%20(15)%20(1).png)
21 Must-Read Books to Make Your Fall 2025 Unforgettable
Fall reading season just hits different. The weather cools down, pumpkin spice shows up everywhere, and suddenly everyone is posting aesthetic photos of their current reads next to a latte. If summer is for fast, beachy books, fall is the time for stories that go deeper. Think layered friendships, haunting thrillers, fantasy epics, and memoirs that stay with you.
This year’s lineup is stacked. Critics are hyping them, book clubs are already choosing them, and early readers are flooding TikTok with rave reviews. Here are 21 fall 2025 books you’ll want to claim before everyone else does.
1. Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan’s new novel is already landing on “most anticipated” lists for good reason. Set in Midwestern America, Buckeye captures small-town life with sharp detail and quiet beauty. It’s the kind of book that makes you nostalgic for a place you may have never lived, perfect for reflective fall nights.
2. Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
Angeline Boulley, author of Firekeeper’s Daughter, returns with a YA novel about Ojibwe family and heritage. It’s already getting major praise and book club attention. Boulley’s stories always mix cultural depth with page-turning plots, making this one a must for anyone who loves when YA feels both fun and important.
3. Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross
Fantasy readers, rejoice. Rebecca Ross expands her Divine Rivals universe with Wild Reverence. Expect stunning world-building, emotional intensity, and the kind of writing that makes you want to underline every line. Fans are already calling it the perfect fall fantasy, especially if you’re in the mood for something immersive.
4. The Unveiling by Quan Barry
This one is a survival story with psychological twists that’ll leave you questioning everything. PEOPLE editors are already recommending it, so expect it to be everywhere soon. If you like your fall reads intense and a little unsettling, The Unveiling delivers.
5. The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy
Angela Flournoy, a National Book Award finalist, brings us a sweeping story of friendship across decades. It’s warm, heartbreaking, and deeply human. If you’re the type to love multi-generational tales like The Vanishing Half or A Little Life, this will hit hard.
6. Clown Town by Mick Herron
Spies, dark humor, and a town you probably don’t want to visit after dark. Herron is known for sharp wit mixed with suspense, and Clown Town has both in spades. It’s basically a thriller you’ll want to devour in one sitting.
7. Strangers in the Car by C.M. Ewan
Ever been in a rideshare and thought, “What if this driver had a secret?” That’s the vibe of Strangers in the Car. It’s psychological suspense at its best. Fast-paced, paranoid, and a little too real.
8. Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Hazelwood has already conquered romance and fantasy romance fans are living for Mate, the sequel to Bride. It’s blowing up online before release, which means if you don’t read it now, you’ll be dodging spoilers everywhere.
9. The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards
Two timelines, a deadly murder game, and psychological tension that doesn’t let up. Edwards is a pro at thrillers that get under your skin, and The Wasp Trap is already earning rave reviews.
10. Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy
One of the most celebrated novelists alive turns to memoir. Mother Mary Comes to Me is raw, deeply personal, and beautifully written. If you want a book that lingers long after the last page, this is it.
11. Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
Garber’s adult fantasy debut has readers buzzing. Known for lush writing in her YA series, she’s now stepping into new territory. Early reviews predict bestseller status, and with good reason.
12. Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
Creepy, atmospheric, and dripping with psychological intensity. This is the perfect spooky-season book for anyone who likes their horror mixed with drama.
13. Coldwire by Chloe Gong
Gong has been dominating the YA shelves, and now she’s tackling dystopian sci-fi. Coldwire promises layered characters and fast-paced plotting. Gen Z readers are especially hyped, since Gong always nails the balance of action and emotional depth.
14. A Matter of Murder by Tirzah Price
Jane Austen-inspired mystery with a family drama twist. If you like your classics reimagined with a darker vibe, this one is your fall guilty pleasure.
15. The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
Imagine dark academia mixed with a techy edge. That’s what this collaboration delivers. It’s moody, intriguing, and exactly what you’d want in a crisp fall read.
16. Making Mary Poppins by Todd James Pierce
This nonfiction dive into how Mary Poppins was created is pure magic. Disney fans will eat it up, but even casual readers will love the behind-the-scenes look at a cultural classic.
17. Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith is one of those writers who can take an essay about culture and make it unforgettable. Dead and Alive is smart, sharp, and guaranteed to be quoted all over bookish social media.
18. Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
Rom-com lovers, this one is for you. Anne of Avenue A is witty, charming, and packed with banter. It’s lighter than a lot of the other books on this list, making it the perfect palate cleanser.
19. Best Woman by Rose Dommu
Humor plus heartfelt moments make Best Woman a trending fall release. It’s the kind of book you’ll want to recommend to your group chat immediately after finishing.
20. Remains by Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks knows how to break hearts, and Remains is no exception. It’s already being recommended for fall book clubs everywhere. If you want a good cry with your blanket and tea, this is the one.
21. Shot Ready by Stephen Curry
NBA legend Steph Curry steps off the court with a memoir about resilience and competition. It’s about basketball, sure, but also about what it takes to push through setbacks and keep winning.
Why These 21 Books Are Fall Essentials
So why these books? Simple. They’ve already got critical praise, major buzz, or high ratings from early readers. That trifecta usually means they’ll dominate conversations. These aren’t niche picks; they’re the ones you’ll see all over TikTok, on your favorite podcaster’s recommendation list, and maybe even on your friend’s coffee table.
Personally, I’m diving into The Wilderness first. There’s something about fall that makes me want a story spanning decades, exploring how friendships change with time. But I’ve also got Coldwire queued up for when I want a futuristic, high-stakes escape. That’s the beauty of fall reading. One night it’s heartfelt memoirs, the next it’s dark thrillers.
Fall is more than just a season. It’s a whole mood, and your reading list should match that. Whether you’re after cozy comfort, heart-wrenching drama, or a book that makes you sleep with the lights on, this lineup covers it.
Stay cozy, stay inspired, and keep your bookshelf stacked with more cultural and lifestyle picks from Woke Waves Magazine, the place where Gen Z discovers what’s worth reading, watching, and talking about.
#FallReads #GenZBooks #BookTok2025 #MustReadBooks #WokeWaves
‍
