As autumn quickly gets colder and darker, it's the perfect time to pull up a comfy chair, make a piping-hot beverage, and settle in with a good book. This curated list includes a selection of memoir, historical fiction, crime fiction, and more — both brand-new and recently released — that are also available in accessible formats like audio and large print. New copies can be found in bookstores throughout the East End, including BookHampton in East Hampton Village, Sag Harbor Books, and Barnes & Noble in Bridgehampton — or put your library card to good use and pick up any of these titles from your local library.
"Cloistered: My Years as a Nun" by Catherine Coldstream
Publication date: March 7, 2024
Hardcover: $30
A memoir told by the novitiate herself. This book opens a window for the reader into a quite literally closed community of nuns in England. The author highlights her struggles and triumphs living in silence, working with her fellow sisters, and communing with God. The audiobook is a particularly immersive option, as the author acts as the narrator.
"The Collector's Daughter: A Novel of the Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb" by Gill Paul
Publication date: Sept. 7, 2021
Paperback: $13.59
A fictional retelling of the very real discovery and opening of King Tut's tomb, which includes the main players cast as characters. This book immerses you in the sights and sounds of 1920s Egypt and sprinkles in a little real-life romance and the supernatural. Available in large print and audiobook formats.
"The Marlow Murder Club" by Robert Thorogood
Publication date: January 7, 2021
Paperback: $16.99
Are you looking for a cozy mystery this fall? Then "The Marlow Murder Club" is going to be an ideal choice. Featuring three lovable and unique main characters, including a crossword-setter, a vicar's wife, and a dog walker, this novel is set right along the Thames in a quiet town where nothing bad ever happens -- until now. Together, these three women set out to solve a murder. If you like this book there are two more in the series, with a fourth book set to be published in January. PBS also released a television show based on the series on Oct. 27. Available as an audiobook.
"The Missing Half" by Ashley Flowers
Publication date: May 6, 2025
Hardcover: $30
The award-winning podcast host Ashley Flowers is about to release her second crime novel, "The Missing Half," about two women coming together to solve the mystery of their missing sisters. You may know Ms. Flowers from podcasts including "Crime Junkie," "The Deck," and "So Supernatural," to name a few. Her first novel, "All Good People Here," published in 2022, was a Publishers Weekly best seller and we can expect the same from her second novel, which will also be published in large print and audiobook formats.
"The Only One Left" by Riley Sager
Publication date: June 20, 2023
Hardcover: $28
Riley Sager has released another nail-biting whodunnit tale, this one set in a picturesque cliffside mansion on the coast of Maine. This mystery follows two timelines: a crime that was committed in 1929 and the "modern day" (1983) attempt by a home health aide to unravel the mystery with the help of her mute and disabled patient. It will keep you guessing until the end. Available in large print and audiobook formats.
"The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier" by Ian Urbina
Publication date: Aug. 20, 2019
Paperback: $21
The investigative journalist Ian Urbina did a massive amount of boots-on-the-ground, or in this case, boots-on-the-boat, research for this nonfiction title. "The Outlaw Ocean" explores crimes committed at sea and the often convoluted and confusing jurisdiction of international law. Each chapter explores a different offense, including illegal whaling, stowaways, ocean slavery, and piracy, to name a few. A truly fascinating read! Available as an audiobook.
"The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond" by Debra Whitman, Ph.D.
Publication date: Sept. 10, 2024
Hardcover: $29.99
Worried about aging? Well, don't. Dr. Whitman has it all covered in her latest self-help title, which answers a multitude of the questions we ask ourselves as we get older, including questions on health, retirement, and finding meaning in our lives. The book is backed by the author's research, interviews, and personal stories. Available as an audiobook.
"Whalefall" by Daniel Kraus
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2023
Hardcover: $27.99
You will be on the edge of your seat while reading this book. Our main character has the misfortune of being swallowed by a sperm whale while scuba diving, and a harrowing story of how to survive the impossible follows. A heart-pumping, adrenaline-inducing tale. Available in large print and audiobook formats.