Here are the 25 Indie Next List and 6 Now in Paperback picks on the October 2026 Indie Next List flier.
The October title list is also viewable as a collection on Edelweiss and on the Indie Next List page as an Excel file alongside PDFs for the month’s flier and shelf-talker templates. Learn more and visit Matchbook Marketing’s program page to sign up to send the free Indie Next List e-newsletter to customers.
Additionally, to mark the start of the new month, the September Indie Next List picks are available as a flier, along with past lists, on the Indie Next List page on BookWeb.org.
The 25 October Indie Next List Picks
#1 Pick: Bad Words: A Novel
By Ríoghnach Robinson
(St. Martin's Press, 9781250431295, $30, Oct. 6, Romance)
“A book about books, publishing, writing, the internet, and the very best, truly enemies to lovers, unexpected romance. What a timely read — from the constant pressure online to the ways AI is changing publishing. An incredible look at the power of words.”
—Leighellen Landskov, Fabled Bookshop & Café, Waco, TX
Partita: A Novel
By Barbara Kingsolver
(Harper, 9780063577541, $32, Oct. 6, Fiction)
“Love can break you, art can save you. A young woman’s extraordinary musical talent holds out the hope of escape from the hardscrabble life — and then love intervenes. This book is beautifully written and heartfelt and nuanced.”
—Jude Sales, Readers' Books, Sonoma, CA
Peck & Peck: A Novel
By Bonnie Garmus
(Scribner, 9781668251065, $30, Oct. 13, Fiction)
“You don't have to love poetry to embrace Peck & Peck — Batter Gray will do that for you. Batter’s journey into literary publishing at the iconic poetry journal, his childhood goal, is quirky, daunting, and totally engaging!”
—Cheryl McKeon, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
American Hagwon
By Min Jin Lee
(Cardinal, 9781538752036, $36, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“A book so thorough, specific, and rich that the reader feels like she hasn’t just read about the characters, but lived alongside them. We all want fiction about people who feel so real that we’d recognize them on the street. American Hagwon succeeds on every level.”
—Emilie Sommer, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
Free Falling: A Sweetwater Peak Novel
By Lyla Sage
(Dial Press Trade Paperback, 9780593977798, Paperback, $20, Sept. 22, Romance)
“Everything you have come to expect from Lyla Sage is back for this masterpiece. Yearning, a sprinkling of mystery, shenanigans, and a semi-complicated love story that will make you smile and also cry a bit.”
—Jessica Johnson, Under the Cover, Kansas City, MO
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman: A Novel
By Deesha Philyaw
(Mariner Books, 9780063383074, $32, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“Deesha Philyaw explores the pressures of Black patriarchal church culture and its double standards of ‘purity’ for women and virility for men. Anyone who has ever rolled their eyes at a no-good, full of it Pastor will be shouting hallelujah by the end of this novel.”
—Errol Anderson, Charis Books & More, Atlanta, GA
Victorious (Villains #3)
By V. E. Schwab
(Tor Books, 9781250192233, $31.99, Oct. 6, Fantasy)
“When you want to cheer for someone who by all metrics should be the villain, look no further than V. E. Schwab. This book is a work of art, and the hallowed, long-awaited ending this series deserved.”
—Jess Feder, Kiss and Tale Romance Bookshop, Decatur, GA
Solace House
By Will MacLean
(Grove Press, 9780802168689, $28, Oct. 13, Horror)
“Reading Solace House feels like you’re staying up way past your bedtime as a kid, reading by flashlight under the covers. Locked rooms, hidden relics, scratched out photographs, and secret passageways drag you through the maze of the story. You can only hope to find your way out.”
—Torrin Nelson, Queen Anne Book Company, Seattle, WA
Ply: A Novel
By Hernan Diaz
(Riverhead Books, 9780593719541, $32, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“An epic dystopian novel that feels familiar, and all too possible, which adds to the sense of dread. This future still has music, art, and against all odds, science. But to balance the darkness, it has a strong dose of love and hope.”
—Alana Haley, Schuler Books, Grand Rapids, MI
Mothsblood: Deluxe Limited Edition
By Lynn D. Jung
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 9798260200438, Hardcover, $32; 9781639737888, Standard Hardcover, $30, Oct. 13, Fantasy)
“A secret, elite, Parisian university. A tortured young alchemist running from her past. An impossible murder. Wealth, power, immortality, and the heartbreaking difficulty of breaking cycles of abuse. Gripping and intensely electric.”
—Vaughn Lachenauer, Main Point Books, Wayne, PA
The Radiance: A Novel
By Ayad Akhtar
(S&S/Summit Books, 9781668078631, $29, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“A near-fatal accident elevates the author-protagonist to an altered state of perception — mystical and radiant, akin to a religious epiphany or pre-seizure euphoria. His pursuit of an explanation converges with a campus scandal, revealing incisive field notes on the state of higher education in our country.”
—Karen Hwang, Wellesley Books, Wellesley, MA
Luna, Phoenix, Queen: A Novel
By Julie Orringer
(Knopf, 9798217207886, $32, Oct. 13, Fiction)
“An intricate tale of love, loss, passion and identity spanning decades revolving around an unthinkable act of betrayal and artistic theft. A recurring rescue dog’s story becomes the beating heart of this touching and unforgettable novel.”
—Cody Morrison, Square Books, Oxford, MS
As You Wake, Break the Shell: A Novel
By Becky Chambers
(Harper Voyager, 9780062936066, $32, Oct. 13, Sci-Fi)
“Becky Chambers, you had me at Lesbian Space Botanists. This is a book of contradictions: time and planets butt heads while humans cling to a world that doesn’t want us, life-giving plants are illegally printed from machines, and the promises of yesterday haunt the actions of today.”
—Kit Fitzgerald, Noe Valley Books, San Francisco, CA
Look What the Cat Dragged In: A Novel
By Jason Rekulak
(Flatiron Books, 9781250895875, $29.99, Oct. 13, Thriller)
“Once you get past the trauma of losing a beloved pet, things take a turn into weirdness with a new, creepy cat with the dietary needs of a Chupacabra. Full of disappearances, possession, cults, murder, and a great Indiana Jones-ish ending!”
—Nichole Bryant, Bryant Books & Music, Hastings, NE
The Court of Venus
By Bel Banta
(Tor Books, 9781250437136, $29.99, Sept. 29, Fantasy)
“Combining historical inspiration from the Tudor era with a zodiac-infused magic system provides such a unique fantasy world to immerse yourself in. I loved the court politics, the murder mystery, and the rich, layered romance.”
—Brooke Williams, Beanbag Books, Delaware, OH
The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford: A Novel
By Nafissa Thompson-Spires
(Scribner, 9781501168048, $26, Oct. 6, Fiction)
“A perfect piece of modern Southern folklore. Thompson-Spires crafts rich, recognizable yet unique characters in each chapter vignette. A spectacular tale of vengeance, the power of town gossip, and a little touch of magic.”
—Kat Neilson, Paper Hearts Bookstore, Little Rock, AR
Sophie, Standing There: A Novel
By Meg Mason
(Harper, 9780063493131, $30, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“Sophie, Standing There is about the numbing pain of losing yourself and your confidence and the steep climb to gain it back. For fans of Sally Rooney and Dolly Alderton and anyone who has ever awoken from a season of clouds and found their way back through the mist.”
—Jill Smith, Still North Books & Bar, Hanover, NH
The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia
By Robert Kolker
(Doubleday, 9780385551038, $35, Sept. 29, Science)
“Robert Kolker presents a compassionate and heartbreaking look at a family of high achievers; they are scientists, engineers and leaders in their fields, but a flawed gene predisposes some of them to an early onset form of dementia. Highly recommend!”
—Caitlin Baker, Island Books, Mercer Island, WA
May We Feed the King
By Rebecca Perry
(Transit Books, 9798893380620, Paperback, $18.95, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“A voyeuristic mirror to reflect modern themes of loneliness, surveillance, and being misunderstood, while reminding us that history is written by those who hold the pen. May We Feed The King trusts readers to ask questions without the demand for answers.”
—Logan Walley, Recluse Books, Fort Worth, TX
Home for the Homicides: A Holly & Mark Mystery
By Elle Cosimano, Hannah Morrissey
(Minotaur Books, 9781250413352, $29, Oct. 13, Mystery)
“The perfect mix of holiday cheer, hot chocolate and a homicide or two. A merry enemies-to-lovers mystery that has just the right amount of Christmas spice, mystery, and murder. Grab a hot buttered rum, pull up a comfy chair to a warm fire, and enjoy.”
—Becky Anderson, Anderson's Bookshops, Naperville, IL
The Given World
By Melissa Harrison
(Biblioasis, 9781771967365, $18.95, Oct. 6, Fiction)
“Via lulling and compelling nature-documentary narration, each chapter exposes characters in an exhibition which over time becomes overgrown in vast vegetation. A relaxing primer of the waxing storm before the waning calm that is humankind’s brief time on this planet.”
—Ian McCord, Rec Room Books, Athens, GA
Mazywood
By Tananarive Due
(S&S/Saga Press, 9781668075142, $32, Sept. 22, Horror)
“This is American Fiction meets Get Out; the best blend of social commentary mixed with horror. Mazelle Washington, an aspiring actress, makes a wish that brings her into childhood stardom. As she ages, she becomes part of Black Hollywood and all of its burdens.”
—Audrey I-Wei Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, MA
Buzzard (Indies Introduce)
By Inez Ray
(Left Unread, 9781967967261, Paperback, $19.95, Sept. 22, Sci-Fi)
“A feminist dystopian that was a tense but relevant read. Its multi-timeline navigates the complexity and nuance of bodily autonomy well and with care. This book is fast-paced and doesn't shy away from the heavy topics.”
—Stephen Hayes, Fred & June's Bookstore, Mooresville, NC
The Memory of Borrowed Books: A Novel
By Meg Anderson
(Sourcebooks Landmark, 9781464295164, Hardcover, $32.99, 9781464278372, Paperback, $18.99, Oct. 6, Fiction)
“This book satisfyingly blends mystery, thriller, and romance through pithy dialogue between relatable characters any reader would be glad to spend time with. Great for fans of The Midnight Library and The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks.”
—Julie Schultz, This House of Books, Billings, MT
Rottenheart
By Kat Dunn
(Zando, 9781638934653, $28.95, Oct. 13, Horror)
“A sapphic reimagining of Shakespeare by the magnificent Kat Dunn. Written with her usual stunning prose, and Gothic and horror elements, this is atmospheric, haunting, and weaves a tale of love and madness.”
—Mirna Villeda, Godmothers, Summerland, CA
October 2026 Indie Next List Now in Paperback
As Many Souls as Stars: A Novel
By Natasha Siegel
(William Morrow Paperbacks, 9780063418035, $18.99, Oct. 6, Fantasy)
“The eldest daughter in a family of witches is born ‘cursed’ again and again. When a demonic entity takes notice and offers her a deal, she takes it. She never expected a tumultuous relationship with a demon that spans centuries.”
—Jennifer Lieberman, Books Are Awesome, Parker, CO
Bad Bad Girl: A Novel
By Gish Jen
(Vintage, 9780593689653, $20, Sept. 22, Fiction)
“This is Gish Jen's autobiographical novel, all about her mother and their relationship, spanning decades through wars and Mao's regime. It starts as more of a novel but by the end it reads almost fully as a memoir.”
—Anton Bogomazov, Politics and Prose Bookstore, Washington, DC
Buckeye: A Novel
By Patrick Ryan
(Random House Trade Paperbacks, 9780593595053, $20, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“Buckeye’s got an indelible cast of characters, a propelling narrative, and combines the plainspoken with the mystical, the American everyday with the implacable sweep of history, and unspeakable tragedy with hope.”
—Robert McDonald, The Book Stall, Winnetka, IL
We Survived the Night (Indies Introduce)
By Julian Brave NoiseCat
(Vintage, 9780593315286, $21, Oct. 13, Memoir)
“An astonishing, engaging, and transforming work of narrative nonfiction that is both personal and historical. NoiseCat has written a smart, lively, and instantly foundational work of the modern Indigenous experience.”
—Melinda Powers, Bookshop Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
The Wilderness: A Novel
By Angela Flournoy
(Mariner Books, 9780063318816, $18.99, Sept. 29, Fiction)
“These raw, messy, real characters captivated from the very first page. Flournoy’s writing is stunning, and the way she portrays the complexities of midlife while taking on the housing crisis, social justice, and mental health is awe-inspiring.”
—Brooke Williams, Beanbag Books, Delaware, OH
Will There Ever Be Another You: A Novel
By Patricia Lockwood
(Riverhead Books, 9780593718568, $20, Oct. 6, Fiction)
“Lockwood’s singular, formidable genius is in how she wields language — like a wand, like a sword — reinventing the world we thought we knew. This is a tender, hilarious odyssey through the uncanny, a monument of courage and love.”
—Kristen Iskandrian, Thank You Books, Birmingham, AL