Readworthy by BookBub This Month’s Best New Literary Fiction ---------------------------------- Queen Esther by John Irving A heartwarming, century-spanning novel about found family - Penned by the legendary author of <i>The World According to Garp</i> and <i>A Prayer for Owen Meany</i> — who “it is impossible to imagine the American literary landscape without” (<i>Time</i>) - In this instant <i>New York Times</i> bestseller, Esther, a 14-year-old Jewish orphan in New England, is taken in by a Christian family - With a rave review from <i>The New York Times Book Review</i>: “We may need [Irving’s] singular sense of compassion now more than ever… I’m grateful for this book” Media Praise: NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Booklist Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5602?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/queen-esther-by-john-irving-2025-02... Palaver by Bryan Washington A Houston mother arrives uninvited at her estranged son’s doorstep in Tokyo - Set in the weeks before Christmas, this life-affirming novel explores forgiveness, family, and home - A finalist for the 2025 National Book Award hailed as “uniquely beautiful” (<i>Rolling Stone</i>) and “an unshakable triumph” (<i>The Washington Post</i>) - “Fiction — no — life is better because Washington is writing” (Ocean Vuong) Media Praise: The New Yorker, Time Magazine, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, Elle, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, Rolling Stone, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, BookPage, Electric Literature, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5673?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/palaver-by-bryan-washington?granted... Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewski Stephen King says he ‘absolutely loved’ and 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 - “An authentic western epic” (<i>Vulture</i>) highly anticipated by over a dozen publications, including <i>The New York Times Book Review</i> and NPR - 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/5601?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/tom-s-crossing-by-mark-z-danielewsk... The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie The #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Midnight’s Children</i> delivers another must-read - An “inventive and engrossing” story collection (<i>Los Angeles Times</i>) celebrating life in the face of death - Features unforgettable characters — from a musical prodigy to a ghostly academic - “It’s good to be back in Rushdie’s charming, witty world” (<i>The Times</i>) Media Praise: The New Yorker, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Economist, Associated Press, Financial Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Guardian, The Times, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5613?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-eleventh-hour-by-salman-rushdie... Sacrament by Susan Straight In a California desert town, a group of ICU nurses risks everything as the COVID-19 pandemic surges - This “monumentally moving” human drama (<i>People</i>) follows three nurses, each from very different backgrounds, who live out of a trailer park together - From a National Book Award finalist called an “essential voice” (<i>The New York Times</i>) - “Reader[s will] see and respect and love not only these characters, but the consistently brilliant author who gave them life on the page of this, her finest book” (<i>Los Angeles Times</i>) Media Praise: NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, The Millions, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5599?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/sacrament-by-susan-straight?granted... Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite This enchanting, multigenerational saga is begging for an on-screen adaptation - Eniiyi’s family believes she’s the reincarnation of her late cousin — and that she’ll fall victim to the generations-long curse. Can she free herself from a cycle of secrets and pain? - November’s Read with Jenna pick has captured the hearts of booklovers everywhere - “Sweeping… Our three female protagonists are rich, full characters” (<i>The New York Times</i>) - One of <i>Time</i>’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2025 Media Praise: TODAY Book Club/Read with Jenna, Book of the Month, Time Magazine, NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Real Simple, Elle, Vulture, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5672?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/cursed-daughters-by-oyinkan-braithw... Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel Fans of <i>Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow</i>, your new favorite book is here! - Has blown away everyone from Rumaan Alam to Kevin Wilson to Rachel Khong, who calls it “as breathtaking as it is mind-bending” - Quantum physicist Noah is part of a dangerous experiment in the Texas desert — and he and his wife, Maya, soon discover the dangers of revisiting the past - A genre-bending literary gem that will have you see the world anew Media Praise: Book of the Month, Harper's Bazaar, Real Simple, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage, Electric Literature, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5671?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/lightbreakers-by-aja-gabel?granted_... Like Family by Erin O. White Rocked by an unexpected death, six friends confront simmering tensions and unfulfilled dreams - “Once I entered the world of <i>Like Family</i>, I didn’t want to leave” (Ann Napolitano) - Once you curl up with this new release, it will transport you to a quaint small town in upstate New York - Glowing reviews from J. Courtney Sullivan, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Steven Rowley, who says the book “feels like a favorite, worn sweater, wrapping you in the exact embrace you get from your favorite novels” 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/5720?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/like-family-by-erin-o-white?granted... The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller During a historically cold winter, the lives of two couples unravel in this 2025 Booker Prize finalist - When two women from neighboring houses meet, a countdown to crisis begins… - In this “exquisitely written” novel set in an English countryside village, “every scene is hypnotic” (<i>The Washington Post</i>) - “This book is really special,” says Sarah Jessica Parker Media Praise: NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Locus, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Good Housekeeping, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5707?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-land-in-winter-by-andrew-miller... Evensong by Stewart O’Nan If you liked <i>Olive Kitteridge</i>, you’ll love this novel - The women of the Humpty Dumpty Club weather relationships, unexpected challenges, and life’s seemingly mundane moments in this “deeply moving” read (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i> starred review) - From an acclaimed author who counts Dennis Lehane and Tom Perrotta among his many fans Media Praise: NPR, People, The Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/5677?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/evensong-by-stewart-o-nan-2025-09-3... ---------------------------------- Discover more Readworthy recommendations: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/collections/best-new-literary-fiction-boo... ---------------------------------- You are receiving this Literary Fiction email because [email protected] is signed up for updates highlighting the best new releases in your categories. 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