Autumn is here, and with the return of cozy season comes a stack of fresh new reads. As soon as the first fall breeze hits I’m ready pull out my sweaters, light a candle, and get lost in a new world.
If you’re looking for fall book recommendations, we’ve got you covered with new releases and a handful of titles that are being adapted (or re-adapted) for the big screen.
New Book Releases: Fall 2025
Alchemised by SenLinYu
This one is already making waves.
It’s a reimagined version of the fan-fiction Manacled (yes, that viral Draco/Hermione story) recast into a more original fantasy framework.
If you like dark romance, morally ambiguous magic, or morally grey characters, this is your perfect fall read. (It has also just been optioned for a film adaptation.)
Katabasis by R. F. Kuang
This is a dark academia story set in 1980s Cambridge, where graduate student Alice Law literally descends into hell to secure a letter of recommendation from her late advisor.
Blending myth, philosophy, and the suffocating pressures of academia, Kuang writes about guilt, ambition, and what it costs to belong in a world that demands everything from you.
Perfect if you love morally messy characters, intellectual puzzles, and a Gothic atmosphere.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
This cozy, small-town romance follows Michelle, who moves back to Vermont after her mom’s death and a messy divorce.
She leaves her city life behind to run the family’s bed & breakfast but finds managing it and healing her heart are harder than she thought.
Soon she meets Cliff, her charming next-door neighbor and a devoted single dad who becomes a surprising comfort. (This is the kind of story that smells like cinnamon rolls and crisp leaves.)
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
This haunting historical horror novel is set in 1912 Montana.
The story unfolds through the journal of Pastor Arthur Beaucarne, who transcribes the confessions of Good Stab, a Blackfeet man turned vampire seeking justice for the massacre of 217 of his people.
Blending Indigenous history with supernatural horror, Jones crafts a narrative that explores themes of vengeance, identity, and the enduring scars of colonization.
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
This cozy fantasy follows Sera Swan, a former top-tier witch who accidentally resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine using forbidden magic. Now living in exile, Sera runs a magical inn in rural England, surrounded by quirky guests who’ve become her chosen family.
When a chance arises to reclaim her lost magic, Sera must team up with Luke, a cool-headed magical historian, to unlock an ancient spell. It’s a heartwarming, humorous story about found family and rediscovering your power.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
This haunting, lyrical tale weaves together the lives of three women across different centuries—Maria in 16th‑century Spain, Charlotte in 19th‑century England, and Alice in modern Boston—each grappling with immortality, power, and the consequences of their choices.
It’s dark, atmospheric, and gripping, perfect if you love morally complex characters, twisted family legacies, and stories that blend history with a touch of the supernatural.
My Friends by Fredrik Backman
This heartfelt story follows four teenagers whose deep bond shapes their futures in unexpected ways.
The book unfolds across two timelines, connecting the past with the present, and delves into themes of friendship, art, and the complexities of human connection.
Backman’s signature blend of humor and emotion shines through, making this perfect for fans of character-driven narratives.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This book is about Joan, one of the first women astronauts in the 1980s, juggling the craziness of NASA, her growing career, and a romance with a fellow astronaut.
It’s smart, emotional, and surprisingly romantic—perfect if you love stories about ambitious women chasing their dreams while figuring out love along the way.
🎬 Upcoming Book-to-Film Adaptations
Whether you read these books before or after the films, it’s always fun to see what the adaptation keeps, what changes, and how the story translates to the screen.
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Directed by Emerald Fennell (Saltburn), starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Release: Valentine’s Day 2026. Fennell’s adaptation is described as primal, intensely emotional, and unflinching in exploring the novel’s darker edges.
- The Running Man by Stephen King
A remake of the 1982 dystopian thriller. Release: November 14, 2025
- Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
Centers on the strained relationship between young mother Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter Clara, exacerbated by Morgan’s husband tragic death.. Release: October 24, 2025
- The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar star in the screen adaptation of this best-selling thriller. Release: December 15, 2025
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Keira Knightley stars in the Netflix movie adaptation of this psychological thriller. adaptation in development. Release: October 10, 2025
🍂 Fall Reading Ideas to Try
Autumn is the perfect time to make reading a little more intentional — and a little more fun. Here are a few ideas to mix it up:
- Go on a weekly audiobook walk
- Start a book club with friends or join one online
- Try reading at a new coffee shop or local café to change up your routine
- Support independent bookstores in your city
- Start a book journal to track what you’re reading and write down favorite quotes
- Make seasonal TBR: cozy mysteries, dark academia, or any novels that match the fall mood
Even small changes — a walk with an audiobook or a quiet corner in a café — can turn ordinary reading into a little autumn ritual. So grab a blanket, pour yourself something warm, and let this season be one full of new stories.
