There are plenty of reasons to get excited about the best new books of November 2021, but for many book fans, this month is extra special because it marks the end of Droughtlander. Yes, Diana Gabaldon's long-awaited ninth book in the Outlander [1] series, Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone, is finally hitting shelves this month, but it is far from the only highly anticipated new release coming your way. From Wanda M. Morris's buzzy debut thriller All Her Little Secrets to the latest warmhearted romance read from Denise Williams, this month's best of list is full of books everyone will be talking about this fall [2].
Her Name Is Knight by Yasmin Angoe
Her Name Is Knight [3] by Yasmin Angoe is an action-packed thriller you can lose yourself in. At the centre of the story is assassin Nena Knight, who ends up saving a man who she was sent to kill, and finding a new target within the ranks of the same organisation that employs her to do their dirty work.
Out Nov. 1
The Passing Storm by Christine Nolfi
Sometimes you just want to curl up with a book that's going to break your heart and then put it back together again. The Passing Storm [4] by Christine Nolfi is one of those books. Rae Langdon is attempting to work through her grief by pouring all of her energy into her father's farm when a teenage boy shows up on her doorstep seeking refuge. What follows is a story of connection, moving forward, and finding hope after experiencing loss.
Out Nov. 1
Tahira in Bloom by Farah Heron
Small town fun, flower arranging, and summer crushes are all at the forefront of this winning YA novel Tahira in Bloom [5] by Farah Heron. After losing out on a fashion internship, Tahira's parents send her to the small town of Bakewell to work at her aunt's store. Despite it being the total opposite of how she imagined she would be spending her summer, Tahira soon finds a new passion in flower arranging, as well as an interest in the boy next door.
Out Nov. 1
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
Wanda M. Morris's All Her Little Secrets [6] more than lives up to the hype. This twisty novel follows Ellice Littlejohn, a Black lawyer who discovers her white boss's body, and doesn't report it for fear of her own past being exposed. However, things get complicated when she takes over his job and realises their firm has some seriously shady clients.
Out Nov. 2
A Certain Appeal by Vanessa King
Pride and Prejudice gets a modern makeover in A Certain Appeal [7] by Vanessa King. Now, Liz Bennet is a burlesque dancer by night, who is forced to make nice with the uptight Mr. Darcy when their best friends fall in love. But as you may have guessed, it doesn't take long for sparks to fly between the mismatched Liz and Darcy, too.
Out Nov. 2
The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Dark and daring, The Collective [8] by Alison Gaylin is a revenge thriller with an unexpected twist — the people seeking revenge are mothers who take down the privileged people responsible for their heartbreaking losses. At first, Camille Gardener finds solace in their company, but she soon begins to wonder whether or not she has put herself into a dangerous position by trusting The Collective.
Out Nov. 2
The Donut Trap by Julie Tieu
With no job prospects on the horizon, Jasmine Tran swallows her pride and moves back home to work in her family's donut shop in Julie Tieu's charming The Donut Trap [9]. Things aren't all bad for Jasmine though: her old college crush, Alex, is also working at the shop, and their parents are sure they're destined to be together. At least they are until a disastrous dinner date turns Jasmine and Alex's worlds upside down.
Out Nov. 2
Everything We Didn't Say by Nicole Baart
Everything We Didn't Say [10] by Nicole Baart is an explosive family thriller about a woman trying to make amends with the teenage daughter she barely knows. Complicating Juniper's quest is a murder from the past that just keeps coming back to haunt her and the next generation of her family.
Out Nov. 2
The Family by Naomi Krupitsky
If you've ever wondered what all of those Italian mafia movies would look like from the perspective of the women in the families, then you need to pick up a copy of The Family [11] by Naomi Krupitsky right now. This powerful story of friendship spans decades as best friends Sofia and Antonia grow up and grow apart in Brooklyn, after Antonia's father goes missing.
Out Nov. 2
The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams
A lifestyle writer and a personal trainer try to keep things professional in Denise Williams's new romance The Fastest Way to Fall [12]. For Britta, writing about her experience with a body-positive fitness app is her ticket to a full-time job, while her trainer is secretly the CEO of the company who just wants to get back to his roots by helping people one-on-one. Both of them are taking a big professional risk by falling for each other, but their smoking hot chemistry is too real to deny.
Out Nov. 2
Gilded by Marissa Meyer
Bestselling author Marissa Meyer returns to her fantasy roots in Gilded [13]. This spooky retelling of Rumpelstiltskin tells the story of Serilda, a young woman cursed to tell fantastical tales that attract the attention of a dark king who orders her to spin straw into gold.
Out Nov. 2
How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson
Who among us hasn't dreamed of marrying a celebrity at one point or another? Well, in Bethany Lu Carlisle's case, she's determined to make her dream come true when she sets on a road trip to stop Keanu Reeves [14]'s wedding in How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days [15]. Luckily for her, her best friend is along for the ride, and he might just be able to show her she can find true love without chasing after her perfect Hollywood crush.
Out Nov. 2
The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams
Prepare to be whisked away on a much-needed sunny holiday when you crack open The Lucky Escape [16] by Laura Jane Williams. After being left at the altar, Annie reconnects with her old friend Patrick, who reminds her of just how amazing she really is. In the wake of their reunion, Annie decides to say yes to any opportunity that comes her way, including giving her spare honeymoon ticket to Patrick.
Out Nov. 2
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Mystery, magic, romance, quality British banter — A Marvellous Light [17] by Freya Marske does it all with style. When Robin Blyth discovers an administrative error has made him a liaison to a secret society of magic, he's not exactly excited about his new position. Soon he's dealing with deadly curses and his prickly coworker Edwin Courcey as they team up to uncover a plot that threatens the lives of every magician in Britain.
Out Nov. 2
Miss Moriarty, I Presume? by Sherry Thomas
Sherry Thomas's The Lady Sherlock Series is always a delight, but the author's latest, Miss Moriarty, I Presume? [18] is particularly absorbing. This time around, Charlotte Holmes and Mrs. Watson are employed by their nemesis Moriarty to find his daughter, which leads the detectives to a strange island full of mysteries just waiting to be solved.
Out Nov. 2
Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart
Even if you have been avoiding pandemic books, Our Country Friends [19] by Gary Shteyngart is a must-read of the highest order. Beginning in March 2020 when a group of eight friends decide to isolate together in the English countryside, this sprawling novel follows the collection of pals over six months as they fall in and out of love, forge new friendships, and reexamine what's most important to them along the way.
Out Nov. 2
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Inspired by West African mythology, Skin of the Sea [20] by Natasha Bowen is an engrossing fantasy novel about a mermaid who must take on the gods to save her people. After Simi breaks the rules of her world by saving the life of a boy who falls overboard from a ship, her entire life changes in an instant as she must face the gods to protect the other mermaids.
Out Nov. 2
Tacky: Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer by Rax King
Proving once and for all that there's no reason to feel guilty about loving reality TV and Guy Fieri, Tacky: Love Letters to the Worst Culture We Have to Offer [21] by Rax King is a remarkable collection of essays celebrating the bits of pop culture people might not always want to admit to loving. Whether she's exploring grief via Jersey Shore or examining how Sex and the City [22] defined female friendships in the early aughts, King's collection proves any piece of pop culture that touches us is meaningful, even if there's nothing highbrow about it.
Out Nov. 2
Win Me Something by Kyle Lucia Wu
Win Me Something [23] by Kyle Lucia Wu is a powerful debut about a Chinese American woman exploring her identity and searching for a place to belong. Growing up, Willa Chen always felt like she was too Chinese for the white kids, and two white for her fellow Asian students. Those feelings were only magnified after her parents' divorce, but when she takes on a nanny job with a family in Tribeca, she begins to truly grapple with her own family dynamic and plan out the future she wants for herself.
Out Nov. 2
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman
All of Us Villains [24] by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman will give you magical Squid Game [25] vibes in the best way. Set in the small town of Ilvernath, every generation of seven prominent families name a champion to fight to death in a tournament where the winner controls the high magic. Things are a bit different this time around due to the release of a tell-all book that puts the champions in the spotlight and gives them invaluable information about their opponents in the process.
Out Nov. 9
Aurora's End by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff's bestselling Aurora Cycle concludes with Aurora's End [26]. In the final book, Squad 312 has one more chance to save the galaxy — and even though the odds are once again stacked against them, the ragtag group is feeling optimistic about winning the war.
Out Nov. 9
Heard It in a Love Song by Tracey Garvis Graves
At the heart of Tracey Garvis Graves's Heard It in a Love Song [27] is the simple, but beautiful message that it's never too late to start over. Still processing her divorce and working to redefine herself beyond her career as a lead singer in a popular band, 35-year-old Layla Hilding is surprised to find she can't stop thinking about the single dad of one of the children in her music class. The good news is he's smitten with her, too.
Out Nov. 9
The Hidden by Melanie Golding
Melanie Golding infuses her haunting new thriller The Hidden [28] with an eerie dash of Celtic mythology. When a man is found bludgeoned to death in his own apartment, the last thing DS Joanna Harper expects is to discover he has a wife who believes she's a descendant of the mythological Selkies, or that her own daughter is somehow entangled in this strange case.
Out Nov. 9
Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens
Just Haven't Met You Yet [29] by Sophie Cousens is a delightfully romantic tale of one woman's search for her happily ever after in the form of the owner of a swapped suitcase. Lifestyle reporter Laura is heading to the Channel Islands to research her parents' love story when she accidentally takes the wrong suitcase at the airport. The contents inside suggest the owner is her perfect match, but as she digs into her family's past with the help of a grumpy cab driver, Laura begins to reevaluate what perfect means when it comes to matters of the heart.
Out Nov. 9
Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath
Historical romance and the fake dating trope prove to be a match made in book heaven in Never Fall for Your Fiancée [30] by Virginia Heath. With his meddling mother coming to stay, Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, is in need of a woman willing to pose as his fake fiancée. His plan is ridiculous, but for the penniless Minerva Merriwell it's also an opportunity to raise enough money to care for her younger siblings. Now the unlikely pair will just have to convince everyone they're in love... while actively avoiding falling for each other for real.
Out Nov. 9
The Perishing by Natashia Deón
The Perishing [31] by Natashia Deón is an astonishing work of historical science fiction. When Lou wakes up in 1930s Los Angeles with no memory of where she came from, she focuses on living her best possible life, and even becomes the first Black female journalist at the Los Angeles Times. However, she begins to realise she has a much larger purpose when she meets a man whose face she has been drawing for years, and suddenly understands she is an immortal destined to save all of the people she loves.
Out Nov. 9
The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath
The Reckless Kind [32] by Carly Heath is a beautifully told work of queer historical fiction. Set in a small town in 1904 Norway, a young woman named Asta Hedstrom refuses to marry her fiancé after he injures her best friend, Gunnar. Instead, she moves into the cabin Gunnar shares with his wealthy boyfriend Erlend, where the trio hatches a dangerous plan to win enough money to leave their small-minded community behind.
Out Nov. 9
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Trust us, you've never read a mystery quite like The Sentence [33] by Louise Erdrich before. Beginning on All Soul's Day 2019 and ending on All Soul's Day 2020, the story follows Tookie, who lands a job in her local independent bookstore in Minneapolis after being incarcerated. Unfortunately for her, the store's most persistently annoying customer, Flora, won't stop haunting the place, leaving Tookie with no choice but to solve the mystery of why the woman won't move on even as the world around grinds to a halt in the wake of the pandemic.
Out Nov. 9
Sway With Me by Syed M. Masood
There are shades of She's All That in Sway With Me [34] by Syed M. Masood. Fearing what will happen after his great-grandfather dies, Arsalan asks the step-daughter of an Indian matchmaker to help him secure his future. She agrees, but only if he helps her perform a dance that's sure to ruin her sister's wedding first.
Out Nov. 9
Will by Will Smith and Mark Manson
Will Smith [35] remains one of Hollywood's biggest stars, and in Will [36], which was written with the help of Mark Manson, the famed actor-rapper-producer opens up about his journey from West Philadelphia kid to superstar. Along the way, Smith had to learn how to balance his family life with the demands of his job — and in his memoir, he gets real about how he kept from losing sight of what was most important at the height of his fame.
Out Nov. 9
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
Have your tissues at the ready when you dive into Dustin Thao's emotional novel You've Reached Sam [37]. This story of grief begins with 17-year-old Julie struggling to move forward after the sudden death of her boyfriend Sam. As she tries to make sense of her loss, Julie dials Sam's number just to hear his voice on his voicemail one more time, but when he somehow actually answers the phone, she realises she has been given a chance to truly say goodbye.
Out Nov. 9
A Net for Small Fishes by Lucy Jago
A Net for Small Fishes [38] by Lucy Jago is being described as a historical Thelma and Louise, and the comparison is spot on. Inspired by a true story, this Jacobean England set novel follows Frances Howard, who is unhappily married to an earl, and Anne Turner, a widow in need of a good match to support her family, as they hatch a dangerous plan to take control of their lives.
Out Nov. 16
The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzie Lee
The Montague siblings return for one last epic adventure in The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks [39] by Mackenzie Lee. When his mother dies unexpectedly, Adrian Montague meets the brother he never knew he had: Henry "Monty" Montague. Soon the brothers set out on a globe-trotting journey to track down their sister, Felicity, and solve a family mystery, all while dodging pirates and navigating uncharted waters.
Out Nov. 16
Noor by Nnedi Okorafor
Set in a near-future Nigeria, Noor [40] by Nnedi Okorafor is the story of a woman who prefers to go by her initials, AO, which she likes to think stands for Artificial Organism. Due to some issues she was born with and a car accident, AO has had numerous body augmentations, which make her feared by some. Things become even more complicated when she meets a man named DNA, and ends up on the run after a routine trip to the market.
Out Nov. 16
Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
Our Violent Ends [41], the sequel to Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights, is every bit as engrossing as the first book in the series. Set in 1927 Shanghai, the story picks up where These Violent Delights left off with Juliette sacrificing her relationship with Roma in hopes of saving his life. But with trouble brewing in their city, the two star-crossed lovers will have to set their differences aside to stave off a new evil.
Out Nov. 16
The Singles Table by Sara Desai
Prepare to laugh-out-loud while reading The Singles Table [42] by Sara Desai. This warm and funny rom-com follows Zara Patel, a lawyer who loves celebrities and matchmaking, and workaholic Jay Dayal, who has no time for a personal life. With wedding season in full swing, the singles just keep getting thrown together leading them to strike a deal: Zara will find Jay his perfect match in exchange for introductions to the celebrities he works for.
Out Nov. 16
The Teller of Secrets by Bisi Adjapon
It's hard to believe The Teller of Secrets [43] is Bisi Adjapon's debut novel. This stunning coming-of-age tale centres on Esi Agyekum, the designated secret keeper for her family. However, as Esi navigates the cultural and political upheaval of 1960s Ghana, she begins to challenge the social norms and spill the secrets she has been keeping in the name of progress.
Out Nov. 16
The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier
Manifest meets Lost in The Anomaly [44] by Hervé Le Tellier. This puzzle box of a sci-fi thriller is about a flight from Paris to New York. Just as the plane is about to land, it hits a patch of turbulence that somehow leads to the passengers disembarking into a world where everything is just ever so slightly different — leaving them to figure out exactly what happened on their Twilight [45] Zone-esque descent.
Out Nov. 23
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
Droughtlander is officially over! In Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone [46], Diana Gabaldon continues Jamie and Claire's epic romance as the time-travelling couple prepare to face the American Revolution. At the same time, they're reunited with their daughter, her husband, and their grandchildren, but even though all of the Frasers are together again, war threatens to tear their world apart once more.
Out Nov. 23
Harsh Times by Mario Vargas Llosa
Mario Vargas Llosa effortlessly mixes fact and fiction in Harsh Times [47], a suspenseful novel that dramatizes the political upheaval in 1950s Guatemala. With the support of the CIA, Carlos Castillo Armas pulls off a military coup that changes the course of Latin America's future forever in this tale of political intrigue and conspiracies.
Out Nov. 23
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
Huda Fahmy, the creator of Yes, I'm Hot in This, serves up a spectacularly funny coming of age graphic novel in Huda F Are You? [48]. When her family moves to Dearborn, MI, Huda goes from being the only hijabi girl in her school to one of many. For the first time, young Huda must really think about who she is, but first she's going to try out a whole lot of personas along the way.
Out Nov. 23
These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Bestselling author Ann Patchett turns her attention inward in These Precious Days [49], a collection of essays that cover the breadth of her life so far. From her life-changing friendship with Tom Hanks [50]'s assistant Sooki to the life lessons she learned from her three fathers, these ruminative and inspiring essays are sure to resonate with Patchett's fans.
Out Nov. 23
Couples Wanted by Briana Cole
Couples Wanted [51] by Briana Cole is a steamy erotic thriller about spouse-swapping gone wrong. Initially, newlyweds Bridget and Roman are excited by the idea of opening up their relationship to married swingers Corinne and Patrick, but when the couple becomes possessive, the newlyweds realise they may have picked the wrong people to invite into their beds.
Out Nov. 30
Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey
Police transcriber Hazel Greenlee stumbles upon a dangerous case in Hello, Transcriber [52] by Hannah Morrissey. Hazel is an aspiring novelist who hopes her job will inspire her to write a bestseller that will spring her from her depressing town. What she doesn't expect is to be drawn into a case involving a deadly drug dealer that could cost her everything she holds dear.
Out Nov. 30
King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair
King of Battle and Blood [53] by Scarlett St. Clair is a vampire romance worth sinking your teeth into. To end a war, Isolde de Lara marries vampire king Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev, who she plans to kill. But when her attempt to assasinate him fails, Isolde will have to navigate his dangerous court as she tries to fight her growing feelings for the man she claims to loathe.
Out Nov. 30
Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow
Mimi Lee Cracks the Code [54] by Jennifer J. Chow is a cosy mystery that's just begging to be paired with a steaming cup of cocoa and a warm blanket. In her latest adventure, Mimi, her adorable cat Marshmallow, and her husband Josh take a much-needed holiday. However, there's not much time for relaxing when the holiday home's previous renter turns up dead.
Out Nov. 30
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult's Wish You Were Here [55] follows a woman who steps outside of her comfort zone after the pandemic leaves her stranded in the Galápagos. With her boyfriend back in New York City, Diana O'Toole must put her carefully crafted life plan on hold and venture into the unknown on her own.
Out Nov. 30
You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus
No one writes YA thrillers quite like Karen M. McManus. In You'll Be the Death of Me [56], a trio of old friends spontaneously decide to ditch school together, but what begins as a fun day off quickly spirals out of control when they witness the murder of a fellow student.
Out Nov. 30