Wondering what to read now? Here are all the hot new October 2023 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.
In case you’re new to Booklist Queen, every month I cover all the hottest new book releases. I try to read as many new book releases as I can to give you an honest perspective on what to read and what to skip.
However, I realize that my to-read list might not exactly match yours. That’s why I’ve also included some of the most popular October 2023 book releases from your favorite authors.
Enough from me. Let’s get on to the October 2023 book releases so you can fill up your to-read list.
Top October 2023 Book Releases
The Leftover Woman
Jean Kwok
Fleeing her abusive husband, Jasmine Yang arrives in New York from China with no money but a fierce determination to do anything to find the daughter stolen from her due to China’s one-child policy. Meanwhile, publishing executive Rebecca Whitney has a perfect job, marriage, and the most adorable adopted Chinese daughter. When a scandal at work threatens to ruin her marriage, Rebecca and Jasmine find themselves on a shocking collision course.
Let Us Descend
Jesmyn Ward
Blending magical realism with a reimagining of American slavery, Let Us Descend follows Annis, a Black girl sold South by the white slave master who fathered her. As Annis marches south, she finds solace in thinking of her mother and her warrior African grandmother. Communing with spirits, both good and bad, along the way, Annis’s descent toward the further hell of slavery is a surprising tale of rebirth and reclamation.
My Darling Girl
Jennifer McMahon
Alison has always hated Christmas, but her holiday season gets worse when her mother calls and tells her she only has a few weeks to live. Reluctantly, Alison agrees to take in Mavis despite Alison’s traumatic memories of her abusive alcoholic mother. Instead of healing the relationship, Alison begins to suspect her mother is not who she thought. When other-worldly things begin to happen, Alison must decide how far she is willing to go to save her family from this nightmare.
What We Kept to Ourselves
Nancy Jooyoun Kim
In 1977, Sunny Kim arrives in Los Angeles with her workaholic husband John and struggles to make a home in America. But a chance encounter at a bus stop leads to long-term consequences. In 1998, John Kim and his adult children are completely upended when Sunny, disappears. A year later, John discovers a stranger’s dead body in his backyard carrying a letter for Sunny and search for the truth threatens everything he thought he knew.

The Most Anticipated October 2023 Book Releases
The Exchange
John Grisham
In a sequel to his debut thriller, The Firm, John Grisham returns to tell you what happened to Mitch and Abby McDeere after they exposed the crimes of his corrupt Memphis law firm. Fifteen years later, Mitch and Abby are living in Manhattan where Mitch is a partner in the world’s largest law firm. When Mitch gets caught up in another sinister plot with worldwide implications, he must do all he can to stay one step ahead of his enemies.
Family Meal
Bryan Washington
After his boyfriend dies, Cam decides to move back to his hometown and try to start life afresh. Quickly he runs into his former best friend TJ at TJ’s family’s bakery. As Cam and TJ try to navigate their estrangement and build a new friendship as adults, Cam learns that you can find hope in the most unexpected of places.
Sword Catcher
Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare has a new fantasy series set in the hedonistic kingdom of Castellane. Since childhood, Kel has been raised as the Sword Catcher – the body double and personal bodyguard of Prince Conor Aurelian. After an assassination attempt, Kel meets the magical healer Lin. Working together, they become entangled in a corruption scandal that threatens to take down the entire kingdom, making them wonder if the kingdom is even worth saving.
Making It So
Patrick Stewart
Legendary actor Sir Patrick Stewart tells of his life, from his humbling beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to his rise to fame in Hollywood. Along the way, he shares a portrait of an artist who has become famous for his Shakespearean roles, as Captain Picard in the Star Trek series, and as Professor Xavier in the X-Men series.
Popular October Upcoming Releases
What October 2023 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 2023 book releases that you are anticipating? As always, let me know in the comments!
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