Fall reading is my favorite bookish delight. There is just something about crisp days and roaring fireplaces that make me want to do nothing else but read. This year that will be easier to do with so many amazing historical books being released from September through December. Check out my most anticipated reads and get your pre-orders or library holds in now!
I have ARCs of most of the books below, so be sure to follow me on Instagram and Goodreads to see my reviews. I’ll also update here once I’ve read and reviewed them.
All links listed below are Amazon affiliate links. As another option, I’ve also created a list of these books in my Bookshop.org shop that supports independent bookstores and creators. All books are listed in order of their anticipated publication dates (subject to change).
- Historical Fiction
- History Nonfiction
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult
- Contemporary Fiction
- Christmas-Themed Books
Historical Fiction
Favorite Authors
The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin (September 10)
I really enjoyed Martin’s book, The Librarian Spy, and I adored this one about a widowed mother who becomes a librarian in WWII England. Madeline always does a great job at bringing to life aspects of WWII that are less known. Plus I loved all of the references to some of my favorite books! I read an ARC and participated in an author chat that Cindy at Thoughts From A Page provides for her patrons. It was so fun hearing from the author and learning more about her extensive research process. Read my five star review here.
The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock (October 1)
I adored Kimberly’s last book (The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare), especially the way she incorporates nature into her historical mysteries. I have an ARC of this one about the Carnegie family on Cumberland Island, Georgia, and can’t wait to dig in! Read my review here.
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman (October 8)
Loigman’s magical historical novels transport you back in time and give you hope for the future. Her latest about an elderly woman who reconnects with her former crush sixty years later at a nursing home looks lovely! I have an ARC and can’t wait for the author chat through Thoughts from a Page! Read my review here.
Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon (October 8)
After our travels this summer, I have become obsessed with novels about Greece, especially during WWII. Corporon has become a favorite author, and I can’t wait to read about her latest set on the island of Cephalonia partly during the Italian occupation. I have an ARC and hope to get to it soon! Read my review here.
The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar (November 5)
I loved Salazar’s last book (The Roaring Days of Zora Lily), and I know I’ll love her latest about a WWII nurse who gets called back to the Pacific front. Not enough books are written about this part of the war! Read my review here.
The Liberty Scarf by Aimie K. Runyan, J’nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan (November 19)
These three women write wonderful, romantic historical novels that intertwine storylines effortlessly. I loved their novel, The Castle Keepers, last year and am excited to read this one set in WWI-era London, Maine, and Belgium. Read my review here!
Strong Women in History
Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan (September 10)
I can’t wait to read this novel about Claire Eiffel, daughter to Gustave Eiffel and who played an important role in her father’s work. I have an ARC and will be reading soon! Read my final review here.
Katharine, the Wright Sister by Tracey Enerson Wood (September 10)
Wood is back with another historical biographical novel (I loved her novel about First Lady Edith Wilson last year). This time she is focusing on Katharine Wright who was the mastermind behind the scenes of her brothers’ inventions. I have an ARC, and it’s high on my to-read list! Read my final review here.
The Colony Club by Shelley Noble (October 1)
As a member of the Junior League, I am always fascinated by any novels linked to its founder, Mary Harriman. A cousin of Mary’s by marriage, Daisy Harriman is amazing in her own right, and this novel about her founding a club for women in early 20th century New York City looks great! I’ll be getting to my ARC soon, and hope to pair it with a recent book that just came out about Mary’s duties in WWII-era Norway. read my final review here.
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers (October 22)
We all know Julia Child the Chef, but do we know Julia Child the Spy? Excited to dig into the ARC of this WWII novel!
New To Me Authors
Virginia by Shannon McNear (September 1)
This novel is the fourth in a series about the women of the lost colony of Roanoke, and I am excited to read it since I’ve always been fascinated with the disappearance of the colony. This book focuses on the first baby born in the New World to English settlers, Virginia Dare, and will hopefully provide a possible answer as to what happened to her! I just got the ARC and hope to read it, along with other books in the series, soon! Read my final five-star review here!
The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman (September 3)
A funny novel full of Southern small town charm set in the turbulent 1960s? Sounds right up my alley! This looks delightful and heartfelt as it’s a story about a fraught mother/daughter relationship. Read my review here.
A Place to Hide by Ronald H. Balson (September 17)
This novel about a US diplomat who defies the Nazis to save Jewish refugees looks emotional and powerful. I have an ARC, and hope to get to it soon! Read my final review here.
White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton (December 1) This book is being compared to Pachinko which I loved. Set in Japan-occupied Korea and WWII Japan, it looks beautiful and heart-breaking.
Historical Mysteries
Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly (October 1)
The second in the Evelyne Redfern series, I can’t wait to see what mysteries Evelyne solves now that she’s a field agent in WWII. Be sure to read the first book in the series before this one! Read my review here.
All’s Fair in Love and Treachery by Celeste Connally (November 12)
This is the second in Connally’s Lady Petra series and looks delightful! I love strong women in the Regency time period!
Secrets of the Watch House by Jenny Ashcroft (November 26)
After reading one of my favorite books of the year written by Ashcroft, I want to read all of her novels, including this new mystery set on the coast of Cornwall in 1934. Sounds perfect for fall! Read my final review here.
History Nonfiction
Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents that Forged the Republic by Lindsay M. Chervinsky (September 5)
With my interest in presidential and first lady history, I have always enjoyed following Dr. Chervinsky, the new executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library, on Instagram. Her latest nonfiction takes a look at the presidency of John Adams (someone I am very interested in researching for my new writing project!). I’ve already preordered my signed copy (it’s 30% off at this site) and am looking forward to seeing her at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in September.
The Paris Girl: The Young Woman Who Outwitted the Nazis and Became a WWII Hero by Francelle Bradford White (December 24)
I can never get enough books about the French Resistance, particularly in Paris. It’s one of my favorite subjects in fiction, so I am excited to read this nonfiction book written by the heroine’s own daughter! I think that personal piece will add so much! I got an ARC so am looking forward to digging in!
Middle Grade
Historical Fiction
When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman (September 17)
This poignant book explores the life of Anne Frank before her time in the hidden annex. Written by best-selling author Alice Hoffman in conjunction with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, it’s sure to be moving and heart-wrenching. I’m sure I will savor this ARC.
The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (October 8)
I’ve read several books recently about the codebreakers at Bletchley Park that helped win WWII for the Allies, so I can’t wait to read this middle grade novel from one of my favorite authors.
White House Clubhouse: White House on Fire! By Sean O’Brien (October 8)
I really enjoyed O’Brien’s first book in the White House Clubhouse series last year and can’t wait to see how the time traveling First Daughters handle the burning of the White House in 1814!
Lifeboat 5 by Susan Hood (October 8)
I’ve read so many books about children being sent away during WWII in England, and this one adds to that list as it tells the story of children who survived the torpedoing of the SS City of Benares. If your children loved A Place to Hang the Moon, I bet they’d like this as well!
I Survived the Black Death, 1348 by Lauren Tarshis (October 15)
I always love the books in the I Survived series and how they bring history to life, especially for late elementary-aged kids. Tarshis is exploring a time period we hear about but don’t know many facts about – the Black plague. I think kids will find this fascinating!
History Nonfiction
The Leadership Journey: How Four Kids Became President by Doris Kearns Goodwin (September 10)
We all love Goodwin’s nonfiction tomes about some of our greatest leaders, and now she is turning to middle grade to help children get inspired by our political heroes. This book would make a great back-to-school present!
Young Adult
In Want of a Suspect by Tirzah Price (November 12)
If you love Pride and Prejudice, this historical mystery with Lizzie and Darcy as the protagonists looks perfect! I love light-hearted YA historical novels!
A Queen’s Game by Katharine McGee (November 12)
I absolutely love McGee’s American Royals series, and this novel looks just as interesting even though it’s based on real history, not alternate history. She explores the life of three young princesses falling in love, and I am sure it will be full of soapy details that are perfect for teenagers (and adults)!
Contemporary Fiction
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty (September 10)
Since she wrote one of my favorite books of all time (What Alice Forgot), I will always read the latest Moriarty book. With this book centered on people finding out when they are going to die, it looks to be another thought-provoking novel. Read my final review here.
Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth (October 15)
I have heard great things about this novel focused on a successful fantasy writer with early-onset dementia and her eleven year old superfan who helps her write the final book. Looks like it will be poignant!
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens (November 19)
I’ve read and loved all of Cousens’ smart and funny books so can’t wait to read her latest about a divorced mom going on dates selected by her children! Looks hilarious! Read my final 5 star review here!
Christmas-Themed Books
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone (October 15)
I’ve read all of Stone’s heartfelt Christmas-themed romances/women’s fiction novels. They’re just so smart and full of emotion. I expect nothing less in her latest novel about a young woman inheriting half of a business from her late father with the co-owner being a bad-tempered young executive. I can’t wait to read my ARC at the first whiff of cold weather! Read my final review here.
Christmas is All Around by Martha Waters (October 22)
I’ve enjoyed Waters’ historical romances, and this is her first contemporary novel. It looks so cute! Read my final review here.
Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (November 19)
I love Gaynor and Webb’s collaborations, and can’t wait to read this one about the Queen’s Christmas Day speech in 1957. They even got to visit Sandringham where it takes place! Read my final review here.
Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads to learn more about what I’m reading throughout the year!
Thanks for sharing! Glad it’s helpful!