It’s officially the season for cosying up with a good book — this is our guide on what to read this autumn

From alluring anthologies and moving memoirs to page-turning novels that will keep you up past midnight, these are the books worthy of your attention.

What to read
Page-Turners

Fourteen Days
by Various Authors

Set in a Lower East side tenement in the midst of Covid lockdowns, stranded strangers become friends, and neighbours become community in this heartwarming serial novel. Crafted by literary giants like Margaret Atwood and Celeste Ng, Fourteen Days reveals how, beneath the loss, the pandemic ultimately led to a stronger sense of community and connection.

The Truth About the Devlins
by Lisa Scottoline

A tale of family, justice, and the lies that tear us apart, this pulse-pounding new thriller is a sinister look at the lengths we’ll go to for those we love. When TJ, the family disappointment, finds himself with a chance to prove his worth after his ostensibly perfect brother commits a murder, he ends up entangled in a lethal web of deception that forces him to face his demons.

The Cemetery of Untold Stories
by Julia Alvarez

Set to become an instant classic, this inventive new novel by literary icon Julia Alvarez tells the tale of a writer laying to rest her litany of untold tales. Alma Cruz buries the characters whose lives she tried and failed to bring to life; but they have other ideas, and her literary cemetery quickly becomes a mysterious sanctuary for the characters’ true narratives.

Funny Story
by Emily Henry

This joyful novel tells the tale of a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common: their failed marriages. When Daphne is jilted by her husband after discovering he’s in love with his best friend, she winds up roommates with the only person who could possibly relate: the best friend’s ex. The resulting saga is both hilarious and heartwarming.

All Fours
by Miranda July

In this lively tale of one woman’s quest for a new kind of freedom, an artist struggling with her identity at middle-age embarks on a journey of reinvention. Interrogating the sexual, romantic, and domestic life of a 45-year-old at a crossroads, All Fours is a brave and bold account of life lived as a woman, told in July’s signature bawdy and irreverent prose.

In Ascension
by Martin MacInnes

This inquisitive epic charts the astonishing story of a microbiologist who makes an extraordinary discovery that forces into focus everything she thinks she knows about life on our planet. With compassion and curiosity, In Ascension encourages introspection and illuminates matters of the heart, promising an unforgettable journey.

Butter
by Asako Yuzuki

In this blistering, often unsettling and undeniably sharp novel inspired by the convicted con woman and serial killer, ‘The Konkatsu Killer’, Asako Yuzuki explores obsession, misogyny, romance and the transgressive pleasures of food in Japan. Through an unexpected bond between a journalist and her subject, Yuzuki tells a riveting tale that is both provocative and thought-provoking.

Wandering Stars
by Tommy Orange

Orange presents a captivating follow-up to There There, delving into both the past and future, skilfully exploring the repercussions of historical events like the Sand Creek Massacre and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School across a multi-generational tale. Alternating between moments of devastation and wonder, Wandering Stars is a captivating journey for the ages.

What to read
Real-Life Reads

The House of Hidden Meanings: A Memoir
by RuPaul

Ru Paul’s remarkable life unfolds from his formative years as a queer Black youth in San Diego to his exploration of identity within the vibrant punk and drag communities of Atlanta and New York. Along the way, he discovers enduring love with his husband and embraces sobriety, ultimately leading to his own self-acceptance.

Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring
by Brad Gooch

Acclaimed biographer Brad Gooch charts the life of iconic American Artist, Keith Haring — from his initial chalk line scrawls on the subways of New York in the early 80s to the emblematic artist’s untimely demise, Radiant offers a tender glimpse into the magic of a visionary and timeless icon.

Splinters: Another Kind of Love Story
by Leslie Jamison

In her debut memoir, Jamison explores the intricate realms of motherhood, marriage, and familial bonds with poignant precision. Through vivid storytelling, she navigates the complexities of love, loss, and the healing potency of art in an introspective odyssey — offering a profound reflection on the journey to wholeness.

Cuckooland
by Tom Burgis

Crafted in propulsive prose that reads more like a thriller, Cuckooland tells an astonishing story of secrets and lies that reveals how fragile that truth can be. From the best-selling author of Kleptopia, this impressively well-reported work of non-fiction explores how globalisation and technological revolution have combined to imperil the foundation of free societies.

What to read
Alluring Anthologies

No Judgement
by Lauren Oyler

In her signature sharp, and addictive prose, best-selling novelist and essayist Lauren Oyler unpacks the role of cultural criticism in our ever-changing world, encapsulating a host of issues with tenderness and precision, delivering a masterful work of cultural criticism as only she can.

Table for Two
by Amor Towles

In a collection spanning six short stories and one novella, Amor Towles interrogates topics from the male ego to fate, and the pivotal role compromise plays in modern marriages. The novella, set in the midst of Hollywood’s golden age, tells the story of the indomitable Evelyn Ross who makes a snap decision that alters her life forever.

Maktub
by Paulo Coelho

One of the greatest writers of our time delivers yet another glimmering anthology of stories and parables that unlock the mysteries of the human condition. Addressing the quandaries of the universe — Maktub inspires a journey of faith, self-reflection, and transformation as Coelho taps into universal truths about humanity.

Like Love
by Maggie Nelson

Like Love offers a vibrant collection of essays spanning two decades of insightful work. From profiles to critical essays, Nelson explores themes of love, friendship, and queer issues, alongside tributes to cultural icons, offering a window into her personal evolution while exploring the impact of art and artists on her life.

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