Happy “Augtober,” book dragons! What’s that, you say? Well, it’s the time of year when we’re officially over all this summer heat and more than ready for the cool, crisp breezes of autumn. We’re preparing to put down the beach reads and pick up some spooky or witchy fall books…to curl up in a cozy sweater and sink deep into the “-ber” months! (And no, we will not accept that September is technically mostly summer.) You with us?
If you’re nodding and reaching for a scarf and some apple cider, tuck in and read on! We’re highlighting some of the most anticipated (and delightfully autumnal) fall books, whether newly released or coming soon, along with some book recs from the LitJoy team and even a pick from the Lunacorns. Tell your TBR to brace itself, and let’s get to those fall books!
Something Witchy This Way Comes…
Nothing says fall is here quite like the release of the newest coven of witchy books! Grab your cauldrons and curl up with your familiars while we cast a spell chock full of these deliciously witchy reads!
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
This magic-filled romance is complete with a bad luck curse, a peculiar hedge maze, palm readings by candlelight, and a midnight Halloween ritual…it’s the perfect fall read!
Best Hex Ever Release Date: October 1, 2024
Truly Madly Magically by Hazel Beck (Witchlore #3)
We return to Beck’s Witchlore series this fall for the story of Ellowyn, a witch cursed to tell the truth, and Zander, the man who won’t let her lie to herself anymore.
Truly Madly Magically Release Date: August 27, 2024
Rise and Divine by Lana Harper (The Witches of Thistle Grove #5)
Return to Thistle Grove for the story of Dasha, a necromantic witch haunted by loss who must reckon with her turbulent past to save her town and the woman who loves her.
Rise and Divine Release Date: August 20, 2024
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling (The Ex Hex #3)
This witchy rom-com staff rec comes from Kearstie, our Copy Editor, who says: “I read each of the first two books in this series in one laugh-filled sitting. I’m SO ready for the holidays…sign me up for Winter Solstice in Graves Glen!)
The Wedding Witch Release Date: October 8, 2024
**Love all things witchy? Prepare to be enchanted by our October shop drops…we’re bringing all the whimsical and wicked witchiness you can handle to go with your new stack of fall books! Don't want to wait? Check out all the witchy wonder already in the LitJoy Shop!
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Fall in Love…
Picture it: a couple walking down a twinkle-lit street on a crisp fall evening, the crunch of fallen leaves beneath their booted feet, the smell of pumpkin spice and apple cider in the air…irresistible, right? If you said yes, these new romantic fall books are just right for you.
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
Fall in love with Erin and her mystery man as they spark romance in the margins of beloved classic books. This one is for the book lovers!
The Book Swap Release Date: September 3, 2024
I’ll Have What He’s Having by Adib Khorram
Business turns to pleasure between sommelier-in-training David and new bistro owner Farzan in this sizzling and clever rom-com!
I’ll Have What He’s Having Release Date: October 8, 2024
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
This YA rom-com staff rec comes from Amikka, our Operations Manager and a huge Lynn Painter fan, who says: “Her books are genuinely hilarious and she writes her characters with so much heart!”
Nothing Like the Movies Release Date: October 1, 2024
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author Danica Nava.
The Truth According to Ember Release Date: October 8, 2024
**SPOILER! A whisper from the stacks told me that one of the fall books on this list MAY be a To Bee Read Book Box choice for November! Want to know which? You’ll have to wait and see…
Back to School, Dark Academia Style…
Notebooks and #2 pencils? Oh no—dark academia book recs like these require preparations that include spellbooks and self-defense classes! This fall, back to school has a sharp edge and deep shadows that’ll have you shivering in anticipation (and possibly fear).
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
A student will find that the hardest lessons sometimes come from outside the classroom in this stunning dark academia novel from the acclaimed author of House of Hunger.
An Academy for Liars Release Date: September 17, 2024
The Coven and The Cursed by Harper L. Woods (Coven of Bones #1 and #2)
Indie turned traditionally pubbed author Harper L. Woods invites you to Hollow’s Grove University, where the Coven will open its wards to thirteen promising students destined to change the world—if the ghosts of the school’s victims don’t kill them first.
The Coven Release Date: August 6, 2024 | The Cursed Release Date: September 3, 2024
The Midnight Club by Margot Harrison
It’s been twenty-five years since The Midnight Club last convened…not since the death of their brilliant friend Jennet junior year. Now, decades later, a mysterious invitation has pulled them back to the pine-shrouded Vermont town where it all began.
The Midnight Club Release Date: September 24, 2024
In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology by multiple authors
A beguiling, sinister collection of 12 dark academia short stories from masters of the genre, including Olivie Blake, M.L. Rio, Susie Yang and more!
In These Hallowed Halls Release Date: September 12, 2024
**Ah, the nostalgia of back to school shopping. Book covers, stationery, new planners…perfection! Lucky for us, we have something super exciting coming to the shop with our holiday drops in November that’ll bring back those feelings, but even better! Prepare to own your future with a new, personalized approach to planning your days. But you didn’t hear it here!
Face Your Fears…
Bring on all the mesmerizingly macabre and scintillatingly scary fall books—spooky season approaches! Add these ghoulishly good books to your TBR, and prepare to be scared! Just don’t blame us when you can’t sleep at night…
The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig
From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling of “Grandfather Death.” In this sweeping, fantastical saga of actions and consequences, all gifts come with a price.
The Thirteenth Child Release Date: September 24, 2024
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
In this Southern gothic horror debut, a young Black woman abandons her life in 1960s Chicago for a position with a mysterious family in New Orleans, only to discover a dark truth.
This Cursed House Release Date: October 8, 2024
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
This staff pick comes from Brittany, our Podcast Coordinator, who says: “ If We Were Villains was my favorite read of 2023 and maybe of all time. I am so excited for this one!”
Graveyard Shift Release Date: September 24, 2024
We Came to Welcome You by Vincent Tirado
In this spine-chilling, propulsive psychological horror that illuminates the shocking nature of systemic racism, a married couple moves into a gated “community” where you become a good neighbor—or you die.
We Came to Welcome You Release Date: September 3, 2024
*If you’re excited for these reads, you won’t want to miss our new additions to LitJoy’s Gothic Horror Collection, Frankenstein and The Phantom of the Opera! Snag them before they disappear into the night...
Spend Autumn in Other Worlds…
Fall has some of the best sci-fi and fantasy releases—so many, in fact, that we found it hard to only pick a few! Something about a chill in the air just feels a bit like anything’s possible, so it’s no surprise that we’re more than ready to dive into these fantastical reads.
Heir by Sabaa Tahir (Heir Duology #1)
We asked the LitJoy Lunacorns about their most highly anticipated fall releases and Heir was mentioned by Lunies Avarie and Simone! We get the hype…we can’t wait for this YA fantasy about love, legacy, and vengeance, either!
Heir Release Date: October 1, 2024
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Assistant and the Villain #2)
The Villain’s manor is vulnerable, so it’s time for Evie to step out of her comfort zone and learn new skills. Like treason. Dagger work. Conspiring with the enemy. It’s all so…delightfully fun.
Apprentice to the Villain Release Date: August 6, 2024
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
This staff pick comes from Lacey, our IT Manager, who says: “ The Life Impossible is at the top of my wishlist. I thought The Midnight Library was delightful, and I'm looking forward to reading more from Haig!”
The Life Impossible Release Date: September 3, 2024
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune (Cerulean Chronicles #2)
This highly anticipated sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea is a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea Release Date: September 10, 2024
**Shelves full to the brim of genres of all kind? Us too! These ridiculously adorable Book Emoji Magnet Bookmarks have cute little pals to mark your pages no matter what kind of fall books you’re reading!
Prepare for Twists and Turns…
Fall is the perfect time for mystery and suspense. We’re bringing on the nail-biting thrillers and razor-sharp twists—just don’t blame us when you start getting a little, well, paranoid. There’s no one behind you! Probably…
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
For those still holding on to summer, we simply had to mention this riveting psychological thriller about the search for a teenager who disappears from an Adirondack summer camp—and she’s not the first.
The God of the Woods Release Date: July 2, 2024
Where They Last Saw Herby Marcie R. Rendon
From the award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear series comes a compelling novel of a Native American woman who learns of the disappearance of one of her own and decides enough is enough.
Where They Last Saw Her Release Date: September 3, 2024
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of a family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense about a father trying to save his daughter from a true modern master.
The Last One at the Wedding Release Date: October 8, 2024
I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell
As an advice columnist is drawn into the details surrounding her predecessor’s murder, her own dark secrets begin to rise to the surface, and Alex suddenly finds herself trapped in a dangerous, and potentially deadly, game of cat and mouse.
I Need You to Read This Release Date: August 13, 2024
There are SO many amazing fall books releasing, and we are beyond ready. Now you are, too! Which fall books are you most excited about? Did we miss any you can’t wait for? Let us know in the comments below!
*As a reminder, we at LitJoy care about your emotional well-being, and highly recommend checking for trigger warnings when starting any new book! We hope you'll do so for any and all of our book recommendation roundups. Your mental health comes first!
