It’s officially September, which means one thing: we’re all about the cozy, fall books.
We’ve been avidly reading for years and began producing monthly book reviews once 2024 kicked off. You can say we’re very much immersed in the book community, whether we’re eyeing the new Reese’s Book Club pick or Rory Gilmore’s reading challenge.
Naturally, the Post Wanted team had to put together a curated edit of the best fall books we recommend picking up ASAP. Better yet, we highly encourage you to listen to these titles on Audible, so you can hit your reading goals whi🗹꧙le on the go.
RELATED: Best thrillers and murder-mystery books
Ahead you’ll find the top books we recommend, spanning different genres with detailed notes for each title. We’re just as excited to cozy up with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee as you are.
Best Fall Books
Goodreads rating: 4.38/5 stars
About the book: “Where The Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens is a compelling blend of mystery and coming-of-age story that follows the life of a solitary young woman who grows up in the marshes of North Carolina and becomes entangled in a murder investigation that reveals deep secrets about her past and the community.
“‘‘ follows Kya, who learns to raise herself in the wild marshes of North Carolina when she’s abandoned as a little girl,” Witherspoon said. “She gets wrapped up in heart-wrenching loneliness, painfully beautiful romance and even a murder mystery that shocks the community.”
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Goodreads rating: 3.97/5 stars
About the book: “The Mother-in-Law” by Sally Hepworth is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complex and often fraught relationship between a woman and her mother-in-law. Over the course of the novel, dark secrets are revealed and hidden tensions threaten to unravel their lives.
Oh, this thriller took us on a ride. Filled with family drama, suspense and engaging characters, “The Mother-in-Law” is a title we still think about.
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Goodreads rating: 3.84/5 stars
About the book: “The Family Game” by Catherine Steadman is a suspenseful thriller about a woman who becomes entangled in a dangerous and high-stakes game with her fiancé’s wealthy and secretive family, leading to shocking revelations and perilous consequences.
A book so good, we got our entire family hooked to read it next. If you’re a fan of page-turning thrillers with a competitive edge, you’ll become immersed in this sensational plot with twisty turns.
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Goodreads rating: 4.49/5 stars
About the book: “The Third Gilmore Girl” by Kelly Bishop is a memoir that offers an intimate and insightful look into the actress’s career, focusing on her iconic role as Emily Gilmore on “Gilmore Girls” and her experiences in the entertainment industry.
Welcome to September, the advent of the “Gilmore Girls” binge-watching season on Netflix. What better way to immerse yourself in the autumnal ambiance of the show than with this new title we’re all fishing to read ASAP? You’ll receive a behind-the-scenes look at the show and Bishop’s lively, personal experiences.
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Goodreads rating: 4.16/5 stars
About the book: “September” by Rosamunde Pilcher is a compelling family saga that explores the intertwining lives of various characters in a picturesque Scottish town, delving into themes of love, loss, and personal growth throughout a transformative autumn.
How could we skip over a title that’s aptly named for the fall season and with a plot that evokes all the fall vibes? “September” by Rosamunde Pilcher is widely loved, immersive, and character-driven: the ideal book to cozy up this next.
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Goodreads rating: 3.86/5 stars
About the book: “An Ambush of Widows” by Jeff Abbott is a gripping thriller about two widows who uncover dark secrets and face dangerous conspiracies after their husbands’ deaths, leading them on a high-stakes quest for truth and justice.
We finished this book in a day. Seriously, it’s that good and one of the most jaw-dropping thrillers you’ll read. With one of the most unique plots, too, it’s filled with character drama and multiple perspectives that’ll keep you on your toes.
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Goodreads rating: 4.08/5 stars
About the book: “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen explores the contrasting approaches to love and marriage of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, as they navigate societal expectations and personal challenges in 19th-century England.
As one of the best classics I’ve read, “Sense and Sensibility” is the underdog novel compared to the author’s “” and focuses a bit more on relationship dynamics that are applicable to everyday life.
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RELATED: Best contemporary romance novels
Goodreads rating: 3.96/5 stars
About the book: “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert is an inspiring guide to living a creative life, offering practical advice and encouragement for embracing curiosity, overcoming fear, and pursuing one’s artistic passions with courage and authenticity.
If you’re someone who finds seasonal depression looming, then “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert is the book for you, to hopefully reinvigorate that inspiration and spark that you may have had in January, when the year began. Filled with practical knowledge and wisdom, it remains one of our favorite nonfiction reads.
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Goodreads rating: 3.59/5 stars
About the book: “The Long Game” by Elena Armas is a romantic comedy that follows a determined woman and a charming, strategic football player as they navigate their contrasting ambitions and unexpected chemistry while learning about love and personal growth.
For the perfect fall rom-com, look no further than “The Long Game” by Elena Armas. The small town location is a standout among other relationship-driven fiction books we’ve read, and we loved the chemistry among the love interests, most of all — definitely one of our favorite fall romance books of the year.
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Goodreads rating: 4.34/5 stars
About the book: “11/22/63” by Stephen King is a sci-fi thriller about a high school teacher who discovers a time portal to the past and attempts to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, only to face unforeseen consequences and challenges along the way.
“11/22/63” by Stephen King may be the best of Rory Gilmore’s book list. With one of the most engaging plots, King takes you through history in this immersive read that’s action-packed and filled with heart. It’s also a mini-series on .
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Goodreads rating: 4.16/5 stars
About the book: “Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family” by Robert Kolker is a compelling true crime and psychological exploration of a family grappling with the effects of schizophrenia, revealing both the personal struggles and broader implications of mental illness.
Highly reviewed and one of the best nonfiction books we’ve read, “Hidden Valley Road” is an impeccable, well-written psychological narrative that takes us behind the scenes of a family, making us question relationship dynamics and society at large.
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Goodreads rating: 4.16/5 stars
About the book: “Beware the Woman” by Megan Abbott is a tense psychological thriller about a woman’s descent into paranoia and danger as she uncovers unsettling truths within her seemingly idyllic life, challenging her trust and sense of reality.
Found: your next spooky fall read. Filled with what-happens-next energy, “Beware the Woman” is a book that’s so eerie and unpredictable, it’ll have you wanting more.
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What is the one book everyone should read?
What you read next is largely dependent on preference, though a hidden gem we wholly recommend is . It’s an immersive thriller that we feel isn’t discussed as widely as it should be. Plus, it’ll keep you on your toes.
What is the best Jane Austen book for autumn?
We’ve read all of Jane Austen’s novels and our favorite — though it’s difficult to choose only one – is Its relatability and character dynamics make it stand out from the rest, although all of Austen’s novels are impeccably written.
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