Summer is almost coming to an end and it is almost cardigan weather, there is no better time to curl up with a good book. Whether you’re looking for escapism through mysteries and thrillers, or to swoon over a drawn out romance or enrich yourself with non-fiction, the Fall Reading List 2024 has something for every reader. This list of best book recommendations for 2024 is curated by critiques and also personalized with my favourite choices for you to have a cozy literary fall. They are also easy to read and great books for those of us looking to get back into reading.
Why Fall is the Perfect Time for Reading
Fall is often associated with comfort, relaxation and the indoors which makes it an ideal season to dive into new books. Reading is one of those simple, nourishing hobbies that you can just do at home everyday. It also has long-term benefits on your creativity, memory and makes you a more knowledgeable person. I used to be an avid reader as a child, but over the years with TikTok and waning attention spans, I have lost the patience to spend an afternoon with a book. Currently I am trying to rediscover my love for reading, and it’s been very fulfilling. I am looking forward to the Autumn vibes of getting a cozy blanket and a hot beverage and just taking some time out everyday to read. It’s a habit I want to rebuild and reconnect with my inner child.
If you want to take up reading again this Autumn, check out this list of book recommendations. All recommendations come from critically acclaimed lists such as The New Yorker and the London Review of Books (as well as ex-President Obama’s library!). There’s books from every genre so there is something for everyone.
Fiction Book Recommendations for Fall 2024
“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” – F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
If you want to lose yourself in some immersing stories
Good Material
by Dolly Alderton
I have been waiting for this book since Dolly announced it on her Instagram as I’ve been a big fan of hers since Everything I Know About Love. Good Material is a heartfelt, witty and humorous exploration of modern relationships. It is about self-discovery, the complexity of love and the messiness of growing up. This makes it a perfect book for your fall reading list 2024 because despite being about heartbreak, it’s a comforting read.
The City and Its Uncertain Walls
by Haruki Murakami
You surely must have heard about Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore. The City is Murakami’s latest masterpiece and a book that truly pulls you in with its themes of memory, identity and the passage of time. Fans of Murakami will love this for the mysterious and dreamy world he creates that ignites imagination. This book spans many parallel stories and is translated from the original Japanese. If you’re a fan of magical realism and epics, you should add this to your fall reading list 2024.
The Coin
by Yasmin Zaher
The New York Times described this book as “A Debut Novel That Skewers Capitalism, One Scalped Birkin at a Time“. It is a bold novel about identity and the search for home in an ever-changing world. It is told through the story of a young Palestinian woman teaching at a New York City middle school. With prose that keeps you on the edge of your seat, it explores intense topics like beauty, class, nature and civilisation. So, if you want to explore a new writer, this up and coming author should be part of your fall reading list!
Verity
by Colleen Hoover
Maybe you’ve just watched the latest blockbuster starring Blake Lively. And you’re wondering what the hype is about. Perhaps, you are late to the Colleen Hoover craze. Don.t worry, this reading list has got you covered! It Ends with Us might be Hoover’s most TikTok famous book, but Verity remains the fan favourite amongst readers. A romantic thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author; It is bold and explores mature themes, while also being a love story. If you wish to get into Colleen Hoover, this book from 2018 might be worth reading this fall.
Non-Fiction Book Recommendations for Fall 2024
As a child, I found Non-Fiction very daunting. However, as an adult, I absolutely love it. From memoirs to true stories, it is very fascinating to know about the real world. It can be incredibly enriching once you get into it. Here are some captivating creative non-fiction books to add more grit to you fall reading list 2024:
Crying in H Mart
by Michelle Zauner
Crying in H Mart is a 2021 memoir by Korean-American writer Michelle Zauner. She is better known by the name of singer/songwriter Japanese Breakfast. It started as a New Yorker essay but developed into a full-fledged book. It deals with themes of grief and identity as Zauner talks about her experience of losing her mother to cancer. She beautifully combines these themes and her life’s experiences with Korean food and brings us this touching memoir about loss. This one is a real tearjerker and will move you emotionally.
The Long Run: A Creative Inquiry
by Stacey D’Erasmo
After writing for over twenty years and publishing three novels, Stacey asks herself: How do we keep doing this – making art? This book is essentially an exploration of this question. She interviews older artists and delves into what it means to be a writer. This book is introspective and even inspiring for those wanting to try their hand at writing themselves.
Bluets
by Maggie Nelson
No list of non-fiction book recommendations is complete without Maggie Nelson. She dabbles in creative non-fiction and ‘autotheory‘ and gives us a completely new genre. Bluets is a meditation on love and grief through the interesting lens of the colour blue. On the surface, it is a book about a breakup but it is actually about so much more. If you’re feeling experimental you should try adding this to your fall reading list 2024. It’s a short, enthralling read. It’s a genre-bending cross between poetry, prose and theory. If you usually only read long form books, this is going to give you a fresh perspective.
The Garden Against Time: In Search of a Common Paradise
by Olivia Laing
This is the quintessential Covid novel. When the world shut down in 2020, Olivia Laing started restoring a walled garden in Suffolk. If you’re craving a touch of the outdoors during the fall, this might be a good recommendation. Laing combines ecology and beauty and weaves lyrical prose and theory in this autobiography. This recently published book has quickly gained a lot of critical acclaim and praise. As Laing moves through time and space and different gardens, she comments upon human nature and the its intersections. This can be an interesting challenge to take up for your fall reading list 2024.
Poetry Recommendations for your Fall Reading List 2024
The beauty of Autumn has inspired many a poet to write. If you’re looking to get into poetry this fall, here are some recommendations. These are some contemporary and easy-to-read poems. And unlike what high-school English class might have made you feel, they make poetry very accessible!
A Poem for Every Autumn Day
by Allie Esiri
This gorgeous best selling collection of poems is perfect for beginners looking to read poetry. Allie Esiri has done a wonderful job of combining old and new voices in the landscape of poetry. This book is perfect for gifting as well as to read aloud to your friends and family. Each poem has a link to the date on which they appear. It features poems from William Shakespeare to Robert Louis Stevenson to Christina Rossetti. This is a must-have on poetry lovers’ fall reading lists.
Devotions
by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver is a very tender, realistic and feel-good poet. The beauty with which she talks about ordinary things in life is very inspiring. She brings so much meaning to things around you and is a great poet for beginners who want to start reading poetry as well are patrons of poetry who want something simple yet deeply spiritual. Her poetry can help you reconnect with yourself and the world around you and her focus on small indoor things and a soft life makes it perfect for autumn reading recommendations. Devotions is her collection of all her favourite poems.
Which Book Will You Pick Up Next?
So as summer fades and the cold air starts to set in, let’s set into the comforting ritual of getting lost in a good book. Whether you’re seeking mystery, love, joy or the depths of non-fiction, this carefully curated fall reading list 2024 has something for everyone. So grab a cozy blanket, some hot chocolate and one of these interesting reads to have a great and peaceful Autumn. Happy Reading!
