Fall Book Report

Classics, new releases, and a peek at my fall reading list 🍂📚

Now that we’re approaching peak cozy season, I keep visualizing a scene that looks something like this: You’re sitting on a comfy couch, ensconced in bountiful pillows, and covered in a favorite blanket. Music plays softly in the distance. Outside, the sky is overcast, and the wind whistles. The sweet, earthy scent of a new candle swirls around you; its glow warms your soul. A mug of something steamy sits by your side. In your hands, a book.

In this post, I hope to inspire your fall reading adventures: whether you’re looking for something old, something new, or are curious what’s on my autumn reading list.

Classic Fall Reads

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Historical, Horror)
I’ve had (two!) copies of this sitting on my bookshelf for years and can’t imagine a better season than this one to dive into the true story about the serial killer who wreaked havoc at the 1893 World’s Fair.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (Spooky, Magical)
Orphaned sisters find out that they are descended from a long line of witches. Since I still haven’t seen the movie, I’ve always been curious about exploring the book first!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (Spooky, Lighthearted)
The newest on the “classics” list, but one I’ve had on my TBR list since its release! This is touted as “heartwarming” and follows an isolated witch who learns to embrace a new family, and love!

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout (Cozy)
Recovering from the death of her husband, a woman strikes up an unlikely friendship with a Harvard professor, set against small-town Maine. Though this is a sequel, it can definitely be read as a standalone. Also, this cover is just screaming (whispering) cozy fall.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Gothic, Moody)
It’s hard not to be intrigued by a book described as a “destructive love story”—especially one written by Emily Brontë. If you haven’t caught the trailer for Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film adaptation, it’ll surely pique your interest.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Psychological, Academia)
A book about a group of eccentric students at an elite New England college? Say no more!

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New Fall Releases

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (Friend Story)
Release: September 16, 2025
Follow five black women through all the ups and downs of their 20-year friendship. I love that this story begins in the late 2000s and promises nostalgia moments. One small note — a podcast review from Sarah’s Bookshelves Live described this one as more literary than advertised.

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny: A Novel by Kiran Desai (Romance / Literary)
Releases: September 23, 2025
I love long, epic love stories, and this sounds like it fits the bill, following two young people whose stories intersect and diverge across years and continents (the US and India). Plus, that gorgeous cover!

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (Mystery)
Release: September 20, 2025
From the Thursday Murder Club series comes a new story about four retirees who solve a missing person’s case while planning a wedding. I hope it’s as zany as it sounds!

Little Movements by Lauren Morrow (Creative / Literary)
Release: September 9, 2025
A Black woman follows her dream of becoming a dance choreographer, only to realize it comes at a cost. Stories about creative people are like catnip for me!

The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore (Cozy Romance)
Release: September 11, 2025
Save this one for the end of fall and a lead in to Christmas! Only good things inside this book: an enemies-to-lovers story in a small town, with a guaranteed happily ever after! I haven’t read any of the other books from this author, but they all sound like warm hugs!

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (Fantasy / Speculative)
Release: October 28, 2025
I’m not a fantasy girl. I tried and failed reading A Court of Thorns and Roses last fall, but this cover is so gorgeous, it might just entice me to give the genre another shot. I appreciate how this book is presented as “genre-defying” and follows a lady knight and a reluctant historian who fight time and space to rewrite their fates. I’m intrigued!

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A Look at My Fall TBR Pile

My first iteration of this list was twice as long, but after doing some light autumnal math and forcing myself to save a few titles for the winter, here’s the final cut:

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
I’ve listened to countless book-related podcasts in the past couple of weeks and every one of them mentioned this book. The story follows two couples from pre-WWII through the end of the 20th century. My favorite era! I already nabbed a copy from the library and can’t wait to dig in this week!

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
Though I’m sad that queen of beach reads has retired from her Nantucket and island stories, I’m thrilled with the turn she’s taking with this new project — a collaboration with her daughter — that’s set at a boarding school.

Heart the Lover by Lily King
I’ve had several of Lily’s books in past TBR piles, but have yet to read one. I’m excited for this newest release to be my first — another academic story — this one about a love-friendship triangle. Of all the books on my fall reading list, this is the one I’m most anticipating!

The Incredible Kindness of Paper by Evelyn Skye
It’s been such a joy to discover and make my way through the catalog of the podcast Creative. Inspired. Happy. from Evelyn Skye, and I’m intrigued to read her latest, about pen pals! I can think of nothing cozier to enjoy during the fall.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley
This one has been sitting on my bookshelf for years, and though I’ve heard mixed reviews from friends, I’d still like to give it a shot, especially once we get to October, when I’ll be craving something a little spookier. I imagine that a mystery set on an island off the coast of Ireland will fit the bill.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
I grabbed this one upon the recommendation of my writing friend Shannon, when we were visiting the used book fair in St. Louis in May, and I’ve been saving it for the fall reading season. This is the oldest title on my list, written in 2001, about a secret library of forgotten books in post-war Barcelona, and the mystery of a missing author whose past is being erased.

💬 Your turn!
What book(s) are you most excited about reading this season? Did you spot any titles on this list you’ll be adding to your book pile?

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✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts

1. Set the scene for a dream reading session: describe it in a paragraph, dictate a voice note, draw a picture, and then bring it to life!

2. Suggest a favorite fall read to a friend and ask them to share a recommendation with you.

3. Cultivate your fall reading list.

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

1. I started my official autumnal Gilmore Girls rewatch, and this time I’m pairing it with Gilmore to Say Podcasts’ Gilmore Revisited series. It was such a treat to meet the hosts, Tara Llewellyn and Haley McIntosh, at PaleyFest in March, and I’ve so been looking forward to this listen-along.

2. It was a good writing week! I had a lovely chat with some of my writing buddies on Wednesday, and on Thursday, I received another full request from an agent!

3. I couldn’t resist these fall goodies from Whole Foods: Pumpkin Spice Popcorn and Acorn Spice Hand Soap.

4. I started the great garage clean-out. It’s not looking pretty yet, but we are on our way!

5. My husband and I celebrated 17(!) years of marriage with a relaxing day at home: we walked to the beach, ordered pizza, watched old episodes of Jeopardy, and worked on a puzzle. I think the 25-year-old version of me would be so happy about how things turned out. 🥰

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

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