As the cooler weather sets in, we’re more inclined than ever to cosy up with a captivating book to while away the evenings. This season, there’s a raft of new releases that are keeping our minds engaged and wanderlust at an all-time high. From textural memoirs to thrilling novels and alluring anthologies, debut authors to prize-winning doyens, these are the books we’re reading this autumn. Enjoy.
The Boy from the Sea
by Garrett Carr
Set against the rugged west coast of Ireland in the 1970s and 80s, The Boy from the Sea is a moving, comedic, and lyrical debut that follows the enigmatic Brendan — a baby discovered on the shore and adopted by a fishing family. As Brendan grows, his mystery captivates a close-knit community navigating the tides of change in an era of transformation.
Rabbit Moon
by Jennifer Haigh
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Shanghai, this gripping family drama follows the Litvaks as they reunite after a devastating accident involving their estranged daughter. In the hospital, they confront unsettling questions about her life in a rapidly evolving city — where nothing, and no one, is quite as it seems.
Zeal
by Morgan Jerkins
Spanning 150 years, Zeal intertwines the fates of star-crossed lovers, Harrison and Tirzah, with the lives of their descendants. From the aftermath of the Civil War to Harlem in 2019, Jerkins crafts a sweeping, multi-generational saga of love, legacy, and the lasting echoes of one generation’s choices.
Bad Nature
by Ariel Courage
In Bad Nature, Hester — armed with a terminal diagnosis and a vendetta — embarks on a darkly comedic road trip to kill her estranged father. Joined by a hitchhiking environmentalist, their journey takes unexpected turns, blending revenge, redemption, and ecological musings in a subversive, sharp, and surprisingly heartfelt narrative.
One Good Thing
by Georgia Hunter
Set in war-torn Italy, One Good Thing follows Lili, a young Jewish woman who risks everything to protect her best friend’s son during the Nazi occupation. With evocative prose and heart-stopping twists, this unforgettable novel is a profound meditation on the unyielding bonds of love and the extraordinary courage found in the unlikeliest of circumstances.
Open, Heaven
by Seán Hewitt
Laurel Prize-winning author Seán Hewitt weaves a luminous tale of first love and its lasting scars. Set in a remote northern English village, the novel follows James, a shy teenager, whose encounter with the magnetic Luke reshapes his understanding of boyhood, sensuality, and love in all its messy, beautiful forms.
Dream Count
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
From the award-winning author of Americanah comes a captivating tale of love and longing. In Dream Count, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie interweaves the lives of four women navigating heartbreak and hardship, offering a profound meditation on happiness, identity, and the intricate bonds of womanhood.
Nova Scotia House
by Charlie Porter
A relationship, a community, an era — protagonist Johnny Grant reflects on his life with Jerry Field, their self-determined lives and love shaped by joy, loss, and the devastation of the AIDS crisis. Both a love story and a lament, Porter’s captivating and heartfelt debut is a tender exploration of how memories of the past can shape the future.
Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age
by Vauhini Vara
From Pulitzer finalist Vauhini Vara comes a provocative exploration of how Big Tech has reshaped language. Blending personal narrative with investigative insight, Vara examines the allure and risks of AI-powered communication — questioning whether these tools will liberate us or further exploit our voices.
Firstborn Girls
by Bernice McFadden
In this richly textured memoir, American author Bernice McFadden delves into her family’s complex legacy, beginning with her own near-death experience as a toddler in 1967. Through the lens of her remarkable life and the stories of her ancestors, this deeply intimate work uncovers the interwoven threads of trauma, resilience, and the enduring power of love.
White Light
by Jack Lohmann
A sweeping exploration of life’s cycles through the lens of phosphate — the essential element that bridges life and death. White Light weaves ecology, history, and investigative reporting to unravel humanity’s exploitation of Earth’s resources, revealing its profound consequences and urging a renewed connection to nature’s rhythms.
Good Enough
by Dr Tara Porter
Psychologist and mother Dr Tara Porter empowers parents to embrace imperfection in raising resilient, self-reliant children. Drawing on over 25 years of expertise, she offers a refreshing, relatable approach to parenting — helping families navigate modern pressures with confidence and the liberating reminder that ‘good enough’ really is good enough.
Make Believe
by Victoria Hutchins
In Make Believe, poet Victoria Hutchins invites readers on a journey of rediscovery, blending nostalgia and wonder with healing and hope. Through evocative verse, this debut collection inspires us to reimagine struggles as strengths, and rekindle belief in joy, miracles, and ourselves.
Scorched Earth
by Tiana Clark
A bold and lyrical poetry collection, Scorched Earth traverses the landscapes of heartbreak, joy, and identity. From historical reckonings to everyday mundanity, this striking work marries reverence with irreverence — offering a transcendent exploration of radical love, sensuality, and resilience.
(Sorry I Was Miles Away) In the Year of Romance
by Lucas Jones
Actor, writer, director, musician, and beloved poet Lucas Jones delivers a striking and deeply moving meditation on love, loss, and life’s many lessons. This captivating anthology brims with hope, humanity, and heart — exploring the emotions that shape us.
A Beautiful Lack of Consequence
by Monika Radojevic
This searing work blurs the lines between the surreal and the everyday. With tender ferocity and dark humour, Radojevic captures contemporary womanhood — rage, love, and quiet resistance, exploring what happens when world-weathered women finally fight back.
