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?
I absolutely loved Amor Towles “ A Gentleman in Moscow”. Netflix did a series on it that was pretty good and close to the book. But it’s a must read for the beautiful turn of phrases.
Thank you for the book recommendations. I’ve read some of them, and added several of them to my wish list! A book that I read lately that I really enjoyed was Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen.
p.s. – I forgot to mention that I’ve read all the Louise Penny “Three Pines” series of books. Her latest book “The Grey Wolf” should be out this month. Great series that takes place near Montreal.
Thanks for your book suggestions in this post! From one avid reader to another: Tomson Highway “Permanent Astonishment “, Beth Powning “The Sea Captain’s Wife”, Kayte Nunn “The Botanist’s Daughter”, Guy Vanderhaeghe “August into Winter”, and all books by Anne Patchett.
Thank you!
I love reading and even better when the books are from the library! Don’t have a Kindle and really don’t want one because I feel I remember more when I read a book than quickly scan a screen…same with e-mails…really like the feeling of a card/letter and can reread as often as I want.
Loved “The Women.” Presently I’m on a Jenny Colgan reading binge…her Beach Street Bakery series. I prefer light reading so I’ll be able to sleep at night! lol
BTW, I bought the book light for myself and love it! There are times when the table lamp isn’t positioned closely so putting a “little light” on the book is helpful….plus it’s rechargeable! It was a great Christmas suggestion.
My eyes appreaciate a book light too
Such great book recommendations! I love reading Kristen Hannah And Lucy Barton. Another favorite author of mine is Elin Hilderbrand. Enjoy your tea and good book.
This is a great list, Jennifer! My favorite book this year is Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. It’s about an alien who comes to earth in the body of an infant and reports back to her home world using an 1980s fax machine. It may sound sci-fi, but it’s really not. It’s about the beauty of human relationships—mothers, friends, and dogs. I wish the main character, Adina, was my next door neighbor. Her observations on human behavior are hysterical such as why do people eat the noisiest food (popcorn) in movie theaters where quiet is mandated. It’s just a beautiful read.
It sounds great!
I always enjoy browsing your book recommendations for something new to listen to on Audible. I don’t recall how I stumbled upon “The Getaway Girls” by Dee McDonald. It might have been one of your recommendations, but it is a light hearted, comical tale of 3 60+s off on an adventure traveling from the UK through Europe to Amalfi, Italy. I so enjoyed reading a book about adventurous gals over the age of 60 for a change!
So glad Judy mentioned Dark Wives, I hadn’t realized there is a new Vera book by Ann Cleeves, one of my favorite authors. I read a lot and my 3 favorite books so far this year are Here One Moment (Liane Moriarty), The God of the Woods (Liz Moore) and All the Colors of the Dark (Chris Whitaker). I’ll have to check out the books you’ve listed, I did like the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store but I didn’t like Tom Lake for some reason.
So agree with you Isabelle on All the Colours of the Dark. Also read his We Begin at the End. Excellent books!
Currently reading Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea. Inspired by the his mother’s Red Cross service during WWII, the story centers on two women who work as “Donut Dollies” driving a Clubmobile in Europe to provide donuts, coffee and camaraderie to the troops. Very interesting read, especially if you liked The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
A nice recommendation of books Jennifer. I particularly like Kristin Hannah books but I haven’t seen the one you recommended so must look out for that.
It’s great to hold and feel a new book in your hand , don’t know about
you Jennifer I have never tried a Kindle and don’t think I ever will.
Love the photo of you cuddled up on sofa with a book and blanket, ahh the best things in life can be so simple , mustn’t forget a nice cup of tea as well, and a chocolate or two Mmmmm.
Regards,
Pamela UK .
I did order a Kindle but couldn’t get use to is, so I stick to adio books and paper ones. Chocolate improves just about everything except white pants 🙂 Have a great weekend
My book club which is multi age and the opinions are so varied because of life experiences, etc. is always lively and diverse opinions and great discussions. We just discussed “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Sutanto which was a delightful and unexpected read. We have 6 categories for each year and this was the Award winner category. Fun, unexpected read that I really enjoyed!
That sounds like a fun book club
Jennifer, thank you for your posts which I look forward to reading everyday. I also enjoy Kristen Hannah’s style of writing. The book “The Women” was one I could not put down. It was well researched and so well written; a page turner for me.
Thanks for being here Judy
Jennifer, these are great recommendations. My favorite is The Covenant of Water. What a beautiful story. I listened to the audio version read by the author and it was amazing. He brought the richness of the culture and the people of India to life!
I do love audio books too
Kristin Hannah’s The Women was brilliant. She researched for several years before writing this tale of a California girl trying to find herself. She volunteers to be a nurse in Viet Nam. The author shows what we were thinking at the time and how we treated everyone when they returned. From their service in the war. Great book.
Thanks
I just read the first two you recommended. One of my favorite books I have read this year is The Personal Librarian. I also liked Ask Not and The Boys in the Boat. I read a lot of diverse types of books.
Diverse is nice
The Personal Librarian is also one of my favorites.
The Lost Bookshop was such a good book! I was enchanted with this story, and am looking forward to reading the author’s next on, The Story Collector. Can’t-put-down books, definitely!
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves
I really enjoyed Incredibly Bright Creatures, which was another of your recommendations. Join you in recommending The Women. It was a moving story with which Vietnam era women will relate. Reading and enjoying Tell Me Everything (glad to have read Olive Kitteridge first, but not vital to enjoy Tell Me Everything). Love your taste in books and thank you for recommendations! It’s like a literary buffet for this voracious reader!
Reading is such a delight!
I am in the process of reading “Connie”. It is a memoir written by Connie Chung. I am only on Chapter 4 but so far it is a good read.
Thanks. I always thought she was a class act.
Lots of great recommendations. I’ve read Tom Lake and The Women. I enjoyed both a lot. I’m going to order some of your suggestions. I read a lot and I’m always looking for suggestions.