8 Best New Books Out This Week From Judi Dench, Louise Kennedy and More—According to WW Editors!
From historical fiction to sci-fi thrillers, these books enthrall from the start!
Key Takeaways
- Woman's World Book Club returns with the best new books out this week.
- This week features a range of genres from sci-fi thrillers to romance and history mystery!
- Books are written by acclaimed authors Louise Kennedy, Marie Lu, Adele Griffin and more!
Greetings, book lovers! With a new week, comes countless new books—and Woman’s World is thrilled to announce our latest book club picks! This week, we have a variety of must-read titles from acclaimed authors like Kennedy Cole, Marie Lu, Lousie Kennedy and. more. These new reads, out now, will take you on unforgettable adventures through a variety of genres—from sci-fi thrillers to historical mystery, memoir, romance and beyond. As usual, we guarantee there’s something here for every type of reader and bookish mood.
Keep scrolling for all our must-read picks!
‘There Used to Be People Here’ by Kennedy Cole—Sci-fi thriller
Fans of The X-Files and small-town mysteries will enjoy Kennedy Cole’s debut novel, There Used to Be People Here. In 1970s Mississippi, Samuel Barkley is the only local Black detective. When he’s assigned a gruesome case, his plan is to keep his head down and his eyes on moving up in the police ranks. As his investigation leads him to a plane-crash cover-up, he’s stunned to discover it’s not a plane—it’s otherworldly. A stunning paranormal ride.
‘The Cursed Diamond’ by Anna Rasche—Historical mystery
A dual-timeline story about fate, obsession and the cost of ambition unfolds in Anna Rasche’s The Cursed Diamond. In 2010 New York City, Jennie is working in the Diamond District when she discovers a note reading “Not Safe” after a friend’s death. Next, she finds a jewelry box tied to a 100-year-old mystery and the Midnight Diamond, a rare gem rumored to bring ruin to its owners. In 1910, an heiress smuggles the diamond. Can Jennie finally break the curse?
‘The Apparent Trap’ Ali Rosen—Witty romance
Reading an Ali Rosen love story feels like stepping into a Nora Ephron movie (think When Harry Met Sally), and her new novel takes readers to fall in New York. The Apparent Trap follows show producer Ezzie, who enjoys her strict routine. But when her dad starts dating her show’s younger co-anchor, Ezzie’s life unravels. Plus, her dad’s new love is the daughter of Lee Morgan, the chef who stood her up. Soon, schemes and sparks ensue!
‘First Love Last Love’ by Adele Griffin—Sweeping love story
When Adele Griffin wrote her novel, First Love Last Love, she wanted to answer the question: What happens when the great love of your life suddenly returns? Vida Jamison’s life as a doctor, wife and mom is reliable… Well, aside from her current marital separation. But all it takes is a winter storm and a chance encounter with her first love, Elijah Beck, to turn it upside down. Elijah is a music star now, but Vida wonders if there’s more to their story.
‘One-Pot Pasta’ by Nora Singley—Time-saving one-pot cookbook
Nora Singley is a California-born, New York–trained recipe developer and professional cook for more than two decades—and she’s also the cook who discovered the one-pot pasta method in Italy! In her new cookbook, One-Pot Pasta, she shares 45 delicious recipes, from beloved classics to creative new favorites, like Red and Yellow Pepper Bucatini and Lemony-Leeky White Bolognese. The best part: Each delicious dish is made in a single pot, pan or skillet for easy, flavor-packed yet fast meals with minimal cleanup. It’s a pasta lover’s dream!
Audiobooks
‘Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?’ by Dame Judy Dench and Brendan O’Hea
From her classic stage performances as Ophelia, Juliet and Lady Macbeth to her iconic film roles in Iris, James Bond and Shakespeare in Love, Dame Judy Dench has lived an extraordinary life. In Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, she sits down with Brendan O’Hea, her friend and writing partner, to discuss life on the stage and screen and off! From spilling funny anecdotes to dissecting her film roles and reflecting on her joyful marriage to Michael Williams and her love of nature and animals, this warm account feels like catching up with a dear friend.
‘Stations’ by Louise Kennedy
Listeners travel to 1980s Ireland in Louise Kennedy’s Stations—narrated by acclaimed Irish actress Brid Brennan. Róisín and Red first meet as teenagers and form an unlikely friendship. Róisín is a rule follower struggling with her own family issues, while Red has a rough reputation. After a run-in with the law, Red flees and starts a new life in England. As the years go by, they grow apart. During Christmas one year, Róisín travels to London to see her estranged father and reconnects with Red. A novel of love, friendship and difficult choices.
‘Mortal Things’ by Marie Lu
Fantasy and romantasy fans alike are in for the ultimate adventure in Marie Lu’s riveting new saga, Mortal Things. Rose despises Raven, the god of Death, but serving as his Harbinger is the only way to keep her best friend alive. When a murder thrusts her into the running to become his heir, she must prove herself to the gods—with the help of Étienne Beauchard, a sly, handsome Harbinger who becomes her rival. But as their tension simmers, they uncover a dangerous secret threatening the entirety of the immortal realm.
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A version of this article originally appeared in the November 16, 2026 print issue of Woman’s World.
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