Readworthy by BookBub This Month’s Best New Author Favorites What do popular authors think of the season’s buzziest new releases? Keep reading to discover the unputdownable books that are wowing big-name authors right now — including an atmospheric mystery, a powerful memoir, and more! ---------------------------------- Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski Stephen King has ‘never read anything like’ this ‘amazing work of fiction’ - In rugged Utah, two friends set out to save a pair of ponies headed for slaughter - This <i>New York Times</i> bestseller is “an authentic western epic” (<i>Vulture</i>) - From “one of the most gifted and versatile writers of our time” (<i>The Washington Post</i>) comes his “first major standalone novel in 25 years” (<i>Library Journal</i>) Media Praise: NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, New Scientist, The Washington Post, Vulture, Parade, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, Paste, Variety, Reactor, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6075?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/tom-s-crossing-by-mark-z-danielewsk... Like Family by Erin O. White Ann Napolitano raves, ‘Once I entered the world of <i>Like Family</i>, I didn’t want to leave’ - After an unexpected death rocks their idyllic community, a group of tight-knit friends is forced to confront their simmering tensions and unfulfilled dreams - Rave reviews from J. Courtney Sullivan, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Glennon Doyle, who says, “<i>Like Family</i> cracked my heart open wider and wider until I found myself bawling in the bathtub” - This “heartstring-strumming paean to family” (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>) will transport you to a quaint small town in upstate New York Media Praise: TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, Elle, Parade, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6073?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/like-family-by-erin-o-white?granted... The Widow by John Grisham Take it from Chris Whitaker: This is ‘John Grisham at his irresistible, unforgettable best’ - A sensational #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestseller from a “literary legend” (<i>USA Today</i>) - When small-town lawyer Simon Latch is accused of murder, he must untangle a twisted plot in order to find the real killer — and clear his name… - “A captivating legal whodunit… The author’s fans will be galvanized by this impressive return to form” (<i>Publishers Weekly</i>) Media Praise: NPR, CBS Mornings, People, Parade, The Times, New York Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6077?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-widow-by-john-grisham?granted_a... Paper Girl by Beth Macy According to Jeannette Walls and Geraldine Brooks, this powerful memoir is a must-read - The <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Dopesick</i> “continues her noble work as a truth teller” (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>) - When Beth Macy returned to her Ohio hometown, the culture had changed dramatically. What happened in Urbana over the previous 40 years? - “One of the most humane and insightful journalists working today, Macy has triumphed with <i>Paper Girl</i>” (Susan Orlean) Media Praise: The New Yorker, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Atlantic, People, The Washington Post, Bustle, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6144?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/paper-girl-by-beth-macy?granted_at=... The Memory Gardener by Meg Donohue A ‘lush, mesmerizing, and magical’ novel highly recommended by Lori Nelson Spielman - Gardener Lucy has a gift: She knows which scent among her flowers will show someone a key memory. When her mother’s death sends her back to her hometown, she begins working at a senior-living residence — and transforms the community - Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen - “Meg Donohue has written an endearing story about how healing, forgiveness, and love are the secret to growing a beautiful life” (Heather Webber) Media Praise: Publishers Weekly, Booklist Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6080?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-memory-gardener-by-meg-donohue?... The Bone Thief by Vanessa Lillie Liz Moore is raving about this ‘riveting mystery’ starring an ‘unforgettable protagonist’ - After the disappearance of a Native girl near a local summer camp, the chilling discovery of skeletal remains sends Bureau of Indian Affairs archaeologist Syd Walker on a twisting investigation - Named one of 2025’s best mysteries by <i>The Washington Post</i>! - The standalone follow-up to <I>Blood Sisters</i>, which garnered praise from C. J. Box, Megan Miranda, and William Kent Krueger Media Praise: The Washington Post, Elle, Publishers Weekly, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6076?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-bone-thief-by-vanessa-lillie?gr... The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton This dazzling dual-timeline novel captivated Alka Joshi and Natasha Lester - Across centuries and continents, a mysterious book connects three women — an American expat in London, a librarian in Cuba, and a teacher in Boston - From the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick <i>Next Year in Havana</i> - Madeline Martin calls it “a moving tribute to the power and comfort of books” Media Praise: Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Library Journal Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6143?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-lost-story-of-eva-fuentes-by-ch... The Traitors Circle by Jonathan Freedland Mick Herron devoured this ‘astonishing true story of courage… told with the verve of a thriller’ - In 1943 Berlin, a group of Nazi dissenters met for afternoon tea — but they had no idea that someone sitting at the table would betray them - An instant <i>New York Times</i> bestseller from the author of <i>The Escape Artist</i> - “Utterly gripping, brilliantly researched and written” (Anthony Horowitz) Media Praise: The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6209?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-traitors-circle-by-jonathan-fre... The Botanist’s Assistant by Peggy Townsend Katy Hays crowns this mystery ‘one of the most charming, original novels I have read in years!’ - The research assistant to a renowned botanist, fiftysomething Margaret finds her neatly ordered life turned upside down in her quest to solve a murder at her small university - “<i>The Maid</i> meets <i>Lessons in Chemistry</i>,” according to <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Nina Simon - “Readers enamored with Nita Prose’s endearingly offbeat sleuth Molly Gray will be equally smitten with the delightfully quirky Margaret” (<I>Library Journal</I>) Media Praise: Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, BookPage Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6074?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-botanist-s-assistant-by-peggy-t... I, Medusa by Ayana Gray See why Ann Liang is calling this myth retelling ‘a bold new classic’ - Meddy has always felt out of place among her beautiful sisters and powerful parents. When she’s taken under Athena’s wing, her life transforms — until she’s punished for a crime she didn’t commit… - “Ayana Gray brings her fresh, dynamic storytelling to one of the most monstered, maligned, and misunderstood women of Greek myth” (Jennifer Saint, author of <i>Ariadne</i>) - From a <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Media Praise: TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Locus, People, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/6081?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/i-medusa-by-ayana-gray-2025-12-11?g... ---------------------------------- Discover more Readworthy recommendations: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/collections/best-new-book-club-picks?gran... ---------------------------------- You are receiving this Author Favorites email because [email protected] is signed up for updates highlighting the best new releases in your categories. If you'd like to change the Readworthy emails you receive, you can update your categories here: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/settings/categories?granted_at=2025-12-21.... Purchases through our links may earn us a commission. If you'd like to update the retailer links included in Readworthy emails, you can update your format and retailer preferences here: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/settings/reading-preferences?granted_at=2.... 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