HDL Staff Picks October 2025Like this list

22 items

• For Whom the Belle Tolls

  Lynn, Jaysea

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  Recommended by Jen

• Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire

  Martin, Don,

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  "If magical adventures are your fall reading vibes, this will make the perfect October read! It has great world building, a fantastic cast of characters, and a magical cat you'll want for your own." - Amanda

• The Secret of Secrets

  a Novel

  Brown, Dan, 1964-

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  Recommended by Lindsey

• The Magician of Tiger Castle

  Sachar, Louis, 1954-

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  "Holes being his most famous novel, I was interested to discover Sachar's first adult book. It's an enjoyable tale that spans hundreds of years, told from the curious perspective of a castle magician (or scientist, depending on your century).…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Incandescent

  Tesh, Emily

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  "This book was exactly what I wanted from an adult fantasy about a magic school! The Incandescent provided a unique approach to the magic school genre through its choice of protagonist in that rather than follow a student, this novel was from the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Death at An Irish Village

  Brannigan, Ellie,

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  Recommended by Kelly

• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

  Hendrix, Grady,

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  "This is the perfect book for spooky season because it has, you guessed it, witches! A group of young girls at a home for unwed mothers are given an occult book by a librarian, and they discover they can finally take control of their lives." - Jordan

• The Lamb

  A Novel

  Rose, Lucy

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  "Reading The Lamb left me in a state of wanting more to explore deeper into the lives and motives of Margot and her mother Ruth. This book provoked psychological struggles of child abuse, manipulation, and the horrors of grotesque ideologies with…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Copper Script

  Charles, KJ

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  "Another excellent historical romance/mystery from the always-reliable KJ Charles. With crime, grime, and the thrilling art of handwriting analysis! What more could a romance fan want?" - Annaka

• A New New Me

  Oyeyemi, Helen,

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  "Bonkers in the best way." - Steve

• The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

  Hartman, Aubrey,

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  "This is a children's book, but I would recommend it to adults without a second thought. This is a lovely story about a fox who is the usher for animals into the afterlife. There is a lot of self-reflection by a bunch of characters that you can't…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Society of Unknowable Objects

  a Novel

  Brown, Gareth,

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  "After getting about halfway through I had a hard time putting it down. The ending surprised me. In hindsight I felt I should have seen it coming, but I didn't." - David

• Ascension

  Gibson, S.T.

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  Recommended by Jen

• The Last Heir to Blackwood Library

  Fox, Hester,

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  "Excellent haunted manor vibes. It's a perfect Halloween season book." - Lindsay

• Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

  Sutanto, Jesse Q.,

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  "When a murder takes place in a Chinatown tea shop, the retired shop owner becomes an amateur detective who wins over the hearts of every suspect despite her meddling, brisk demeanor." - Sara

• Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

  Fawcett, Heather (Heather M.),

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  "Though this book is considered a cozy fantasy, it also contains surprising moments of danger and intrigue that lift it beyond the typical cozy tale. The characters are well-developed and engaging, drawing readers into a story that feels both…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Evening and the Morning

  Follett, Ken,

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  "If you ever wished you lived in the Middle Ages, Ken Follett will change your mind." - Lindsay

• From Blood and Ash

  a Blood and Ash Novel

  Armentrout, Jennifer L.,

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  "Fast paced and fun! It's not your mama's vampire novel." - Lindsay

• Lion Down

  Gibbs, Stuart, 1969-

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  "It’s funny, entertaining and will keep you guessing until the end." - Matt

• Magic Marks the Spot

  Nordklint, Caroline

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  "I recommend the audio of this one—what a narration! This junior fiction is just a blast from start to finish—and it comes complete with pirates and magic!" - Elizabeth