure that comes with trying to build a successful life. It’s a little outside my usual mystery/thriller-heavy reading, but I’ve heard enough good things that I’m definitely ready to give it a shot.
And obviously, Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus had to come home with me. I adore Bonnie Garmus, so there was never really a question here. I’m always fascinated by authors who can make very different stories feel completely their own, and I’m excited to see what she does with this one. If you’re a Lessons in Chemistry fan, this one is definitely worth putting on your radar.
And The Court of Venus by Bel Banta also made the cut. This one is more of a romantasy with magical courts, zodiac-inspired elements, reluctant allies, and a romance that apparently has the stars involved. It’s definitely a little outside my normal reading comfort zone, but it sounded fun enough that I wanted to give it a shot.
I actually have copies of all of the main picks this month, so I didn’t need to use my BOTM box to get them but there are definitely a few I want to talk about.
The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford by Nafissa Thompson-Spires is one I’ve already read and reviewed, and I highly recommend it. It’s literary fiction with a really interesting mystery woven through it, and I was honestly surprised by how quickly I flew through it. It’s really well written without feeling like a book you have to slog through, and I loved the whole small-town gossip, secrets, and complicated-family-dynamics vibe. If you’re debating this one, I’d definitely put it on your list and I have a full review up if you want more of my thoughts.
The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford Review
When the Night Comes Knocking by Katherine Daniel is the thriller pick, and obviously this one caught my attention. Seven strangers are trapped inside while something dangerous waits outside, and they have to figure out how to survive without opening the door. It sounds like a perfect October thriller and definitely one I’m hoping to get to sooner rather than later. It’s also a debut which ya’ll know I love!
Reap & Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb is the fantasy/romantasy pick, with gothic vibes, forbidden love, dark bargains, and a demon. So, basically, if you’re looking for something atmospheric and magical this month, this is your girl and I ALMOST added this but actually showed some restraint and kept my box to 3 picks.
Bad Words by Ríoghnach Robinson is the romance pick, featuring an author and his harshest literary critic. It’s giving bookish enemies-to-lovers, which is a pretty fun premise for a BOTM pick. I have a copy but some initial reviews I’ve heard say it’s hard to get into. Take that with a grain of salt since I haven’t actually read it yet.
And then there’s Hollywood, Ending by John Green, which is the contemporary fiction pick. It’s a story about art, love, ambition, and life in the public eye. John Green is obviously a pretty recognizable name, so I’m curious to see what readers think of this one. I’ve read a few of his books but skipped this one for now.
Finally, Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas is the historical fiction pick, set in 1800s London with romance, family, and all of the drama you’d expect from a historical. If historical romance is your thing, this one is definitely worth checking out. I’m definitely interested in this one but already have a copy.
There were a few other books I seriously considered. May We Feed the King was one of them, especially because there are a few other reviewers I know who have absolutely adored this book. I was very tempted, but I’m going to be honest: my brain is mush right now.The premise feels pretty conceptually complex, and I’m just not mentally up for something that I know is going to require a little more concentration. Right now, I need books I can pick up at the end of the day and actually follow when my last two functioning brain cells are fighting for survival.
I also skipped The BOTM 100 this month. Nothing against either it but I just had to draw the line somewhere, and apparently that line was after three books.
I’m also almost finished with The Sisters of Crimson House, and I am loving it so far. It’s atmospheric, creepy, and exactly the kind of book I want to be reading in October, so I’ll have a full review coming once I finish it.
And finally, I was too slow to grab a copy of Sophie, Standing There, which I’m still very interested in reading. It has a blurb from Bonnie Garmus, who I absolutely adore, so naturally that made me want it even more. Unfortunately, I missed it in the box, so now I’ll just have to hunt down a copy somewhere else. Because apparently my TBR needed another side quest.
So that’s my October BOTM haul: American Hagwon, Peck & Peck, and The Court of Venus, plus several of the main picks already sitting on my shelves. October is looking VERY full over here, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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