As we near Halloween, we’ve got yet another witchy release by a big name. Philippa Gregory’s Royal Witch is out this week. Like any good book by Gregory, there are court politics and maybe even a regicide plot. And, of course, there are also rumors of one woman summoning the devil for clout, as one does. There are more seasonal releases in The Turning of Sally-Mae by Nuzo Onoh (known as the Queen of African horror), and the devil-filled Soot & Sacrifice by Qurratulayn, the second in The Blood and Breath Duology.
Speaking of series, the mystery Hanging and Burning by Walter Mosley, and queer graphic novel romance Chef’s Kiss Again by Jarrett Melendez are also out. Then there are the latest collections of The Best American series: The Best American Short Stories 2026 by Viet Thanh Nguyen and others, The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2026 by Olivie Blake, and The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2026 by Randall Munroe, to name a few.
Lastly, there’s a memoir by someone who uses their free will as they should. Lil Jon—who went from King of 2000s Southern rap to releasing a meditation album–has a memoir titled I Only Shout So You Can Hear Me.
As for the books below, there’s a nonfiction account of the bond between a group of Texas nuns and women on death row, fantastical short stories by bestselling authors, a harrowing look at capitalism in South Korea through one man’s struggles, and more.
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Redemption: Faith, Justice, and Sisterhood on Death Row by Lawrence Wright
From the author of Going Clear comes a look at the seemingly unlikely bond that develops between women on death row at a Texas prison and a group of nuns. It’s 2014 when Deacon Lastovica goes to the prison to give communion and promises to return regularly, but he doesn’t just return. He invites the Sisters of Mary Morning Star to accompany him to the prison, and what follows is the two groups of women bonding over surprising similarities, spirituality, and absolution. —Erica Ezeifedi
The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City by Susanna Clarke
Fantasy fans, now is your time. The writer of Piranesi has a new illustrated short story set in the Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell world—specifically 700 years before. The city of Durham has become entrapped by trees, and its Bishop knows he needs to find a way to unite humans and fairies, and sets out to find the new fairy King. Thing is, he’s 14-year-old who doesn’t speak a lick of English. —Erica Ezeifedi
Huda F Would Love You? by Huda Fahmy
This has to be one of my all-time favorite graphic memoir series, and the great thing is you don’t necessarily have to read them in order (though it’d be better if you did). In this latest snippet of Huda’s life, we follow the teen during the summer after her high school graduation, when she is ready for love. But is love ready for her is the question. She’s got great new supportive friends, and she’s getting set up with lots of eligible guys her age, but gender roles and her ambitions start to clash. All of it has her wondering if she can be happy and have it all. —Erica Ezeifedi
The Slantwise Histories: Collected Stories by Alix E. Harrow
One of my auto-buy authors! In this book, several of Alix E. Harrow’s fabulous short stories are collected in one place for the first time, plus five new tales as well. Every little thing Harrow writes is magic, and she’s fresh off her 2026 Locus Award win for Best Fantasy Novel for The Everlasting! —Liberty Hardy
The Two Wills by Blair Fell
In this historical novel, Willy Hughes is at a low point: he’s heartbroken over his first great love, Barnaby Stubb, and he’s cleaning toilets and conning drunk men to get by. That’s when he meets the up-and-coming poet, William Shakespeare, who offers him roles in his productions. William is married, but that doesn’t stop Willy from falling for him—and he’s convinced he’s not alone in his feelings, especially when William starts writing him sonnets. Then, the seductive rival poet Christopher Marlowe knocks on Willy’s door. —Danika Ellis
Employee No. 9 by Kim Hye-jin, translated by Jamie Chang
As timely a novel as ever. The titular Employee No. 9 is going through it: his wife needs surgery after overworking herself at the grocery store, his son’s college tuition payment is coming up, and the company he helped build is trying to push him out. He’s thinking of fighting back, but at what cost? —Erica Ezeifedi
Other Book Riot New Releases Resources:
- All the Books, our weekly new book releases podcast, where Liberty and a cast of co-hosts talk about the books out this week we’re most excited about.
- The New Books Newsletter, where we send you an email of the books out this week that are getting buzz.
- Finally, if you want the real inside scoop on new releases, you have to check out Book Riot’s New Release Index! That’s where I find 90% of new releases, and you can filter by genre, age category, and even LGBTQ new releases!
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