The Best Books to Read for Fall
As we head into the weekend, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book and a warm cup of tea or coffee. Add a pot of soup simmering on the stove, and life is glorious. Fall is the perfect time to dive into some new reads. Many of you are voracious readers, and I love nothing more than to hear your recommendations. Here are some of the best books to read for fall that have crossed my radar. Please add your favorite books for me to check out in the comments.
If you’re looking for more book recommendations, check out these posts:
The Best Books to Read for Fall
Tell Me Everything
Tell Me Everything is a New York Times Bestseller by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout. It’s centered around a shocking murder that disrupts a small Maine town. The story unfolds with themes of love, loss, and the intricate bonds that tie the characters together. While this novel is technically part of a five-part series, this newest book (which was an Oprah’s Book Club Pick) can be enjoyed as a standalone. If you want to read the other four books in the series, you can find them here.
The Women
I know many of my readers are fans of Kristin Hannah. If you haven’t read any of her work, just know that she is a brilliant author who writes powerful historical fictions that take you on a roller coaster of emotion. Her latest release, The Women, is a captivating story of resilience, heartbreak, and empowerment. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this emotional, gripping read follows the lives of courageous women whose stories have long been overlooked. Perfect for readers looking for a poignant and deeply moving tale!
The Unmaking of June Farrow
The Unmaking of June Farrow weaves an enchanting tale of family secrets, time travel, and self-discovery. Set in a small, atmospheric town, this novel follows June as she unravels the eerie mysteries of her family’s past. It’s a haunting and immersive read if you’re craving a story that’s intriguing and a little otherworldly.
The Covenant of Water
Set in Kerala, India, The Covenant of Water follows a family through generations, where at least one member from each generation will drown. The story mixes history, medicine, and culture, making it a rich and heartfelt journey. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page!
The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness
For anyone dealing with chronic illness or wanting to understand it better, The Invisible Kingdom offers a powerful perspective on resilience, self-advocacy, and the need for empathy in healthcare. It explores the struggles of living with invisible conditions, shedding light on how misunderstood and isolating these experiences can be.
The Lost Bookshop
The Lost Bookshop is a heartwarming tale for book lovers and anyone who believes in the magic of stories. When a mysterious bookshop appears, it unlocks long-buried secrets and forgotten dreams for those who find it. With charming characters and a whimsical setting, this novel is perfect for anyone looking to get lost in a world where books have the power to change lives. If you like this one, you might also like to read The Story Collector by the same author.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is a powerful and deeply moving novel that brings to life a small-town community in the 1930s, filled with heart, hardship, and hope. Centered around a humble grocery store, it tells the story of unlikely friendships, racial tensions, and the fight for justice. It’s a beautifully written reminder of the strength found in standing up for what’s right, even in the toughest of times.
The Secret Life Of Sunflowers
The Secret Life of Sunflowers intertwines art, history, and family secrets. When a woman stumbles upon a long-lost Vincent van Gogh painting hidden in her grandmother’s attic, she uncovers more than just art – she uncovers her grandmother’s mysterious past. This novel is perfect for readers who love historical fiction with a touch of romance and mystery, all centered around the beauty of art and the stories it holds. It’s a heartwarming and intriguing story based on the life of Johanna Bonger, Vincent van Gogh’s sister-in-law.
Tom Lake
Tom Lake is a touching exploration of family and love from bestselling author, Ann Patchett. Set during the pandemic, a mother recounts her past romance to her daughters while they spend a summer in their family orchard. This heartfelt novel beautifully captures the complexity of relationships and the impact of choices. If you loved her previous bestsellers like Bel Canto and The Dutch House, you’ll find Tom Lake just as captivating and nostalgic!
The Pumpkin Spice Café
For all my cozy romance lovers, The Pumpkin Spice Café is perfect for when you want a lighthearted, feel-good read without any heavy drama! Reviewers say this book is like stepping into your favorite autumnal small town, filled with warm lattes, colorful leaves, and the kind of romance that feels like a Hallmark movie.
More Books to Read for Fall:
- Entitlement follows the intertwined lives of two families from different backgrounds as they navigate the challenges of ambition and privilege.
- The Dead Romantics is about a romance novelist who returns to her hometown after some unexpected twists in her life. There, she encounters a witty ghost that helps her navigate love and rediscover her creative spark in the most unusual way.
- If you’re looking for a feel-good story, check out The Keeper of Happy Endings. It’s about a talented seamstress whose creations have the magical ability to connect people seeking love and second chances.
Shop More of the Best Books to Read for Fall:
What’s the latest book you have read that you could not put down?
Your list includes many books that my book club have read recently, as well as some I have read on my own. Ann Patchett, Elizabeth Strout and Abraham Verghese are three of my favourite authors. I also usually love Kristen Hannah — her best was The Nightingale. If you have not read Still Life by Sarah Winman, I highly recommend it.
I just discovered author Karin Tanabe. I’ve read 3 of her 6 books and enjoyed them so much! Give her a try!
Enjoyed your list! I seem to gravitate to memoirs. Take Care of Them Like My Own by pediatric surgeon Ala Stanford is incredibly moving and inspiring. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, as she narrates.
I knew a nurse who served in Vietnam Nam. As a retired nurse visiting the memorial in Washington DC was very emotional for me. So grateful that a book was written about this.
for me.
I am glad to see Tell Me Everything at the top of your book recs. I am reading it now and enjoying more time with these returning characters. Elizabeth Strout is so good.
Love so many books. My most recent favorite was The Women by Kristin Hannah. What a moving novel. It took me back to those sad times.
The best book I’ve read in a long time is Trust. It is on B. Obama’s list.
Grace Burrows is a Regency Romance writer. Initially her books were romance with lots of erotica. She has changed to really charming Regency romance mystery without the erotic scenes. The author is an accomplished horsewoman, and her period details are fascinating and accurate. Her latest series, Lord Julian is wonderful. Book One: A Gentleman Fallen on Hard Times. All the books in this series are really great. Full disclosure: The author is also my sister.
Wow, that’s awesome Mary! They sound fabulous.
Thank you for your recommendations. I’m currently reading The Women. I tend to read mysteries, but I’m really enjoying The Women.
Thank you for your list!
I absolutely loved “The Women”!! I graduated from high school in 1965 and a lot of the guys in my class served in Viet Nam. “The Women” brought back a lot of painful memories and yet I couldn’t put it down.
I just bought The Dead Romantics on Audible! The preview got my notice. Thank you for this terrific book list. I have a gas fireplace in the living room and an old electric stove which looks real. The good thing about it is being able to turn it on without the heat and getting the ambiance in the summer. Can’t do that with the gas fireplace. I read on my iPad or listen to Audible books as my hands are too deformed with severe arthritis to hold a book. But we are all in love with the worlds that open to us in books.
I too am a voracious reader. Love reading Jennifer Weiner and particularly enjoy reading multigenerational family reads.