The 36 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2023
These reviews are independent, however, TIME does receive a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser. Get ready for the fall season with a new batch of exciting books. From historical fiction to memoirs and thrillers, there’s something for everyone. Here are the most anticipated books of the fall:
1. “Desertion” by Abdulrazak Gurnah: This previously out-of-print novel explores an illicit love affair in 19th-century East Africa during British colonialism.
2. “The Fraud” by Zadie Smith: In her first historical novel, Smith delves into the Tichborne Trial, a controversial case of imposture in Victorian England.
3. “Wednesday’s Child” by Yiyun Li: Li’s collection of short stories explores themes of isolation, alienation, and devastation through relatable and heartbreaking tales.
4. “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey: This book offers science-backed solutions for building a happier life in the areas of family, friendship, work, and faith.
5. “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson: Isaacson provides an in-depth profile of Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla and SpaceX, based on interviews with Musk and those close to him.
6. “Rouge” by Mona Awad: Awad’s novel delves into the complicated relationships between mothers, daughters, and their mirrors in a surreal gothic tale.
7. “The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff: This historical adventure follows a servant girl who escapes a colonial settlement and must adapt to survive in the wilderness.
8. “The Young Man” by Annie Ernaux: Ernaux reflects on a passionate love affair she had with a younger man, exploring themes of love, time, and aging.
9. “The Book of (More) Delights” by Ross Gay: Gay’s collection of essays celebrates the joyful surprises of everyday life, reminding readers to find joy in the little things.
10. “Bright Young Women” by Jessica Knoll: Knoll’s thriller is loosely inspired by Ted Bundy’s attack on a sorority house, focusing on the victims and survivors.
11. “The Wren, the Wren” by Anne Enright: Enright’s novel examines the legacy of a respected Irish poet who abandoned his family, exploring the trauma inherited by his daughter.
12. “My Work” by Olga Ravn: Ravn’s novel explores the complex nature of women’s work through different literary forms, including fiction, essay, poetry, memoir, and letters.
13. “Shadow Speaker” by Nnedi Okorafor: In this reissued Afrofuturistic novel, a young girl with mysterious abilities embarks on a mission to find her father’s killer in a world on the brink of nuclear destruction.
14. “Thicker Than Water” by Kerry Washington: Washington’s memoir delves into her personal history and identity, offering an intimate look at her life, upbringing, and rise to fame.
15. “The Unsettled” by Ayana Mathis: Mathis tells a multigenerational tale of heartbreak, self-determination, and survival through the stories of two women navigating a changing world.
16. “A Man of Two Faces: A Memoir, A History, A Memorial” by Viet Thanh Nguyen: Nguyen’s memoir explores his conflicted relationship with America, using his own life experiences to understand the immigrant and refugee experience.
17. “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of the New Tycoon” by Michael Lewis: Lewis delves into the world of cryptocurrency, focusing on Sam Bankman-Fried, a controversial figure in the industry.
18. “How to Say Babylon” by Safiya Sinclair: Sinclair’s memoir explores her escape from a strict Rastafarian upbringing in Jamaica and her journey to finding her voice as a woman and a writer.
19. “Our Strangers” by Lydia Davis: Davis’s collection of short stories defies conventions, offering irreverent and poetic takes on everyday life in a variety of literary forms.
20. “Family Meal” by Bryan Washington: Washington’s novel explores grief, love, and friendship through the story of a man struggling to move on after the death of his partner.
21. “The Hive and the Honey” by Paul Yoon: Yoon’s collection of stories spans 500 years of the Korean diaspora, offering a complex look at alienation, identity, and the lasting effects of war.
22. “Madonna: A Rebel Life” by Mary Gabriel: Gabriel takes stock of Madonna’s 40-year career, highlighting the achievements, controversies, and boundary-pushing moments that made her an icon.
23. “Roman Stories” by Jhumpa Lahiri: Lahiri’s collection of short stories set in Rome explores the city’s history and its impact on the lives of its inhabitants.
24. “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” by Curtis Chin: Chin’s memoir reflects on his coming-of-age as a gay, Chinese American kid in a Chinese restaurant that served as a sanctuary for a diverse range of patrons.
25. “Worthy” by Jada Pinkett Smith: Pinkett Smith sets the record straight about her life, career, and relationship with Will Smith in this intimate memoir.
26. “Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward: Ward combines magical realism with historical fiction to tell the story of an enslaved girl’s harrowing journey in the antebellum South.
27. “The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears: Spears shares her story of resilience and strength, shedding light on her life, career, and the conservatorship that nearly silenced her.
28. “Absolution” by Alice McDermott: McDermott explores the experiences of the wives of Vietnam War veterans, offering a poignant look at the sacrifices and regrets that come with living on the margins of war.
29. “The Future” by Naomi Alderman: Alderman’s futuristic novel follows a group of unlikely allies as they try to take down corrupt tech billionaires who threaten the world.
30. “My Name Is Barbra” by Barbra Streisand: Streisand’s memoir offers a comprehensive look at her legendary career and personal life.
31. “To Free the Captives: A Plea For the American Soul” by Tracy K. Smith: Smith explores America’s past and present to offer insights on how the nation can address its shameful history and move towards a more unified future.
32. “The Vulnerables” by Sigrid Nunez: Nunez’s novel explores the importance of friendship, even the unconventional ones, through the story of a Gen Z-er and a vivacious parrot.
33. “The Little Liar” by Mitch Albom: Albom’s novel delves into the consequences of dishonesty through the story of a young boy who becomes a pathological liar.
34. “The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation” by Raquel Willis: Willis’s memoir reflects on her own journey as a Black transgender activist and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community that inspired her fight for collective liberation.
35. “So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men” by Claire Keegan: Keegan explores gender dynamics and power struggles in three interconnected stories.
36. “Critical Hits: Writers Playing Video Games” edited by J. Robert Lennon and Carmen Maria Machado: This collection of essays features writers reflecting on the emotional impact of popular video games.
These books will keep you entertained from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. Snuggle up with a hot drink and get lost in these captivating stories.
