Bookseller Diaries, Folger Shakespeare, and Women in Comics: October Books Roundup

Our ongoing look at new books that have recently caught the eye of our print and online editors this month.

Return of the Bookseller Diarist by Shaun Bythell

The fourth in Bythell’s diary series which started with The Diary of a Bookseller, and marking 25 years since he took over The Bookshop in Wigtown, Scotland's second largest secondhand bookshop. Published by New Modern Arcade

Folger Shakespeare Library: Renewal and Revitalization by Stephen Kieran and Huwayda Fakhry

From Chronicle Books, this collection of essays is a richly illustrated account of the creation and renovation of the research library from 1932 to 2024.

Houdini's Library: Inside the spellbinding collections of the great illustionist by Eric Colleary

The first book chronicling Houdini’s personal collection, published on the centennial of his death by Abbeville Press. The oversize volume looks at his accumulated books, pamphlets, prints, clippings, playbills, and photographs which docment the history of magic and theatrical performance. Published to coincide with the major exhibition at the Harry Ransom Center.

Portrait of an Obsession: How England's Greatest Private Library was Built from the Ruins of Europe's Monasteries by Kelsey Jackson Williams

A fascinating account of 19th century bibliomania in England which concentrates on collector George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834) who sourced rare books in wartorn Europe everywhere from monastic collections to stolen goods to put together his own library, now part of the John Rylands Research Institute and Library in Manchester. Published by Oxford University Press.

Darkness Becomes Bright: On the Brief Life and Immortal Art of Edgar Allan Poe by Emily Ogden

From Viking, an examination of Poe's life and work, as well as the attraction of the horror and crime genres. 

Christmas Carols: An English Enchantment by John Potter

A fascinating and highly readable history of the English Christmas carol by Potter who is a lifelong singer as well as writer on musical matters. He traces their development from the secular medieval court via Victorian resurgence, and into the present day. Published by Yale University Press.

Inside the World’s Haunted Libraries by Courtney M. Block

A survey of library-based ghostly phenomena from around the world by librarian and paranormal researcher Courtney M. Block. Published by Bloomsbury.

Nathaniel Hawthorne: Parables, Fantasies, Fragments, edited by Robert S Levine

200 of Hawthorne’s collected microfictions taken from his private American Notebooks for the first time, arranged by themes including the writing life, divided selves, death, and imagined afterlives. Published by Library of America.

The Invisible Hand of Maria Edgeworth: How a Nineteenth-Century Novelist Taught the World Economics by Jeanna Smialek

An intriguing account of how the novelist worshipped by Jane Austen was also determined to feature economic topics and issues into her novels. Published by Knopf.

Women in Comics: Iconic Characters and Influential Creators from the 1890s to Today by Susan Kirtley and Nhora Lucia Serrano

A well illustrated look at the important roles women have played in comics, graphic novels, and cartoons over the last century, focusing on six frequent archetypes, the patriot, the working woman, the socialite, the fashionista, the reporter, and the spy. the book also highlights the work of female creators. From Black Dog & Leventhal.

820 Ebony/Jet: Visions of the Johnson Publishing Company by Barbara Karant

Photographer Karant's three-year documentation of the distinctive but now abandoned headquarters of the influential Black-owned Johnson Publishing Company at 820 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago with essays by Aaron Bryant, Cheryl Finley, Carla Williams, Jon Ott, Brenna Wynn Greer, and E. James West. Published by MW Editions.

Death in the Making by Robert Capa

A new edition of the book originally published in 1938 and now by ICP New York and Damiani Books, bringing together photographs by Capa and Gerda Taro from the Spanish Civil War.

A Story of Gastronomy & Wine, Château Haut-Brion Library by HRH Prince Robert of Luxembourg

Assembled since 2010 by Prince Robert, the Château Haut-Brion Library is the largest private collection of antiquarian wine and gastronomy books, artworks and artifacts, with more than 7,000 rare volumes, 471 historic menus and 100 restaurant wine lists. The book draws on 150 items to produce a history of wine, gastronomy and dining etiquette. Published by Rizzoli New York.

Vietnam by Don McCullin


Published by GOST Books, this is the first time McCullin’s Vietnam War photographs have been reproduced in a book dedicated only to this conflict, featuring around 100 black and white images and more than 20 colour photographs, half of which have never been previously published in print or exhibited.