15 Books We Are Reading This Fall

Written by The Working Gal Team ~ Category: After Hours ~ Read Time: 7 min.

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We love fall. And since fall is officially here, it comes with all those cozy vibes we've been craving (well, ok, can’t overlook the amazing Greek islands we visited, but fall has its own allure)! Especially September is such a favorite month for many reasons: the leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp, and there's nothing quite like curling up with a good book and a warm cup of coffee. Whether you're looking to get lost in a page-turner or find some inspiration for your personal growth journey, we've curated the perfect reading list to accompany your autumn adventures.

Speaking of fall essentials, don't forget to check out our Fall Essentials guide for everything you need to make this season absolutely perfect!

These 15 books are what we're adding to our TBR pile this season. Grab your favorite blanket, light that pumpkin spice candle, and let's dive into some amazing reads!

cozy books for fall

1. The Wedding People: A Novel by Alison Espach

A darkly funny and deeply moving novel about a woman who arrives at a luxury hotel in Newport with plans to end her life, only to be mistaken for a wedding guest. What happens next, is an unexpectedly heartwarming story about finding hope through strangers and second chances. Perfect for anyone who's ever felt lost and needs a reminder that life can surprise you when you least expect it.

2. The Book Club for Troublesome Women: A Novel by Marie Bostwick

Margaret Ryan never really meant to start a book club... or a feminist revolution in her buttoned-up suburb. Set in 1963 Virginia, this novel follows four housewives who are living the American dream but feeling like there should be more to their lives than just domesticity. When their eccentric new neighbor from New York City arrives, these women form a book club that becomes so much more. A humorous, thought-provoking, and nostalgic romp through one pivotal American year, celebrating self-discovery, persistence, and the power of sisterhood. You should definitely read it if you are a fan of historical women's fiction with heart and humor.

3. The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald

The timeless American classic that captures the glittering excess and moral emptiness of the Jazz Age. Follow narrator Nick Carraway as he becomes entangled in the world of his mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby, whose obsessive love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan leads to tragedy. Set in the summer of 1922, this masterpiece explores themes of wealth, love, idealism, and the corruption of the American Dream. A perfect fall read for anyone who wants to revisit this beautifully written tale of ambition and heartbreak that feels surprisingly relevant today.

4. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

A Reese's Book Club Pick and New York Times Bestseller the Broken Country is set in rural England during the late 1960s. When Beth's brother-in-law shoots a dog attacking their sheep, she discovers it belongs to Gabriel Wolfe—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, who reminds Beth of her own son who died in a tragic accident. Small-town secrets meet a years-long love triangle in this harrowing historical drama of murder, envy, and deceit. As Reese Witherspoon said: "it's also a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page." A perfect blend of love story and thriller that explores grief, second chances, and dangerous secrets.

5. Don't Believe Everything You Think (Expanded Edition): Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering by Joseph Nguyen.

If you want to overcome anxiety, self-doubt & self-sabotage without needing to rely on motivation or willpower, this book is exactly what you need to read right now. It reveals the root cause of all psychological and emotional suffering and shows you how to achieve freedom of mind to effortlessly create the life you've always wanted. The core premise is that it's not WHAT we're thinking about that causes suffering, but THAT we are thinking. Perfect for anyone struggling with overthinking and seeking practical tools to achieve inner peace. The book was also endorsed by Simon Sinek as "an essential first step to letting go of that suffering." Coudln’t think of anything better right now.

6. The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More: A Baking Book

Cozy fall baking at its best! This comprehensive sourdough bible combines the art and science of bread making, offering foolproof recipes from classic loaves to pizza to doughnuts. This book will undoubtedly build your baking confidence. With shorter days and cooler weather, there's no better time to start your sourdough journey and fill your home with the warm, comforting aroma of fresh-baked bread. We already smell the dough!

7. The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey

Set in 1970s England, the story follows narrator Vincent and his triplet brothers, William and Lawrence, who live in one of the Sycamore Homes, part of the Sycamore Project, formed by experimental scientist Dr. Roach after World War II. This alternate history is not only entertaining but also serves as a cautionary fiction, posing big questions about children whom society has deemed expendable. If you love atmospheric literary fiction with psychological depth, then start reading!

8. 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World: How Parents Can Stop Smartphones, Social Media, and Gaming from Taking Over Their Children's Lives by Jean M. Twenge PhD

A concrete and accessible guide to raising resilient, successful, happy children in a time of overwhelming technological intrusion. With technology invading every corner of our kids' lives - from social-media addiction to the growing mental-health crisis among children and teens - parents are grappling with how they can create a healthy, balanced relationship with technology for their kids. This timely book provides practical, research-based strategies for modern parents navigating the digital parenting minefield. Perfect for any parent feeling overwhelmed by the impact of screens and social media on their children or for anyone who needs a digital detox ASAP.

9. The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams.

When a mysterious businessman dies on the train tracks before keeping an appointment with bookstore owner Nora, she forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society—a group of damaged souls yearning to earn redemption by helping others. To join, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place. The book blends magical realism, smart women, and small-town quirks to create a cozy mystery that doubles as a love letter to books. Read it if you are a fan of cozy mysteries, books, friendship, and small-town secrets.

10. Counting Backwards: A Novel by Jacqueline Friedland

This powerful dual-timeline novel follows two women living in America 100 years apart, connected by shocking parallels. In 2022, corporate lawyer Jessa takes on a pro-bono case helping an incarcerated woman facing deportation. In 1927, young Carrie's life is upended when she's stolen from her family and placed in foster care for unpaid labor. As both women fight for justice and autonomy, their stories illuminate how the struggle for women's rights and bodily autonomy spans generations. A compelling read that explores reproductive rights, motherhood, and society's expectations of women across different eras.

11. How to Fail by Elizabeth Day

Sometimes you need to reframe your perspective on failure, and this inspiring blend of memoir and motivation delivers exactly that. Day shares her own experiences with professional setbacks, relationship breakdowns, fertility struggles, and other life disappointments, revealing how each "failure" actually taught her something valuable about herself and life. Rather than a typical self-help book about achieving success, this memoir celebrates the beauty and wisdom found in our most difficult moments. With wit, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, Day shows us that failure isn't the opposite of success—it's part of it.

12. My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mary Hartnett Wendy W. Williams.

cozy book for fall

The book features Justice Ginsburg's speeches and writings, dating back to her eighth-grade years, providing a chronological view of her intellectual development and legal philosophy throughout her life. The collection covers wide-ranging topics, including gender equality and women's rights, the workings of the Supreme Court, law and lawyers in opera (reflecting her passion for opera), and offering insight into how one of America's most influential Supreme Court Justices developed her groundbreaking approach to law and justice, particularly regarding gender equality and constitutional interpretation.

13. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Perfect for those seeking inner peace and mindfulness during the busy fall season. The book takes us on an inspiring spiritual journey to find our true and deepest self and reach the ultimate in personal growth and spirituality: the discovery of truth and light. In the first chapter, Tolle introduces us to enlightenment and its natural enemy, the mind. Now you need to leave your analytical mind and its falsely created self, the ego, behind.

14. We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions by Glennon Doyle

A powerful exploration of breaking free from societal expectations and living authentically that'll spark meaningful conversations. The book addresses the hard things "we are all doing every single day – things like loving and losing; caring for children and parents; forging and ending friendships; battling addiction, illness, and loneliness; struggling in our jobs, our marriages, and our divorces; setting boundaries; and fighting for equality, purpose, freedom, joy. An excellent book for fall inspiration.

15. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Get ready for some practical financial wisdom that could transform your relationship with money and investing. The book emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, financial independence, and building wealth through investing in assets, real estate, starting and owning businesses, as well as enhancing our financial intelligence that enables us to be financially fit.

Creating Your Perfect Fall Reading Ritual

cozy fall book

Now that you have your reading list, it's time to create the perfect fall reading experience! Here are our favorite ways to make reading even more enjoyable this season:

  • Set up a cozy reading nook with soft blankets and warm lighting
  • Pair your books with your favorite fall beverages
  • Join a book club to discuss your favorites
  • Keep a reading journal to track your thoughts and favorite quotes
  • Set realistic reading goals that work with your busy schedule

Make This Your Coziest Reading Season Yet

There's something magical about fall reading that just hits different. Maybe it's the way the golden light streams through your window, or how a good book feels like the perfect companion to shorter days and longer nights. Whatever it is, we're here for all the cozy literary vibes this season has to offer.

It took 3 coffees to write this article.


About the author

The Working Gal Team

Here, at the Working Gal, we love collaboration! For this reason, we sit down and brainstorm all together and write some articles for you!

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