If you’re looking for inspiration on how to curate the perfect 2025 fall TBR and would like a look into what I’m planning to read this autumn, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Build A 2025 Fall TBR?
Recently, we talked about how overwhelm, stress, and burnout have become common themes for bookworms. I shared tips on how to overcome this in a recent post Slow Reading Tips for the Burnt Out Bookworm: Embrace Quality Over Quantity. If you haven’t read it, check it out. However, I’m putting these principles into action this fall, starting with navigating away from monthly TBRs and the pressure they bring to instead follow a seasonal reading list with a curated 2025 fall TBR that has the mood and vibes I want to emulate this season.
I believe doing this is the best of both worlds. You get the structure of following a set TBR with the flexibility of not being locked into a specific monthly TBR, allowing space for mood reading or life to happen, making reading more enjoyable and less of a chore.
If you’re curious and asking yourself, “What books should I add to my 2025 fall TBR?” then feel free to copy my TBR or borrow inspiration and add books you’d like to give a try this season.
Best Books For My 2025 Fall TBR
When I was curating this fall TBR, I had two goals. The first was to focus on reading books on my physical TBR, and the second was to put a heavy focus on mystery/thrillers, as in my opinion, these books are crucial for peak seasonal vibes. I think I was able to accomplish this, and I’m excited about what I’m reading this fall. I have around twenty-ish books on my TBR with a few hopefuls that I may or may not get to.
I want to include a little disclaimer here and share that this is a sizable TBR and not at all normal for average readers. I do create bookish content for this blog, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and many of these books are for bookish content creation projects. You do NOT need to follow my TBR verbatim, pick and choose, and create what’s realistic for you. A realistic TBR for fall for the average reader will typically range anywhere from ten to fifteen books. And it may be less if you’re really prioritizing slow, intentional reading or you’re a mood reader. Please keep that in mind when curating your fall TBR friends. Remember, no stress, no pressure, just cozy, intentional vibes.
Bad Friend: How Women Revolutionized Modern Friendship by Tiffany Watts Smith | Nonfiction
Promoted as a memoir that analyzes modern female friendship, exploring the history of female friendships and offering a cultural critique of these unique relationships. This book inspired me to begin a video project on female friendships and the varied complexities and nuances they come with. I’m excited to dive into this book and explore this topic! Add this Book to Your TBR!
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah | Historical Fiction
A story of two young girls, Kate and Tully, who, through their loneliness, create a friendship from childhood into adulthood that endures the ups and downs of life until a betrayal tears the two apart. Will they be able to rebuild their friendship before it’s too late? This book will also be a part of the aforementioned video project exploring female friendships. I’ve already started reading it, and so far it’s been an interesting read, and I can’t wait to share more. Add to Your TBR
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza | Literary Fiction
Jen and Riley have been best friends since childhood and are as close as sisters despite their different racial backgrounds. Yet, when Jen’s husband comes under fire for an incident where an unarmed Black teenager is shot. Jen and Riley must wrestle with the fallout of this incident within their respective lives and what this could mean for their friendship. I’ve also included this novel in the same video, and I’m anxious to read this as well, but my goodness, it sounds like it’s going to be a turbulent and emotional roller coaster for sure. Add to Your TBR
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang | Horror
An unnamed narrator with exquisite musical talent is forced to abandon her musical pursuits in favor of a job in the beauty and wellness industry. She becomes seduced by the pursuit of beauty and youth, mindless to the sinister machinations that lie inside the beauty creams and treatments. As an esthetician who’s been in the spa, beauty, and wellness industry for well over ten years, this novel sounds absolutely fascinating. I’m looking forward to unpacking Huang’s commentary regarding beauty, aging, and the endless pursuit of perfection. Add to Your TBR
Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang | Horror
Enka and Mathilde have been best friends since art school. But when Mathilde’s success causes her to become distant from Enka, she turns to an experimental technology to enter Mathilde’s mind in a desperate attempt to keep her close. The blend of horror with sci-fi/speculative elements sounds like this will be a fabulous and thought-provoking read. I can’t wait to explore! Add to Your TBR
A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis | Contemporary
The disappearance of Nova haunted her family for years. Believing her to be dead, her parents, sister Leah, and husband Quinton, alongside her baby Skye, try to piece their lives back together and move on. Yet, fifteen years after her going missing, she’s found in captivity and returned home. However, amidst the celebrations of her safe return, there’s a secret that they’re hiding that may just push Nova past her breaking point if this truth comes to light. I started reading this forever ago and keep getting distracted. However, this fall I’m committed to finishing this novel once and for all, as it’s been quite fascinating so far, and I’m beyond interested in how everything turns out for this family. Add to Your TBR
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager | Mystery/Thriller
Traumatized by the disappearance of his childhood friend Billy, Ethan is a mixture of emotions as he stays in his family home after his parents relocated to Florida for their retirement to keep an eye on things before it’s put on the market. Yet, as strange occurrences happen that point to Billy’s return to the neighborhood, Ethan begins to investigate what really happened to Billy that night. I’ve put off reading this novel due to so many bookish creators not having a good experience with it. However, I feel it’s important to give things a try and see for yourself whether something is a fit or not. I have plans to finish this up in September since it has some serious summer vibes, making it the perfect transitional read. Add to Your TBR
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson | Historical Fiction
Following the death of their mother, estranged Byron and Benny receive a black cake, a cake rife with family tradition, and a mysterious voice recording from their late mother. The story that she shares unravels a hidden history and secrets, changing what they believed about their lineage and themselves. Will they be able to reunite and work together to untangle the past secrets of their mother and fulfill her final wish? I had the pleasure of reading Wilkerson’s most recent 2025 release in the early spring and fell in love with her writing and the amazing character she created with Ebby. So, I’m excited to dive into her debut novel and experience more of her work. Add to Your TBR.
Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan | Speculative
Amid the stress of living in a city that’s slowly being washed away due to ecological collapse and her cousin’s insistence for her to leave the city and rebuild her life elsewhere, Bo, an artist who’s lost her lust for creation, can’t let go. Still grieving the disappearance of her mother as she was caught in a storm surge and holding hope she’s still alive, Bo feels trapped between what makes sense and what feels right to her heart. When a note from a neighbor, Mia, requesting a caretaker finds its way under her door, Bo decides to stay. As she cares for the sometimes grumpy Mia, a deep connection gives inspiration to her best project yet. This is another book I’ve started and just can’t seem to maintain the focus to finish! That being said, this has the makings of being a poignant and emotional read. Add to Your TBR
These Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming Ma | Dystopian
When the authoritarian state Qin creates a device that records and transfers the memories of its citizens, birthing a new economy known as Memory Capitalism, the fabric of society changes. While benefits include sharing and living the life experiences of others, its downsides involve how easily memories can be manipulated, altering history, and muddying truth and reality. When a man inherits his deceased mother’s mindbank full of illegal memories predating the current regime, and free from manipulation or perversion by the Party. He knows he must share this information with the world and fulfill his mother’s dying wish, even if it costs him his very life. I saw someone briefly mention how phenomenal this book is, and instantly put it on hold at my library. I’m eager to read this debut novel and see what interesting commentary and themes are explored within its pages. Add to Your TBR
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab | Fantasy
Follow three different young women from various eras as they navigate a transition into vampirism while unpacking the complications of their mortal life and the vastness of immortality. This is another divisive read, but as a perpetual fan of vampire lore, I’m always interested to see how others interpret and create stories regarding this particular creature. Sure to be a fascinating time! Add to Your TBR
My Name is Emilia Del Valle by Isabel Allende | Historical Fiction
When ambitious young writer Emilia del Valle overcomes the odds stacked against her as a woman in journalism to cover the story of a lifetime in Chile. She comes face-to-face with her past, meeting the father she never knew, and finding herself falling for the most unlikely character, while her life tumbles into danger, threatening everything she thought she knew. I’m an instant Isabel Allende fan and happy that I get to read a new release by her! I love the way she creates such palpable, complex, and strong characters that practically leap off the page and sit beside you. I know that I’m in for a treat with this one. Add to Your TBR
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick | Speculative
Imagine being able to sleep away grief and heartache. For Ava, Ray, Sasha, Sky, and a pup named PJ, they’re risking it all to participate in an experimental treatment that allows you to do just that, despite the murky and controversial side effects. Yet, as they travel to the treatment center deep in the California desert, will their past secrets and hidden motives be their undoing? I’ve been so excited for Miss Erlick to release her follow-up to her debut novel, The Measure, and I can’t wait to crack this one open as I’m sure it will be a thought-provoking and emotional read. Add to Your TBR
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica | Mystery Thriller
When Nina’s husband, Jack Haynes, goes missing, she’s positive he’s avoiding her due to their fight. But after five days, she suspects something’s up and becomes determined to find out where her husband is. But Nina’s friend and co-worker Lily Scott is hiding a dark truth that may help Nina in her search. When I want a good slow-burn domestic thriller, I can always count on Mary Kubica to deliver. Can’t wait to see how this story unravels. Add to Your TBR
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby | Thriller
When the patriarch of the Carruthers family is left injured from a hit and run accident eldest son, Roman, is forced to head back home to Virginia and help his family. Yet, what he discovers is that his father’s accident wasn’t accidental at all, and his brother Dante owes a debt to powerful and ruthless people who will stop at nothing to collect what’s theirs. But, Roman will stop at NOTHING to protect his family. As Roman, Dante, and sister Neveah close ranks, Neveah begins digging into the past regarding their mother’s disappearance. Will what they discover cause the family to burst into flames? I just KNOW in my bones that S.A. Cosby is going to be my new favorite author at this point, he’s just waiting on me to get to reading, and this fall I plan to do just that, starting with this book! Add to Your TBR
The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda | Mystery/Thriller
A decade after a tragic bus accident that led to the death of multiple classmates and teachers, the nine remaining students band together, and when one of the survivors dies by suicide, they promise to meet each year in remembrance of the horrific accident. However, Cassidy is ready to call it quits after the tenth anniversary. Yet, when another survivor is lost to suicide, she becomes suspicious and, while attending this year’s meeting, feels something is off. When the lead organizer disappears and stops answering her phone, Cassidy wonders what’s really going on and if their pact to save one another still holds. Finally making plans to read this after having it burn a hole in my TBR cart for the past two years. It sounds like an interesting locked-door mystery, looking forward to it! Add to Your TBR
The Hunting Wives by May Cobb | Mystery/Thriller
Sophie O’ Neil finds herself struggling with the transition to a small East Texas town after living a glamorous life and thriving career in Chicago. That is, until she meets Margot and is swept into her charm and allure, joining her elite circle of women who party like they’re in their twenties and meet for target practice. As she spirals deeper into her world, she eventually finds herself caught up in the middle of a murder investigation as she hurtles towards rock bottom. I know there’s a Netflix adaptation to this book that I’m eager to get to, but I must read the book first! Add to Your TBR
Killer on the Road/The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones | Horror
A collector’s edition that’s a double feature and includes the stories The Babysitter Lives and Killer on the Road. The Babysitter Lives: Charlotte, a high school senior seeking redemption following the tragedy that occurred on her last babysitting gig, is caring for the Wilbanks twins, and despite her best efforts, an evil lurks within the home as Charlotte realizes they’re not alone. Killer on the Road: After a knock-down down drag-out fight with her mother, Harper is running away from home; however her escape is thwarted by her best friend and ex-boyfriend as she’s attempting to hitchhike up Hwy 90 in Wyoming. Yet, unbeknownst to these teens, Harper has been caught in the crosshairs of a serial killer who won’t stop until he’s made his kill. I’m eager to explore the works of Stephen Graham Jones and get out of my comfort zone when it comes to horror. I know he does write a lot of slasher horror, which isn’t always my favorite, but with his writing style, I’m game to try. Add to Your TBR
Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi | Historical Fiction
When nurse Sona makes a connection with famous painter Mira Novak and dies under mysterious circumstances, she falls under suspicion. Sona embarks on a journey from Bombay, India, to Prague, Florence, Paris, and London to discover the truth of what’s really happening and clear her name. This was one of the first few books I purchased with my membership to the Book of the Month, and it’s such a pity I haven’t cracked it open yet because the cover is stunning and the story sounds packed with suspense and mystery. Looking forward to reading it this season. Add to Your TBR
While this fall reading list doesn’t include the series I plan to continue, cozy romances or mysteries I’m looking to dive into, or the endless books I have on hold at my library these books make up the ones that I’m intentionally prioritizing this fall. I hope the diverse reads I mentioned here piqued your curiosity and provided inspiration for some good fall reads to add to your fall TBR.
Remember that the number of books I have listed here is abnormal and not reflective of the typical everyday reader. I make content about books and build my schedule around reading to be able to provide that content. So, my TBRs and books I read may be higher than average. It’s perfectly normal to read three to five books a month or have a fall TBR that is comprised of only ten books.
The quantity of books you read matters far less than the quality and how you feel when you read. I’m wishing you the best of reading for this fall season. Make sure to share what you’re excited to read this fall and connect with me on social media and YouTube to enjoy all the fun fall-themed content I’m planning for the next few months. See you soon, friend!
For my friends who enjoy a more visual experience, you can watch me dive into my fall TBR in my latest video on YouTube. If you visit, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!
Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you, which helps support this blog. I only share things I genuinely love and think you will too!
