As temps finally dip from summer’s highs and season stirs to life in the Palm Beaches, autumn reading beckons—stories of thrill, lyricism, and atmosphere for breezy patios and busy days ahead.
The Literary Heavyweight
Audition by Katie Kitamura (2025)
Longlisted for the Booker Prize and already a critical darling, this sharp, psychological novel about identity and performance is both haunting and cerebral — perfect for readers who want depth and literary cachet.
The Buzz-Worthy Bestseller
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (2025)
The fastest-selling adult novel in two decades and an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller. Dragons, romance, political intrigue — this is the book everyone will be talking about, and it’s pure escapism for long fall nights.
The Historical Escape
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell (2022)
Lush, atmospheric, and historically rich, O’Farrell’s tale of Lucrezia de’ Medici has the weight of award prestige (Women’s Prize winner for Hamnet) and the immersive feel of old-world intrigue.
The Thoughtful Contemporary
The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (2025)
An Oprah’s Book Club pick and instant bestseller, Vuong’s latest is intimate and lyrical — the kind of book to read slowly, savoring every page as the leaves (real or imagined) fall outside.
The Suspenseful Page-Turner
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell (2023)
Dark, twisty, and compulsively readable, Jewell’s thriller provides the chills every fall list needs. The psychological tension pairs well with stormy nights and candlelight.
The Seasonal Comfort Read
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks (2019)
A graphic novel packed with fall nostalgia — pumpkin patches, caramel apples, and cozy friendship vibes. It’s lighter than the rest, but essential for rounding out the seasonal mood.
The Timeless Classic
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)
The gothic masterpiece that never loses its hold. A must every autumn for its haunting atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and storm-swept drama.
What to Sip While You Read
Because every book deserves the perfect pour.
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Audition → Earl Grey tea — refined and sharp
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Onyx Storm → Spiced chai latte — bold, fiery, and warming
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The Emperor of Gladness → Mulled cider — a layered, slow sip
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None of This Is True → Dark roast coffee — fuel as the suspense builds
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Rebecca → Red wine — timeless