There are so many new books coming out in the fall of 2022, it was hard to narrow them down to my most anticipated reads. You’ll find a super-sized list below with links so you can pre-order or get your library holds requested!
I’m planning out my fall reading right now, hoping to tackle the eighth Outlander book in addition to many of the ones listed below. Read last year’s post to see how I evaluate my fall reading.
What are you most looking forward to reading this fall? Does your reading change by season?
Books are listed in order of release date. All links are Amazon affiliate links. If you’d like to support independent bookstores and creators, check out my Bookshop.org affiliate link.
Favorite Authors in Historical Fiction
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
I loved Hamnet by O’Farrell and am looking forward to learning more about Renaissance Italy in her next literary historical fiction masterpiece. (Release Date: 9/6)
Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
I’ll read any historical fiction by Atkinson, author of one of my favorite books of all time, Life After Life. This book about London during the Roaring Twenties looks amazing! (Release Date: 9/27)
When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner
Meissner is an auto-buy author for me, and I loved Lawhon’s Code Name Hélène and McMorris’ Sold on a Monday, so I am definitely pre-ordering this book about World War II nurses stationed in the South Pacific. (Release Date: 10/18)
Marmee by Sarah Miller
Little Women is one of my favorite books of all time, so I can’t wait to read this retelling of the story from the mother’s perspective. I loved Miller’s Caroline about Ma of Little House on the Prairie fame. She really gets to the heart of the women in these novels where so much focus is on the children. It will change how you view the original source material! And I’m excited to read an ARC and virtually meet the author through Thoughts from a Page’s Patreon community! (Release Date: 10/25)
The Lipstick Bureau by Michelle Gable
I’ve loved Gable’s other books, so I’m looking forward to her newest novel about an American woman spy in WWII-era Rome. (Release Date: 12/27)
Historical Fiction Advance Review Copies I’m Already Reading
A Harvest of Secrets by Roland Merullo
Set in Italy during World War II, this historical fiction novel is romantic and gritty, full of intrigue and suspense. I am reading it right now through Kindle First Reads and am captivated! (Release Date: 9/1)
The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
I read this as part of Thoughts from a Page’s Patreon community and absolutely loved it. It’s a charming dual-timeline story about an early 20th century immigrant girl who can “see” when people are soulmates and her granddaughter who is learning about her family’s gift. I learned so much about early 20th century New York City and the Jewish culture. (Release Date: 9/20)
The Invincible Miss Cust by Penny Haw
This novel about a woman studying to become a veterinarian in 19th century Edinburgh is getting rave reviews! I’m excited to read my advance copy and will post on my Instagram. (Release Date: 10/4)
The Winter Garden by Nicola Cornick
This novel about the infamous late 16th century Gunpowder plot will hopefully shed more light on this historical event we don’t really study in the US. Review will post on Instagram when I finish! (Release Date: 10/25)
New-to-me Authors in Historical Fiction
Where the Wandering Ends: A Novel of Corfu by Yvette Manessis Corporon
I’ve become interested in learning more about 20th century Greek history after reading so many books about Prince Philip. This book takes place during the Greek Civil War on the island of Corfu and looks amazing. (Release Date: 9/6)
The Time Writer and The Notebook: A Historical Time Travel Adventure by Alex R. Crawford
A book about a modern mother traveling through time to the 18th century while visiting a historic site? Sounds perfect to me! (Release Date: 9/6)
An Indiscreet Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter by Georgie Blalock
After visiting England and learning more about Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace, I think this novel about one of her daughters looks interesting. (Release Date: 9/27)
Hester: A Novel by Laurie Lico Albanese
I love books that explore the world in a classic novel. This book is about the relationship between Nathaniel Hawthorne and Scottish immigrant, Isobel, the real-life inspiration for the shunned Hester Prynne character in The Scarlet Letter. (Release Date: 10/4)
New WWII Historical Fiction
The Girl from Guernica by Karen Robards
I am eager to read this book about the horrific bombing that inspired Picasso. (Release Date: 9/6)
One Woman’s War: A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny by Christine Wells
This book about the real-life inspiration for a James Bond character looks great! (Release Date: 10/4)
The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn
This debut novel is a sweeping story about a group of kids finding a whale carcass on an English beach, turning it into a theater. Decades later, two of those kids use their acting skills to infiltrate Nazi Europe. Very interesting! (Release Date: 10/4)
That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwall
This book is blurbed by some of my favorite historical fiction authors, so I know it will be fabulous. Set at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, it follows an English debutante who is sent to the Games to take clandestine pictures of Hitler’s regime. (Release date: 10/11)
Angels of the Resistance: A WWII Novel by Noelle Salazar
After reading this nonfiction book last year, I want to learn even more about the Dutch resistance fighters, and this novel looks perfect! (Release Date: 11/29)
Historical Romance
The Empress by Gigi Griffis
If you like to read books before watching the TV show or movie, grab this book which is also coming to Netflix this month! It explores the history of 19th century Austria where the Emperor is betrothed to a Bavarian princess but instead falls in love with her sister. (Release Date: 9/27)
The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
I loved Matthews’ first book in the Belles of London series (The Siren of Sussex) so I can’t wait to read this book taking place in the lovely Yorkshire area. (Release Date: 10/11)
History Nonfiction
Between Home and the Front: Civil War Letters of the Walters Family by the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
I love letters written during the Civil War – it’s the best way to learn what was really happening to everyday people both in and out of the army. This collection of letters from a Private in the 5th Indiana Cavalry and his wife looks fascinating! (Release Date: 9/6)
The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Famous Dynasty by Natalie Livingstone
I have an ARC of this nonfiction book about the Rothschild matriarchs and how they lived through some of the most historic events of the 19th and 20th centuries. I love stories about strong women! (Release Date: 10/25)
The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village by Stephen G. Rabe
After visiting Normandy, I want to learn all I can about the Allied invasion. This book, written by the son of one of the paratroopers, pays homage to the village women who welcomed the Allies with open arms. (Release Date: 11/10)
Contemporary Women’s Fiction
The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland
Written by the author of one of my favorite August reads, Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, this novel about friends evaluating their choices at their 25th high school reunion sounds right up my alley. I love books about nostalgia and about how your past self would view your current self. I ordered it as part of my Book of the Month (referral link) selections! (Release Date: 9/6)
Before I Do by Sophie Cousens
I’ve read both of Cousens’ other books and really enjoyed them. This book about a woman whose first love shows up right before her wedding looks like a fun “what might have been” caper! (Release Date: 10/11)
One Last Gift by Emily Stone
I don’t know if I’m emotionally prepared for this book. Stone’s first book, Always, in December, completely wrecked me – but I loved it! Have lots of tissues ready if you choose to read this book about a woman following clues from her dead brother to reconnect with old friends and rediscover herself. (Release Date: 10/11)
On the Way to Christmas: Three Stories by Sheila Roberts, Melissa Ferguson, and Amy Clipston
Ferguson is the author of one of my favorite books of the year, Meet Me in the Margins, so I’m excited to read this sweet Christmas-themed romance book! (Release Date: 10/11)
The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch
A book about the what-ifs of love surrounded by nineties nostalgia? Sign me up now! (Release Date: 11/1)
Well Traveled by Jen DeLuca
I have enjoyed all of the first three books in this fun series about finding love at Renaissance Faires! (Release Date: 12/6)
Personal Growth Nonfiction
Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters by Laura Vanderkam
I enjoyed Vanderkam’s other books about time management and listen to her podcast every week. I love how she uses data and real world experience to simplify the lives of busy women so we can get to the to-dos that matter. (Release Date: 10/11)
Middle Grade/YA
I Survived the Wellington Avalanche, 1910 by Lauren Tarshis
One of my favorite middle grade series, this book is about a horrible snow storm and avalanche that trapped a train in the Cascade Mountains. (Release Date: 9/6)
The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander
My kids love Alexander’s other contemporary books in verse, but he’s changed it up in this book to make it historical fiction about the history of Africa. Sounds intriguing and is the first in a planned trilogy! (Release Date: 9/27)
Virginia Mysteries Book #11 by Steven K. Smith
My whole family loves Smith’s books about history and adventure in the Commonwealth, so we are eagerly anticipating his latest about southwest Virginia coming out this year! (Release Date: 12/1)
I know our TBR lists just exploded! Let me know which one of these books you want to read first!
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