Browns Best New Books for October 2025
1st October 2025
Every month we carefully select our favourites from the fabulous new titles on offer. October has arrived! Autumn is well underway, hopefully everyone has settled back into the school routine, the clocks are going back and spooky season is finally upon us. Halloween is a big favourite of many of us here at Browns – there is no better time to snuggle up with a slightly (or very if you prefer!) scary book and enjoyably giving yourself a fright, maybe with some Halloween-themed treats. October is a favourite with us for the sheer amount of fantastic books that are always released this month too. October 2025 is a great month for new books, whatever you may be looking for – it has been a real struggle to pick just a few to highlight and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Have a very Happy Halloween!
Check back next month for our picks of the new books November has to offer.
Adult Non-Fiction
Finding My Way
Yousafzai, Malala
Hardback
In 2012, at the age of 15, Malala Yousafzai was thrust into the public spotlight after being shot and nearly killed by the Taliban. Malala’s remarkable story of refusing to be silenced and fighting for her right to an education moved and inspired people across the world, lead to her being the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate at the age of 17 and becoming an international icon.
In this new memoir, Malala takes readers beyond the icon and opens up her life and journey from teenage activist to young woman. Through friendships, anxiety, first love, college and all the messy and candid moments of life, Malala shares how she adapted to her life on the world stage whilst experiencing all the highs and lows of growing up, all the while trying to ensure that she wasn’t defined by the very darkest moments of her life. An authentic and intimate look at the life of one of the most inspiring young women of recent times and a study in strength and resilience. A book that feels both personal and hugely important and a look at how Malala continues to inspire whilst navigating her past and her status as an icon.
More DetailsAdult Fiction
The Rose Field: The Book of Dust Volume Three
Pullman, Philip
Hardback
When we last left Lyra, she was alone in the ruins of an abandoned city. Her daemon, Pantalaimon, had run from her, searching for her imagination which he believed she had lost, and Lyra had travelled across the world from her home in Oxford looking for him. Malcolm is on a quest to find Lyra and in the Rose Fields their paths cross and they must undertake a dangerous journey to find the answers they need – about Dust, imagination and so much more.
There have been a number of hotly anticipated books published in 2025 but The Rose Field, the conclusion to The Book of Dust trilogy, must be the one most breathlessly awaited by the huge number of people who have been waiting for 6 years to find out what happens to Lyra Silvertongue. Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust books are global phenomena for very good reason – the world building, story telling and exploration of ideas within them are unique and always a fascinating and magical experience for the reader. This final instalment continues heroine Lyra’s journey as an adult and amongst the intricate and gripping plot and wonderful characters looks at themes of growing up and responsibility and what that can mean for us. Another wonderful and rare book that will delight fans and have readers wanting to lose themselves in Lyra’s world all over again.
More DetailsChildren’s Non-Fiction
The Roots We Share
Dent, Susie
Hardback
Words can have extraordinary power to bring us together, whatever our beliefs, attitudes or circumstances. Susie Dent has collected together words that celebrate unity and harmony – some old, some new and some that have largely been forgotten. Perhaps you would like to be goodwilly (kind, generous and cheerful) head off on a coddiwomple (a journey with no destination) or just conjobble (chat with a friend over food).
This lovely book celebrates and revels in the words and language of friendship, unity and connection. With gorgeous illustrations by Harriet Hobday, this is a book to dip into and enjoy finding new words with. Susie Dent always makes language and words feel exciting, interesting and important and this book really conveys how words can make us feel and how they help connect us to each other. A book to introduce themes and vocabulary around kindness and harmony and one that may leave readers grinning like a gigglemug (someone who never stops smiling).
More DetailsChildren’s Fiction
When the Sky Falls: Graphic Novel
Earle, Phil
Paperback / softback
It is 1941 and Joseph has been sent to live in the city with gruff and unfriendly Mrs F who owns a rundown zoo in which lives mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the days pass, Joseph helps Mrs F in her quest to find food for the starving animals of the zoo and he and Adonis form a close and special friendship. But when the bombs start to fall what will happen if Adonis is set free?
Phil Earle’s multi-award-winning World War II novel When The Sky Falls is a huge favourite with countless readers and is a mainstay in many classrooms. This wonderful new graphic novel edition, adapted and illustrated by the hugely talented Fred Fordham, is a brilliant new way to enjoy this special and unforgettable story. The illustrations convey the powerful narrative and relatable characters perfectly and none of the emotion and tension is lost in this great adaptation. A phenomenal and very special book that will introduce new readers to the incredible bond between Adonis and Joseph and a wonderful way for those who are already fans of the book to enjoy it anew. Highly recommended.
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