Readers looking for their next book have plenty of options this month, as several prominent book clubs have confirmed their October 2026 book club picks. From a satirical novel about megachurches to a paranormal YA romance tailor-made for spooky season, this fall’s lineup spans genres and reading levels. Here is where fans can find each pick and how to join the conversation.
The Audacious Book Club: “The True Confessions Of First Lady Freeman”
Author Roxane Gay’s Audacious Book Club is spending October on “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman” by Deesha Philyaw. Gay announced the pick by telling readers, “Next month in the Audacious Book Club, we’re also talking about ‘The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman’ by Deesha Philyaw. I hope you’ll join us at The Audacity to discuss this wonderful novel throughout the month of October.”
The novel is described as equal parts hilarious and constructive, taking on megachurches, sexual wellness and one woman’s search for space in a patriarchal world. The Audacious Book Club selects a title each month meant to uplift authentic and necessary perspectives from writers who share their stories without flinching, and the discussion includes virtual components that wrap up with author chats.
Reese’s Book Club: “Sophie, Standing There”
Reese Witherspoon’s book club picked “Sophie, Standing There” by Meg Mason as its October selection. The announcement described the novel as “a funny and tender story about loneliness, connection, and finding your way back to yourself,” adding a playful nod to an inner monologue that “gets a little too convincing.” Reese’s Book Club features a new author-driven pick every month, giving members a fresh title to dig into as the weather cools.
Matzah Book Soup: “A Practical Guide To Dating A Demon”
Matzah Book Soup, a club centered on Jewish books and characters with varying relationships to Judaism, went seasonal with its pick of “A Practical Guide to Dating a Demon” by Hannah Elisa Wren. The club called it “a paranormal YA romance… perfect for spooky season” and invited readers to “read along with us this month.”
Members can join the live discussion on Zoom on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. EST. The club welcomes all readers regardless of background, making it one of the more accessible options for fans who want a real-time conversation about this month’s pick.
Horror Picks: “Something Followed Us Home” and A Medieval Castle Tale
Horror fans have two notable October selections to track. One club chose “Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror” for a live discussion that will feature guests from other book communities, giving the conversation a crossover feel.
Separately, the Sapph-Lit book club picked a medieval horror novel centered on three women trapped in a besieged castle who descend into madness under the influence of mysterious, godlike visitors. The specific title and author were not included in the announcement.
The Stacks Book Club: YA Death Row Thriller
The Stacks Book Club will discuss a YA novel, “Last Chance Live!” by Helena Haywoode Henry, following a teenage girl on death row who competes in a reality show for a chance at freedom. The club has set its discussion for Wednesday, Oct. 28, and will bring in a guest participant for the conversation.
Mocha Girls Read: A Literary Trip To Italy
Mocha Girls Read is continuing its 2026 global reading theme, and October sends members on a literary journey to Italy. Its ongoing format pairs each month with a different setting around the world. The club chose “The Color Line” by Igiaba Scego this time.
Dua Lipa’s Book Club, GMA Book Club And Jenna Bush Hager’s Pick
Pop star Dua Lipa’s book club, which pairs monthly reads with exclusive author Q&As, has an October selection: “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro. Good Morning America Book Club continues its mission of spotlighting a wide range of authors with virtual components this month, while Jenna Bush Hager has chosen her own personal favorite for the Today Show book club, a pick she makes independently each month rather than through a panel.
What It Means For Readers
For fans who want structure in their reading life, these clubs offer built-in community and, in several cases, direct access to the authors themselves. The Audacious Book Club and Matzah Book Soup both lead to scheduled discussions, giving readers a clear deadline and a reason to finish by month’s end. Readers interested in horror, YA or literary fiction can pick the club that matches their taste and follow along on social media for meeting details as clubs release them throughout October.
For more book news, check out October 13, 2026 top book releases.
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