21 Big Books of Fall

Posted by Hayley on August 28, 2017
We miss fall reading. Every season is a good one for a reader (because every season has books), but we're ready to move on from summer. We have stormy nights waiting for us, hot drinks to warm our hands…and irresistible new books from some of our favorite authors.

Seriously, this season is going to be awesome for book lovers. We're getting highly anticipated stories from John Green, Stephen King, Jennifer Egan, Philip Pullman, Sarah J. Maas, and Dan Brown—as well as stunning literary debuts, buzzy political memoirs, and more.

Don't have time to read everything in sight? We know the feeling. That's why we crunched the numbers to find the books Goodreads members and early readers are adding to their shelves and loving. Every book on our list has a 4.0+ rating. Which ones catch your eye?


Fiction
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My Absolute Darling
by Gabriel Tallent

Against a backdrop of dangerous natural beauty, a half-wild girl works to escape her abusive survivalist father. [Read our interview with Tallent here.]
Release date: August 29


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Sing, Unburied, Sing
by Jesmyn Ward

Mississippi's past and present collide as a desperate mother takes her kids on a road trip to meet their ex-con father. [Read our interview with Ward here.]
Release date: September 5


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Little Fires Everywhere
by Celeste Ng

A defiant new tenant and an ugly custody battle shatter Elena's orderly life in this riveting read from the author of Everything I Never Told You. [Read our interview with Ng here.]
Release date: September 12


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Five-Carat Soul
by James McBride

From the recipient of the 2013 National Book Award comes a collection of insightful, surprising, and humorous stories about our struggle for identity.
Release date: September 26


Young Adult
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They Both Die at the End
by Adam Silvera

After getting the call from "Death-Cast" (a company that knows when everyone will die), strangers Mateo and Rufus meet up for a final adventure.
Release date: September 2


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Warcross
by Marie Lu

Hacker and bounty hunter Emika enters a deadly virtual reality combat tournament as a contestant—and as a spy.
Release date: September 12


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Turtles All the Way Down
by John Green

In the author's first novel since The Fault in Our Stars, plucky Ava accidentally gets wrapped up in the mystery of a fugitive billionaire.
Release date: October 10


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La Belle Sauvage
by Philip Pullman

A boy and his daemon companion unravel a tricky, magical mystery in this companion to the author's beloved His Dark Materials trilogy.
Release date: October 19


Plus thrilling sequels from Sarah J. Maas, Rick Riordan, and Kendare Blake!

Nonfiction
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From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death
by Caitlin Doughty

Mortician Doughty discovers how other cultures care for their dead in this follow-up to Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory.
Release date: October 3


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We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy
by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The award-winning journalist and author reflects on the Obama era and explores the tragic echoes of history in this powerful essay collection.
Release date: October 3


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Waiting for the Punch: Words to Live by from the WTF Podcast
by Marc Maron

Discover some of the secrets to success in this hilarious, insightful, and occasionally ridiculous guide to life from the comedian and podcaster.
Release date: October 10


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Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything
by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

A collaboration between a cartoonist and a researcher, this is a clever peek into our possible future, featuring robots, space elevators, and more.
Release date: October 17


Mystery/Thriller
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Lie to Me
by J.T. Ellison

Her note says she doesn't want to be found, but Ethan can't accept that from his missing wife…especially once the police start asking questions.
Release date: September 12


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Bonfire
by Krysten Ritter

A lawyer stumbles upon a treacherous ritual called "The Game" in her own hometown in this tantalizing page-turner from the star of Marvel's Jessica Jones.
Release date: November 7


Plus exciting sequels from Dan Brown and Alan Bradley!

Historical Fiction
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Love and Other Consolation Prizes
by Jamie Ford

Based on a true story, an orphan boy learns the meaning of belonging after being raffled off at Seattle's 1909 World Fair.
Release date: September 12


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The Last Ballad
by Wiley Cash

While working a dirty, hazardous job at a textile mill, Ella May fights for her dignity and her rights in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina.
Release date: October 3


Plus an epic sequel from Ken Follett!

Romance
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Chasing Red
by Isabelle Ronin

After losing her apartment, Veronica reluctantly agrees to move in with campus bad boy, Caleb, in this swoon-worthy love story.
Release date: September 5


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Without Merit
by Colleen Hoover

The author of Hopeless delivers a poignant, powerful tale of one outsider's messy search for truth and love.
Release date: October 3


Science Fiction and Fantasy
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The Black Tides of Heaven
by J.Y. Yang

The bond between twins Mokoya and Akeha weakens as one develops a strange prophetic gift and the other joins a ruthless rebellion.
Release date: September 26


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Her Body and Other Parties
by Carmen Maria Machado

This genre-bending collection of short stories focuses on the realities of women's lives while featuring the end of the world, ghosts, humanity-ending plagues, and more.
Release date: October 3


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Artemis
by Andy Weir

The author of The Martian leaves behind the red planet—his second novel is an action-packed (and science-packed) heist story set on the moon. [Check out Weir's book recommendations here.]
Release date: November 14


Plus fantastical sequels from Brandon Sanderson, Nnedi Okorafor, and Peter V. Brett!


Which book are you most excited to read this season? Let us know in the comments!

Check out more recent blogs:
15 Beloved Books You May Have Hated the First Time You Tried Them
The Season's Hottest Debut Novels
How to Find the Love of Your Life in a Bookstore: The Ray Bradbury Method

Comments Showing 1-50 of 81 (81 new)


message 1: by Olga (new)

Olga I am most excited for The Rules of Magic since its predecessor/sequel Practical Magic is one of my fave books of all time.

On the YA front, I'm salivating for All the Crooked Saints coming out in October and Renegades, out in November.


message 2: by [deleted user] (new)

You are right Hayley every season is good for a reader but I think Autumn and Winter are the best.
A drink,the sofa and a great book ,what could be better?!!
Add some chocolate to........


message 3: by Julie (new)

Julie Barnard Olga wrote: "I am most excited for The Rules of Magic since its predecessor/sequel Practical Magic is one of my fave books of all time.

On the YA front, I'm salivating for [book:All the Crooked..."


Rules of Magic is wonderful! I got to read the advance copy!


message 4: by Erin (new)

Erin I've had Sanderson's next book saved on my wishlist since it was first announced.


message 5: by Patrick (last edited Aug 28, 2017 11:01AM) (new)

Patrick Artemis is going to make or break Weir's career as an author going forward. He has big shoes to fill following-up The Martian. I really hope he doesn't end up a one-hit wonder like Ernest Cline, who really dropped the ball with Armada post Ready player One.

The Last Ballad synopsis doesn't really grab me personally, but Cash is one hell of a writer who is grossly overlooked in my opinion. Glad to see he's on here.


message 6: by Debbie (new)

Debbie Where is Ali Smith's Autumn?


message 7: by Phoenix2 (new)

Phoenix2 They all seem great!! Can't wait as fall is my "good" reading season : )


Christina Stind I'm excited for the new books by Salman Rushdie and Roddy Doyle and the collaboration between Stephen King and his son.


message 9: by Donna P (new)

Donna P Debbie wrote: "Where is Ali Smith's Autumn?"

Autumn was published earlier this year. I think Winter is supposed to come out on Nov. 2.


message 10: by Yaaresse (new)

Yaaresse From Here to Eternity looks interesting. And I just finished a Wiley Cash novel and really liked it, although the synopsis for the new one doesn't grab me.

Not wild about the current trends in cover art. I was hoping we'd be getting away from scribbled font styles on cluttered backgrounds that look like no one gave the cover more than two minutes' thought. While I seldom choose a book only because of the cover, I have been known to avoid a book because of a eyesore cover.


Olivia "So many books--so little time."" I liked this post, but where are Stephen King's and Dan Brown's books?


message 12: by Suzie (new)

Suzie Olga wrote: "I am most excited for The Rules of Magic since its predecessor/sequel Practical Magic is one of my fave books of all time.

On the YA front, I'm salivating for [book:All the Crooked..."


Alice Hoffman is one of my absolute favorite authors. I am definitely looking forward to her latest book.


message 13: by Shellie (last edited Aug 28, 2017 02:53PM) (new)

Shellie Taylor From Here to Eternity was so good! Nothing I'd ever normally pick up but so worth the read. Short and simple, a quick read, but enlightening.


message 14: by Jamie (new)

Jamie I am most excited for 'Cashing Red'!! I first read it when she was publishing it on Wattpad, and absolutely fell in love with it! I actually forgot to put it on my list and had to ask my followers for help finding it again, and once I did I almost cried of happiness! I am so excited to have a hard copy of it on my shelf and I am so proud that she has gotten published!!!


message 15: by nyx (new)

nyx Where is Oathbringer????!!!!


message 16: by Cindy Ward (new)

Cindy Ward I loved a good sci-if and Artemis looks like it will fit the bill.


message 17: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer I haven't heard of any of those books and only heard of 1 of the authors o.0

I'm waiting on Origins by Dan Brown and Demon Crown by James Rollins (technically that's winter I think though), however I still have to wait another year on both for paperback :( I'm also waiting on the paperback version of Dragon's Teeth by Michael Crichton at the end of November.


Michelle (♥️ Books, Tea, and Cats) Kobus La Belle Sauvage and The Empty Grave are the two big ones I'm looking forward to this Fall.


message 19: by Vikas (new)

Vikas No talk for 'Turtles All the Way Down', no nerdfighters here? I would read them all if I could get them but turtles and Artemis for definitely. Keep on Reading friends.


message 20: by Lizzie (new)

Lizzie I have got Artemis on pre-order, I read the first chapter on Andy Weir's website and was gutted that I am now going to have to wait until November to carry on!


message 21: by Uri (new)

Uri I'm looking forward to reading Artemis. I loved the Martian and Andy Weir's writing style. This one seems to be more a traditional hard sci-fi book which I love.


message 22: by Deanna (new)

Deanna Suzie wrote: "Olga wrote: "I am most excited for The Rules of Magic since its predecessor/sequel Practical Magic is one of my fave books of all time.

On the YA front, I'm salivating for [book:Al..."


I remember reading Practical Magic when it came out, and I was TRANSFIXED by AH's writing style. I've not loved her other books as much, and I'm excited to know there's a sequel.


message 23: by Celia (new)

Celia Ah haha! Does anyone else find the title of We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates completely melodramatic? I was reading down the list and choke laughed, it caught me so off guard.
I mean, I know eight years is a long time, but I'd hardly call it a tragedy. More of a drawn out annoyance really.

Most looking forward to Andy Weir's new book this fall. Hope Artemis is as awesome as The Martian!


message 24: by Sandra (new)

Sandra Uri wrote: "I'm looking forward to reading Artemis. I loved the Martian and Andy Weir's writing style. This one seems to be more a traditional hard sci-fi book which I love."

Me, too. If you like traditional hard sci-fi, check out Paul Anlee's, "The Reality Thief," (Book 1) of the Deplosion series.


message 25: by Phyllis (new)

Phyllis Hofer It seems the interesting books. I will try to read in this season


message 26: by Luz Divina (new)

Luz Divina ¡Ojalá el mío aparezca algún día en esta lista en la sección de Romance! :(


message 27: by Belu (new)

Belu Papini Sing, Unburied, Sing I want to read this book


message 28: by [deleted user] (new)

I'm excited to read American Fire by Monica Hesse and We're Going To Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union


message 29: by Natalia (new)

Natalia Harusavagegarden's Reviews I loved Sing, Unburied, Sing and I'm working on make my full review presentable before to post it


message 30: by Christina Stind (new)

Christina Stind I forgot to mention the new Robert Langdon novel - although I don't expect much of it.
Also, at some point I want to read the new Ken Follett book.


message 31: by Julyviajes (new)

Julyviajes Tengo muchas ganas de leer American Fire de Monica Hesse


message 32: by Mikayla (new)

Mikayla Origin by Dan Brown and Turtles All The Way Down by John Green. DFTBA!


message 33: by Rachael (new)

Rachael Thoroughly enjoyed reading The Dry by Jane Harper. Would highly recommend it for the Autumn!


message 34: by Rod (new)

Rod Celia wrote: "Ah haha! Does anyone else find the title of We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates completely melodramatic? I was reading down the list and choke laughed, it caught m..."

It is helpful to know where the title comes from before you judge it as melodramatic. It actually refers to the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Tragedy is not too strong a word for the unfulfilled promise of that period.


message 35: by James (new)

James Singh The Core by Brett, Oathbringer by Sanderson, Deadhouse Landing by Esselmont and Fall of Dragons by Cameron are the books awaited by fantasy fans


message 36: by Geoff.B (new)

Geoff.B C.J.Sansom series. All 5 books are very good and each book leaves the reader with a thirst for more. Just finished Heartstone and enjoyed it as much as the first in the series.


message 37: by Kristen (new)

Kristen Peppercorn CANNOT WAIT for The Book of Dust. I'll probably check out John Green's new book from the library, since there's a good chance they'll get it. Who doesn't like turtles? :P


message 38: by Vicky (new)

Vicky Gordon Maybe it's just me but the following blurbs make me want to find a hermit house somewhere quiet and pull in the windows and doors.

a half-wild girl works to escape her abusive survivalist father

a desperate mother takes her kids on a road trip to meet their ex-con father.

an ugly custody battle shatter(s) Elena's orderly life

stories about our struggle for identity

Mortician Doughty discovers how other cultures care for their dead

The tragic echoes of that history in our own time: the unprecedented election of a black president followed by a vicious backlash that fueled the election of the man Coates argues is America's "first white president." (PLEASE no more political wrangles or we was robbed stories.)

While working a dirty, hazardous job at a textile mill, Ella May fights for her dignity and her rights in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina. (Norma Rae)


message 39: by Jerrie (new)

Jerrie Next for me is Tod Goldberg's Gangster Nation. His Gangsterland was a "mob comedy" that handled even gruesome material in a very funny way. Not possible? Yes, it is.


message 40: by Janine (new)

Janine Gaboury Where's the fifth book in the millenium series?
"THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN EYE FOR AN EYE'


message 41: by Janine (last edited Sep 21, 2017 01:48PM) (new)

Janine Gaboury I read an excerpt from 'My Absolute Darling' and was not impressed.


message 42: by Diane (new)

Diane Baker Title of the new Stephen King? Just saw at my library the new Dean Koontz, *Silent Corner.*


message 43: by Mark (new)

Mark Rhodes Celia wrote: "Ah haha! Does anyone else find the title of We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates completely melodramatic? I was reading down the list and choke laughed, it caught m..."

Not anywhere near as annoying, or dangerous, as what we're experiencing now.


message 44: by Frans (new)

Frans Coates is a joke. He gets awards because he's black but writes nothing of substance.


message 45: by Kenneth (new)

Kenneth Underhill The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille


message 46: by Susan (new)

Susan Burlew What about Deep Freeze by John Sandford? (Virgil Flowers#10)
Close to home by Robert Dugoni (Tracy Crosswhite#5)
Before Evil by Alex Kava
Oathbringer should have been at the top of the fantasy list followed by The Core


message 47: by Mark (new)

Mark Rhodes Frans wrote: "Coates is a joke. He gets awards because he's black but writes nothing of substance."

Quite a few white writers do the same.


message 48: by Seawitch (new)

Seawitch Vicky wrote: "Maybe it's just me but the following blurbs make me want to find a hermit house somewhere quiet and pull in the windows and doors.

a half-wild girl works to escape her abusive survivalist father

..."


I had the same reaction as Vicky.


message 49: by Robert (new)

Robert Reff Oathbringer by Sanderson - been waiting with great anticipation for this!


message 50: by Janet (new)

Janet Christina wrote: "I'm excited for the new books by Salman Rushdie and Roddy Doyle and the collaboration between Stephen King and his son."

I'm reading the new Salman Rushdie book first this Autumn... after that, who knows? :-)


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