2021 Fall Reading List – Let's Live and Learn

One thing I loved about my summer reading list was that it took away the decision fatigue that can sometimes accompany reading, you know when you think “So many books, so little time!” After I initially created the list of books, I didn’t have to overthink about it every time I was ready to start a new book- I could randomly choose one and know it would be one that I was interested in reading!

My hope is that you can use this list in a similar way (or if a thriller heavy list isn’t your jam, use the more lighthearted summer list– or create your own!) Use this list, not as a homework assignment of books to read, but as a place where you can come the next time you need a good book to read!

& if you want an easy way to keep track of what you read this fall, scroll down for a free printable! I included both a list of these books, as well as blank version if you want to curate your own list.

Disclaimer: I have not read any of these books yet, but I did “research” them quite a bit and tried to choose books with an average of 3.8 or higher on Good Reads, which I generally tend to enjoy! I am planning on coming back to this list and adding my personal rating after I’ve read each one- I’ll also be sure to share over on Instagram!

Also, all books contain an affiliate link to Amazon, which helps to support this blog, so thank you if you chose to use the link. I did this since it’s accessible to most of us and as a way for you to view a more thorough book synopsis however, defintley check your library or local bookstores for these titles as well!

Nonfiction:

To me, fall is a time when home and family is especially at the forefront of my mind- so the books in this category focus around those themes! If you’ve hesitated reading “self help” books before, I encourage you to try one! I love reading one in the morning for some inspiration and a positive start to my day.

Share your stuff. I’ll go first by Laura Tremaine: I’ve followed Laura on social media for awhile and have been so intrigued by the concept of her book about forming deep friendships and connections, rather than superficial ones that leave us feeling lonely- “Openness and vulnerability are the foundation for human growth and healthy relationships, and it all starts when we share our stuff, the nitty-gritty daily details about ourselves with others.”

Declutter Like a Mother by Allie Casazza: I’ve also loved following Allie on social media and know her book will be an inspiring read on my House to Haven journey! (update: LOVED it. I found it relatable and full of actionable tips. 4.5 stars)

The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler: I’ve heard rave reviews for this book and have never read anything about this topic so I’m excited to dive in!

How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn: What an attention grabbing title, right?! It’s yet another book that I’ve heard great things about- and I have to admit, my curiosity is peaked from the title alone.

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin: I really like what Gretchen Rubin has to share, so when I saw this on Thrift Books recently, I knew I had to read it!

The Little Book of Cottagecore by Emily Kent: “The Little Book of Cottagecore helps you make simple living a reality with delightful cottagecore activities you can enjoy no matter where you live. Whether you’re interested in baking pies from scratch, basic sewing and cross stitch, gardening, beekeeping, or making candles and soaps, this book is full of fun, hands-on activities that make it easy and enjoyable to unplug from modern life.” This book may not be for everyone, but I’m excited to browse through it and learn some new skills!

Fiction (non-thriller):

The majority of what I want to read this fall falls into the mystery/thriller/suspense/spooky category BUT just in case that’s not your jam, here are a few other fiction books I have in my TBR pile for this fall. (If that IS your jam, keep scrolling 😉 )

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah: Krisitin Hannah is one of my go-to authors, meaning I will read just about anything by her. This is her newest book that takes place during the Great Depression.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab: Despite not loving most fantasy genre books- I’ve discovered that I enjoy time travel books. This one falls under that category and is supposed to be a great read.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni: This book tells the story of Sam Hell, a boy growing up with ocular albinism and the prejudice (and support) he encounters in his small town, religious community.

One Two Three by Laurie Frankel: Frankel’s latest release is a “laugh-out-loud-grab-a-tissue novel” that tells the story of triplets fighting a social justice issue in their small town. Frankel is the author of the popular book “This Is How It Always Is.”

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart: I was recently gifted this book in a book exchange and I am so excited to read it, but I have my tissues ready. It has won several awards, but I’ve heard it is really difficult to read because of the heavy content matter. “A heartbreaking story of addiction, sexuality, and love, Shuggie Bain is an epic portrayal of a working-class family that is rarely seen in fiction.”

Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood: “The heartbreaking and uplifting story, inspired by true events, of how far one mother must go to protect her daughter,” Lucy who has downs syndrome and was taken from her mother in 1969.

Creepy Fiction:

Anytime I’ve come across great recommendations for a great thriller this year, I’ve added it to an ongoing list on Good Reads in hopes of reading it this fall. Spooky season just seems like the right time to cozy up with a suspenseful page turner 😉

Another reminder that I have not read any of these books, I highly suggest clicking on the title to read the full description and reviews to (get a heads up for any potentially triggering content.) Also- I’ve found that thrillers are hard to summarize when you haven’t read them- any descriptions in quotations were taken from the Amazon review.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware: A woman accepts a live in nanny job, caring for children living in a “smart home”. “What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare – one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.” I’ve read and loved several other books by Ruth Ware (The Woman in Cabin 10, In a Dark, Dark Wood, etc) and can’t wait to read this one that I recently found in our neighborhood’s Free Little Library!

The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer “When a small-town family is pushed to the brink, how far will they go to protect one of their own? An edgy, propulsive story about what we will do in the name of love and blood.” I’m not going to lie, I chose this one from Book of the Month based off of the fall-like cover haha. But BOTM usually doesn’t steer me wrong and the premise sounds good, so I’m excited to dive in!

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier– “This is the story of three best friends: one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who’s been searching for the truth all these years….” I’ve read and loved a few of Hillier’s other books and this is supposed to be her best!

Girl A by Abigail Dean: “Lex Gracie doesn’t want to think about her family. She doesn’t want to think about growing up in her parents’ House of Horrors. And she doesn’t want to think about her identity as Girl A: the girl who escaped, the eldest sister who freed her older brother and four younger siblings…”

The Chain by Adrian McKinty “Your phone rings. A stranger has kidnapped your child. To free them you must abduct someone else’s child. Your child will be released when your victim’s parents kidnap another child.”

What Lies Between Us by John Marrs “Every other night, Maggie and Nina have dinner together. When they are finished, Nina helps Maggie back to her room in the attic, and into the heavy chain that keeps her there. Because Maggie has done things to Nina that can’t ever be forgiven, and now she is paying the price”

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage: “Suzette knows her clever and manipulative daughter doesn’t love her. She can see the hatred and jealousy in her eyes. And as Hanna’s subtle acts of cruelty threaten to tear her and Alex apart, Suzette fears her very life may be in grave danger….”

The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion: “Through her neighbor’s kitchen window, she sees what appears to be a little girl washing dishes late at night. But the Fleming family doesn’t have a child that age, and even if they did, why would she be doing housework at this late hour?”

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney “Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts – paper, cotton, pottery, tin – and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.”

The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding “Everyone in the Adler family is keeping a secret – not just from the outside world, but from each other. And secrets can be very dangerous….This twisty, addictively thrilling suspense novel about a perfect family’s perfect façade will keep you turning pages until its explosive ending.”

Falling by T.J. Newman “You just boarded a flight to New York. There are 143 other passengers onboard. What you don’t know is that 30 minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped. For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die. The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane. Enjoy the flight.” This book has received a ton of hype, however after finding that description it sounds awfully similar to Hostage by Claire Mackintosh from my summer reading list– I’m curious to see how they compare!

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby “A Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance.“

If You Tell by Gregg Olsen “Harrowing and heartrending, If You Tell is a survivor’s story of absolute evil – and the freedom and justice that Nikki, Sami, and Tori risked their lives to fight for.” An unfortunately true story about three sister’s survival and escape from an extremely abusive family. (Realizing now that this shouldn’t be in the fiction category-oops!)

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty “If your mother was missing, would you tell the police? Even if the most obvious suspect was your father? This is the dilemma facing the four grown Delaney siblings.”

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell “From the number one New York Times best-selling author of Then She Was Gone comes another riveting work of psychological suspense about a beautiful young couple’s disappearance on a gorgeous summer night, and the mother who will never give up trying to find them.” I’ve read of all of Jewell’s books and have loved them all- I’m sure this one will be no exception!

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay “In one of the year’s most anticipated debut psychological thrillers, a family made infamous by a true-crime documentary is found dead, leaving their surviving son to uncover the truth about their final days.” The true crime aspect of this one sounds intriguing!

I hope you are able to find a few good books to add to your 2021 fall reading list! If you’d like to download a free printable to keep track, click here or on the image below. (I’ve also included a blank version if you want to create your own list!)