The Goodreads Editors' Picks for New October Reading

Here at Goodreads World Headquarters, we sort through a lot of books each month. Our monthly Readers' Most Anticipated Books feature is exactly that—selections based on the data about the books that Goodreads members are placing on their Want to Read shelves. Essentially, these are the books that your fellow Goodreads regulars are excited about.
Of course, the Goodreads editorial staff gets excited about books, too. And we regularly come across specific new releases that we can’t wait to read—or "won’t shut up about," to borrow a phrase from the colleagues who sit right next to us.
As to be expected, there are always way more great books each month than we have time to read, so we're passing our findings along to you, complete with genre tags, our unhinged commentary, and general enthusiasm. Think of this list as our intel on the books you might not be hearing about absolutely everywhere else, from two people who really, really want to help you find a great read.
On the docket for October: Navajo forensic detectives in skid row New Mexico, ensemble historical fiction in 1960s NYC, and a punk-rock murder ballad in a fever-dream future. Bonus pick: Good times with a feral lust virus!
Of course, the Goodreads editorial staff gets excited about books, too. And we regularly come across specific new releases that we can’t wait to read—or "won’t shut up about," to borrow a phrase from the colleagues who sit right next to us.
As to be expected, there are always way more great books each month than we have time to read, so we're passing our findings along to you, complete with genre tags, our unhinged commentary, and general enthusiasm. Think of this list as our intel on the books you might not be hearing about absolutely everywhere else, from two people who really, really want to help you find a great read.
On the docket for October: Navajo forensic detectives in skid row New Mexico, ensemble historical fiction in 1960s NYC, and a punk-rock murder ballad in a fever-dream future. Bonus pick: Good times with a feral lust virus!
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: The author of this tender postapocalyptic debut novel described her book as a "queer homage to NYC, full of ghosts, headless men, witchy women, and sapphic longing via HAM radio." One Goodreads member called it '"too weird," while another reviewer raved that it's "a delightful, woozily off-kilter kaleidoscope of a story." OK, I'm all in!
Genre: Fiction/Dystopia/Sci Fi/??
Genre: Fiction/Dystopia/Sci Fi/??
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: The sole survivor of a brutally repressed miners' uprising becomes the nation's most notorious highwayman and disguises herself to infiltrate the household of the man who killed all her loved ones. Early reviewers are describing this book as "Gideon the Ninth meets labor politics," and I for one think that sounds metal as hell!
Genre: Political fantasy/revenge tale/punk rock murder ballad
Genre: Political fantasy/revenge tale/punk rock murder ballad
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Apparently tales of revenge are my catnip this month, as I'm also really looking forward to this young adult fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. Dania has been betrayed and falsely imprisoned by the boy she loves, but a chance encounter leads to a jailbreak, dark magical powers, and the chance to exact sweet vengeance.
Genre: Young adult/fantasy/retelling
Genre: Young adult/fantasy/retelling
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: I loved Emerson's paranormal mystery Shutter (which, fun fact, was National Book Award–longlisted). So, obviously I cannot wait to return—via book—to New Mexico and catch up with Navajo forensic photographer Rita Todacheene, who this time around is hunting a serial killer (perhaps with the help of the killer's victims).
Genre: Mystery
Genre: Mystery
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Listen. I'm a longtime Danny Lavery fan (R.I.P. The Toast) and will read anything he writes, including grocery lists and to-do reminders. He's that funny! This slice-of-life novel about the residents of a women's hotel in 1960s NYC sounds like just the kind of witty, well-observed, and unexpectedly moving writing at which Lavery most excels.
Genre: Historical fiction
Genre: Historical fiction
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: Three words: Southern Gothic horror. This debut novel follows psychically sensitive Jemma Barker as she accepts a job at the Duchon family estate in New Orleans, circa 1962. Get ready for dark secrets and a terrible curse.
Genre: Horror
Genre: Horror
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: C.J. Leede burst on the horror scene last year with Maeve Fly. She's back this October with a bloody tale of a good Catholic girl navigating a country burning with a new virus, an illness that causes manic and lustful behavior in the infected. Early reviewers are raving about this one, saying it's shocking, heartbreaking…and hopeful.
Genre: Horror
Genre: Horror
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: Here's my pick for this month's most heartrending memoir. Ben Masters weaves together nature writing, literary biography, and pop culture to share his journey to connect with his dying father. You'll be calling home after reading this one!
Genre: Memoir
Genre: Memoir
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: This debut fantasy set in New York and Shanghai is described as a coming-of-age story and existential mystery that reads like an Escher drawing. Throw in a magical book about a masked ball in 1930s Shanghai, a possibly haunted apartment, a mirror that plays tricks, a stranger speaking in riddles…well, that sounds like cancel-my-plans reading to me.
Genre: Fantasy
Genre: Fantasy
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: In a world where the corpses of dead necromancers power the Emperor's magic, three strangers converge on the capital city, each with their own agenda. Also, one of them wields a sword made from a dragon's fang. Early readers have high praise for the original world-building of this book!
Genre: Fantasy
Genre: Fantasy
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: There have been a handful of books about young women of color navigating elite American universities published this year, and I, for one, can never get enough of this topic. In this offering, a student attending a small Vermont college connects with her Brazilian mother in the blue light of their computer screens over Skype calls. Sounds quietly melancholic and perfect for fall reading.
Genre: Literary fiction
Genre: Literary fiction
Cybil can't wait to read this book because: I predict that this book will be a reading-slump buster! Billed as an action-packed romantic comedy, War's debut novel sounds like rollicking good fun. When a journalist and a movie star find themselves teaming up to cover up a murder…will they also fall for each other? I mean, who wouldn't?
Genre: Romance/Mystery
Genre: Romance/Mystery
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: This is one of those books where I'm not ashamed to say the beautiful cover caught my eye first. Then I looked more closely at the jacket copy, which promised me a demon locked in eternal battle with the angel who destroyed her beloved city, and popped it right onto the top of my WTR shelf.
Genre: Fantasy
Genre: Fantasy
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: How's this for a premise? It's 1826, and Isobel Tait finds herself staring at a tiny heart in a jar in the collection of Dr. Burnett's oddities and medical specimens. This heart features the same rare condition as that of her young son…who has been missing for months. Chills!
Genre: Historical fiction/mystery/Gothic
Genre: Historical fiction/mystery/Gothic
Sharon can't wait to read this book because: Told in increments of 24s (months, weeks, days, and minutes ago), this new book from Reynolds (Long Way Down) chronicles the blossoming love story between high schoolers Neon and Aria and their decision to go "all the way," 24 seconds from now. Think Judy Blume's Forever…, updated for 21st-century teens and the grown-ups who are helping them navigate relationships, bodies, and consent.
Genre: Young adult fiction
Genre: Young adult fiction
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Law
(last edited Oct 05, 2024 04:55AM)
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Sep 30, 2024 02:16AM

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and Blood of the Old Kings look interesting!

Can confirm the editors' opinion, Daniel Lavery is illegally razorsharp and funny

• How to Fall in Love in a Time of Unnameable Disaster by Muriel Leung
• For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga
• Women’s Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery
• This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
• American Rapture by C.J. Leede
• Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Lobato
• I Did Something Bad by Pyae Moe Thet War
• The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

