What To Read This Fall

17 books to curl up with when the weather cools down

Seattle is experiencing a summer cool-down this week with subtle shifts toward cooler breezes, grayer skies, and bursts of drizzle. Though my feet are still firmly planted in flip flops, I find my mind drifting bit by bit toward fall. All things cozy are right around the corner, and what pairs better with soup and sweaters than curling up with a fresh new read?

I’ve been making my list and checking it twice, and am excited to share a big batch of buzzy books you can pre-order now, from domestic dramas to holiday romance…just in time for fall. Most of these come out next month, so you don’t have to wait long!

NOTE: I have not read any of these yet, but they are books that have piqued my interest for one reason or another, and I hope some of them pique yours, too!

THE LIFE IMPOSSIBLE by Matt Haig (available: 9/3)

Recently, Matt Haig posted a photo of himself on Instagram, smiling in sunglasses against the shimmering blue background of Ibiza, rough cliffs rising from the boat-dotted water. “Twenty-five years ago I tried to die near here,” Haig shared. He goes on to detail years of addition, crippling depression, and the transformative power of a great therapist. “So two Aprils ago I went back to the island,” he writes. “Back to the place I nearly died. And I realised it wasn’t the place. It was the person. It was me. And now I was someone else. And I saw a different Ibiza. A quite restorative natural blessed kind of place. It gave me calm. It gave me an idea for a story.”

This is that story, one about a widow who is the surprise recipient of an inheritance, desperate to change her surroundings and her life, and about the ripple effect a series of discoveries has on her new community. A starred review from Publishers Weekly states, “In Haig’s sure hands, magic comes to breathtaking life.”

Perfect for: Fans of The Midnight Library and Haig’s gentle, reflective writing and ability to condense big philosophical ideas into easily digestible yet poetic prose.

TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout (available: 9/10)

It’s autumn in Maine and the gang’s all here. Strout fan favorites Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, and Bob Burgess wrestle with the impact of a shocking local crime, while navigating love, loss, and regret over paths not taken.

Perfect for: Empathetic readers who value fully fleshed out characters grappling with the prickly landscape of humanity above all else. Lovers of the magical state of Maine and books in which the setting feels like its own wholly realized character.

HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty (available: 9/10)

I have a Post-it note taped to my desk that reminds me, “Liane Moriarty was 37 when she published her first novel.” At 40 and still trying to publish mine, it reminds me to have faith that there’s still a long runway stretched out in front of me.

Speaking of runways, in Moriarty’s new book, passengers on a short domestic flight are told how and when they will die. As the predictions start coming true, this story explores the idea of destiny and the countless things that are out of our control.

Moriarty is a master at weaving together multiple points of view (chapters in Nine Perfect Strangers rotate among—you guessed it—nine!), no easy feat for any author. The results are richly layered books brimming with meaning, connection, and consequence. This one’s a doorstopper at 512 pages, so save it for a rainy day or a lazy long weekend that’s begging for a big book.

Perfect for: Fans of Moriarty’s juicy smash hits such as Big Little Lies and Apples Never Fall. Readers who want a big, colorful cast of characters, lots of little puzzle pieces pulled from all different directions, and splashy, satisfying endings.

ENTITLEMENT by Rumaan Alam (available: 9/17)

“The way I read the last two thirds of (this) novel through my fingers, cringing!!!!” —Goodreads review by author Roxane Gay

The author of the popular yet divisive, love-it-or-hate-it Leave the World Behind (now a film I keep meaning to watch starring Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali) is back with “a riveting tale for our new gilded age, a story that confidently considers questions about need and worth, race and privilege, philanthropy and generosity, passion and obsession.” (Goodreads)

My brain was bursting with mixed feelings while reading LTWB. Whether or not his writing style is for you, Rumaan Alam’s mind is a fascinating place to explore.

Perfect for: Book clubs, fans of TV’s Succession.

THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM by Laura Dave (available: 9/17)

I was so utterly transfixed by Laura Dave’s monster hit The Last Thing He Told Me. I thought it was a near-perfect novel—a richly layered treasure and thrill to read. Needless to say, Dave’s upcoming release is High! On! My! List!

The Night We Lost Him follows siblings trying to piece together details of their thrice married father’s mysterious past and suspicious death. Dave’s slow burn, atmospheric family dramas have all the eerie/cozy fall vibes, and I have high hopes for this one!

Perfect for: A quiet night in when you want to unplug and get lost in a smart, soulful story.

WE SOLVE MURDERS by Richard Osman (available: 9/17)

I have not yet read this author, but my friend Kym swears by Osman’s Thursday Murder Club Mystery series which follows four septuagenarians on their amateur sleuthing adventures. Kym loves the spotlight on older characters (an age that is too often relegated to smaller supporting roles) and calls the series “ such fun, with quirky writing—just total laugh out loud stuff.”

We Solve Murders follows a retired father and his security guard daughter as they team up to solve a murder on a remote island.

Perfect for: Lovers of charming and quirky cozy mysteries like Nita Prose’s The Maid, fans of TV’s Only Murders in the Building.

INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney (available: 9/24)

I really liked the book Normal People by Irish author Sally Rooney, and was OBSESSED with the television adaptation (All the feels! All of them!!!).

I know Rooney can write, and I know she can make readers feel things, so I’m always curious about what she’s working on next. Her books are quiet, character-driven, deeply emotional, and Intermezzo—about polar opposite brothers navigating grief, estrangement, personal demons and, above all, love—fits that bill. Publishers Weekly calls it “a boldly experimental and emotionally devastating story of estrangement” in a starred review.

Perfect for: Readers of quiet, character-driven novels like The Rachel Incident and I Could Live Here Forever.

THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz (available: 10/1)

Yes, there is a sequel to one of my favorite novels, and it is called The Sequel. It’s the sequel to end all sequels, guys!

I was enamored with The Plot, which I read last year and reviewed as “an intoxicating story-within-a-story that is deeply layered, well-paced, compelling and expertly constructed.” It was truly, truly excellent. A sequel to The Plot?? SAY NO MORE. (As an aside, I’ve never seen a cover like this—featuring the new book literally on top of the book it follows. It kind of hurts my brain, but I’ll allow it.)

Perfect for: Writers who want to be better writers—reading Korelitz’s work was a master class for me on so many levels and I anticipate more of the same from The Sequel.

THE BOYFRIEND by Freida McFadden (available: 10/1)

If you follow the contemporary fiction charts even a little bit, you’re probably aware that psychological thriller author Freida McFadden is kind of a big deal. As of late July, her books occupied five (FIVE!!) slots on the “Top 25 Overall Bestsellers” list in Publishers Weekly. For context, Colleen Hoover ‘only’ hit the list three times that week.

I gobbled up the twisty, heart-pounding suspense in The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret. McFadden’s writing is fast-paced, unpredictable, and did I mention twisty as corkscrew curls?

The Boyfriend follows a 34-year-old woman who thinks she finally hit the dating pool jackpot—until her neighbor winds up dead and she begins to suspect the new man in her life is too good to be true—and might be her worst nightmare.

Perfect for: Fans of pacey, propulsive thrillers that keep you on your toes, furiously flipping pages and trusting no one.

REEL by Kennedy Ryan (new edition with bonus epilogue: 11/12)

I am late to the Kennedy Ryan party—Before I Let You Go has been on my to-read list forevvvver and I keep hearing it delivers and lives up to its hype. Reel was originally self-published and is being traditionally re-released in November with a bonus, brand new epilogue. Named a Best Romance of the Year by Entertainment Weekly, Reel is about a Broadway actress who catches the eye of a famous film director and quickly catapults to Hollywood fame—but when that single shot is laced with scandal, it could cost her everything.

Perfect for: Romance readers with a flair for the dramatic.

BLUEBIRD DAY by Megan Tady (available: 12/3)

I adored Tady’s debut, Super Bloom and was thrilled to hear she was releasing her second book just in time for the holidays (and ski season!).

From Goodreads: “In this hilarious, heartwarming tale, mother-daughter skiing champs face the bumps in their own relationship when an avalanche in a Swiss village forces them together.”

Tady’s writing is so bighearted, relatable, and truly funny. She has a way of sculpting her characters into the beautiful messes we all know and love (and are). I can’t wait to read BLUEBIRD DAY. Congrats, Meg!!

Perfect for: Curing your Olympics hangover, fans of TV’s Gilmore Girls, reading fireside after a long day on the slopes.

BONUS CONTENT (BATCH #1): Holiday Fiction!

KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS by Jenny Bayliss (available: 9/24)

I didn’t used to be someone who read holiday-themed romance books, but Jenny Bayliss helped change that for me. 2020 was a rough year and I ended it with her book, The Twelve Dates of Christmas. Yes, it was basically a batch of Christmas cookies in book form. Yes it was over-the-top festive at every turn. And yes, it was exactly what I needed—charming, heartwarming, and snow-covered.

From Amazon: “White Christmas meets Nora Ephron in Jenny Bayliss’ latest wholehearted, ensemble-cast holiday extravaganza."

Perfect for: Fans of Christmas musicals, Nora Ephron, festive reads and feel-good romance. Grab a glass of eggnog and dig in! It’s been a long year. You deserve it.

THE MISTLETOE MYSTERY by Nita Prose (available: 9/24)

Molly the Maid is back in this holiday novella about a Secret Santa gift exchange that launches Molly headfirst into a quest to solve her most personal mystery of all.

Perfect for: Fans of The Maid, festive reads, cozy mysteries.

A JINGLE BELL MINGLE by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone

(available: 9/24)

Julie Murphy (of Dumplin’ fame) and Sierra Simone team up for a trope fest of a holiday rom-com. Want opposites attract, under-one-roof, and second-chance-at-love all in a dreamy Vermont setting? Well friends, I haven’t read this yet, but based on the synopsis it sounds like it’s ALL HERE. Cheers!

Perfect for: Fans of steamy romance with a heavy dose of holiday flair (and if this is your jam, there are two other books in this festive series. The gift that keeps on giving!)

THE WEDDING WITCH by Erin Sterling (available: 10/8)

From the looks of it, this might be the best Christmas/Halloween mash-up since The Nightmare Before Christmas. Throw in a wedding, and do we even need other books??

“The New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Hex and The Kiss Curse brightens up the Winter Solstice with another delightfully spooky novel following Bowen Penhallow and the girl he feels strangely drawn to—especially when she becomes his only hope of salvation after a strong spell sends them to a Yuletide celebration... more than 50 years in the past.” (Amazon)

Perfect for: Fans of ALL the holidays. This is your equal-opportunity celebration-friendly book, friends! Be spooked, be merry, fall in love. Pick your poison.

BONUS CONTENT (BATCH #2): Cookbooks!

HALF BAKED HARVEST QUICK & COZY by Tieghan Gerard (available: 11/19)

HBH recipes are insanely delicious and beautifully presented, but can be just a *tad* fancier/fussier than I have time for some days. This new “quick and cozy” edition with many one-pot or one-pan meals is speaking my love language and I am here for it! Just in time for late November when I’ll be craving some fresh meal plans that have nothing to do with turkey or yams. : )

These 120 recipes promise to be “short on time yet big on flavor” — is there any better combo to be found in the kitchen?

Perfect for: Busy people who still want delicious, high-quality, home-cooked food when we can swing it (and really good take-out when we can’t).

WELL PLATED EVERY DAY by Erin Clarke (available: 10/15)

I love the original Well Plated cookbook for healthy twists on anything from breakfast breads to enchiladas to big colorful salads to feed your book club. The recipes in this follow-up collection are said to be lighter and quicker, mostly “ready-in-less-than-an-hour” main dishes. I might buy it just to make the Pumpkin Gingerbread Squares. YUM.

Perfect for: The health conscious cook who likes pretty (aka “well plated”) meals, and doesn’t want to sacrifice flavor.

Well…that’s all folks! I will disclose to only a few of my closest and most trusted friends how many hours it took me to research, write, and compile this list. But sincerely—I hope you find a book (or two, or ten!) here that sparks your interest and makes you a little more excited for FALL! It will be here before we know it.

Xo,

Beth