12 Books for the Autumn Reading List 2023
A list that bodes well for many great reading experiences
I love planning my autumn reading list.
Finding inspiration for books on Medium, Goodreads, and social media is exciting. To read what the books are about and reviews. My expectations are growing along with my TBR.
Finally, the list of what I will read over the next few months is ready. Oh, joy! I hope you will find some bookish inspiration.
This autumn, I want to discover new authors
11 of the books in this list are written by authors I haven’t read before.
I dream of finding new authors whose writing grabs and gives me a long backlist to tackle. Fingers crossed. I will keep you updated.
Crawl up on the sofa, light a candle, make a cup of tea, and enjoy
This list provides a wonderful mix of autumn atmosphere, fantasy, romance (and romantic fantasy), Christmas, and history.
They all have in common that they have received at least a 4 rating on Goodreads. I have three Fantasy books, five romances, one Christmas romance, one fiction, and two historical fiction on my autumn reading list.
🪄 Fantasy
1. ‘The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches’ by Sangu Mandanna (2022)
It was nominated for Best Fantasy in 2022 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
I want to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches because everyone who reads it seems to fall in love with it. Fantasy and romance — yes, please! And the title is fantastic.
“It was one of my absolute favorite books of last year! Just an absolute delight.” — Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner)
2. ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas (2015)
It was nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction in 2015 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Only is on my list because I still haven’t read anything else by Sarah J. Maas. Now it is time to do something about it. I don’t think this super popular fantasy needs more of an introduction.
“Though obviously for an older demographic, Sarah J. Maas created a world much like Harry Potter with the first book in this series. A world I can get lost in, with so much detail I could see the book unfolding before my eyes, unlike so many before it.” — Romancing the Reader
3. ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart’ by Stephanie Garber (2021)
It was nominated for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction in 2021 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
Stephanie Garber is the only author on this list I’ve read before, so I already know she writes wonderfully and brings magical reading moments. Once Upon a Broken Heart is beloved by many readers, so I’m looking forward to this one.
“I’ve always loved fairytales and fantasy books with fairytale elements. Once Upon a Broken Heart gives readers exactly that but adds in an exploration of love with a melancholy tone. It shows the often desperate actions of those who have been hurt, and the lengths that a person will go to heal their broken heart.” — Deema ♡ (tella’s version)
💕 Romance
4. ‘The Wall of Winnipeg and Me’ by Mariana Zapata (2016)
It was nominated for Best Romance in 2016 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
I understand that Mariana Zapata’s books are a must-read if you like romance literature (which I do). I will start with this book.
“***ONE OF MY TOP FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME*** So many re-reads, it’s not even funny…
Also, even though the pace of the story is slow, it doesn’t feel slow. It’s almost like you have to earn it in Zapata’s books. And, like anything in life, the things you earn are the things you appreciate the most.
I adored this book and I adore Zapata’s writing style.” — Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️
5. ‘Happy Place’ by Emily Henry (2023)
Could it be the most hyped book of the year? I haven’t read anything of Emily Henry before (probably the only romance reader who hasn’t read any of her books yet). I am excited to find out if this book lives up to the hype.
Happy Place has a great possibility of becoming the winner of the Goodreads Choice Awards 2023.
“How is it possible to sum up your feelings on a book that you were sure wouldn’t be for you, but ended up being a guaranteed top read of the year instead?
This book deserves every bit of hype that it has and will receive, and it gives me a glimmer of hope that I can still find that magical feeling of finding a new book that becomes a part of your soul, one that you carry with you on the rest of your journey here on earth and becomes part of your personality on a permanent basis.” — Chelsea Humphrey
6. ‘The Bodyguard’ by Katherine Center (2022)
It was nominated for Best Romance in 2022 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
I have heard a lot of positive things about Katherine Center’s books, so I will start with this one. It’s about a bodyguard (the heroine) and a superstar actor (the hero).
“Well. You know. I *wrote* this book. So. I probably shouldn’t be reviewing it??? But also — how can I resist? I have read it, after all. Many times. And, for me, it’s just pure sunshine. So . . . five totally unbiased stars!” — Katherine Center
7. ‘Take a Hint, Dani Brown’ by Talia Hibbert (2020)
It was nominated for Best Romance in 2020 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
This book is on the list because I keep seeing it on social media. It is praised for both Talia Hibbert’s writing and the characters.
“Take a Hint, Dani Brown is one of the most beautiful things I’ve read recently. Talia Hibbert continuously raises the bar by writing male characters that were so amazingly in touch with their emotions — and Zafir Ansari, this wonderful human being, is a gift. Dani is an intellectual bisexual witch (literally) and she is (personally) one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever read in a romance novel ever. I liked Get a Life, Chloe Brown so much… but this one? I absolutely love and adore.” — Riza (Pages and Coffee Cups)
8. ‘Part of Your World’ by Abby Jimenez (2022)
It was nominated for Best Romance in 2022 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
This book gets a spot on my list because it has a better Goodreads rating than The Love Hypothesis (which is my favorite in this genre).
“ This writing was SO SMOOTH! The writing flows so well, the pacing is fantastic, both main characters have the most lovely little brains and their POV’s are adorable.” — Júlia
🎄 Christmas Romance
9. ‘Lovelight Farms’ by B.K. Borison (2021)
A Christmas book that has received good reviews belongs on an autumn reading list. Lovelight Farms is a book that many people show on social media and that most people like. When November comes, I’ll be ready to get some Christmas mood.
“Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison is the Christmas romantic comedy you’ve been waiting for. I know I have. Engaging and thrilling right from the start — Lovelight Farms takes two top-tier tropes (“fake dating” + “friends to lovers”) and lights them up with the best kind of profound longing.” — Gissane Sophia
🎮 Fiction
10. ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin (2022)
It won Best Fiction of 2022 in the Goodreads Choice Award.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is another hyped book and winner of Best Fiction in the Goodreads Awards. I have heard a lot of positive things about this book and want to read it to expand my horizon.
“My top read for 2022. A brilliant coming of age masterpiece, spanning almost 30 years. An epic tale of friendship, love, art, video games, and the journey of life.” — Amina
📜 Historical Fiction
11. ‘Once Upon a Wardrobe’ by Patti Callahan Henry (2021)
I will read Once Upon a Wardrobe because it got 4.36 on Goodreads, and I’ve always loved Narnia. Everything I read about the book indicates that it is a beautiful story.
“This new release from Patti Callahan is pure magic. It may be her best book yet. Just ask Douglas Gresham, stepson of C.S. Lewis. His note at the end of the book is most definitely a feather in the author’s cap. Remember that thrill you felt when you first read the Narnia books? This new title about the formation of that world brings back that feeling again and multiplies it. I was weeping during the final pages. Such a beautiful, evocative story.” — Darla
12. ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus (2022)
It won Best Debut Novel and was nominated for Best Historical Fiction in 2022 in Goodreads Choice Award.
Science and romance have previously been shown to be an excellent combination, like in The Love Hypothesis. Therefore, I look forward to reading this book.
Lessons in Chemistry was Barnes & Noble Book of the Year in 2022.
“Hooked from the beginning … One of the most satisfying, fun and irresistible reads I’ve had in a long time. I need more Bonnie Garmus in my life.” — Scott B, Denver, CO
These are my 12 carefully selected books for autumn 2023. I can’t wait to get to know all these exciting authors.
Which books are you looking forward to this autumn? Please share your reading list with me.
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