10 Insanely Good Books To Read This Fall

Whether you’re looking to get lost in an epic drama or enjoy a thrilling mystery on an autumn night, these 10 books are really good books for adults to read this fall. They are the kind of insanely good books that capture your attention and don’t let go. From deep emotional dramas like A lIttle Life to thrillers that start with a bang, these reads belong on any list of really good book recommendations. These insanely good books of all time are perfect for fall reading. Some may even make it onto your top 10 books to read before you die list. Here’s a breakdown of each book, along with my personal thoughts. Happy reading!

Insanely Good Book Recommendations This Fall

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

The Great Alone pulls you right into the rugged beauty of Alaska in the 1970s. As I read about the Allbright family’s struggles to survive both the harsh wilderness and their emotional battles, I felt completely immersed in their world. It’s a heart-wrenching, beautifully written story about love, trauma, and survival. The Alaskan backdrop is almost like a character itself—wild, unpredictable, and stunningly dangerous. I found myself holding my breath during the intense moments and tearing up at the raw emotion of the characters. And I can honestly say, it made me a true Kristin Hannah fan. If you love her books, check out full list of Kristin Hannah books.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has all the glitz and glam of old Hollywood, but with deeper themes about fame, love, and identity. As Evelyn unravels her story to an unknown journalist, I was completely fascinated by her unapologetic and complex character. I found myself wondering what I would sacrifice for success and if love can truly endure the cost of fame. It’s got plenty of drama, but the heart of this novel is about human connection and self-discovery.

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A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

This book is a journey—intense, emotional, and at times, devastating. A Little Life is not for the faint of heart. It follows four college friends, but it’s really about Jude, whose past is full of unimaginable trauma. The depth of pain in this book was almost overwhelming at times, but the characters felt so real and raw that I couldn’t stop reading. It’s a powerful story about friendship, love, and the ways in which trauma shapes a person’s life. While reading it, I found myself deeply invested in these characters, rooting for their happiness despite the darkness surrounding them. It’s also in a great book to add to the list of devastatingly sad books to read.

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The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the last page, The Silent Patient is it. As someone who’s usually a slow reader, I finished this book in no time. I was hooked from the start by the mystery of Alicia, a famous artist who shoots her husband and then never speaks again. Without spoiling anything, let’s just say the ending left my jaw on the floor. If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters and big reveals, this is a must-read. Also check out, more books like The Silent Patient.

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Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist turned TV cooking show host in the 1960s. It’s quirky, funny, and deeply feminist, with a lead character who refuses to conform to the expectations placed on her as a woman. The humor caught me by surprise, and I loved how the story tackled serious issues like gender roles with wit and charm. It’s one of those books that makes you cheer for the protagonist and reflect on how far we’ve come (or haven’t) in terms of equality. If you love novels like this, check out my post on 10 historical novels featuring strong female protagonists.

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Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary is by the same author as The Martian, and it’s just as thrilling and scientifically fascinating. Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut, wakes up on a spacecraft with no memory of his mission—except that he’s supposed to save humanity. I loved how this book mixed hard science with an engaging, often humorous narrative. The survival aspect combined with mind-bending science kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Plus, the ending was incredibly satisfying!

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Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Yellowface is a biting satire of the publishing world and addresses themes of cultural appropriation, racism, and ambition. It’s sharp, darkly funny, and incredibly relevant. When a struggling white author steals her late Asian friend’s manuscript and publishes it as her own, chaos ensues. As I read, I couldn’t help but cringe at the protagonist’s moral dilemmas and the spiraling consequences of her actions. It’s also one of those books you just can’t put down once you begin. From the first page, it grips you and doesn’t let go until the very end!

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Verity by Colleen Hoover

If you love a smutty thriller romance, Verity is a wild ride. The story follows Lowen, a struggling writer hired to finish a popular author’s book series after the author, Verity, is injured in an accident. But when Lowen moves into Verity’s house, she finds an unfinished autobiography that reveals some terrifying secrets. This book had me completely on edge, and the tension between the characters is intense. The twists kept coming, and I was left second-guessing everything. Check out more books like Verity.

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Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

I can’t say enough good things about this book. Anxious People is both hilarious and heartwarming. It’s about a group of strangers who find themselves in a hostage situation after a failed bank robbery, but it’s really a story about human connection. Backman’s ability to mix humor with deep, emotional moments is incredible. I found myself laughing out loud one minute and tearing up the next. Each character is flawed but lovable in their own way, and by the end, it felt like they were real people I knew. It’s also one of the best narrated audiobooks I I’ve ever listened to. I highly recommend giving the audio version a try.

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is like a warm hug, even though Eleanor herself is a bit prickly at first. It’s about a socially awkward woman who leads a quiet, routine life—until an unexpected act of kindness changes everything. I loved how the story slowly peeled back the layers of Eleanor’s character, revealing her painful past and her journey toward healing. And you learn that Elenor is definitely not fine. The book is both heartbreaking and uplifting, and by the end, I was completely in love with Eleanor.

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More Books To Read In Fall

10 Books To Read Before You Die

12 Books Guaranteed to Make You Fall in Love With Reading

11 Books That Will Make You Fall In Love With Reading All Over Again

34 Books You Just Can’t Put Down Once You Begin

15 Great Classic Books You Might Not Have Read Yet