Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.
Crisp weather and pumpkin-scented candles go best with one other thing: a cozy book. If you’re looking to get off your screens and let your mind wander for a bit, allow us to introduce you to these entertaining, yet enriching new releases we’ll be reading this fall. We’ve got romance, fantasy, a cozy mystery, a memoir, and so much more. PSL not included.
This Motherless Land by Nikki May — October 29
“I can always get behind a Jane Austen retelling. This one by Wahala author Nikki May is a somewhat contemporary take on Mansfield Park. Spanning from the late ‘70s to the ‘90s, it follows Funke, who is sent to live with her family in England after her mother and brother die in a tragic accident in Nigeria. There, Funke bonds with her spritely cousin Liv, and she learns about her mother’s upbringing in Somerset while uncovering family secrets. Many are calling this one The Vanishing Half meets Mansfield Park, so I’m all in.” —Margo Ghertner, Skimm Reads Editor
The Songbird & the Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent — November 19
“If you know me even a little bit, you know I’m obsessed with Carissa Broadbent — and getting my hands on an advanced copy of The Songbird & the Heart of Stone was a career/life highlight. This is the third installment of Broadbent’s masterful Crowns of Nyaxia series, but the first in a planned duology that follows Mische, former priestess of the sun god turned vampire. Here, Mische journeys through the Underworld with Asar, prince of the House of Shadow, in an attempt to resurrect the god of death. Expect gorgeous, immersive descriptions of magical worlds, a grumpy-sunshine romance with more than a hint of spice, and thoughtful explorations of deep emotional wounds.” —Caroline Goldstein, Skimm Reads Editor
Guilt and Ginataan by Mia P. Manansala — November 12
“Whether you’re new to cozy mystery or you simply want a good book that’s easy to read, you need to check out Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series. Guilt and Ginataan is the fifth in the series, but you don’t have to read them all (or read them in order) to enjoy them. This time, cafe owner and amateur-sleuth Lila Macapagal is back to uncover a murder that occurs at her town’s annual corn festival. If you’re looking for a book that truly gives all the fall vibes, pick this one up.” —Margo Ghertner
Frighten the Horses by Oliver Radclyffe — September 17
“I recently saw Oliver Radclyffe in conversation with Roxane Gay, his editor and publisher, at a literary festival. I was so taken with his charisma and intelligence that I added his debut memoir to my Goodreads TBR right there at the event. Here, Radclyffe recounts his experience growing up in upper-crust English society; then as a mother of four and housewife to a successful businessman; and then, in his forties, coming out first as a lesbian, and then as trans. It’s all told with Radclyffe’s bone-dry British humor that had me genuinely lol-ing during his conversation with Gay. This would make a great audiobook, too, as Radclyffe himself narrates.” —Caroline Goldstein
Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London — October 1
“We couldn’t not include a vampire romance on this list. I loved Kate Stayman-London’s Bachelorette-inspired debut and read it in one sitting during the pandemic. Now, over four years later, she’s back with a novel about a grad school dropout who runs a chic Brooklyn hotel and is obsessed with a vampire series called Blood Feud. When one of the very vampires from the book walks through her hotel’s doors, she’s in shock — and maybe a little bit in love. This one is equal parts steamy and entertaining.”
Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon — October 15
“On the literary alignment chart, this one would probably land on ‘chaotic evil.’ Luckily, that’s exactly where my reading mood has been recently. Dixon is the cult-favorite author of the Ice Planet Barbarians series, a 21-book strong science fiction erotica series that follows…horny ice planet barbarians. (Don’t overthink it.) The newest release follows Aspeth Honori, who wants to join the Royal Artifactual Guild to uncover ancient talismans. But as a woman, she can’t. The solution: Marry a man who’s already in the guild and become his apprentice. Did I mention that her husband-of-convenience is a minotaur?” —Caroline Goldstein
Gather Me by Glory Edim — October 29
“This is the ultimate book for book lovers. If you aren’t familiar with Glory Edim, you should be. She runs the popular Instagram account and literary community @wellreadblackgirl, hosts her own podcast, and is the marketing director at Politics & Prose. In her upcoming memoir, she tells the story of her life — while weaving in the books and authors that helped shape her into the book lover person she is today. It’s such a unique way to write a memoir, and it’s made me think about the books that have heavily influenced my own life’s story.” —Margo Ghertner
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich — October 1
“When Louise Erdrich releases a book, you pay attention. The Mighty Red covers some familiar territory for the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. This centers on a community in a small prairie town in North Dakota (some of whom are mixed Native) in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis. Erdrich employs her signature wisdom, compassion, and moments of humor to bring these characters to life as they navigate economic and emotional hardship, with flashes of connection.” —Caroline Goldstein
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens — November 19
“Every season is rom-com season — and I have a feeling that this How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days-esque one is going to be all over BookTok when it comes out. Anna Appleby is recently divorced. When her staff writer position at Bath Living is on the line, she knows she has no choice but to shake things up. At the urging of her boss, she agrees to let her kids set her up on a few dates so she can write about them and (hopefully) save her column. PS: This is the time to read up on the rest of Sophie Cousens’ backlist while you’re at it.” —Margo Ghertner
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.