October’s Best New Fiction

Two By Two, by Nicholas Sparks
Get your tissues ready, we’ve got another weeper. Sparks’ latest big screen-ready romance centers on Russell Green, a man who thought he had it all: covetable job, gorgeous wife, spirited young daughter, happy life in Charlotte. But within months, the cracks beneath the surface have swallowed that life whole, and he’s left without the job or the wife, a single dad and struggling. Can Russell pick up the pieces and risk his heart for a chance at love again? 

Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult is known for her timely, wrenching, ripped-from-the-headlines novels, and her latest delivers more topical thrills. In a small-town hospital a white supremacist brings his pregnant wife in for a delivery—but refuses to let a black nurse, Ruth, touch the newborn, who then dies in a medical crisis. Who’s at fault? Unfolding via her signature multiple-POV style, Picoult carefully dissects the layers of this intricate tale, taking a searing look at issues of race, class, power, and privilege.

Today Will Be Different, by Maria Semple
Sometimes it’s the little things, right? That’s the idea here, as Semple returns after the roaring success of Where’d You Go, Bernadette, with this equally delicious stunner, which traces the day in the life of neurotic everywoman Eleanor Flood, who promises to make the most of her time and do all the things she means to get to—like actually shower, go to her yoga and poetry classes, and maybe have some sexy time with husband Joe. But you know what they say about the best-laid plans…

Winter Storms, by Elin Hilderbrand
Snow on the beach? It’s fitting symbol for Hilderbrand’s third and final installment in her Nantucket-set Winter Street trilogy, which follows the Quinn clan as they navigate life’s ups and downs. It has mostly been downs lately, but the family reunites on Winter Street to celebrate the union of Kevin and Isabelle, who will wed at the Inn. But then a historic blizzard threatens to bury the whole island under a blanket of snow and ice. Can the Quinns come together to heal their family and the ties that bind? Or will dark clouds keep them from celebrating Christmas on the island they love?

A Lowcountry Christmas, by Mary Alice Monroe
All 10-year-old Miller McClellan wants for Christmas is a dog. But things are tight in the McClellan house—his dad’s fishing boat is out of commission, his mom’s working two jobs, and the family’s struggling. Then big brother Taylor returns from the war with PTSD, and things get even darker. When Taylor is assigned a service dog named Thor, things start to brighten in the McClellan home, until a foolish mission finds Miller and his new pal lost in the woods—maybe for good. Can Christmas spirit bring this strained family back together? 

The Secret History of Twin Peaks, by Mark Frost
Ready for a rewatch? Before you begin your Twin Peaks binge, may we suggest perusing this stellar companion, a deft, in-depth take on the world of the seminal 1980s drama that will your appetite for the upcoming Showtime reboot. Centering on the town and the strange phenomena it experienced, this is an expansive look at Twin Peaks’ history from the days of Lewis and Clark right through to the series finale. A must-have for any fan. 

News of the World, by Paulette Jiles
Longlisted for the National Book Award, News takes place in 1870s America, where a 70-something widower is hired to deliver to Texas a 10-year-old child who was reclaimed after being kidnapped by Kiowa Indians and raised as one of their own. Ripped away from the only home she remembers, Johanna repeatedly tries to run away on the 400-mile journey, but nonetheless begins to trust the old man as they bond on a mutual quest for survival.

Bridget Jones’s Baby: The Diaries, by Helen Fielding
Bridget’s back, and this time she’s got a baby on board! Naturally, in classic Bridget fashion, she doesn’t quite know who to crown as the proud papa, but she’s determined to have fun while figuring it out. If you love the books and the films, you’re going to want this companion to the latest big-screen installment, which begs the question: who’s the daddy? Expect lots of unwanted advice from smug marrieds, outlandish cravings, and romantic moments as we get to the big reveal. 

The Christmas Town, by Donna VanLiere
If anyone has made a brand out of holiday cheer (and drama!), it’s Donna VanLiere, who’s known for New York Times bestsellers like The Christmas Hope and The Christmas Shoes. In The Christmas Town, she follows 20-year-old former foster kid Lauren, who grew up passed from home to home and still longs for a place to call her own. Lost and aimless, she’s driving late one night when she witnesses an accident, and is pulled in to help. She ends up landing at Glory’s Place, a center for single mothers, and discovers family truly is what you make it.

Bait: Off-Color Stories for You, by Chuck Palahniuk
Yes, you heard right: not only is this Lullaby and Fight Club author Palahniuk’s new (and second) collection of stories, it’s also his first coloring book for adults. While it sounds merry and fun, be forewarned: it’s still classic Palahniuk, with eight dark, disturbing, and decidedly off-color tales ranging from a last-ditch attempt to save oneself on the Titanic to a Hollywood starlet who gives into the viral game in order to reclaim her fame. Add this one to your holiday shopping list!