It may still be summer, but fall is coming! And with the turn of the calendar to September comes a plethora of new books being released. Fall often holds some of the best books of the year with the crisp autumn nights perfect for reading by the fire. Check out my most anticipated releases!
All books are listed in order of their anticipated publication dates (subject to change). When I read the book, I will add a link to my review.
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.
Historical Fiction
Favorite Authors
Most Anticipated:
The Home Front Sisters by Amy Lynn Green (November 17th)
When I saw this was a Little Women-inspired novel set during WWII, I knew I had to read it! I have been burned on Little Women retellings before, but I think I am in good hands here with Christian historical fiction novelist Green as I have read and enjoyed her books before.
Most Anticpated:
The Unfinished Work: A Novel of Abraham Lincoln by Jeff Shaara (November 10th)
Shaara is my go to for well-researched novels that bring to life the real history of a person or event. I love his immersive writing that teaches you so much about history. With Abraham Lincoln being my favorite president, this novel is sure to be a winner!
The Survivors Guild by Gabriella Saab (September 1st)
I love any books about the Titanic, and this one involving a Lebanese young woman and an unhappy society wife who team up to save an orphaned baby looks so intriguing!
The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (September 8th)
Lawhon is an autobuy author for me as I have given her last two books five stars (Code Name Hélène and The Frozen River). I am excited to learn more about the real-life pirate queen through her stellar storytelling!
Our Noble Selves by Kate Atkinson (September 15th)
Atkinson writes such literary yet readable WWII-era fiction, including one of my favorite books of all time, Life After Life. I am excited to see her return to this time period in her latest book about a missing woman in post-WWII London.
The French Innkeeper’s Daughter by Diane C. McPhail (September 29th)
I loved McPhail’s previous novel (Follow the Stars Home) about an unknown woman from history, so I know I will enjoy this new novel about a young woman in 18th century France who ends up being a founding mother of Louisiana. Sounds like another unbelievable yet true story!
The Queen of Roses by Julia Kelly (October 20th)
Kelly is an autobuy author for me. I just love her take on history whether it’s historical fiction or part of her historical mystery series. She usually writes about England, so this dual timeline book set in Pasadena, California in 1903 and 1960 will be special!
Flight of the Hummingbird by M.B. Henry (November 1st)
I love Henry’s writing about women during wartime, and her latest about the interwar period in Berlin between WWI and WWII looks fascinating. I know she will tell an amazing and heartfelt story! (I will add the link to purchase as soon as it becomes available.)
Peregrine Hill by Nina de Gramont (November 10th)
I enjoyed this author’s previous book (The Christie Affair) and can’t wait to get swept up in Gilded Age New York in this new novel! And that cover is just stunning.
Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley (November 17th)
I read my first book by Kearsley this summer and fell in love with her writing. This novel about a journalist uncovering a WWII-era crime looks interesting and a bit different from her time travel series.
War Intrigue
Most Anticipated:
The Barman of the Ritz by Philippe Collin (September 1st)
I am obsessed with anything about the Paris Ritz Hotel during WWII. I’ve read two books about women staying at the hotel, and this one about the barman will give me a different perspective.
Library of Forbidden Books by Mario Escobar (September 1st)
This WWII-era novel about a librarian standing up to the Nazis who are burning books looks fascinating. I really enjoyed Escobar’s last book (A Bookseller in Madrid) and look forward to reading my ARC.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse by Heather Morris (October 20th)
I have never read Morris’ books about WWII, so I am excited to read this new book about a piano teacher who takes in a young Jewish girl during the Nazi occupation of Paris.
Soul of a Revolution by Megan Soja (November 10th)
I am hoping to read the first three books in this series before getting to this one. They all look like great books to read about the history of the American Revolution, especially in this year of celebrating the 250th!
The Bureau of Unknown Fates by Gaëlle Nohant (December 8th)
This looks like a beautiful book about a French woman trying to find the owners of items confiscated in the liberated concentration camps of WWII. What a unique premise.
Historical Mysteries
Most Anticipated:
The First Ladies’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Flower (November 24th)
Of course, this is my most anticipated fiction novel of the season! First Ladies Frances Cleveland and Julia Grant teaming up to solve a murder mystery? Sounds perfect for me!
The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury (September 1st)
I love anything set in Oxford, England, and this new historical mystery series looking for a Soviet spy during the Cold War looks great! I hope to get to my ARC soon!
The Heiress of Northanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau (September 1st)
I just read the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey, to refresh my memory on the characters whose stories are continued in this new book. I am looking forward to reading!
The Undercover Bookshop by Katherine Reay (October 6th)
Reay is a favorite author for a reason. I just love her well-researched historical novels with a thread of mystery. This latest about the Cotswolds and a Soviet spy is top of my TBR list!
The Cursed Diamond by Anna Rasche (November 3rd)
A cursed diamond with a sordid past? Sign me up! I am especially interested in the early 20th century storyline in this dual timeline novel.
Special Editions
Outlander (Deluxe Edition) by Diana Gabaldon (September 29th)
I’ve had this book pre-ordered for months! This beautiful tartan-clad edition of one of my favorite books of all time will have a special place on my shelves!
History Nonfiction
Most Anticipated:
Presidentess: The Life of First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler (September 29th)
I loved this book about the fascinating Julia Gardiner Tyler who was one of our country’s youngest first ladies when she married the much older John Tyler during his term as president. She led such a colorful life from her upbringing in New York society to her choice to side with the Confederacy in the Civil War. She has not had her own biography until now, and I love how this one dispels so many rumors of scandal that were incorrectly included in earlier books about her. Read my five-star review here!
Dressing the Queen: Two Hundred Years of Craft, Couture, and Monarchy by Kate Strasdin (September 1st)
I am obsessed with Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe that’s currently on display at Buckingham Palace, and this book about the people who create the splendid clothes looks so interesting! So many people work behind the scenes to make the royals stand out.
Shadow Before the Flame: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War by Catherine Grace Katz (September 22nd)
This new nonfiction about the Hindenburg and the disaster’s impact on history looks great. And the author is a fun follow on Instagram!
Reconcilable Differences: The Unlikely Political Alliance of John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt by Barbara A. Perry (September 24th)
Two of the 20th century’s most popular political figures, this new nonfiction book released by the University of Virginia’s presidential center looks at the utterly likeable John F. Kennedy and his relationship with the grand dame of the Democratic Party, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I had no idea they worked together!
William Howard Taft: A Great American Life by Walter Stahr (November 10th)
President Taft often gets overlooked as he is sandwiched between gregarious President Theordore Roosevelt and consequential President Woodrow Wilson. I am excited to learn more about this man who is the only president to serve on the Supreme Court after his term in office. And his wife is endlessly fascinating as well!
General Nonfiction
Beyond the Pink: Navigating Life, Health, and Breast Cancer by Dr. Eleanor Terplinski (September 29th)
Every woman should read this book about breast cancer and preventative measures that can be taken. It’s so important for us all to be educated, and Dr. Terplinski is one of my favorite follows on Instagram for her thoughtful, educational posts.
Contemporary Fiction
The Mother-in-Law Book Club by Kate Hash (October 12th)
I really enjoyed Hash’s romance from last year (Gracie Harris is Under Construction) so this new novel about a woman finding community in a book club looks delightful.
Just in Time by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka (December 8th)
This time-travel romance involves a magical taxicab and a woman who uses it to go back to perfect her GPA meeting another time traveler who uses his time to go back and visit family. Looks cute!
Christmas-themed Fiction
Twelve Days and Twelfth Night by Sarah Sundin (September 1st)
Sundin is a favorite Christian historical fiction author, and I can’t wait to read her latest novella about a WWII USO performer at Christmas.
Christmas in Austenland by Shannon Hale (September 22nd)
I love how this popular series is adding a Christmas-themed book!
Counting Down to You by Emily Stone (October 6th)
I love Stone’s poignant books set during the Christmas holidays. Her latest about an Advent calendar and grief is sure to delight (and need tissues!).
The Christmas Yes List by Melissa Ferguson (October 6th)
Ferguson writes the sweetest love stories, and I am excited to read this Christmas romance and then watch the movie!
A Married Little Christmas by Abby Jimenez (October 20th)
I’ve read all of Jimenez’s romances so I know I will love these novellas set at Christmas! And the book is so pretty!
Middle Grade/YA
Beneath the Canopy by Lynda Riggers (August 27th)
I missed this middle grade novel in my summer roundup so wanted to include it here. Following two children in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, it looks poignant and an important read.
Up from The Ashes by Sharon Cameron (October 6th)
Cameron is my go-to for YA historical fiction about WWII. I am looking forward to reading her new book about a young couple in one of Hitler’s death camps.
The Web of War (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #14): A World War II Tale by Nathan Hale (November 3rd)
My teen son still loves to read these graphic novels about history. This one is set during D-Day and gives you many different paths to follow to learn about all aspects of the invasion.
Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads to learn more about what I’m reading throughout the year!
