• BookBrowse
  • Posts
  • 'Tis the Season for Historical Horror

'Tis the Season for Historical Horror

The Empusium in paperback, fall reading, deluxe editions, and more ...

September 30, 2025

Librarian Newsletter: October 2025

Hello,

This month, we look ahead to Halloween with Olga Tokarczuk’s chilling historical tale The Empusium, one of our recommended recent paperbacks.

You and your patrons can also enjoy our fall reading list and an article about the rise of deluxe editions in publishing.

If you haven’t already, be sure to register for our BookBrowse for Libraries webinar on 10/15, and get an exclusive offer when you RSVP.

Plus, take a peek at our recent and upcoming book club discussions and Ask the Author interviews, along with next month’s previews!

— The BookBrowse Team

Featured Recent Paperback: The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk

By turns dark, funny, shocking, and thought-provoking, this “health resort horror story”—as its subtitle describes it—presents a portrait of Old World Europe whose horror lies in its familiar New World prejudices. (Alex Russell, BookBrowse review)

The Empusium is just one book in our Recent Paperbacks section, which features recommended titles with accompanying content, including reviews, “beyond the book” articles, and discussion questions. Subscribing libraries can view all content, while others can access limited features.

10 Books You’ll Love Reading in Fall 2025

We offer an appealing mix of recent titles and gems soon to hit the shelves for making the most of your fall days. Feel free to share this (and any of our other blog content) with your patrons. Happy reading!

The Rise of Deluxe Editions

Recent years have seen a noteworthy explosion of collector’s editions, or deluxe editions, and they aren’t just for updated classics anymore. The demonstrated marketing potential of deluxe editions has encouraged publishers to think outside the box, sometimes investing in them for books that don’t fit the usual profile.

BookBrowse Webinar on 10/15

Join us for our next webinar on Wednesday, 10/15 at 2pm ET! In this all-in-one session, we’ll share how BookBrowse, a trusted resource for librarians for over 25 years, helps staff and patrons alike discover books that truly matter.

Now is a great time to consider adding BookBrowse as a resource for your patrons and staff, and this year we have three perks for new BookBrowse for Libraries subscribers:

  1. Complimentary access for the remainder of 2025.

  2. A print copy of our book club guide, A Club of One’s Own (subscribing libraries receive digital access).

  3. An exclusive offer you only receive by RSVP’ing for the webinar!

Book Club Discussions

Find inspiration for your book club(s) among our more than 200 past discussions.

We’re currently talking about Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita and Joan Silber’s Mercy, among other books. Starting November 27, we feature Lauren J. A. Bear’s Mother of Rome.

Ask the Author Interviews

BookBrowse is now hosting Ask the Author sessions in our community forum. You and your patrons are welcome to follow along and post questions in any future interviews that interest you. In the meantime, see our recent conversation with Milo Todd, author of The Lilac People.

New & Notable Books in October

We've carefully selected 70+ of the most noteworthy books publishing in October—check them out!

Individual members and subscribing libraries can see, sort, and download the full list for all months. Non-subscribers can view books up to the current month and a limited selection of future books.

Reply

or to participate.