On our Best October books episode, Kirkus’ editors share their top titles for the month. Then Kate McKinnon joins us to discuss Secrets of the Purple Pearl, book two in her #1 New York Times-bestselling middle grade series, “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science” (Little, Brown, September 30). “In a race against their enemies, the Porch girls must find a peculiar pearl in order to foil a fiendish plot… Unforgettably quirky, fast-paced fun” (starred review).

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Author-illustrator YY Liak joins us to discuss Curious Coffins and Riveting Rituals: Death Practices Around the World (Chronicle Books, September 30), a vibrant volume Kirkus calls “an endearing and lighthearted look at the fate that awaits us all.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.

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Bestselling author Leni Zumas (Red Clocks) joins us to discuss her latest novel, Wolf Bells (Algonquin, September 16). “A young girl and her autistic cousin seek refuge in an intergenerational community,” Kirkus writes in a review of this “tender and well-told story about the meaning of family.” Then our editors recommend their top picks in books for the week.

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