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If the fall season has you feeling any particular kind of way this year, October is a great month to join a book club! Picks range from terrifying horror to cozy witches—and there’s plenty of selections for non-seasonal readers, fans of classics, and adaptations! I’ve rounded up a wide range of book clubs that differ in focus (variety is the spice of life) but they all offer a virtual component, most do author chats, and they all absolutely love reading and shouting about books.
You can look forward to a cozy found family witch book, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (in time for Guillermo del Toro’s epic film adaptation), a sweeping friendship novel, a family with secrets, a funny historical novel about family and grief, a Pulitzer Prize winning novel, GMA’s pairing of an emotional adult novel and a YA rom-com, and much more!
Quick note before diving in: some book clubs I regularly feature aren’t on this roundup solely because the announcements weren’t made in time for this round up.
 Ring Shout by P. Djèlí ClarkAbout the book club: Mocha Girls Read is a monthly book club of Black women who love to read. They currently have chapters in 14 cities across the United States. Anyone can join an Instagram Live every first Saturday of the month at 5 p. m. PT to hear Alysia, the founder of Mocha Girls Read, discuss the current book club selection. What Mocha Girls Read said about the book: “Mocha Girls Read, it’s time to announce our next pick! For October’s theme, Scare the Black Off of Me, we’re diving into a novella that is equal parts horror, history, and razor-sharp social commentary. This story doesn’t just creep in the shadows—it stares directly into America’s darkest chapters and reimagines them with fire, fury, and a touch of the supernatural. With monsters that wear hoods, resistance fighters who refuse to bow, and a heroine you won’t forget, this book is the perfect choice for a month when we honor the art of storytelling that unsettles, provokes, and empowers.” Follow Mocha Girls Read on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, MeetUp, Goodreads, Pinterest |
 The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu MandannaAbout the book club: Tiffany and Alexandra, longtime friends, created the Subtle Asian Book Club in 2020 with the goal of uplifting Asian voices and storytellers. You can read along with the monthly book pick, join in on discussions on social media, and watch videos of their live author interviews. About the book: If you’re in the mood for a found family, cozy witch read, this is your book club this month! Follow Subtle Asian Book Club on social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Discord |
 The Wilderness by Angela FlournoyAbout the book club: Author Roxane Gay (Bad Feminist, Ayiti, The Banks) selects a book every month with the goal of uplifting “authentic and necessary perspectives from writers who fearlessly share their stories.” Here are the Book Club FAQs. What Roxane said about the book: “Next month in the Audacious Book Club, we’re talking about The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (@AngelaFlournoy). I hope you’ll join us at The Audacity to discuss this brilliant novel throughout the month of September. We will be in conversation with Angela on October 30 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. You can register here.” Follow Roxane Gay on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads |
 The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’NeillAbout the book club: Jenna Bush Hager—co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna—independently chooses a book each month that she personally loves. (“Jenna was not paid to mention these items and is unaffiliated with the authors and publishers.“) What Jenna said about the book: “The October Read With Jenna book club pick is a perfect fall read ‘about a family filled with secrets,’ Jenna Bush Hager says.” Jenna continues, “They return for a Thanksgiving weekend to all be under one roof, and just as families know better than anybody, old patterns come out. We find out about a tragedy that has left these sisters reeling, but it also is full of love and hope and humor.” Follow Read With Jenna on social media: Instagram, Facebook, Read With Jenna Goodreads group |
 Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyAbout the book club: The Stacks is a podcast that chats all about books, and there’s a monthly book club. The book chosen for the month is discussed on the podcast in the last week of the month with a selected special guest. What The Stacks Book Club said about the book: “For the first time ever on The Stacks we’re leaning into horror and ‘spooky season’ with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This 1818 novel follows Victor Frankenstein, who creates life with body parts and unorthodox scientific methods. The book is widely considered the first science fiction novel, and Frankenstein’s creation has become one of the most iconic monsters in the cultural imagination.” Follow The Stacks on social media: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok |
 Good Grief by Sara Goodman ConfinoAbout the book club: Lillianne Leight and Amanda Spivack created this book club, which focuses on Jewish books and characters “with varying relationships to Judaism” that welcomes all readers—Jewish and non. What Matzah Book Soup said about the book: “Wishing you all a Gmar Chatima Tova! What perfect timing to share our October so you want to start it over the holiday! Follow Matzah Book Soup on social media: Instagram, Facebook |
 What We Can Know by Ian McEwanAbout the book club: Stephen Colbert recently announced he’d be doing a monthly book club on The Late Show: “We’ll be highlighting wonderful books that are worth your time… that you’re not putting into watching this show.” What Stephen Colbert said about the book: “Dropping our Late Show Book Club October announcement here! This month, our pick is What We Can Know by Ian McEwan.” Follow Late Show Book Club on social media: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok |
 Beloved by Toni MorrisonAbout the book club: Dawnshaeé Reid is a self-proclaimed eclectic blogger who created this book club with Black authors as a priority. It aims to highlight a wide range of genres. There’s an in-person, once-a-month meeting option if you’re in Louisville, KY, and a virtual option that meets the last Tuesday of every month. What Eclectix The Book Club said about the book: “I know I’m not the only one who hasn’t read Beloved by Toni Morrison yet, so it is with the greatest pleasure to invite you all to join @EclectixTheBookClub to finally give it a go with an incredible group of readers this October Follow Eclectix The Book Club on social media: Instagram, Discord, TikTok |
 Twice by Mitch AlbomAbout the book club: Read along with Good Morning America Book Club, which aims to “showcase book picks from a wide range of compelling authors.” What GMA said about the book: “A #GMABookClub October pick so good… you’ll want to read it ‘Twice.’ GMA Book Club Young Adult pick: “We’re on thin ice and LOVING IT with our #GMABookClub Young Adult pick, Fake Skating by @LynnPainterBooks. A heartfelt rom-com about childhood sweethearts who reconnect after a frosty reunion. From friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, this book is sure to melt the ice |
VIRTUAL DISCUSSION: Tuesday, October 28th at 6:30PM/EST
IN-PERSON DISCUSSION: Sunday, 11/ 2 starting at 1PM/EST
second-chance magic. 
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