October Books We're Excited To Read

Small Great Things by Jodi PicoultPicoult's newest novel comes out October 11th. The story revolves around Ruth Jefferson, a labor and delivery nurse, who is caring for a newborn when she is suddenly transferred to another patient, because the parents of the newborn are white supremacists and Ruth is African-American. The next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. She hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. A legal battle ensues. Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn't offer easy answers. 

Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
From the author of Where'd You Go Bernadette, Semple's newest book comes out October 4th.  The story follows Eleanor Flood, a married mother, who knows she's a mess. On the same day her son decides to fake sick in order to stay home and spend time with his mother, Eleanor discovers that her husband is on vacation, and hasn't told her. Just when it seems like things can't go more awry, an encounter with a former colleague produces a graphic memoir whose dramatic tale threatens to reveal a buried family secret. 

The Trespasser by Tana French
Book #6 in the Dublin Murder Squad series comes out October 4th. Detective Antoinette Conway is new to the Murder Squad when she gets the case of Aislinn Murray, a blond, pretty woman, dead in her catalogue-perfect living room, next to a table set for a romantic dinner. Antoinette has seen her somewhere before, but she can't quite say where. The more Antionette and her partner dig into the case, the more they learn that Aislinn is not the perfect doll she appeared to be. 

The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Coming out October 11th, Bennett's debut novel is a surprising story about young love. When senior in high school Nadia Turner, who is mourning the suicide of her mother, gets pregnant by Luke Sheppard, the local pastor's son, the cover up that takes place will have an impact that goes far beyond their youth. As Nadia hides her secret from everyone, including Aubrey, her God-fearing best friend, the years move quickly. Soon, Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey are full-fledged adults and still living in debt to the choices they made that one seaside summer, caught in a love triangle they must carefully maneuver, and dogged by the constant, nagging question: What if they had chosen differently? 

News of the World by Paulette Jiles
This historical fiction novel hits the shelves October 4th. In the aftermath of the Civil War, an aging news reader agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her people. A band of Kiowa raiders killed Johanna's parents and sister, but spared the girl and raised her as one of their own. When the U.S. army rescues the ten year old, they commission Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd to take her to her aunt and uncle from Wichita to San Antonio. The two strangers begin to trust one another eventually on the 400 mile journey.  Arriving in San Antonio, the reunion is neither happy nor welcome. The captain must hand Johanna over to an aunt and uncle she does not remember—strangers who regard her as an unwanted burden. A respectable man, Captain Kidd is faced with a terrible choice: abandon the girl to her fate or become—in the eyes of the law—a kidnapper himself.