In a world that rarely slows down, books offer a welcome escape, a chance to pause, reflect and be transported somewhere entirely new. From dark academia and psychological thrillers to bold memoir, mythology and music history, this month’s selection moves across genres and moods with ease. Whether you are in search of a gripping page-turner, a thought-provoking read or something completely unexpected for your next book club pick, these ten titles promise to entertain, challenge and stay with you long after the final page.
If Books Could Kill by Kate Eberle
A playful, genre-bending romcom-thriller, If Books Could Kill follows Roxie, who wishes herself into her favourite romance novel… only to land in a crime story instead. When her dream date turns into a literal fight for survival, she’s forced to team up with an anxious English professor to stay alive. Witty, fast-paced and full of meta twists, it’s a love story where fiction and reality dangerously collide. R395
All The Wicked by Catelyn Wilson
A dark academia sequel steeped in ancient magic and supernatural danger, All The Wicked follows Andy Emmerson as she’s pulled back into a world of demons, secret orders and restless spirits. When clues from a mysterious society lead her and Jae to Eidolon University in Edinburgh, they uncover rituals and powers that threaten to unleash hell on earth. Atmospheric and high-stakes, it’s a tense battle between forbidden knowledge and devastating sacrifice. R275
Jubilee by Robert Shearman
A radical, dark reimagining of the Doctor and the Daleks, this story revisits a world where humanity has imprisoned its last surviving Dalek in the Tower of London as part of a grotesque celebration of victory. When the Doctor is drawn into the event, buried truths about heroism, cruelty and moral compromise begin to surface. Haunting and provocative, Shearman’s retelling blurs the line between saviour and monster in classic Doctor Who fashion. R345
Ask Me by Deepa Paul
A bold, intimate memoir exploring love, desire and self-discovery, Ask Me follows Deepa Paul as she navigates an open marriage built on honesty, curiosity and emotional complexity. Moving between tenderness and hard questions, she reflects on pleasure, jealousy and the boundaries of traditional relationships. Thought-provoking and deeply personal, it challenges conventional ideas of how love is supposed to work. R320
Sharp Scratch by Heather Darwent
A chilling psychological thriller set inside the glossy world of wellness culture, Sharp Scratch follows Betsy as she arrives at the exclusive Carn retreat, promised healing, clarity and transformation. But as the rules tighten and the rhetoric of “fixing” becomes more unsettling, Betsy begins to question what recovery really costs. Dark, timely and deeply atmospheric, it unpacks manipulation, identity and the dangerous allure of control disguised as care. R275
The Audacity Experiment by Chris Corsini
A boundary-pushing self-development guide, The Audacity Experiment rejects one-size-fits-all advice in favour of personal exploration and radical self-trust. Blending breathwork, journaling, shadow work and interactive QR-led practices, it invites readers to “experiment” their way into change across five phases of transformation. Part workbook, part manifesto, it’s an unconventional, hands-on approach to rebuilding life from the inside out. R460
No Fair Maidens by Kim Willis
A lyrical blend of memoir, mythology and cultural history, No Fair Maidens follows Kim Willis as she journeys across the British Isles in search of forgotten female power. Drawing on ancient goddesses, folklore and landscape, she reclaims stories of women as wild, complex and elemental forces. Poetic and reflective, it offers a reimagined vision of womanhood rooted in myth, nature and transformation. R535
FLICK by Kate Lister
A bold, witty cultural history, FLICK explores women’s sexual pleasure across centuries, challenging the idea that sex positivity is a modern invention. From ancient goddesses to contemporary feminism, Kate Lister traces how women have desired, enjoyed and fought for autonomy over their own bodies. Informative, irreverent and eye-opening, it’s a spirited reframe of history through the lens of pleasure and power. R480
Given World by Melissa Harrison
A quietly unsettling literary novel set in the Welm Valley, Given World captures a rural community where spring’s familiar beauty is edged with growing unease. As strange events ripple through the village and private lives begin to fracture, long-held assumptions about marriage, memory and belonging start to unravel. Lyrical and atmospheric, it’s a subtle meditation on change, connection and the hidden currents beneath everyday life. R505
Rolling Stones by Bob Spitz
A definitive, clear-eyed biography of rock’s most enduring band, Rolling Stones strips back myth to reveal the chaos, chemistry and longevity behind Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the group that reshaped music history. Drawing on deep research and industry insight, Bob Spitz traces the debauchery, brilliance and creative tension that defined their decades-long reign. Epic in scope and rich in detail, it’s a portrait of a band still unmatched in scale and influence. R800
