Ignite Your Inner Rory Gilmore—13 New Fall Reads You Won’t Be Able to Put Down

It’s officially peak transition season—that time of the summer when we simultaneously mourn the dwindling days spent poolside while looking forward to all the coziness that’s to come. At the end of August, pumpkin spice everything reappears, and the natural world takes on a golden hue. As we turn the corner to fall, I’m swapping my beach reads for fresh titles that promise to captivate, inspire, and—let’s be honest—provide the perfect excuse to cancel plans and stay in with a cup of tea. Whether you’re in the mood for a page-turning thriller, a heartwarming novel, or a thought-provoking memoir, the best new books of fall 2024 have you covered.

The Best New Fall Books of 2024

I’ve said it to everyone who will listen: 2024 has been the year of books. I’m 40+ titles in, and I’m already rewriting my official list of The Best Books I Have Ever Read. (Trust me, every bibliophile has one.) With so many new and promising books hitting the shelves, you’re wondering: where do I start? That’s where this bucket list of the best new books for fall comes in. I’ve sifted all the latest literary offerings to bring you a curated list of must-reads. Consider it your personal book club recommendation—minus the pressure to actually finish the book in time for the discussion.

From debut authors taking the literary world by storm to seasoned storytellers at the top of their game (hello, Sally Rooney), these are the best new books that will keep you turning pages long after your bedtime. Grab a blanket, pour your beverage of choice, and get ready to discover your next favorite read. Trust me, your fall just got a lot more exciting.

The Book of George by Kate Greathead

Equally hilarious and heartbreaking, The Book of George reads like a modern epic. If you were a pre-teen fan of The Catcher in the Rye, this less-clichéd take is for you. Angst, alienation, and critiques of society’s superficiality all play a role, with an everyman protagonist at the center of this quick-moving narrative. With razor-sharp wit and resonant observation, Kate Greathead expertly tracks the journey into adulthood with a mix of self-deprecating humor and quiet resilience. I found myself ultimately rooting for George as he stumbled toward an unassuming life punctuated by extraordinary emotion.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: October 8, 2024

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

Matt Haig’s writing serves as a poignant and beautifully crafted exploration of the “what-ifs” that haunt us all. (Read any synopsis of The Midnight Library, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.) In The Life Impossible, Haig once again neatly blends heartache with humor, taking readers alongside the life of Emma, a woman whose every decision feels like a missed opportunity. While other works that weave between alternate realities lose sight of their central goal, Haig keeps us glued to Emma’s journey with tender moments of introspection. The storytelling is empathetic, managing an impressive balance between the existential and elements of lightness and hope.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

Entitlement reads like a roadmap for discussing the challenging but ever-pervasive subjects of privilege, identity, and the intricate dynamics of power in contemporary society. Ambition and entitlement intersect in a world closely mirroring our own, with three characters driving the core of the novel’s plot. By capturing uncomfortable truths and critiquing universal human behaviors, Entitlement provides an important opportunity for self-reflection, leaving us with learnings that linger long after the final page.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: Available Now

Adam & Evie’s Matchmaking Tour by Nora Nguyen

Proof that romantic comedies—or novels with a European backdrop—aren’t exclusive to the easy-breezy summer season. Led by the unlikely pairing of Adam and Evie, two partners in a matchmaking business, this book perfectly satisfies our enemies-to-lovers obsession. Adam is practical and reserved, while Evie blindly believes in love at first sight. But as they guide a group through romantic city after romantic city, sparks fly—both between their clients and Adam and Evie themselves.

The dialogue is witty and woven with charm, serving as a reminder that when we open ourselves up to possibility, love can be found even in the most unexpected places.

Genre: Romance

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Colored Television by Danzy Senna 

Race, identity, and representation/misrepresentation sit at the heart of this not-so-subtly masked critique of modern media. As I (frantically, hungrily) pushed on to the final page, I noticed echoes of both Parasite and American Fiction throughout, with hypocrisy and social mobility sitting as themes at the novel’s core. When Jane’s epic novel doesn’t pan out as she’d wished, she goes in search of a plan B—delivered in a seven-figure offer to write a biracial comedy for a streaming network. Jane has to decide if she’s willing to sell out for financial stability. Ultimately, Colored Television asks: what elements of ourselves and our values will we sacrifice in pursuit of our dreams?

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: Available Now

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

While Sally Rooney’s third novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You? delivered the occasional spark of relatability, I ultimately found myself oscillating between periodic cringing and boredom. (This is coming from someone who had no qualms in adhering to Rooney’s status as the writer of my generation.) But in Intermezzo, Rooney makes a return to her signature exploration of human connection, this time focusing on the fleeting moments that define relationships. As someone who understands her fatal flaw as chalking all her energy up to grand gestures and major life events, I loved and resonated with Rooney’s gifted commentary on capturing the unspoken emotions and subtle power dynamics that exist—on some level—in all relationships.

With sharp dialogue and keen observations, Intermezzo is a deeply resonant read. The pages point to the contradictions of modern life—a desire for intimacy versus a need for independence and the comfort of routine versus the thrill of the unknown. This novel is a beautifully crafted meditation on the in-between moments that often carry the most weight, reminding us that life is as much about the pauses as it is about the crescendos.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: September 24, 2024

I Want You More by Swan Huntley 

How far will you go for love? (And what level of desire and obsession will you entertain in between?) These are the questions that Swan Huntley explores in I Want You More, delivering a page-turning psychological thriller just in time for the spooky season. Centering around two women whose friendship spirals into something far more complex and unsettling, the book is built on Huntley’s masterful narrative control. Secrets unfold throughout, and as boundaries blur, the characters are forced to encounter uncomfortable truths about themselves and one another. The prose is sharp and chilling, delving deep into questions of the human psyche. I Want You More explores the fine line between love and obsession, making it impossible to put down until the final, shocking twist.

Genre: Suspense

Release Date: November 5, 2024

The Undercurrent by Sarah Sawyer

The Undercurrent solidifies mystery’s status as the genre of the fall season. With haunting turns and atmospheric twists, it’s the perfect novel to keep you engaged with evocative prose and a keen sense of place. Set in a small coastal town, the novel follows Claire, a woman who returns to her childhood home after a tragic loss, only to uncover the secrets that have long been hidden beneath the surface. The Undercurrent draws you into a world where the line between past and present blurs—and everyone seems to be hiding something. As Claire unravels the town’s secrets, she’s forced to confront her own—and decide how far she’s willing to go to uncover the truth. Ultimately, it’s a mesmerizing story of loss, redemption, and the powerful pull of the past. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a suspenseful, character-driven novel.

Genre: Mystery

Release Date: October 8, 2024

A Reason to See You Again by Jami Attenberg

Jami Attenberg is uniquely gifted in commenting upon modern relationships with a level of wit and whimsicality. In her most recent release, Attenberg speaks to the career-driven woman juggling the many roles assigned to us all. But whereas other writers would skim over this topic with a prescribed understanding of motherhood and midlife, Attenberg can provide nuance and subtle distinction to the challenges and responsibilities of a mother of two daughters—and the struggles that plague any generation of woman as she seeks to fully claim a life as her own.

Genre: Literary Fiction

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Directional Living by Megan Hellerer

As someone who believes life’s best answers exist within both what I read and what I experience, this uplifting and insightful take on the self-help genre delivered. Directional Living not only offers women a guidebook to career success, but an answer to moving forward in our career with intention. Hellerer is a former Google executive turned career coach who shares no-nonsense wisdom on how to stop surviving and start thriving—making this a must-read for anyone feeling stuck on the hamster wheel of success. With a blend of actionable strategies and relatable anecdotes, this book will help you recalibrate your internal compass and confidently steer your life in the direction you truly want.

Genre: Self-Help

Release Date: September 24, 2024

The Wilderness by Aysegül Savas

I consider any book that invites you to slow down and savor the subtleties of life’s quiet moments a gift. The Wilderness is set against the backdrop of a remote forest retreat—the perfect setting to explore the themes of solitude, identity, and the delicate dance between connection and isolation. For anyone who craves a little introspection amidst the chaos, this novel is a reminder that sometimes getting lost in the wilderness—both literal and metaphorical—can lead to profound discoveries. With its lyrical prose and gentle wisdom, The Wilderness is the perfect escape for those seeking depth and tranquility.

Genre: Memoir

Release Date: October 15, 2024

Lifeform by Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate’s Lifeform is a delightful exploration of the human condition, blending laugh-out-loud humor with tender introspection. Slate dives into the weird, wonderful messiness of life, touching on everything from relationships to self-discovery. Lifeform offers a refreshingly offbeat perspective that’s both entertaining and deeply relatable. This book is like a cozy chat with your funniest, most insightful friend—one you won’t want to put down.

Genre: Essays

Release Date: October 22, 2024

No One Gets to Fall Apart by Sarah Labrie

Sarah Labrie’s No One Gets to Fall Apart is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability. Labrie captures the complexities of womanhood with sharp wit and emotional depth, making this a must-read for anyone who’s ever felt the pressure to keep it all together. (Hi, all of us.) This novel is a poignant reminder that it’s okay to let your guard down and embrace the messiness of life. No One Gets to Fall Apart is a raw, resonant story that will leave you feeling seen, understood, and empowered.

Genre: Memoir

Release Date: October 22, 2024