Get Ready to Celebrate October!

Schedule e-Gift Cards and peruse the month's most giftable books

Got any October-born friends and family to celebrate this month? Treat your loved ones to a bookish celebration! Choose something special for your October besties from our roundup of some of the hottest titles of the month like a Deluxe Edition of The Witch, a spooky thriller by Freida McFadden or the Deluxe Limited Edition of Sixth Faction, book #1 in Veronica Roth's bold new Divergent series.  

New October-specific e-Gift Card design!

If you'd prefer to go with ThriftBooks e-Gift Cards for your offerings, choose from an assortment of fun designs, including our new month-themed birthday e-gift cards to be delivered on the day of your choosing. Purchase now and schedule for delivery on your recipient's special day. The process is quick and easy. This is a great way to get all your monthly gift shopping done in one fell swoop!     

October's best gifting books

Here are some of the reads that are currently getting rave reviews from a range of readers. 

Fiction finds 

• The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman—From the author of Practical Magic comes a new series following two brilliant young women attending Radcliffe in 1950s Cambridge, Massachusetts, as they become immersed in a secret group of witches. 

• Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel—The award-winning author of Station Eleven returns with a mesmerizing dystopian novel of doubles, shadow worlds, and fractured timelines.  

• We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman—The globe-trotting We Solve Murders team chases an elusive killer from Italy to Palm Springs, via Barcelona and Steve's village pub.  

• Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley and Agatha Christie—After a body is found at a luxurious hotel high in the Swiss Alps, a blizzard cuts off all access, both in and out. Now only Miss Marple can connect the clues before the killer strikes again.  

• The Pools by E. Lockhart—From bestselling author of We Were Liars comes a love story full of simmering darkness and astonishing twists, following two teenagers whose lives are shattered by a shocking transformation. 

Nonfiction gems 

• Redwood by Ben Macintyre— The author of The Spy and the Traitor returns with a true-life Cold War account of a 1981 Russian double agent with a desperate secret and the key to stopping a nuclear apocalypse. 

• Never Say Die by Ke Huy Quan—The Oscar-winning star of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Goonies, and Everything Everywhere All at Once tells the story of his journey from Vietnamese refugee to 80s child star to the most inspiring comeback in Hollywood history. 

• Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body by Andrew D. Huberman—A leading neuroscientist presents an essential guide to improving brain function, enhancing mood and energy, optimizing bodily health and physical performance. 

• Live Laugh Love by Kristin Kobes Du Mez—From the author of Jesus and John Wayne comes this cultural history uncovering the roots of today's glittering, Instagram-ready culture of white Christian femininity. 

• One Helluva Ride by Michael Douglas—The Hollywood icon reveals his incredible behind-the-scenes story, featuring a Who's Who of Hollywood, with an unflinching honesty about his sometimes bad-boy life. 

Winsome picture books 

• Gruffalo Granny by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler—Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in more than 20 years, and meet the unforgettable Gruffalo Granny. (Ages 3–7)  

• FrankenKitty by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Mini Grey—This lively, laugh-out-loud picture book offers a playful series of playful, kid-friendly twists on all your favorite classic horror tropes. (Ages 3–7)  

• How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead—Join the How to Catch Kids as they set zany traps to catch a witch and save Halloween before all the candy is gone. (Ages 4–7) 

• Little Blue Truck Lost and Found by Alice Schertle—It's a fun day on the farm with the Little Blue Truck and friends . . . until Toad goes missing. (Ages 4–8)  

• Where do Possibilities Live? by Kobi Yamada and Juan Pablo Neira Zúñiga—A mesmerizing exploration of the power of imagination. (Ages 7 and up) 

Middle-grade goodies 

• Spooky Rivers by Geo Rutherford—What makes a river spooky? Find out (if you dare) in this beautifully illustrated guide to 25 mysterious rivers around the world, a companion to the bestselling Spooky Lakes. (Ages 8–11) 

• Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono—Soar into the modern classic that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's beloved film with this Deluxe Edition featuring a new hardcase design, sprayed edges, and more. (Ages 8–12) 

• Really Rubie by Maddie Frost—Join middle-schooler Rubie as she braves sleepaway camp without her BFF in this diary-style illustrated novel, the start of a new series that promises to be awkward, dramatic, and really fun! (Ages 8–12) 

• The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society by Lindsay Currie—In this exciting mystery, another series starter, four best friends investigate a murder while trapped by an ice storm inside a book-themed inn. (Ages 9–12) 

• Ground Zero by Alan Gratz—The bestselling author of Refugee delivers a pulse-pounding take on history and hope, revenge and fear and the stunning links between past and present. (Ages 9–12) 

YA winners 

• Our Strange Duet by Erin A. Craig—Fans of The Phantom of the Opera will enjoy this retelling, which places Christine Daa center stage to tell her own story. Available now in a gorgeous Special Edition hardcover. (Ages 12 and up) 

• Blightfall by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson—From the bestselling author of Mistborn comes the explosive first installment in a thrilling new YA trilogy. The special First Edition comes with sprayed edges and patterned endpapers. (Ages 12 and up) 

• Espíritu by Aiden Thomas—In the long-awaited sequel to Cemetery Boys, Julian takes the lead as he and Yadriel fight to stop a threat that could tear their world apart. (Ages 13–18) 

• Styx by Nikita Gill—This richly imagined retelling of the Greek myth of Styx, goddess of the underworld river, is a powerful novel-in-verse from a world-renowned poet. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Alexandra Bracken. (Ages 14–18) 

• Winterveil by Ava Reid—In an alternate future where the Cold War still rages, four precocious teenage criminals with dark skills and darker secrets are offered a fresh start at a secret military academy. (Ages 14 and up) 

Culinary keepers 

• Oversharing: Anytime Snacks, Everyday Dinners, and Cooking for Company by Cortney LaCorte— The Nashville-based food and lifestyle creator, known as @cheesegal, shares her secrets for everything culinary. 

• Veg Everything: Recipes for Weeknights, Parties and the Bites in Between by Tanya Sichynsky—This compilation of 101 recipes from NYT Cooking invites you to discover just how bold and satisfying veg cooking can be. 

• No. 1 Best Indian Cookbook in the World: At-Home Recipes from the Streets, Truck Stops, Villages, and Palaces of India by Meherwan Irani with Jamie Feldmar—With warmth, affection, and a bit of swagger, James Beard Award-winning chef Irani offers clear instruction for beloved favorites like bhel puri, vada pav, and kathi rolls. 

• Gather Around My Table: Simple Flavorful Recipes from My Global Pantry by Kay Chun—The debut cookbook from the NYT Cooking contributor features 100 accessible, globally inspired recipes for every table. 

• Bake Anything by Erin Jeanne McDowell—From the bestselling author of The Book on Pie comes this foundational handbook for baking with limitless creativity, flexibility, and confidence. 

Special editions 

• Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson—New cover art and gilded edges adorn the special edition of this autumnal small-town YA romance about a city girl stuck in a quaint small town. (Ages 13 and up)  

• The Emperor's Enemy by Jasmine Mas—Welcome to an all-new dark romantasy series by the bestselling author of Blood of Hercules. The Deluxe Limited Edition comes with sprayed edges, a foil-stamped case, and more.  

• Eldritch by Keri Lake—In the captivating sequel to the bestselling Anathema, Maevyth and Zevander take on an ancient malevolent power. The Limited Deluxe Edition includes designed edges.  

• Interview with the Vampire: 50th Anniversary Edition by Anne Rice—This dazzling special edition features a jacket with foil and embossing, sprayed edges, designed endpapers, never-before-seen bonus content, and more. 

• The Dark is Descending by Chloe C. Peñaranda—Book #3 in the Nytefall series returns to the story of Star Maiden Astraea as she races against time to break the curse imprisoning her lover, Nyte. The gorgeous Deluxe Edition features stenciled edges and beautiful case art.  

Happy, happy birthday to all the October babies! Whether you're celebrating a loved one or yourself, we hope you find something perfect here at ThriftBooks to bookify the occasion! 

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon