Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week

Early November has that soft, golden light that makes everything feel a little more magical, and this week’s book mail was no exception. My TBR pile has blossomed into a cozy little tower of possibility, thanks to a book haul filled with new book releases I can’t wait to dive into. Each package carried thoughtful book recommendations, tiny invitations from friends and fellow readers to escape into stories that feel made just for me. With so many titles that could easily be counted among the best books of 2025, it feels as though autumn itself paused to make room for reading, warm drinks, and that particular joy only a stack of fresh books can bring.

Where to Buy These Books:

Shop This Stack on Bookshop.org to Support Local Bookstores

Shop This Stack on Amazon

I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.

What I Wore:

Sweatshirt | Jewelry | Makeup

In early November, when the air turns crisp and the city hums with cozy energy, pulling on a soft Chicago sweatshirt from your favorite local boutique feels like wrapping yourself in hometown pride. Paired with jeans, your everyday gold hoop earrings, and your signature herringbone necklace layered with a graduated rope chain, it’s an effortlessly cool main character outfit—comfortable yet full of personal style inspiration. As you sit down with a new stack of book mail, flipping through character-driven novels, books about strong women, and stories for self-discovery, you’re reminded that both your wardrobe and your bookshelf tell your story. This is main character energy books and fashion in perfect harmony: aesthetic clothing and books that inspire confidence, woven together in one perfectly cozy afternoon. In this moment, you’re living your main character life—the perfect blend of main character fashion, main character mindset, and that unmistakable main character vibe that comes from being exactly where you’re meant to be.

This Week’s Book Mail Includes:

Pocket Portraits: J.R.R. Tolkien by Don Marshall – Discover the remarkable life and creative genius of J.R.R. Tolkien in this beautifully crafted literary biography celebrating the man behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Happy Halloween Little One by Sandra Magsamen – Celebrate the sweetest parts of fall with this heartwarming board book that captures the love, laughter, and cozy magic of Halloween with your little pumpkin.
Murder Most Haunted by Emma Mason – On her last day as a detective, Midge McGowan faces a chilling locked-room murder in a haunted mansion where every guest—and every ghost—is a suspect.
Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay – When a quiet librarian discovers she’s the last descendant of a family of witches, she must unlock her family’s grimoire and embrace the magic within.
These Violet Delights by Madeleine Roux – A fiery Regency romance blooms between a scandalized painter and her former critic amid family feuds, forbidden love, and mysterious fires.
Two Left Feet by Kallie Emblidge – A Premier League star and his talented new teammate must fight for their careers—and their hearts—in this charming queer sports romance.
The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer – When a workaholic producer and her ex-husband are forced back together during Hanukkah, old sparks—and old ghosts—resurface in this heartwarming second-chance romance.
I Love You, Spooky Boo! by Rose Rossner – Celebrate your little monster with this adorably pun-filled, touch-and-feel Halloween board book full of spooky sweetness and love.
Where He Left Me by Nicole Baart – A newlywed’s dream life turns into a nightmare when her husband vanishes in the remote North Cascades, revealing dark secrets and danger in every shadow.
Maple Syrup by Peter Kuitenbrouwer – Journey into the forests and culture behind Canada’s sweetest tradition in this rich exploration of maple syrup’s history, heritage, and modern-day intrigue.
Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs – A reclusive werewolf’s life takes a wild turn when he’s forced into five blind dates that prove monsters aren’t always the scariest thing out there.
Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz – When sisters reunite to save their family beauty shop, they rediscover love, loss, and laughter in this heartfelt Southern story brimming with sass and soul.
Spooky Silly Halloween Jokes by Chris Cate – Treat your little ghouls to giggles with this colorful collection of kid-friendly Halloween jokes perfect for spooky story time or classroom fun.
The Strength of Water by Karin K. Jensen – A daughter’s epic journey across continents and cultures reveals a powerful true story of resilience, identity, and the search for belonging.
The Sky of Sacrifice by Rosalia Aguilar Solace – Secrets, sacrifice, and destiny collide as the Sages of the Great Library of Tomorrow battle ancient forces in this sweeping fantasy adventure.
A Woman in Pink by Megan A. Schikora – In this haunting and intimate debut, a woman reflects on a love entangled with addiction, identity, and the aching desire to heal.
A Reckoning Up Black Cat Hollow by Matthew F. Jones – A simple act of kindness plunges one man into a deadly web of mystery, memory, and survival in this gritty psychological thriller.
The Fix by Mia Sheridan – When a woman haunted by her family’s murder receives a chilling message from the past, she must race to uncover a truth more terrifying than she imagined.
The Kidnapping of Alice Ingold by Cate Holahan – A young woman’s abduction becomes a nationwide puzzle as her parents—and the public—unravel a twisted game with deadly consequences.
Hooked by Caitlin Rother – A journalist and detective entangled by passion and peril uncover a sinister conspiracy that threatens to destroy them both.
Beard: A Memoir of a Marriage by Kelly Foster Lundquist – A tender, unflinching memoir about love, faith, and identity from a woman who unknowingly married a gay man and found freedom in truth.
Kin by Sophie Lucido Johnson – A refreshing, hopeful guide to reimagining connection and building chosen family in an age of loneliness and overwork.
Till Taught by Pain by Susan Coventry – Love, ambition, and addiction intertwine in this moving historical novel inspired by the life of pioneering surgeon William Stewart Halsted.
Paper Cut by Rachel Taff – A former cult escapee turned true-crime celebrity is forced to face her past when a new documentary threatens to expose long-buried secrets.
Eve by B.K. O'Connor – In this lyrical retelling of Paradise Lost, Eve defies exile and divine silence to seek meaning, power, and creation in a world beyond Eden.
The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry – A woman haunted by her brother’s childhood disappearance must face the evil that has stalked her Chicago street for decades.
Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton – A grieving writer uncovers the forgotten story of the Savoy’s first female bartender—and rediscovers her own purpose—in this glittering dual-timeline tale.
The Lady on Esplanade by Karen White – In haunted New Orleans, Nola Trenholm must confront ghosts both living and dead as she restores a house hiding dangerous secrets.
The Boo Crew and the Pumpkin Patch Rescue by Vicky Fang – Join the Boo Crew for a hands-on fall adventure where kids help save a farm’s pumpkin fest in this interactive picture book.
The Scariest Campfire Story You’ve Ever Heard by Ron Keres – When a family camping trip turns terrifying, two boys must outwit a legendary creature in this thrilling picture book adventure.
The Scariest Story You’ve Ever Heard by Ron Keres – A spooky stormy night leads to giggles and gasps in this award-winning rhyming tale that’s perfect for little thrill-seekers.
Wicked Witches by Louise Anglicas – Dress up magical students for their wickedly fun lessons at the Witches Academy with over 350 reusable shimmer stickers.
Going Gaga by Louise Anglicas – Channel your inner Little Monster with this glamorous sticker dress-up book inspired by the concert magic of Mother Monster herself.