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Wondering what to read now? Here are 10 most anticipated Fall 2023 book releases for you.
As the leaves change colors and the air turns crisp, book lovers can look forward to a bountiful harvest of captivating stories.
The fall publishing season brings forth a rich selection of new releases, from debut novels that promise fresh perspectives to the long-awaited returns of beloved authors. Whether you’re a fan of epic fantasy, family dramas, historical fiction, or thought-provoking explorations of human nature, the upcoming months offer something for every reader.
Here are the 10 most anticipated Fall 2023 book releases that deserve a prominent spot on your reading list.
Top Fall 2023 Book Releases
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
In Happiness Falls, Angie Kim delivers a thrilling mystery that centers on a family’s search for a missing father. As they grapple with his disappearance, they uncover deep-seated secrets and emotions that challenge their understanding of each other. With its compelling characters and emotional depth, this novel promises to be a poignant exploration of human connections and the pursuit of happiness.
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas
Idlewild is a darkly funny coming-of-age story set in a Manhattan Quaker high school against the backdrop of 9/11. Two outcasts, Fay and Nell, form an intense friendship during a tumultuous school year marked by tragedy. Author James Frankie Thomas delves into themes of gender identity, sexuality, and the complexities of teenage relationships in a story that blends humor and insight.
Release Date: September 12, 2023
Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang
C Pam Zhang returns with Land of Milk and Honey, a novel set in an elite research community on an Italian mountain. Against the backdrop of a smog-covered Earth, a young chef navigates a world of rare ingredients and hidden wonders. As she rediscovers the pleasures of life, she finds herself entangled in a web of sensuality and deception. This thought-provoking exploration of desire and survival is sure to captivate readers.
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
In Sword Catcher, bestselling author Cassandra Clare ventures into adult fantasy with a whirlwind epic. The story follows Kel, who doubles as Prince Conor’s Sword Catcher, trained to impersonate the prince in dangerous situations. Lin, a member of the Ashkar community with magical abilities, becomes entangled in a plot involving secrets, forbidden love, and a criminal underworld. Clare’s fans will be thrilled by this new series brimming with intrigue and hidden identities.
Release Date: October 10, 2023
Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind by Molly McGhee
Molly McGhee’s debut novel, Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind, follows the titular character as he navigates a surreal job as a “dream auditor.” This role involves cleaning up people’s dreams to enhance their productivity. A blend of tenderness, wry humor, and thought-provoking exploration of the pressures of late capitalism, this novel promises to be a critical work of surrealist fiction.
Release Date: October 17, 2023
Pay As You Go by Eskor David Johnson
Pay As You Go takes readers on a madcap journey through a near-future metropolis. Slide, a barber with a mysterious past, embarks on a quest for the perfect apartment, leading him through a city filled with eccentric characters and unexpected challenges. Eskor David Johnson crafts a fantastical odyssey that questions the pursuit of the ideal and what truly matters in a rapidly changing world.
Release Date: October 24, 2023
The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis
Award-winning author Ayana Mathis returns with The Unsettled, a multi-generational novel set against the backdrop of racially and politically turbulent Philadelphia and Alabama. Mathis follows a Black family divided between two states, portraying the heartbreak and resilience that shape their lives. This powerful exploration of social and legal challenges provides a poignant reflection on the struggles of marginalized communities.
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
Jesmyn Ward returns with Let Us Descend, a haunting novel set in the years before the Civil War. This deeply affecting narrative follows an enslaved girl’s journey through the perils of the antebellum Deep South. Ward’s lyrical prose and profound exploration of the human spirit make this novel an intensely wrought tone poem that captures the complexities of the era.
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Absolution by Alice McDermott
Alice McDermott’s Absolution is a masterpiece set among a group of American corporate wives in 1963 Saigon. Against the backdrop of the impending Vietnam War, the novel explores moral obligations and personal struggles in a time of historical upheaval. McDermott’s exquisitely conceived novel delves into themes of love, duty, and the consequences of individual choices.
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Day by Michael Cunningham
Michael Cunningham’s Day offers a vivid portrait of a Brooklyn family on a single day in the tumultuous years of 2020 to 2022. Through the lens of this one day, readers witness the evolving dynamics among family members as they navigate love, loss, and the complexities of modern life. Cunningham’s keen observations and subtle storytelling promise a deeply moving exploration of human connections.
Release Date: November 14, 2023
What Fall 2023 Book Releases are You Most Excited to Read?
What books can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Did I miss any Fall 2023 book releases that you are anticipating? As always, let me know in the comments! Happy reading! ❤️