October 2025 TBR – books to read this month

For my October 2025 TBR, I’m balancing library books with books from my own shelves. I’m in the middle of far too many series, so this month, I’m trying to knock out a number of sequels. On top of this, I’m still craving plenty of non-fiction books, and this is where my library is coming in handy, because I picked up some good-sounding ones.

The post may contain affiliate links. This means that should you make a purchase after following one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

October 2025 TBR

Physical Books

Fly Me To The Moon Vol. 10 by Kenjiro Hata

From the day his parents named him, Nasa Yuzaki has felt connected to outer space…whether he likes it or not. His efforts to outperform the space program veer off course when an accident introduces him to Tsukasa, a mysterious girl with strange powers. Is she an alien, a moon goddess, or something else? Since she insists on marrying him, Nasa will have plenty of chances to find out!

Love is in the air, and not just for Nasa and Tsukasa! Yanagi Sensei is getting serious with her boyfriend, but she isn’t sure whether to commit. Tough-talking mechanic Nakiri has an admirer, but she isn’t sure about the basics of romance. And Kaname has a great idea to spice up everyone’s life—nude modeling! Then half the cast hikes into the mountains for a weekend of roughing it, where it soon becomes clear that Nasa’s impressive skill set doesn’t include any form of physical activity.

Komi Can’t Communicate Vol. 30 by Tomohito Oda

Socially anxious high school student Shoko Komi’s greatest dream is to make some friends, but everyone at school mistakes her crippling social anxiety for cool reserve. Luckily she meets Tadano, a timid wallflower who decides to step out of his comfort zone in order to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends.

Kawai isn’t used to defeat, but by the end of the study camp it’s clear that Komi has her beat in the one subject that really matters—Tadano’s affections! While Komi is happy that Tadano’s heart wasn’t actually up for grabs, her victory turns bittersweet when she sees how lost Kawai seems now that their battle is over. Can Komi turn a failed love rival into a true friend?

Spy x Family Vol. 9 by Tatsuya Endo

Master spy Twilight is unparalleled when it comes to going undercover on dangerous missions for the betterment of the world. But when he receives the ultimate assignment—to get married and have a kid—he may finally be in over his head!

Yor’s on assignment and finds herself up against a gang of assassins on board a luxury cruiser. Meanwhile, Loid and Anya each discover that bombs have been planted throughout the ship! Will their best efforts be enough to save the vessel?

One-Pound Gospel Vol. 2 by Rumiko Takahashi

A boxer without a prayer meets a naive nun who might be his only chance for salvation…and victory in the ring.

A talented boxer whose hunger for victory is eclipsed only by his ravenous appetite for hearty meals, Kosaku Hatanaka might have what it takes to be a true contender. Too bad his gluttonous gorging never fails to dash his hard-pressed coach’s dreams of managing a champion. Can the virtuous (and really cute) Sister Angela, a novice nun with a soft spot for hard-luck cases, help steer Kosaku down the path to righteousness–and victory in the ring?!

Four years ago, Kosaku pulled off an astounding upset in his pro test by KO’ing a big-time boxer. More than simply sending his opponent down for the count, Kosaku also managed to mangle this pretty-boy fighter’s teeth in the process. Now this toothless tyrant is ready for a rematch, but can Kosaku drop down an entire weight class to qualify for the bout? It is said that the weight of a fighter’s punch comes down to how hard he grips his fist, but will Kosaku ever get a grip on his pre-fight snacking?

Summertime Rendering Vol. 3 by Yasuki Tanaka

Unlocking Ushio’s message, Shinpei and the others learned about the secrets hiding in the old ward of Sou’s family clinic. Exploring the Hishigata Clinic site, they encounter Sou’s sister Tokiko! Is she a friend or an enemy? A vicious battle with the Shadows is about to start…”

Library Books

Papyrus by Irene Vallejo

Long before books were mass-produced, hand-copied scrolls made from Nile River reeds were the treasures of the ancient world. Emperors and pharaohs, determined to possess them, dispatched emissaries to the edges of the known world to bring them back. Exploring the deep and fascinating history of the written word, from the oral tradition to scrolls to codices, internationally bestselling author Irene Vallejo shows that books have always been a precious and precarious vehicle for civilization.

Through fascinating stories from history, insightful readings of the classics, and poignant personal reflection, Vallejo traces the dramatic history of the book and the fight for its survival. At its heart a spirited love letter to language itself, Papyrus takes readers on a journey across the centuries to discover how a simple reed grown along the banks of the Nile would give birth to a rich and cherished culture.

The Book At War by Andrew Pettegree

We tend not to talk about books and war in the same breath—one ranks among humanity’s greatest inventions, the other among its most terrible. But as esteemed literary historian Andrew Pettegree demonstrates, the two are deeply intertwined. The Book at War explores the various roles that books have played in conflicts throughout the globe. Winston Churchill used a travel guide to plan the invasion of Norway, lonely families turned to libraries while their loved ones were fighting in the trenches, and during the Cold War both sides used books to spread their visions of how the world should be run. As solace or instruction manual, as critique or propaganda, books have shaped modern military history—for both good and ill. 

With precise historical analysis and sparkling prose, The Book at War accounts for the power—and the ambivalence—of words at war. 

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree & Arthur der Weduwen

The history of the library is rich, varied, and stuffed full of incident. In The Library, historians Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world’s great collections, trace the rise and fall of literary tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanors committed in pursuit of rare manuscripts. In doing so, they reveal that while collections themselves are fragile, often falling into ruin within a few decades, the idea of the library has been remarkably resilient as each generation makes—and remakes—the institution anew.  

I hope you enjoyed my October 2025 TBR. What books do you plan to read this month?

2 Comments

  1. Good luck! The Book at War sounds interesting . Since it’s October I tried to put as many thrillers on my TBR.

    1. Author

      Thank you. I totally understand the pull to read thrillers in October, I may squeeze one or two in this month.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *