There’s a reason autumn feels synonymous with reading. The crisp air, the return of layering, the ritual of tea steaming in your favorite mug — it all creates the perfect stage for a stack of books. There’s something about the golden light and early evenings that makes turning pages feel like its own kind of luxury. This year’s fall reading list 2025 is a curated blend of buzzy new releases, cult-favorite wellness titles, and chic fashion reads that deserve prime coffee table real estate (along with a few Instagram posts).
We’re talking fiction books for this fall that will sweep you away into new worlds, cozy autumn books that feel like curling up under your softest throw, and fall wellness books that inspire balance and intentional living just when the season starts to speed up. And because style isn’t just in your wardrobe, we’ve included fashion books to read this fall — glossy, beautifully bound volumes that double as décor and conversation starters. Think of this as your ultimate autumn reading guide: equal parts smart, stylish, and satisfying.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you shop through them — no extra cost to you, just extra good taste.
Coming this month, one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Tourist Season is set in a seemingly quiet seaside town that simmers with tension. Weaver blends true-crime obsession with an enemies-to-lovers romance, making it both unputdownable and emotionally layered. This is the kind of book that BookTok is already buzzing about — expect dark humor, messy characters, and dialogue you’ll want to highlight. It’s the perfect must-read fall book if you want your cozy nights to come with a dose of edge and a storyline you’ll end up texting your best friend about.
Adrienne Young moves from YA into adult fantasy with a debut that’s already generating hype. Fallen City is set in a world of fractured alliances and simmering rebellion, where loyalty and love are constantly tested. Expect rich descriptions, high-stakes intrigue, and the kind of atmospheric world-building that makes hours disappear. It’s an immersive fiction book for readers who crave escapism — a perfect match for curling up indoors as the leaves change. Expect it in November!
Flournoy’s return to fiction centers on five women navigating the intersections of friendship, identity, and personal transformation. Each voice feels distinct, yet together they create a chorus that’s both raw and poetic. The novel tackles questions of belonging, selfhood, and change, all with Flournoy’s signature clarity. It’s a cozy autumn book in the sense that it wraps you in honest storytelling — even when it stings. This is a smart, conversation-worthy novel to add depth to your fall lineup.
Spanning decades in a small Ohio town, Buckeye is a sweeping family saga rooted in post-war America. Ryan captures the tenderness and the fractures that define generations — loves lost, secrets buried, dreams deferred. It’s nostalgic without being saccharine, and it hums with the quiet drama of everyday life. The kind of must-read fall book you pair with a Sunday afternoon, a slow stew simmering on the stove, and an oversized cardigan.
Smith’s sharp, layered storytelling takes on Victorian London through the lens of a real-life trial. But like all Zadie Smith novels, it’s less about the setting and more about how history refracts into our present moment. The Fraud examines justice, truth, and identity with wit and complexity. It’s an intellectual yet page-turning chic book for fall reading — ideal for readers who like their novels to be both stylish and substantive, a literary accessory you’ll want to flaunt on your coffee table and in conversation.
If fall is the season of reflection, Rubin’s meditative exploration of creativity is the handbook to keep close. Rather than a step-by-step manual, The Creative Act reframes creativity as a mindset, a way of approaching life with openness and curiosity. It’s filled with short, contemplative passages that work beautifully for journaling prompts or moments of reset. As a fall wellness book, it’s less about self-improvement and more about nourishing your inner world — perfect for mornings when you want a grounding ritual alongside your latte.
For fashion and beauty lovers, Glossy is catnip. Meltzer chronicles Emily Weiss’s rise from Teen Vogue “Superintern” to the CEO of one of beauty’s most disruptive brands. It’s a story of ambition, branding, and cultural shifts, told with juicy insider detail and sharp analysis. This fashion book doubles as both industry gossip and a lens on millennial culture — perfect for anyone who ever had a pink pouch in their bathroom cabinet.
If fall always sparks the urge to reinvent your wardrobe, Macy Eleni’s Second Chances is the stylish reset you need. A beloved voice on TikTok and YouTube, Eleni brings her thrifting expertise to the page with practical tips on hunting for hidden gems, building a sustainable closet, and curating a style that feels genuinely you. It’s equal parts sustainable fashion handbook and confidence manifesto, reminding readers that the most stylish choice you can make is the one that aligns with your values. Add it to your stack of chic books — and maybe keep it by the door for inspiration before your next thrift run.
Nestor transforms something as simple as breathing into a fascinating exploration of health, history, and human potential. From ancient practices to modern science, he argues that the way we breathe shapes everything from sleep quality to anxiety levels. It’s engaging, practical, and surprisingly page-turning. For those looking to balance their fiction stack with fall wellness books, this one offers a literal breath of fresh air.
For fashion lovers who want more than glam, Fashionopolis is essential. Dana Thomas unpacks how the industry impacts labor, the environment, and craftsmanship, while pointing toward a more sustainable future. It’s sharp, stylish, and surprisingly hopeful — a must-read fall book for anyone who cares about where fashion is headed next.
