Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Late September has a way of wrapping the city in golden light and quiet excitement, and this week’s book mail only added to the magic. My TBR pile has grown into a delightful little tower of possibility, thanks to a book haul bursting with new book releases I can’t wait to dive into. Each parcel carried book recommendations like secret love notes, whispering promises of laughter, heartache, and wonder. With so many titles that could easily claim a spot among the best books of 2025, it feels as though the week itself was written just for readers like me—cozy, thrilling, and entirely irresistible.
Where to Buy These Books:
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:
In late September, when the air begins to carry a crispness that hints at fall, slipping into an ivory pleated top paired with green pants feels like the perfect main character outfit—classic, chic, and effortlessly powerful. With your everyday gold hoop earrings and signature herringbone necklace layered with a graduated rope chain, the look becomes more than just clothing—it’s fashion for self-expression and style for confidence. As you flip through a fresh stack of book mail, uncovering character-driven novels, books for self-discovery, and stories that inspire confidence, you can feel yourself embodying main character energy. This is where main character aesthetic books and clothing meet: outfits for main character vibes paired with books that inspire confidence. In this moment, you’re not just curating a TBR—you’re living your main character life, fully aligned in main character style and main character mindset, writing your own story one outfit and one page at a time.
This Week’s Book Mail Includes:
Edgar Allan Poe Pocket Portraits by Levi Lionel Leland - Step into the shadowy world of Edgar Allan Poe with Pocket Portraits: Edgar Allan Poe—a hauntingly beautiful biography that celebrates the master of macabre and his timeless genius.
The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel - Check into The Hitchcock Hotel—a chilling, twist-filled thriller where old friends reunite in a fan’s eerie shrine to the Master of Suspense, only to discover that every set needs a body.
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood by Ashley Jordan - Set against the magic of the Tennessee mountains, Once Upon a Time in Dollywood is a heartfelt romance about second chances, healing old wounds, and discovering love where you least expect it.
The Gardner's Wife's Mistress by Cassondra Windwalker - The Gardener’s Wife’s Mistress is a poignant tale of grief, secrets, and renewal as a widower uncovers his late wife’s hidden life and finds unexpected purpose among the roots of loss.
Can You Do This? Bedtime Edition by Megan Roy - Turn bedtime into a playful, calming ritual with Can You Do This? Bedtime Edition—an interactive picture book that helps little ones relax, breathe, and drift into sweet dreams.
Merry by Susan Breen - A heartwarming and humorous holiday tale, Merry follows one determined mother, a family in chaos, and the ghost of Charles Dickens himself as Christmas goes spectacularly off the rails.
Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman - Set in 1969 Tennessee, Bees in June is a moving tale of grief, resilience, and magical realism as a grieving woman discovers that the bees whispering around her may hold the key to healing and hope.
The Literati by Susan Coll - Witty and full of literary mischief, The Literati follows a young woman caught in the chaos of a crumbling nonprofit, missing bosses, FBI questions, and one very inconvenient cat—all just days before the gala of the year.
Behind Enemy Bylines by Kathleen Fuller - Set in a charming 1990s Arkansas town, Behind Enemy Bylines delivers a witty, small-town second chance romance as a reporter and his big-city ex clash over the fate of his beloved newspaper—and their own hearts.
Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay by Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman - Blending grief, hope, and a touch of magic, Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay follows a widowed novelist who fears her words shape reality—until life begins to mirror her latest story of love and second chances.
Burning Daylight by Emily McIntire - Dark, romantic, and deliciously forbidden, Burning Daylight ignites a tale of star-crossed lovers from rival families whose passion could unravel a town built on secrets and blood.
Both Things Are True by Kathleen Barber - Funny, heartfelt, and full of second-chance sparks, Both Things Are True follows a yoga influencer starting over in Chicago who just might rekindle the love she thought was lost forever.
The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life by Jimmy Hawkins - Written by the actor who played little Tommy Bailey, The Heart of It’s a Wonderful Life offers never-before-seen photos, personal memories, and fascinating insights into the timeless holiday classic and why it still moves us today.
Not Just a Period: Reclaim Your Cycle, Harness Your Hormones, and Take Control of Your Health by Dr. Hazel Wallace - Bestselling author Dr. Hazel Wallace reveals how to work with your cycle—not against it—for better periods, more energy, and a healthier, more empowered you in Not Just a Period.
Local Honey by Shawn P McCarthy - Set in 1950s New England, Local Honey is a moving tale of love, loss, and class struggle as a WWII veteran and his first love navigate small-town secrets, second chances, and the hard divide between haves and have-nots.
Fiend by Alma Katsu - From horror master Alma Katsu comes Fiend, a chilling modern tale of a powerful family whose ‘blessings’ are fueled by an ancient evil—and whose greatest threat may come from within their own bloodline.
If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry - Julie Berry’s If Looks Could Kill is a spellbinding mash-up of true crime and myth, as Jack the Ripper’s bloody rampage collides with Medusa’s vengeful hunt and a band of fearless young women fighting for justice in 1888 New York.
A Killer Wedding by Joan O'Leary - Juicy, witty, and wickedly fun, A Killer Wedding serves up toxic family drama, billionaire glamour, and a deadly whodunit that feels like The Devil Wears Prada colliding with Clue at The White Lotus.
Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely by Sarah McCoy - Based on a true story, Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely unravels the glamorous mystery of a 1960s Hollywood starlet who abandoned fame to become a nun—and the niece determined decades later to uncover why.
The Killer Question by Janice Hallett - Janice Hallett’s The Killer Question is a brilliantly twisty pub-quiz mystery told through trivia rounds, texts, and emails—where one wrong answer just might be deadly.
Other People's Houses by Clare Mackintosh - Clare Mackintosh’s Other People’s Houses is a chilling DC Morgan thriller where a string of luxury home break-ins collides with a shocking murder—proving some secrets are worth killing for.
Waseem by Lilas Taha - Heartbreaking yet hopeful, Waseem is a powerful story of love, resilience, and the unyielding dream of home set against the struggles of life in a Palestinian refugee camp.
Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby - Dark, chilling, and deliciously gothic, Slashed Beauties weaves past and present into a haunting tale of cursed wax figures, deadly secrets, and a woman’s fight to break free before the legends consume her.
Bugs: A Spotter's Guide by Pauline Savage - Packed with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts, Bugs: A Spotter’s Guide takes kids on an up-close adventure to discover more than 200 incredible insects from the comfort of home.
