New Book Releases for October 2023

St. Martin’s Press

Tracy Daugherty explores the life of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, detailing his rise from a poor background in Knoxville, Tennessee, to worldwide acclaim. The biography covers significant milestones, including the critical recognition of his first novel and the MacArthur grant that supported his career, while also examining his personal relationships and marriages. Release date: October 6.

2. THE OCCIDENTAL BOOK OF THE DEAD, BY T. GERONIMO JOHNSON

William Morrow

This literary crime novel follows George Washington Jonson, a Black police officer in Atlanta, over two decades. Set in 2005, Jonson's life is disrupted when a violent incident occurs while he is on patrol. Johnson reveals the complexities within Southern society as Jonson navigates his past and present. Release date: October 6.

3. CALIFORNIA INSIDE OUT: MAPPING AN ECOLOGY OF MIND, BY OBI KAUFMANN

Heyday Books

Kaufmann challenges the traditional narrative of California focused on discovery and prosperity. His essay collection critiques the exploitation of the state’s ecosystems and Native populations, prompting readers to reflect on their connections with their environment. The book includes watercolor illustrations from Kaufmann’s earlier works. Release date: October 6.

4. A WALL IS ALSO A ROAD, BY ANNALEE NEWITZ

Tor Books

In this imaginative story, Gardenpath, a graduate student who is also a slime mold from another planet, travels to ancient Earth to study humans in Pompeii. As the volcano Mount Vesuvius threatens to erupt, Gardenpath learns to prioritize human connections over academic ambitions. Release date: October 6.

5. DESIRE LINES, BY KRISTEN MILLARES YOUNG

Red Hen Press

Young’s debut memoir reflects on motherhood, identity, and heritage. Tracing her roots from Cuba to Spain, she explores the complexities of female liberation and unearths historical narratives that shape her understanding of motherhood. Release date: October 6.

6. OFF THE RESERVATION, BY STEPHEN GRAHAM JONES

S&S/Saga Press

This sequel to The Only Good Indians continues the story of Nathan Yellow Tail, five years after a traumatic incident. As he accompanies Blackfeet elders to retrieve remains from a historical school, they uncover unexpected and chilling consequences. Release date: October 13.

7. PASSENGERS, BY ALEXANDER MAKSIK

Europa Editions

Long-listed for a National Book Award, this novel depicts the strained relationship between a father and daughter trapped in an airport during an apocalyptic event. As they confront past failures and current existential challenges, their bond is tested in the face of looming disaster. Release date: October 13.

8. THE BOUNDLESS BIDDY MASON: AN ODYSSEY FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM ACROSS THE AMERICAN WEST, BY KEVIN WAITE

University of California Press

Waite chronicles the powerful story of Biddy Mason, who escaped slavery and became a significant figure in Los Angeles. Beginning her journey in Georgia, Mason’s biography highlights her resilience and contributions to Black Los Angeles. Release date: October 13.

9. NEEDLEMOUTH, BY K-MING CHANG

Simon & Schuster

This coming-of-age novel is narrated by three cousins during a summer at their grandmother's house. Their mundane experiences turn strange as they confront mysteries, including a haunting figure who challenges them with a dark request. Release date: October 20.

10. HANGING AND BURNING, BY WALTER MOSLEY

Little, Brown and Company

In this fourth entry in the King Oliver series, detective Joe King Oliver investigates the disappearance of Twyla Mann, a gangster's granddaughter. His search leads him across the country to explore a web of missing women. Release date: October 20.

11. SUTRA AMERICANA, BY MONONA WALI

University of Wisconsin Press

Wali’s novel spans five decades, following an Indian American family as they navigate cultural identity and familial love in the U.S. against the backdrop of significant historical events. Release date: October 20.

12. WORLDS UNFOLDING: SCIENCE ON THE PAGE, BY JENNIFER A. WATTS, DANIEL LEWIS, JOEL A. KLEIN, AND NATALIE LAWLER

Princeton University Press

This five-volume collection from the Huntington Library presents a cross-section of scientific inquiry from the 10th century to present, featuring over 625 illustrations that chart the history of human understanding. Release date: October 20.

13. THEY TOLD ME BACK HOME WOULD BE BEAUTIFUL: A PALESTINIAN MEMOIR, BY ELENA DUDUM

Atria/One Signal Publishers

Dudum shares her journey exploring her Palestinian heritage, woven through family history and personal experiences, culminating in a transformative visit to Palestine that deepens her understanding of her roots. Release date: October 27.

14. MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD, BY JIM RULAND

Rare Bird Books

Set in 1993 Flagstaff, Arizona, this heist novel follows four adjunct professors who embark on a crime spree that reflects the challenges and overlooked contributions of part-time academics. Release date: October 27.

15. FRANK CAPRA, BY SAM WASSON

Harper

Wasson’s biography of filmmaker Frank Capra reveals how his immigrant upbringing and Hollywood experiences shaped American filmmaking and cultural identity during pivotal moments such as the Great Depression and World War II. Release date: October 27.