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The best books out this month

The best books out this month

min read

As the end of the year approaches, now is a great time to stock up on new books, and November and December’s latest releases are full of treats.

In fiction, there are new books by Salman Rushdie and Karl Ove Knausgaard, while Lee Child and Andrew Child’s Jack Reacher goes on his 30th outing, and Jane Austen takes on a murder mystery in a new festive historical mystery by Jessica Bull.

There is plenty of wisdom for the season in non-fiction, with advice from Jilly Cooper and Wine Guy Tom Gilbey, plus gift-worthy books for everyone on your Christmas shopping list – whether they're literature readers, music fans, nature lovers, or future leaders.

The best fiction books out this month

The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie

Transporting readers between India, England and America, this dazzling collection of five short stories explores the universal themes of mortality and saying goodbye. With his trademark insight and imagination, Salman Rushdie tells tales of quarrelsome old men, a magical musician, and – in a treat for longtime fans – revisits the Bombay neighbourhood of his iconic 1981 novel Midnight’s Children.

Out 4th November

The Land of Sweet Forever by Harper Lee

This collection of writing from the late Harper Lee offers a glimpse into the creative mind behind To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman. Containing never-before-seen short stories and previously published non-fiction, the book also features an introduction by Casey Cep, Lee’s appointed biographer. The special slipcase hardback edition – ideal as a thoughtful gift – also contains exclusive extra content from Harper Lee's nephew, Dr. Edwin Lee Conner.

Out 13th November

Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child

In his 30th outing, retired military officer Jack Reacher finds a handwritten note in his pocket after brushing past someone in a cafe, its author pleading for help. Unable to resist a mystery and impressed by the skill of the stranger contacting him, Reacher embarks on a mission to find out who is behind the note, and why they need him so badly.

Out 4th November

Bluff by Francine Toon

Set in the brooding Scottish landscape of Fife, this gothic thriller follows Joanie, who falls into the orbit of an enigmatic couple when they offer her a much-needed escape from her current life. Ten years later, her schoolfriend Cameron returns to the area, curious about what exactly happened to Joanie – but it’s clear the truth is being kept a secret This atmospheric, evocative read is perfect for chilly winter nights.

Out 6th November

The School of Night by Karl Ove Knausgaard

Norwegian writer Karl One Knausgaard with a new addition to his acclaimed Morning Star sequence, this time transporting us to 1980s London, where ambitious photography student Kristian has just arrived from Norway. When he meets eccentric Dutch artist Hans in the city, he is exposed to the unlimited, boundary-pushing potential of art, but when Kristian does the unthinkable, he realises that the price for success may be too high.

Out 6th November

Fallen Stars by Imani Erriu

In this breathtaking, immersive second instalment in Imani Erriu’s Heavenly Bodies trilogy, heroine Elara is on a mission rescue her soulmate Enzo, who is trapped between the realms of life and death. But dark forces are at play – ones that scare even the most powerful of people – and Elara must learn to control her powers and evade her enemies if she is to save Enzo.

Out 27th November

The Austen Christmas Murders by Jessica Bull

Who better to solve a murder than Jane Austen, expert in human nature? When the writer-turned-sleuth discovers a skeleton in the cellar of Deane Rectory, she’s distracted from a bleak Christmas by a mystery concerning the legend of a missing young bride, long believed to haunt the woods nearby. This imaginative novel is a fun fictional take on Austen and the perfect Christmas read for 2025 as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of her birth.

Out 13th November

The Wax Child by Olga Ravn

Based on an infamous 17th-Century Danish witch trial, The Wax Child follows Christenze Krukow, whose wax child – made from clay and with warmed into life – looks on as Christenze is haunted by rumours that can prove all too dangerous for women. A dark novel that looks at a time when witches and magic were considered a real threat to society, The Wax Child is unsettling and page-turning in equal measure. (Translated by Martin Aitken.)

Out 6th November

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The best non-fiction books out this month

Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood

In this 'memoir of sorts', Margaret Atwood turns the powers of observation, wit, and intelligence that have made her one of the best novelists of her generation onto the topic of her own life. Linking key moments in her life to her iconic books, such as living in 1980s Berlin while she worked on The Handmaid’s Tale, Atwood enriches our understanding of her personal story and literary work.

Out 4th November

Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run by Paul McCartney

Wings is a genre-defining oral history of the band Paul McCartney formed after he and his Beatles bandmates parted ways. Looking at the musician’s search for an identity after the dissolution of The Beatles, this book includes 150 black and white photographs – many of them previously unpublished – as well as timelines, a discography and a gigography, making it the ultimate gift for music fans.

Out 4th November

Dianarama by Andy Webb

Princess Diana’s 1995 Panorama interview with BBC reporter Martin Bashir is one of the most iconic moments in television history. But when award-winning filmmaker Andy Webb revealed that Bashir had used deceitful methods to secure the interview, everything had to be seen in a new light. In Dianarama, Webb reveals – for the first time – the full extent of the deception, and his journey to exposing the truth.

Out 20th November

Dear England by Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate’s eight-year stint as manager of the England men’s football team saw him bring an empathetic, emotionally intelligent style of leadership that reshaped the nation's footballing identity and refreshed hopes of success in international tournaments. In Dear England, Southgate reflects on his time in charge of the national team – but this is more than just a football book; it’s also an essential and relatable exploration of leadership in all forms.

Out 6th November

One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson

Weaving together memoir and fiction, acclaimed author Jeanette Winterson takes the story of Shahrazad from the classic One Thousand and One Nights, and asks us to reconsider the moral and thematic questions it poses that are still relevant today. Placing herself under the guise of Aladdin, Winterson advocates for the power of books – which changed her life as a young working-class woman – and assesses how we read and understand stories.

Out 13th November

Night Life by John Lewis-Stempel

In this spellbinding follow-up to Nightwalking, John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the night to uncover the world of nocturnal creatures and help us reconnect with nature in darkness. As the nights grow longer, Night Life – which covers everywhere from the Lake District to the Welsh Coast, to the Thames – is the perfect companion that shows us why nature's night-time activities should be explored and cherished.

Out 6th November

How to Survive Christmas by Jilly Cooper

In this hardback edition of a 1980s classic, we can revisit all the indispensable (and irreverent) wisdom the late Jilly Cooper had for the festive season. From when to suggest a family walk to calm things down, to the right time to seek refuge with a bottle of cooking sherry, this hilarious guide to navigating Christmas chaos is a seasonal reminder of the incredible, unique wit of a writing legend.

Out 13th November

Thirsty by Tom Gilbey

If you’re looking to impress friends and family with your wine knowledge this Christmas, Thirsty is for you. Tom Gilbey (better known online as The Wine Guy) shares the story of his life in wine, taking readers from chateaux in France to vineyards in Australia. Along the way, he’ll teach you how to read a label, order from a wine list, and sound accomplished and informed when talking about wine.

Out 6th November

Legenda by Janina Ramirez

With her latest book, historian and bestselling Femina author Janina Ramirez investigates the real women behind medieval legends like Joan of Arc, Lady Godiva and Isabella of Castile, and uncovers the stories of those dismissed, overlooked and forgotten. Offering an informative new way of viewing the medieval period, Legenda examines how lessons from this long-gone period of history has applications for today's social and political landscape.

Out 6th November

Don’t Burn Anyone at the Stake Today by Naomi Alderman

Developed from her ground-breaking BBC Radio 4 essay series, this work of non-fiction from award-winning novelist Naomi Alderman looks at how we navigate and understand our present-day information crisis. Drawing on the work of philosophers and historians, Alderman takes lessons from the past and applies them to our present and our future, offering a clearer path through these complicated times.

Out 13th November

The Once and Future Riot by Joe Sacco

In this timely book, graphics journalist and author Joe Sacco examines 2013’s deadly sectarian riots in Uttar Pradesh in India, and why they still have global significance today. Sacco draws from extensive interviews with government officials, political leaders, village chiefs, and victims for this book and, using his trademark visual reportage and incisive analysis, assesses the role of political violence in our democracies.

Out 13th November

How To Live An Artful Life by Katy Hessel

Get a head start on embracing your creativity in 2026 with the latest release from Katy Hessel, bestselling author of The Story of Art without Men. Inside, you'll find a thought for every day of the year, alongside reflections and encouragements from renowned artists including Marina Abramovic, Nan Goldin and Lubaina Himid. This is an inspiring, gift-worthy book that will kickstart a year of living artfully.

Out 6th November

How to Go (and Stay) Vegan by Ed Winters

Drawing from years of experience, activist and vegan educator Ed Winters explains everything there is to know about veganism, from the ethical and environmental benefits of a vegan lifestyle, to how you can eat a nutritionally balanced diet without animal products. This guide is a non-judgmental, supportive and practical look at what it means to be vegan, making it ideal for anyone looking to embrace veganism in the new year.

Out 18th December

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The best books out this month

The best fiction books out this month

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The best non-fiction books out this month

Margaret Atwood on the real-life events that inspired The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments

Extract: The Lyrics by Paul McCartney

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