With Halloween over and done with, it’s only a matter of time before the shops are (even more) full of festive food, gifts and decor. The same goes for books too, with Christmas romcoms and festive murder mysteries set to line the shelves once more.

But there’s still one more month to go before the real Christmas countdown begins, and November is full of exciting releases, with not a bauble or turkey dinner in sight. With that in mind, here are some of the best books coming out this month, with picks across the general fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and romance genres. From big releases on everyone’s wishlists to lesser-known gems you might not have come across, these are the novels to look out for.

1. Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

The king of cosy fantasy is back with the latest instalment in the bestselling Legends & Lattes series. This time around, we follow foul-mouthed bookseller Fern as she decides to up sticks and start again, moving her life and business to the city of Thune. But despite getting off to a strong start, Fern quickly gets drunk and finds herself in the wagon of a notorious bounty hunter.

With the return of some fan-favourite characters and a bigger focus on adventure than the previous books in the series, you’ll soon find yourself totally immersed and reluctant to leave the fantastical world behind as you turn the final page.

Brigands & Breadknives, out November 13, is available to pre-order now.

2. There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm 

There Is No Antimemetics Division imagines a world invaded by entities feeding on memories and capable of leaving their victims with no idea that anything even happened. How do you contain something you can’t record or remember? And will you even know that you’re at war?

Originally published on the SCP Foundation wiki by qntm, AKA writer and software developer Sam Hughes, this is sci-fi at its best. Mind-bending and unsettling, it’s a book that begs to be read in one sitting.

There Is No Antimemetics Division, out November 11, is available to pre-order now.

3. The Merge by Grace Walker

A mother and daughter agree to merge their minds and become one in this unforgettable debut. Faced with the reality of seeing her mother Laurie’s mind fade to Alzheimer’s, former activist Amelia signs them up for an experimental merging process which would see Laurie’s mind transferred into Amelia’s body and their consciousness blended as one.

But as they begin the process and meet their fellow participants, they soon begin to question whether everything is as it seems. If you’re a fan of Black Mirror, this is the book for you. It’s twisty and thought-provoking, and sure to stay with you long after you read it.

The Merge, out November 6, is available to pre-order now.

4. The Moon Glow Bookshop by Dongwon Seo, translated by Shanna Tan

Hidden down a quiet alley, you’ll find a bar like no other manned by a mysterious bartender. Mun was once the custodian of a magical library where every book held someone’s life story. But after meeting Bo-reum, a magical Moon Rabbit, he learns to make drinks that give people a chance to see their hidden dreams and forgotten joys.

Perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The DallerGut Dream Department Store, The Moon Glow Book Shop is a warm hug in a book, perfect for cosy November nights.

The Moon Glow Bookshop, out November 6, is available to pre-order now.

5. Coldwire by Chloe Gong

Bestselling author Chloe Gong is back with the first book in a thrilling new cyberpunk dystopian series. With sea levels rising and epidemics rampant, virtual reality is the norm. Society is split into those who live ‘upcountry’ in the virtual world and those who cannot afford the subscription and so must remain ‘downcountry’.

As a cold war rages on both planes of reality, two young soldiers begin to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger conspiracy. Futuristic, yet eerily familiar with strong worldbuilding and a healthy dose of political intrigue, Coldwire is sure to be your next dystopian addiction.

Coldwire is out on November 6 and is available to pre-order now.

6. P.S. You’re the Worst by Chloe Seager

Becky feels stuck. Stuck in her job, stuck in love with her ex who’s about to move in with his new girlfriend and stuck listening to her coupled-up best friends talk about their careers or weddings. 

So after a tarot reading throws up the Death card, Becky does what any logical person would do: drunkenly post letters telling everyone in her life how she really feels about them after booking a one-way ticket to Bali. But when the trip to Bali is cancelled, she’s left picking up the pieces.

Funny and heartfelt, this book will make you feel happy, sad and everything in between (as well as crippling second-hand embarrassment!)

P.S. You’re the Worst is out November 20 and is available to pre-order.

7. This Gilded Abyss by Rebecca Thorne

Sci-fi meets sapphic romance in the electric new book from the author of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea. A soldier haunted by her past finds herself pulled back into the orbit of her estranged ex-lover after a massacre in the abyssal city of Fall.

Boarding a luxurious, Titanic-like submarine, it doesn’t take long for their chemistry to reignite. But after the investigation unveils a shocking truth, trust becomes their only means of survival. Think slow-burn second chance romance with shocking twists and an ending that will leave you desperate for the next book in the series. 

This Gilded Abyss, out November 20, is available to pre-order now.

8. Hitwoman by Elsie Marks

Two assassins have to put aside their professional rivalry-and growing romantic tension-to work together to uncover a conspiracy that threatens them both in Hitwoman, the action romcom from Elsie Marks, also known as writing duo Louisa Burden and Neil Weaving.

Hitwoman is perfect for fans of Ally Carter and Mr and Mrs Smith, with a fast-paced plot that will make you feel like you’re watching a film in your mind.

You can pre-order Hitwoman, out November 6, now.

9. Bad Bishop by L.J. Shen

If dark romance is more your speed, look no further than Bad Bishop, the first book in L.J. Shen’s new Society of Villains series. Forced into a marriage of convenience with ruthless Irish mafia prince Tiernan, Lila looks to be a pawn in his twisted game – but in this chess match, it might just be the underdog who wins.

Any dark romance fans will love Bad Bishop, with the new series promising everything from taboo tropes and jaw-dropping plot twists to cameos from some of your favourite characters from elsewhere in the L.J. Shen universe.  

You can pre-order Bad Bishop, out November 4, now.

10. The Dinner Party by Viola van de Sandt

The Dinner Party is a darkly tense story told over the course of a dinner party hosted by couple Andrew and Franca for Andrew’s colleagues, from its planning and preparation all the way through to its explosive ending. Switching between Franca’s memories of the dinner party, and her present-day, it examines themes of love and autonomy, grief and female rage.

For fans of Cleopatra and Frankenstein and Assemly, this is an unflinching read about processing trauma, told in multiple timelines that help build the ominous sense of dread. It’s a heavy read, so be sure to check the trigger warnings before starting it.

The Dinner Party, out November 4, is available to pre-order now.

11. Throne in the Dark by A.K. Caggiano

Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne, the son of a demon, is on the cusp of fulfilling his dark legacy and solidifying world domination when he crosses path with Amma, a bubbly thief with some secrets of her own.

After accidentally magically linking to each other, Amma is forced to join Damien as he travels across the realm, leaving Damien torn between his villainous birthright and a different, more virtuous path.

This is the first book in a new cosy romantasy series and ideal for anyone looking for a feel-good fantasy read with a grumpy x sunshine romance and plenty of comedic relief and banter throughout.

You can pre-order Throne in the Dark, out November 4, now.