We’re still (not so patiently) waiting for fall weather to arrive here in Nashville, but that hasn’t stopped the big fall releases from hitting our shelves! We have some spine-tingling titles for you this month, if you’re so inclined, with plenty of options for all you scaredy cats too. Presumably, we’ll eventually reach curl-up-under-a-blanket-with-a-good-book season, so stock up now!

No one is writing literary romance like Lily King! Heart the Lover is everything I love about King’s writing–it’s vulnerable, swoony, and beautiful. I inhaled this novel, then immediately went back and reread Writers & Lovers, and now my heart is full.

Also loved by Abigail & Genevieve!

The length was necessary to follow these two star crossed lovers as they attract and push away through the years. The reader wants to advise, cheer, and warn as they watch this story play out. Hard to leave them.

Also loved by Patsy!

Mona Awad brings us back to the darkly humorous world of the Bunnies once again and I could not love it more! A sequel, a prequel, and a stand-alone novel, time to get to know your favorite unhinged fiction-writing graduate students and how they became Bunny.

Also loved by Abigail & Jenness!

When a demonic presence awakens in a silver mine in Mexico, Alba finds salvation in the one man she shouldn’t trust. Horrifying and grotesque, this is Isabel Cañas’s bloodiest book and it left me a little bit scarred. But I am a sucker for everything she writes and this book is too good to pass up. Proceed with caution, and maybe sleep with some holy water by your bed.

Tightly bound in the grit and grime of the late 80s rock scene, each chapter of Hot Wax crescendos to a bloody revelation in this slow-burn, atmospheric father-daughter story. M.L. Rio truly never disappoints.

Also loved by Abigail & Jenness!

Oh, the drama! Let’s dig into the juicy secrets of the privileged at a New England boarding school! Seems like everyone has at least one, and everyone’s connected. And one by one, an app dishes them all.

Alchemised is an unflinching look at the sins of war. It is 1000 pages of fighting a losing battle at the cost of your soul. It is about the corruption of power, about how war never has a “heroic” side. There are people in power, and there are the ones they abuse, on all sides. It is about the cost of hoping to be remembered or choosing to be forgotten, and it is a necessary book in the wartimes we live in.

Motivated by grief and the need for revenge, a Vietnam War veteran and his moody teenage niece set off to hunt down the vampire who is responsible for tearing their lives & loved ones apart. Coffin Moon is a supernatural and atmospheric chase through the 1970s Pacific Northwest. A great spooky read, perfect for fans of Stephen King and anyone who wishes Charlie Swan (Twilight) had more screen time.

This is the story of a young girl who appears to be losing her sight. Her grandfather takes her once a week to a museum to stare and evaluate one famous painting. It is touching and informative, and don’t throw away the book jacket — it contains each of the pictures explored through the year.

This is the perfect book for anyone who wants to get into the Halloween spirit without jump scares or the ilk. These are beautiful, haunting stories of all kinds of people who may or may not be on the verge of madness.

Jewish folklore meets tortured sapphic yearning in this atmospheric fantasy debut with sentient forest magic. I am so excited to see what Maddie Martinez writes next! She is a fantastic addition to fantasy!

I was worried #4 would be the last in the series. I was thrilled to get my hands on this one. It took me back to when I first met these four. Yes, things have changed. Elizabeth is managing a deep grief. What’s the remedy? A mystery! A wedding. A missing best man. A cold storage security facility. A six digit code. Bitcoin. Charming new characters that need fixing from Joyce. Now I am hoping for #6.

A brilliant, haunting, and essential work of feminist speculative fiction. 40 women live in an underground bunker with no agency and no clear memories. The narrator, young and full of questions, is their key to escape. The author’s own experiences of fleeing Nazi Germany and a career as a psychoanalyst inform this deeply introspective novel that leads readers to its ultimate question: What does it mean to be human?

Also loved by Abigail & Rachel!

A woman loses her memory soon after a surprise wedding she didn’t ask for and thinks she’s a character from a novel. She lands in a seaside town working with a family-owned restaurant when the seeds of her past memory begin to return in this delightful novel of community and reinvention.

An outstanding novella, Novik weaves a timeless fairy tale of all kinds of love overcoming the barriers that the world puts on it. I was bewitched from the beginning. Perfect for lovers of fairytales and unlikely heroes.

Also loved by Rachel!

When the world outside feels like its too much, what is better than a return to Mitford? Your favorite lovable characters are back preparing for the holidays. Look for mishaps and plenty of memories in this latest installment of the series. Jan Karon never misses and this is no exception.

As long as Nghi Vo keeps writing Singing Hills books I will keep staff rec’ing them. This entry is a haunting tale of famine, desperation, and catharsis. (Can be read as a standalone!)

The perfect paranormal romance for Fall. Bookseller Nancy agrees to teach Jack, the town grump, how to date. Who wouldn’t fall for this man that reads your favorite romance novels and takes notes? Little does she know, he is actually the son of Satan and must win over his dream girl before time runs out and he is doomed to work for his father forever. Incredibly cute and spicy as Hell (pun intended).

This is a reissue of Kay Chronister’s debut horror story collection (featuring four new, additional tales!). These stories all stick true to their gothic origin, but are spun in a unique, modern direction that I couldn’t have predicted. If you loved her most recent novel, The Bog Wife, you must read this reissued collection as well!

Quirky, delightful translated Japanese novel. The library keeps together the personal collections of deceased famous writers. It is only open at night. The employees have a dorm and a cook who bases the meal on a book and that is how the chapters are named. The mystery is the name of the owner of the library and who was the anonymous interviewer who sought these odd “librarians” who become a family.

The final installment in Jenna Levine’s hilarious vampire rom-coms, Road Trip with a Vampire is perhaps my favorite in the series. When an amnesiac vampire shows up on the doorstep of Zelda’s yoga studio, our witch-turned-yogi, must decide if she’s willing to come out of hiding to help this fanged hottie. Jenna infuses all of her books with humor and heart. Peter and Zelda are perfect and I love them with my whole chest.

Two strong, competitive women whose lives become intertwined when their children marry. They’re kind-of related, right? The rivalry amps up when a grandchild comes along and they are forced to deal with each other. Lots of love and drama in the lives of all characters….my favorite book of 2025 so far.

I simultaneously wanted to read this one more slowly to savor my time with the compelling, complex characters and read more quickly to see where their stories began and where they were headed. An intriguing family saga with all the right elements: beautiful writing, scenic setting, captivating storyline. Say hello to this lovely debut novel.

This just might be my favorite read of the year. Blending gothic horror, dark academia, and a bit of supernatural mystery, Atlas of Unknowable Things feels like it was made for me. The first half of this story has a slow burn element, but the second half pays off tenfold. Visceral, atmospheric—it’s just so good. October is the perfect time to read this gem!

If you relate to the phrase, “I’m a hater first, a human second,” you’ll fall in love with this break-through, brutal debut by Zoe Dubno. Using no chapters OR paragraph breaks, Dubno quickly submerges us into the cynical and hilariously bitter psyche of our protagonist as she tears her so-called friends apart. They are insufferable, materialistic, phony, and culturally vampiric—but of course, so is she.

We met young Denise in Jen’s last novel, and this time we are we are joining her about two decades later. The fun we had in the first book actually concealed a lot of secrets, and you will not be able to put this novel down! Soccer mom with a wild past – what could go wrong????

The latest installment in my favorite queer mystery series doesn’t disappoint. The most beloved characters are back, plus a variety of curious new faces. Rosen is so good at creating protagonists you want to root for. If you’re not already familiar with P.I. Andy Mills, start with Lavender House and meet me at Mirage City!

This story of a costume mistress in London theatre takes place in just over a week. Rather than repair costumes, she wants to design. She is homesick for Ireland but no longer fits there. She takes control of her life, not someone else’s idea of what it should be.

DON’T WALK AWAY! There’s more to this story: A godling’s silence once cost Vincent everything. Now Matilda will do anything to make it right, even if that means posing as his wife and waging war. Wistful. Enchanting. Devastating. Blood-soaked—this is Rebecca Ross at her best, set in the world of Divine Rivals!

Are you a retired emo kid? Do you need a vacation? Have you ever wanted to go on a celebrity cruise? Then this steamy second-chance romance is the book for you! Follow the singer and guitarist of a temporarily reunited band on their journey through the waves of love while listening to your favorite throwback playlist. (Personally, I recommend Paramore for this read.)

If you like multi-generational family sagas, this is for you. Bonus points if you like reading about Chicago, 1920s gangsters and prohibition. This book is funny, sad and full of heart.

Alice has never gotten over her cousin’s murder. She comes back to her hometown with the hope that she can convince authorities to reopen the murder case that was quickly closed 20 years ago. She is up against the very wealthy and the very protected. She knows who did it. Or does she?

I cannot tell you how much joy Lady Knight Fall is giving me. TSDoL is an old world fantasy that tells the story of a Well and her Mage, two childhood best friends sworn to protect one another in a world torn apart by war. A chivalric slow-burn romance full of secrets, pining and a fascinating magic system. I would do battle for Keir and Grey. I love them so much.

A compelling look at the most heavily coveted job in the world, American Kings examines everything it takes to be a quarterback. Capturing the likes of Joe Namath, Arch Manning, and everyone in between, this book is not just a sports history but a social and cultural history of football and how it impacts us all. Masterfully written, this book contains some of the very best sports writing of the decade so far.

Long live Jill Lepore! In a companion to her equally amazing These Truths, Lepore takes us on a deep dive of the U.S. Constitution, chronicling its arc from inception to amendments to amending the amendments. I am such a fan of her writing–you come to learn about one topic, then learn the most fascinating side stories.

From the uncomfortable (pig farms in Asia growing human organs) to the admirable (traveling doctors in Africa performing corneal transplants), Science Writer to the Masses Mary Roach explore and explains the fascinating trajectory of anatomical advances throughout modern history. So good!

Every single recipe in this book had my little Jersey self salivating. I cannot wait to cook the lemon spaghetti (sigh) or the garlic bread (nom nom) or the canned artichoke pie (gimme gimme gimme). Who wants to come to my house for dinner?

Here is an ode to the earth and humanity as only Mary Oliver can give. Hallelujah for words of hers still left to be read.

A riveting examination of the horror films of the 1970s and their reflections in the feminist movements of the time, Scream With Me is a fascinating look at the intersections of art and life. Covering Rosemary’s Baby, Alien, and more, Johnson convincingly argues that these films are key historical documents. Presenting academic ideas accessibly, Scream With Me is like your favorite film school course in book form.

In her first cookbook since the revolutionary Salt Fat Acid Heat, Samin returns to the page and delivers exactly what this new title promises: good things. From sauces and dressings to an extensive seasonal vegetable guide to all the small and big elements that make gatherings special, every recipe shines with as much color and charisma as the author herself. Flavorful foods and beautiful words abound!

Judge this book by its cover: beguiling, timeless, and deliciously haunting. In 1903 Paris, researcher Sam Harker joins criminal mastermind Dr. Helena Moriarty to hunt the monster staining the city red. But what if the monster isn’t a beast at all? A gothic fantasy where Dracula meets Sherlock Holmes, ready to whisk you away.

A now-adult group of teen detectives is reunited to solve a mystery from their past. If you’re looking for hilarity, mystery, and gore this spooky season, this is the book for you!

Monstrilio packs a one-two punch: a monstrous, magical novel taking you into the second-half of Hispanic Heritage month; and a wild, gory first read of the spooky season. Sámano Córdova reminds us that the greatest horror is found in all-consuming grief; it makes us selfish, desperate, and hungry.

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is 688 pages. By the end, I promise, you will wish it was twice as long. Listen to this:

“The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny achieves the ultimate of what a book should do: carry us away into other people’s lives, thinking as they think, feeling as they feel, until it comes around and shows us to ourselves. Grand, magnificent, intimate, more than wonderful…” Andrew Sean Greer.

“Brilliant doesn’t begin to describe this novel’s profound illuminative powers.” Junot Diaz.

“This poignant novel—rich with culture, heartbreak, and hope—was an unmitigated joy to read.” Khaled Hosseini.

“A powerful novel by a writer strong enough to pull back together worlds that are being pulled apart.” Mohsin Hamid.

“A novel so wonderful, when I got to the last page, I turned to the first and began again.” Sandra Cisneros.

If anyone asks you if literature still matters, if great books are still being written, go and get your copy of The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. Hold it up. This book is the kind of book we wait for, savor, and remember. When I finished, I went back to read her 2006 Booker Prize winner, The Inheritance of Loss, because I wanted to stay in Kiran Desai’s world. You might want to do the same.

Enjoy.

Ann Patchett

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

When high school librarian Yael’s secret podcast starts to take off, she decides to hire Kevin, a remote freelance editor/producer so she can manage juggling her mental health, day job, and the queer teen book club she’s been hosting at school after hours. To maintain her anonymity, they communicate strictly via email and Kevin only knows her by her podcast persona, Elle.

Little does Yael know that Kevin, who in real life goes by his middle name, Ravi, is the same man she tore apart for climbing out of her bedroom window after a one night stand with her roommate, Charlie. And she certainly never expects him to show up to volunteer at her book club.

In person, Yael and Ravi clash until their sparks turn into something more. Over email, Elle and Kevin are starting to fall hard when they decide to keep things strictly professional. But when Ravi discovers the truth, will keeping it a secret mean the end of everything he’s built with Yael/Elle? And what happens when she finds out? Will they fall twice as hard, or cut ties in more ways than one?

The Love, Parnassus box is a monthly subscription box for romance readers curated by the experts at Parnassus Books. Each month you will receive a first edition book (which is sometimes signed), a letter from the author, a custom sticker, and a bookmark to track your reading. The Love, Parnassus selection will focus on debut and new-to-you romance authors. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite romance reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.