Book Notification Weekly Picks #15

By Vince MoralesSep 19th, 2025

Book Notification Weekly Picks: September 19th, 2025

Vin - Entertainment Editor

Welcome back to another week of picks. As always, if there are any genres or books you think we should include, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The more of these we do, the fewer choices we have. There are still very, very many choices, of course, just fewer of them.

I’ve been in a real reading rut for the past week or so. Everything I start just doesn’t quite hit right, or it disappoints me in some way, and I don’t feel like continuing. I’m usually pretty forgiving and can push through to finish no matter what, but the last book I finished was my absolute least favorite book I’ve read in quite some time, so I’m feeling a little snakebitten. Whenever I feel like this, I like to revisit something I read a long time ago and really enjoyed. I’d rather re-read something I know I love, especially at this time of year. Something about fall brings out the nostalgia.

When I was younger, I would never re-read anything. There wasn’t enough time for that, too much to get to. Now, I take pleasure in re-reading, just like I’ll watch a favorite movie or show over and over. It can be freeing in a way, not worrying about where it’s all going to go, and just enjoying the ride.

That’s all I have for this week. Let’s get to the picks.

Vince
Entertainment Editor @ Book Notification

Title: The Housemaid
Author: Freida McFadden
Before the Big Screen
Series: The Housemaid

Description: A housemaid working for the wealthy Winchesters becomes entangled in their lies and dysfunction until dark secrets and shifting power reveal far more than appearances suggest.

Title: The Bones at Point No Point
Author: D.D. Black
Genre: Detective
Series: Thomas Austin Crime Thriller

Description: Retired detective Thomas Austin is pulled back into investigating when bones surface on a beach, suggesting a copycat of the serial killer he once put behind bars.

Title: Beyond the Lake
Author: Sam Smith
Genre: Thriller
Series: Standalone

Description: After being kidnapped by a cult she doesn’t remember, a young woman must uncover the truth about her past to escape a dark and deadly fate.

Title: The Crazies
Author: Amy Gamerman
Genre: Non-Fiction
Series: Standalone

Description: In Montana, Rick Jarrett’s plan to build a wind farm sparks a fierce clash with wealthy ranchers, tribal activists, and corporate interests over land, power, and values.

Title: The Bromance Book Club
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Series: Bromance Book Club

Description: When his marriage falters, baseball player Gavin Scott turns to a secret men’s romance book club for guidance on winning back his wife’s trust.

Title: The Mayor of Noobtown
Author: Ryan Rimmel
Genre: LitRPG
Series: Noobtown

Description: Reborn into a game-like world, Jim becomes the lone adventurer in an abandoned beginner zone where monsters never learned to go easy on newcomers.

Title: Riders of the Purple Sage
Author: Zane Grey
Genre: Western
Series: Riders of the Purple Sage

Description: Jane Withersteen resists persecution from her Mormon community with the help of allies, while parallel struggles of loyalty, love, and survival unfold on the Utah frontier.

Title: Chain-Gang All-Stars
Author: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Genre: Dystopia / Post Apocalyptic
Series: Standalone

Description: In a brutal prison combat program promising freedom to survivors, gladiators Loretta Thurwar and Hamara Staxxx fight for survival, love, and humanity against a system built on exploitation.

Title: The Lies of Locke Lamora
Author: Scott Lynch
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Series: Gentleman Bastard

Description: In the city of Camorr, master thief Locke Lamora leads the Gentlemen Bastards in daring schemes until a deadly rival’s coup threatens everything he values.

Title: A Most Unlikely Duke
Author: Sophie Barnes
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Diamonds in the Rough

Description: A former boxer turned unexpected duke seeks guidance in high society, while his growing bond with Lady Gabriella risks scandal and tests the boundaries of love.

Title: People Like Us
Author: Jason Mott
Genre: Literary Fiction
Series: Standalone

Description: Two Black writers search for peace and belonging amid gun violence, their intersecting journeys blending satire, menace, and resilience in a world both absurd and perilous.

Title: Dirty Little Secrets
Author: Liliana Hart
Genre: Mystery
Series: J.J. Graves

Description: Mortician and coroner J.J. Graves teams with Detective Jack Lawson to stop a brutal killer in the quiet town of Bloody Mary, uncovering dark secrets that link the victims to her past.

Vince is the Entertainment Editor at Book Notification. His first book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and his passion for reading took off from there. He'll read just about anything, but can usually be found re-reading his favorite Pynchon novels and Seattle Mariners box scores.

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