The countdown is on. With just eight weeks left in 2026, it’s time to get creative if you’re going to complete this year’s Read Harder Challenge.

The rules of Read Harder are intentionally flexible. Graphic novels and audiobooks count (obviously), and it’s 100% cool to use one book for multiple tasks. For instance:

The possibilities are endless, and the adventure is yours to shape. Can’t get to all 24 tasks or not about that gamify-your-reading-life vibe? Let your curiosity be your guide, and pick a few that pique your interest.

Join All Access to unlock suggested titles for every Read Harder task, and get teed up for the 2027 Challenge, coming soon.

Barring a Beyoncé-style drop, the biggest books of the year have already hit shelves, but November still has a smorgasbord of notable new releases. Here’s our totally scientific vibes-based assessment of 10 of the month’s buzziest new releases.

The ideal It Book rings four bells:

This month’s contenders include a candid and inspiring memoir from a legendary actor, activist, and literary advocate; the latest installment in one of BookTok’s favorite series; and a spicy hockey novel from a surprising pseudonymous author.

Find out which book was crowned It Book of October on the Book Riot Podcast. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

If you’re looking for middle grade horror and ghost stories to revive the spirit of Halloween, you’ve come to the right place. Whether middle grade horror is just the right temperature for you or you know a young reader who tears through dark tales, a perfect book is waiting to haunt the brave.

Stack up these spooky middle grade reads for darker nights.

The Creeps by Tehlor Kay Mejia: The Good Night Motel is giving Dylan a real case of the creeps. It’s dilapidated, the twin owners are unnerving, and if you break three rules, you might disappear. He and his mom lost their apartment, and unless Dylan does something about it, they too could be lost.

The Wump by Tony DiTerlizzi*: The author of the bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles is back with a dark supernatural tale. A monster is feeding on Timothy’s darkest thoughts as he navigates bullies at home and school. He’s a good kid but, in the monster’s shadow, Timothy is in danger of being consumed by revenge.

Ophie’s Ghosts by Justina Ireland: This historical fiction ghost story is perfect for rainy fall days. A terrible act took Ophelia’s Georgia home and her father, and now she can see ghosts. Working as a maid with her mother in Pittsburgh’s Daffodil Manor, Ophie will do her best to help the wronged ghosts who live there.

Witch’s Sister by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: Naylor has nurtured generations of young readers who delight in all kinds of books, and every aspiring Wednesday Addams gobbled up her Witch Saga. The first book introduces us to best friends Lynn and Mouse who are certain Mrs. Tuggle next door is a witch bent on destroying Lynn’s family.

*A message from our sponsor

A new study from researchers at Yale University shows meaningful gains in longevity for people who read books. Here’s what to know about the study:

The big number: participants who read books had a 20% reduction in mortality compared to non-book readers (my understanding is that book readers had a 20% better chance of still being alive at the end of the study period).

Readers of non-books (newspapers/magazines) enjoyed some benefit, but book reading showed markedly stronger effects on longevity. The study says that it is the cognitive mediation effects of book reading that contributed to the longevity gains.

You can check out the abstract for the study here, though you will need to have further access privileges through a school or subscription to read the full study.

Did you know your Kindle Unlimited subscription is now Kindle+? You still get the same access to millions of eBooks, audiobooks, comics, manga, and magazines, just with a shiny new name. Here are a few great reads available now:

Sonali Devi is an award-winning romance author whose next book, What’s Lucky Got to Do with It, comes out February 9, 2027 from Lake Union Publishing. Below, she recommends four books to read for Diwali.

My favorite thing about fall is the fact that it kicks off the holiday season. For me, that starts with Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. Growing up in India, Diwali was a time for family, food, and firecrackers. The entire city of Mumbai twinkled with oil lamps and lanterns, and my mother sent me off to all the neighbors with platters of Diwali goodies. I feel a little bit like that today, bringing you a platter of book recommendations that feel every bit as sweet and satisfying as Diwali goodies.

Enemies to Lovers by Alisha Rai: A ruthless con woman and soft-hearted lawyer go on a wild ride across the country to save his brother, who might have been abducted by her family. It’s hilarious and fast-paced and comes with Alisha Rai’s signature razor-sharp banter and sizzling yet super romantic sexual tension.

Dina Gets Lucky by Uzma Jalaluddin: A fiery attorney is stuck hiding the news of her own divorce to keep from ruining her sister’s wedding. Then the ex—the one who got away—shows up. This one has three of my favorite things: a desi wedding, a second chance at love, and Uzma Jalaluddin’s smart and delightful writing.

The Second First Chance by Mona Shroff: Childhood best friends who were almost something more before a tragic fire separated them get a second chance in this deliciously angsty romance. She’s a firefighter now, hiding her profession from her family, and he’s a veterinarian obsessed with healing. If only he could see why she needs to do the work she does.

Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma: This one is perfect for romantasy and urban fantasy lovers. It’s fierce and complex and brings Hindu myths to modern-day Indian American life with some brilliant worldbuilding. A demigod demon hunter and the demon he is tasked with hunting team up to save the world. Sharma’s books always feel like a love letter to the culture, and everyone should meet her aunties.

Did you know? Shepard was born Samuel Shepard Rogers III and went by the nickname “Steve.” So he grew up being known as Steve Rogers. And I can kinda see him as Cap.

These renovation romance books will fix up your mood.

Put these gorgeous coffee table books on your holiday gifting list.

Catch up on all of Dakota Johnson’s TeaTime Book Club selections for 2026.

Now’s the time for a Great Books revival.

Agatha Christie’s life was her greatest mystery of all.

Written by Rebecca Schinsky, Jeff O’Neal, S. Zainab Williams, Vanessa Diaz, and Danika Ellis. Thanks to Vanessa Diaz for copy editing.

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