Although the end of beach read season is sadly in sight, there are plenty of excellent fall reads in the pipeline to get excited about. As an avid reader who devours nearly 200 books a year—and loves to stay on top of the latest releases from my favorite authors—I’ve rounded up 45 new titles everyone will be talking about this fall.
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Think of this as your roadmap to all of the new books worth reading before 2026 is over, whether you’re a) a fantasy lover eager for the next installment in Sarah J. Maas’s beloved A Court of Thorns and Roses series; b) want to see what Elin Hilderbrand has been up to since releasing her final Nantucket novel, or c) looking for a spooky read to tuck into as fall approaches. There are even holiday reads on the list!
My advice? Once you’ve decided which of these buzzy books you want to read, preorder them now so they’ll arrive on your doorstep come pub day. Think of it as a treat to your future self!
What it’s about: Long-buried family secrets come to light when a woman reaches out to the granddaughter she pushed away years before.
Why you should read it: This is equal parts a ghost story, a romance, and a magical novel set in a Southern small town.
The Three Graces of Pearl Street by Elizabeth Wellington Rollins
What it’s about: Three generations of Italian-American women find their lives–and secrets—colliding when they’re all forced to live under the same roof in New York’s Little Italy.
Why you should read it: This is a family drama chock-full of humor, heart, and delightful food writing.
Under Story by Chloe Benjamin
What it’s about: A former scientist working as a dishwasher on an Antarctic research base tries to convince her ex-husband that a rabbit hole into a new universe is opening in the ice.
Why you should read it: Not only is this a thrilling sci-fi love story, but it’ll leave you thinking about all of life’s “what-ifs.”
Love Felt Like This by Julie Olivia
What it’s about: A grumpy rockstar-turned-single dad finds a new songwriting muse in a children’s television producer, as they team up to revive a beloved variety show.
Why you should read it: Olivia’s If It Makes You Happy was one of fall 2025’s best romances, so I have high hopes for this musical follow-up!
See You Next Tuesday by Kate Stayman-London
What it’s about: We follow Anya and Gabe through a decade of campaigns as they go from enemies to friends to lovers to bitter political rivals.
Why you should read it: This has all of the quick-witted political drama found in The West Wing, plus a healthy dose of swoonworthy romance.
What it’s about: When a Chinese-American student studying abroad in Taipei loses her grandfather suddenly, she’s forced to grapple with mysteries in her family history.
Why you should read it: While you might be familiar with Kuang’s epic fantasy novels, this is poised to be her most personal novel yet.
What it’s about: A historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley, an infamous Irish sea captain who risked it all to protect her people from a powerful regime.
Why you should read it: I’ve been eager to see how Lawson would follow up the runaway success of her 2024 novel The Frozen River, and this promises the same resilient female lead.
What it’s about: Two brilliant women in 1950s Cambridge, Massachusetts, become immersed in a secret society of witches.
Why you should read it: It’s going to be a very witchy fall! Not only am I excited for Hoffman’s spooky novel, but the sequel film to her beloved book Practical Magic drops on September 11.
Blue Jean Summer by Maggie Gates
What it’s about: A former pageant queen agrees to marry a desperate cowboy to satisfy his grandfather’s will—only to end up falling head over boots for him.
Why you should read it: Not ready to give up summer romances just yet? This marriage-of-convenience novel offers plenty of small-town charm to get you through sunny September days.
What it’s about: When a grim reaper sick of being deemed a villain tries to save a life, it draws the attention of a guardian angel skeptical of her intentions.
Why you should read it: B.K. Borison is one of the best romance writers around. Psst: This is the second installment in the Ghosted series, so you’ll want to scoop up Good Spirits first!
What it’s about: A woman destined to be forever cautious after the death of her mother during 9/11 finds an unexpected disaster threatening to upend her new marriage.
Why you should read it: Fans of Picoult’s classic novel My Sister’s Keeper will love how her latest connects to one of her most beloved books.
Proof of Progress by Elizabeth Castellano
What it’s about: A once-popular actress experiencing a career resurgence is forced to fulfill a long abandoned contract for her anticipated memoir.
Why you should read it: Who doesn’t love a bookish book? Plus, this is getting compared to The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, so I’m expecting lots of charm and whimsy.
What it’s about: The follow-up to last fall’s The Academy, exploring secrets, academic ambition, and first love in the midst of college admission season.
Why you should read it: There’s no better time to read a campus novel than a crisp fall day. Not to mention, I love how Elin co-wrote this series with her daughter!
Christmas in Austenland by Shannon Hale
What it’s about: A heartbroken woman wins a Christmas vacation to a Jane Austen-themed experience, where an unexpected visitor forces her to reopen her heart.
Why you should read it: This is a must for both Jane Austen fans and holiday lit lovers. While you don’t have to read the two other books in this trilogy first, they’re an absolute delight.
What it’s about: An antique shop owner and a farmer fake a relationship in order to save their legacies—but are forced to face the ghosts of their past.
Why you should read it: Lyla Sage is the master of Western romances. With a paranormal twist, this is perfect for fall.
What it’s about: Rising stars cast in an Andy Warhol biopic fall in love off-screen as their careers begin to blow up.
Why you should read it: After years of YA love stories and compelling nonfiction, this marks Green’s first adult novel. Trust me when I tell you it’s going to be one of the biggest books of 2026.
What it’s about: A Korean family upended by a shocking betrayal and a financial crisis leaves Seoul for Sydney, then Southern California.
Why you should read it: If you’ve read Lee’s historical epic Pachinko, then you’ll love this contemporary take on memory and the things we’ll sacrifice for the ones we love.
What it’s about: Galinda, the youngest of four children, attempts to come into her own amid her father’s string of bad business deals.
Why you should read it: Still have Wicked fever? This prequel novel will not only bring you back into the world of Oz, but explores who Glinda was before she met Elphaba (who has a prequel novel of her own!).
What it’s about: After her life implodes, a book lover rediscovers an author she loved in her 20s and begins to imagine what life might be like if she could befriend her.
Why you should read it: Any novel featuring a main character who loves books is a must-read in my eyes. Plus, early reviewers said this made them cry.
Trad Wife by Sarah Langan
What it’s about: A journalist nabs an exclusive story profiling a popular trad wife influencer, only to contend with horrors once she arrives on her idyllic farm.
Why you should read it: Novels about trad wife influencers have been buzzy this year (Yesteryear, anyone?), and I’m excited to see how this one stands out.
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw
What it’s about: The wife of a popular and powerful megachurch pastor finds her “rags-to-Rolex” life upended when secrets from her past come to light.
Why you should read it: Anyone who loves juicy, gossipy novels (with depth!) will devour this. It feels like you’re watching an episode of the Real Housewives.
What it’s about: A collection of 13 short stories starring characters from the Empyrean series and their beloved dragons.
Why you should read it: While this collection is unlikely to reveal what happened at the shocking end of Onyx Storm, it’ll be just enough to tide fans over until the fourth book is released.
What it’s about: After penning a debut novel years before, a critic can’t pass up the opportunity to review the author’s second book, spawning a literary feud—and a budding romance.
Why you should read it: Come for the enemies-to-lovers romance, stay for the bookish insider baseball. If you need any more encouragement, Emily Henry called this “a once-in-a-lifetime read.”
What it’s about: After the tragic death of his wife years before in a car accident, a man attempting to heal from his grief gets a letter from the woman who was behind the wheel.
Why you should read it: This promises to be a searing depiction of love, loss, regret, and forgiveness.
Friends and Family by Natalie Baszile
What it’s about: Two best friends find themselves at odds when the cops are called on their teenage children, leading to a traumatic police encounter for Nathan, Nora’s adopted Black son.
Why you should read it: This is the epitome of “book club fiction,” as the commentary on race, privilege and friendship will give you so much to discuss at your next meeting!
What it’s about: In this paranormal romance novella duology, we follow a con artist and a professor bound by an ancient book, then an ER doctor who is caught in the crossfire of an immortal woman.
Why you should read it: I was convinced we weren’t getting any new Ali Hazelwood books in 2026 after she dropped three novels last year (a well-deserved break!), so this is a lovely surprise.
What it’s about: Alba is an involuntary time traveler set on living a normal life, until she meets Nathan, a fellow traveler who leads her to the Museum of Lost Souls—and her mysterious stepsister.
Why you should read it: Although this novel is the long-awaited follow-up to The Time Traveler’s Wife, this kaleidoscopic magical love story can be read on its own.
What it’s about: A woman content with her modest life in her farm country hometown gets a call from an old lover, a man who knew her as a extraordinary pianist decades before.
Why you should read it: Kingsolver is one of the best writers working today. If you haven’t read Demon Copperhead, add it to your cart right now!
What’s it about: A woman wakes up in the hospital with amnesia and no memory of the past six years, only to learn that she’s married to the only man she’s ever despised.
Why you should read it: I guarantee this is unlike any other enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance you’ve read before. Bonus points for the slow-burn love story and endless yearning.
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches by Katie Ortiz
What it’s about: Three women are invited for a trial semester at Alabama’s most prestigious university, where they use magic to fight sexism and discrimination in the post-Civil War South.
Why you should read it: It’s no secret that Country Living editors love Southern-set fiction. Better yet when it includes a cast of incredible women and a premise tailor-made for spooky season.
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Madison McGee is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines, primarily reporting on home, tech, fashion, and books across titles like Cosmopolitan, Esquire, House Beautiful, Country Living, ELLE, Town & Country, and more. Prior to joining Hearst, she covered pop culture and trending news at BuzzFeed and worked in book publishing. Madison is a graduate of both the University of Mississippi and New York University, where she received her Master’s in book publishing and magazine media. When she’s not writing gift guides, product reviews, and sales and deals content, she’s probably exploring New York City’s independent bookstores or cheering on the Baltimore Ravens.
