Sweater weather? More like “settle down with a book” weather – and we are here with recommendations.
Isaac Fitzgerald stopped by the 3rd Hour of TODAY on October 17 to share books ranging from spooky to sweet.
Fitzgerald's next book is a memoir calledAmerican Rambler“, in which he follows in the footsteps of the legendary Johnny Appleseed – literally.
The book will be published in 2026 and will chronicle Fitzgerald's epic walking journey from Massachusetts to Indiana, following the same path as the American folk figure.
Listen to his recommendations for October 2025 below.
Best creepy read
Fitzgerald describes the novel as “part Stranger Things, part Stephen King.”
The book follows two characters: Madison, who is hiding something sinister at a cult fitness program, and Johnny, a former indie rock star who retreats to a cottage to detox and then finds himself being stalked.
It's “a gripping story with a twisty, satisfying ending,” he says.
Best book for the screen
HBO's new series It: Welcome to Derry, released this October, is a prequel to Stephen King's It. The series sees Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise and delving into how he came to haunt a town that was once peaceful.
If you're fascinated by the history of this Maine town, read the book that chronicles it all.
Best Romance
Looking for romance without the clichés? Fitzgerald says this romantic comedy is for you.
Overdue follows Ingrid, a librarian, exploring love after she and her long-term partner agree to take a break to explore another relationship. At work, she falls in love with her brooding but gentle co-worker Macon.
The book “is a charming ode to second chances, self-discovery and finding home in unexpected places,” says Fitzgerald.
Best Cozy Reading
Fitzgerald calls this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “dazzling and full of death.” Set in ancient Polynesia, this novel explores “love, strength and survival against the incredible backdrop of the ocean.”
“Adam Johnson's storytelling is unique – imaginative, gripping and deeply researched – and many of his pages move at an impressive pace,” he says.
Best nostalgic read
Peanuts is 75 years old, and this artful collection is an incredible tribute to Charles M. Schulz and his timeless characters.
“Packaged in a beautiful slipcase, this behemoth is filled with comics, artwork, rare ephemera, and thoughtful essays from Schulz insiders and fans,” says Fitzgerald.
