Wondering what to read now? Here are all the hot new October 2020 book releases for you. I’ll let you know what I’ve read, what I can’t wait to read, and what’s getting all the attention this month.
October is just around the corner. The leaves are starting to turn to their vivid fall palette. Soon, I’ll get to pull out my super cute boots and a stylish jacket, leaving the windows open all day and cuddling up in a blanket a night.
L. M. Montgomery describes it best in Anne of Green Gables: “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
On top of the pumpkin patches and Halloween costumes, this October there are plenty of amazing new book releases. Publishers are trying to get everything out so you have a great book for your Fall vacation or pick on up with your early Christmas shopping.
The highlights of the month:
- A Super Creepy German Bestseller
- Plenty of End of the Year Thrillers
- A Christmas Romance
- A Fantasy Jem
Have I got you interested? Then keep scrolling to see our picks for the best of the October 2020 book releases.
October 2020 Book Releases – Advance Review Copies
Dear Child
Romy Hausmann
The creepiest book of the year award goes to Romy Hausmann’s German bestseller which builds to an incredibly thrilling ending. Kept locked in the woods in a windowless shack, Lena and her two children live as virtual prisoners to her “husband.” When Lena escapes, the nightmare should be over. Yet things don’t seem to be adding up, and Lena isn’t who she claims to be. With the English translation among the October 2020 book releases, you are in for a treat this Halloween.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Flatiron through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 14 May 2020
Amazon | Goodreads | More Info
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
V. E. Schwab
To escape a forced marriage, Addie LaRue makes a bargain with the devil in 1714. She gets to live forever, but she will be forgotten by everyone she meets. After 300 years, Addie has become resigned to her fate until she meets a young man who remembers her name. I loved everything about Schwab’s clever adult fantasy novel, which has the fast pacing of a YA novel that makes it easy to read. Adeline and Luc (short for Lucifer) made excellent sparring partners, and Henry’s addition to the story worked perfectly. An all-around joy of a read that is one of Fall 2020’s must-reads.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tor Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 October 2020
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Invisible Girl
Lisa Jewell
After three years with her therapist Roan Fours, Saffyre Maddox is finally “cured” of self-harm. Yet Saffyre never revealed her worst trauma to Roan, and now she feels tossed aside. She begins secretly stalking his house, an invisible girl in the shadows. When Saffyre disappears, all attention falls on Roan’s neighbor Owen Pick. For he’s just the type to do such a thing – just a bit creepy.
Jewell sharply comments on our preconceived prejudices of sexual predators – the creepy man who’s innocent vs the picture-perfect one who’s not. Yet, knowing that Owen is (most likely) innocent takes some of the suspense out of the story. You’ll still be compelled to find out what happened to Saffyre, but the book was just shy of being truly unputdownable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 13 October 2020
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The Searcher
Tana French
Retired Chicago police officer Cal Hooper decides to settle down in a remote Irish town but a plea from a young boy shatters his peaceful retreat. The boy’s brother is missing and no one in the town seems to care. Now Hooper must use all his instincts to discover what’s amiss in his supposed paradise.
Gratefully, The Searcher is much better than French’s disappointing novel, The Witch Elm. Don’t expect an edge of your seat thriller. Instead, the idyllic Irish setting lulls you into this slow-burn mystery that will reward those who love a good character study.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Viking through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 October 2020
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Confessions on the 7:45
Lisa Unger
On a stalled train, Selena confesses to a fellow passenger that she suspects her husband is cheating on her with the nanny. Martha, in turn, confesses to an affair with her boss. When the nanny disappears days later, Selena begins to wonder about the stranger from the train. Lisa Unger’s psychological thriller does a great job twisting and turning to keep you engaged and wanting more. The action-filled climax fits the story, and you’ll feel satisfied with how all the storylines resolve.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Park Row Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 October 2020
Amazon | Goodreads | More Info
Leave the World Behind
Rumaan Alam
While vacationing at a home rental in a remote part of Long Island, a white couple is surprised when a Black couple shows up claiming to be the homeowners. They say they are fleeing from a mass blackout and disaster in New York City. Reviewers found this family drama thrilling. I could not force myself past the horrible intro to even start on the suspenseful storyline. Alam is a walking thesaurus, always choosing the most complicated descriptions and dragging on for pages about mundane details. You’ll have to find out for yourself if the premise overcomes the horrid beginning because I will not be picking this one back up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Time Smart
Ashley Whillans
Regardless of income, Ashley Whillans proposes that most Americans are time-poor. With not enough time in the day, people are stressed and unhappy. How we think about time matters, and weighing money as more valuable as time is often a mistake. The outline of the book is perfectly fine, but the execution is severely lacking. Whillans fails to engage the reader, telling half-hearted anecdotes of little interest and underwhelming with poorly created worksheets.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvard Business Review Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 6 October 2020
Amazon | Goodreads | More Info
Book of the Month: October 2020
Receiving my blue box from Book of the Month Club is a highlight of every month.
Here’s how it works – each month, they pick 5 books and you get to choose one book or skip until the next month. If you want to add any extra books, then you get them at a discounted price.
Each month is usually a mix of new releases and advance copies of unreleased books. If you are interested in joining, you can use my Book of the Month Club affiliate link to get a discount on your first book!
Here’s a look at the October Book of the Month selections.
The Most Anticipated October 2020 Book Releases
The Devil and the Dark Water
Stuart Turton
In 1634, the world’s most famous detective is being transported across the ocean to Amsterdam to stand trial for murder. When strange things begin to happen aboard, his loyal bodyguard must solve the mystery. Could demonic forces be at work? The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was one of my favorite debut novels, and I can’t wait to see what Stuart Turton has up his sleeve this time.
A Time for Mercy
John Grisham
John Grisham returns you to Clanton, Mississipi, the setting of his debut novel A Time to Kill. After appearing in the novel Sycamore Row, lawyer Jake Brigance is back, this time defending a teenager accused of killing a local deputy. With demand rising for a swift guilty verdict and the death penalty, Brigance realizes the town is against him as he pleads for mercy along with justice.
In a Holidaze
Christina Lauren
With her love life in shatters, Maelyn Jones is devastated to find this will be her last Christmas spent at her family’s snowy Utah cabin. As she drives away, a car crash sends her into a time loop to relive the same Christmas vacation over and over again. Now she must figure out how to end the time loop so she can live happily ever after.
What October 2020 Book Releases are You Most Excited to Read?
What books can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Did I miss any October 2020 book releases that you are anticipating? As always, let me know in the comments!
More New Book Releases:
CJ | A Well-Read Tart says
Ha! I remember our convo about The Witch Elm. 😀 Glad to see French has redeemed herself with this new one!
Rachael says
Oh my word, The Witch Elm was such a dumpster fire. The Searcher is so much better, though definitely more of laid back story.
Rachel @ Never Enough Novels says
Addie LaRue was one of my five star reads this year! Ironically I felt it was more of a meandering story, but I adored it from start to finish. Also, I’m reading In A Holidaze right now and enjoying it more than the last few Christina Lauren releases!
Rachael says
I’m so glad you are enjoying In a Holidaze. I probably won’t read it because it’s not really my style of book, but I wanted to include it because I know so many of my readers love her.