6 Fantastic Books New in Paperback This October

True-crime stories and serial killers hold a certain fascination. Bill James, legendary statistician and baseball writer, applies his analytical acumen to one specific case to crack a century-old unsolved mystery. Across the country between 1898 and 1912, families were bludgeoned in their sleep with the blunt side of an ax. Some cases received national attention, but most went unnoticed beyond the immediate communities. When Bill James began investigating, he made an astonishing discovery and learned the true identity of one of the deadliest serial killers in America. This is an incredibly readable narrative of a spectacular story.

I can’t imagine sitting down to write a biography of one of history’s most creative geniuses. Where to even start? But Walter Isaacson skillfully brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in his insightful portrait of the original Renaissance man. Isaacson bases his work on thousands of pages from da Vinci’s notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work. This luminous biography will satisfy readers looking for a work that covers all the different facets of his life.

I’m not sure I can say this any better than J. K. Rowling did when she called DEAR WORLD “a story of love and courage amid brutality and terror, this is the testimony of a child who has endured the unthinkable.” While fearing for her life in war-torn Syria, seven-year-old Bana Alabed took to Twitter to describe what she and her family were experiencing. She grew up knowing nothing but bombing, destruction, and an ever-pervading sense of fear. In her own words, with additional chapters by her mother, DEAR WORLD is a gripping account and a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

Each year, ABC airs new episodes of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, and millions of viewers devote copious hours to watching the new cast fall in (and out) of love. If you, like me, are one of the millions who can’t help but tune in each time, you’ll love reading Andi Dorfman’s latest memoir during this break between shows. In SINGLE STATE OF MIND, Dorfman shares moments with readers like moving to New York post-engagement, her first dates on “celebrity Tinder” and, finally, watching her ex-fiancé propose to another woman on national TV.

Have you heard of the hit musical Hamilton? I’m betting you have. Did you also know that it was inspired by the book ALEXANDER HAMILTON by none other than Ron Chernow? The Pulitzer Prize winner returns with GRANT, a sweeping and dramatic portrait of Ulysses S. Grant. The book is filled with fascinating details that history buffs will enjoy. GRANT is a deep look at a complicated man, and Chernow writes with lucidity, breadth, and meticulousness. This is a definitive biography of one of our nation’s great leaders.

Sarah Vaughn’s new novel is the latest thriller to make a big splash. Fans of sensational, clever, compelling thrillers will love tearing through ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL to find the truth. Sophie Whitehouse, the protagonist, loves her “perfect” life. But when her beloved husband, James, is accused of a terrible crime and their family is thrust into the spotlight, Sophie’s world is turned upside down. Is James guilty, or an innocent victim? Readers will love discovering whether Sophie ever really knew the man she married.