11 new YA book releases to kick off your spooky season right this October

Need some help deciding what to read this month? We run down 11 of the best new YA book releases hitting shelves this October.

Welcome to the most wonderful time of the year: Spooky season! It seems…kind of unreal to note that it is now October, and we’re still doing our best to live through a global pandemic that’s as frightening as any dystopian novel we might pick up. From social distancing and facemasks to drive-thru flu shots and virtual doctor’s appointments, we’re all doing the best we can in a world that feels new and strange compared to what we’re used to.

Luckily, as usual, the world of books is here for us. And this month, there are a ton of great new YA releases hitting shelves to offer some escapism and relief from the reality we’re all stuck in for the foreseeable. From highly-anticipated new releases from megapopular authors to first-time debuts from exciting up and coming writers, there are plenty of new stories to dig into this month.

And, as is appropriate for the darkest and most magical month of the year, there are plenty of magical fantasy offerings, ready to take us into exciting new worlds that (thankfully) bear little resemblance to our own. Escapism, for the win, yeah?

Here are our picks for 11 must-read YA books headed your way in October. Let us know what you’re reading – and what we missed on this list!