What Best Fall Reads Are Trending On Goodreads?

I've been glued to Goodreads lately, and the buzz around fall reads is unreal. 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides is still popping up everywhere—psych thrillers just hit different when the leaves start falling. Then there’s 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir, which is perfect if you want sci-fi that feels like a warm blanket (but with aliens). For something cozier, 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune is like a hug in book form—whimsical, heartwarming, and full of found family vibes. Dark academia fans are raving about 'Babel' by R.F. Kuang, blending magic and colonialism in a way that’s both brutal and beautiful. And let’s not forget 'Lessons in Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus, a witty, feminist gem that’s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Fall is all about moody reads, and these are delivering.

Goodreads is my go-to for seasonal book trends, and this fall’s lineup is *chef’s kiss*. Fantasy lovers are obsessing over 'The Atlas Six' by Olivie Blake—it’s got secret societies, morally gray characters, and enough twists to keep you up past midnight. If you’re into atmospheric horror, 'How to Sell a Haunted House' by Grady Hendrix blends family drama with puppet-induced nightmares (yes, puppets). Romance readers are devouring 'Book Lovers' by Emily Henry—it’s a meta take on tropes with snappy dialogue and small-town charm.

For literary fiction, 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow' by Gabrielle Zevin is breaking hearts with its decades-spanning gamer friendship. And if you crave historical depth, 'The Marriage Portrait' by Maggie O’Farrell paints Renaissance Italy with lush, deadly strokes. Nonfiction isn’t left out either; 'I’m Glad My Mom Died' by Jennette McCurdy is raw, darkly funny, and impossible to put down. Each of these books captures autumn’s essence—whether it’s eerie, nostalgic, or just plain cozy.

Bonus deep cut: 'Nettle & Bone' by T. Kingfisher. It’s a dark fairy tale with a bone dog (!!) and a heroine who’s done with everyone’s nonsense. Perfect for spooky season.

Fall reading is all about vibes, and Goodreads’ trending list nails it. 'The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches' by Sangu Mandanna is my current obsession—imagine 'Practical Magic' but with tea and British humor. Gothic fans are losing it over 'The Cloisters' by Katy Hays, which mixes art history with occult intrigue. And if you want a cry (in the best way), 'A Prayer for the Crown-Shy' by Becky Chambers is a quiet, philosophical hug about a robot and a monk.

For thrillers, 'The It Girl' by Ruth Ware delivers classic whodunit tension in an Oxford setting. And don’t sleep on 'Kaikeyi' by Vaishnavi Patel—a feminist retelling of the Ramayana that’s as lyrical as it is empowering. These picks balance autumn’s melancholy and warmth perfectly.