Alta Journal’s California Bestsellers List (November 6, 2025)

Alta Journal presents the bestselling books at independent bookstores across Northern and Southern California for the week ending November 2, 2025, based on data from the California Independent Booksellers Alliance.

This Week’s Top Titles

Twice by Mitch Albom
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
The Black Wolf by Louise Penny

Journalists Turned Authors Featured

The list highlights notable works by journalists who have become authors. In Kingmaker, British journalist Sonia Purnell explores the complex life of Pamela Harriman, a political activist and socialite. Known primarily as Winston Churchill’s daughter-in-law, Harriman is also portrayed as an ambitious diplomat.

"Harriman was also a shrewd diplomat and an ambitious woman," Purnell reveals in the biography.

Music writer and filmmaker Cameron Crowe shares his memoir The Uncool, recounting his youth in Palm Springs and his experiences touring with iconic musicians such as Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. Crowe is best known for inspiring the 2000 film Almost Famous.

Additional Information

For a complete list of bestselling titles and categories, visit the California Independent Booksellers Alliance.

Source: California Independent Booksellers Alliance

About the Editor

Elizabeth Casillas is an assistant editor at Alta Journal. She graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and has contributed to publications including the Poly Post and Enspire Magazine.

Author’s summary: This list celebrates bestselling independent bookstore titles in California, spotlighting notable biographies and memoirs by accomplished journalists and authors.

Alta Journal — 2025-11-07