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Whether you’re cozying up next to a fire with a PSL or jumping on a plane to see family for the holidays, a good book is in order. To help you—and your kiddos—find that can’t-put-it-down novel, we asked the pros at Tattered Cover Book Store for recommendations for your fall 2023 reading list.
Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton
Release month: October
The first installment of a new fantasy series from Slayton, Dark Moon, Shallow Sea follows the trials of Raef and Seth, each loyal to different and opposing gods. The discovery of a man named Kinos brings the two of them together, but beliefs collide and then intertwine, leading to fascinating plotlines and character complexities, all anchored by a convincing mythos. —Josh Clark, Tattered Cover buyer
Rez Ball by Byron Graves
Release month: September
Tre Brun is a high school sophomore who loves basketball. He loves it so much that he wants to win the state championship for his brother, a onetime basketball star who died in a car accident, and for his Ojibwe reservation community, which has, for far too long, watched its team almost make the state tournament. Will there be a buzzer beater for Brun? —Kate Brasch, Tattered Cover buyer
Blood Betrayal by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Release month: November
Detective Inaya Rahman has two cases on her desk. The first is one that her boss assigned to her: an investigation into the death of a young, Black graffiti artist at the hands of a white police officer. The other is a case that a violent, racist former colleague begs her to take in the hopes that she will discover that his son, a Denver police officer, didn’t shoot a Latino bystander in a botched drug raid. Khan deftly navigates Rahman’s past traumas, her interpersonal relationships, and the prejudices that surround her to illuminate what really happened during the two shootings. —Jen Martin, Tattered Cover buyer
The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher
Release month: November
The Olympian Affair is the sequel to Butcher’s the Aeronaut’s Windlass, which was published in 2015 and was the first novel in the author’s Cinder Spires series. This steampunk series features a world where humanity resides in massive spires, guarded by fleets of airships; Captain Grimm and the crew of his ship, Predator, return in this novel and are tasked with securing alliances for the war to come. The novel is trademark Butcher, who consistently delivers dynamic characters, magical systems, and fast-paced action.—Josh Clark
Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron
Release month: September
A beloved series comes to its end in 1817, the final year of Jane Austen’s life. This book will appeal to fans of Jane Austen, historical fiction, and mystery readers alike. You don’t have to have read all 14 previous novels in the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series (although you will want to) to appreciate Jane and the Final Mystery, but if you have, this book offers a satisfying conclusion. —Kathy Baum, Tattered Cover buyer
Death on a Winter Stroll by Francine Mathews
Release month: October
I love stories with female detectives at the helm, and the juxtaposition of a murder mystery with the merriment of the holidays is a fiction-lover’s delight. The tale is set on picturesque Nantucket as the community tries to rebound from the devastation of COVID-19, but when dead bodies start showing up, police chief Meredith Folger must connect the seemingly unconnected murders—and find out which high-profile suspect is truly to blame. —Kathy Baum
Earthdivers, Vol. 1: Kill Columbus by Stephen Graham Jones
Release month: September
The apocalypse has come, but a glimmer of hope is found in the year 2112 when a group of Indigenous survivors comes across a time-travel cave. Sent on a mission to rewrite history, Tad’s mission is to kill Christopher Columbus before he discovers the New World. Davide Gianfelice’s artwork is incredible, and combined with Graham Jones’ prose, they’ve created a consuming sci-fi slasher narrative that makes you think about the Americas’ colonial past. —Josh Clark
Backcountry by Jenny Goebel
Release month: December
An athletic middle schooler, her dad, and her health alert dog head into the backcountry for a ski trip that Emily desperately needs after receiving a type I diabetes diagnosis. When an avalanche slides through the area where they’re skiing, Emily and her dog Molly get separated from Emily’s dad. They’re hurt and lost, but Emily finds the perseverance she’s been searching for since her life changed seemingly overnight. This middle-grade novel has a little bit of everything, including a healthy helping of loving understanding. —Kate Brasch
Look On the Bright Side by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann
Release month: October
Williams and Schneemann render a truly authentic depiction of growing up in the 21st century as they detail the lives of four young high school friends. Brit, Abby, Christine, and Sasha struggle with school, first crushes, fighting for a cause, and keeping best friends. Great for fans of Williams and Schneemann’s previous book, Go With the Flow, or for anyone who wants a wonderfully drawn coming-of-age story. —Jen Martin
To Break a Covenant by Alison Ames
Release month: October
A small town known for its disproportionate death count? Check. A genuinely haunted mine? Check. Four young friends determined to expose the truth? Check. A perfect young adult horror novel tailor-made for a chilly fall night? You betcha. —Jen Martin
Match Point! by Maddie Gallegos
Release month: September
A middle-grade graphic novel that centers on, of all things, racquetball, Match Point! isn’t really about the sport. Instead, it’s about fathers and daughters—and all the pesky expectations that come with that complex relationship. —Jen Martin
The Enchanters by James Ellroy
Release month: September
The New Yorker calls James Ellroy “the neo-noir eminence of L.A. crime fiction,” and the author’s latest entry into the genre is an all-star, somewhat speculative historical noir set in the City of Angels in the 1960s. Narrated by extreme anti-hero Freddie Otash and centered on the death of Marilyn Monroe, the Enchanters is filled with contemporary slang, a certain sense of humor, and all the twists and turns of a corrupt world. —Jen Martin
Is There Anybody Out There? by Laura Krantz
Release month: October
Inspired by her popular Wild Thing podcast, Krantz’s fantastic book for middle-grade readers looks at all the ways we search for extraterrestrial life, including the tools and technologies we deploy, the assumptions we have about what that life might look like, and how we’ve done so far in our efforts to learn the truth. —Jen Martin
Take the Lead by Sasha Digiulian
Release month: September
A fascinating memoir from one of the world’s best rock climbers, Sasha Digiulian has written a book that will appeal to both climbers and nonclimbers alike. From suffering from eating disorders to dealing with social media bullying, Digiulian provides an honest and raw look into what it’s like to be a female in a male-dominated sport. This is an uplifting and powerful read that will motivate you to push beyond what you think you’re capable of. —Scott Patnesky, Tattered Cover store manager
The Problem With Gravity by Michelle Mohrweis
Release month: September
A sticky-sweet, first-crush story that will melt your heart. If you are in search of stories with great representation, look no further than the Problem With Gravity. Characters with autism and ADHD as well as those who identify with the LGBTQ community fill these pages with quirks and unashamed honesty. This novel might be geared toward middle-grade kids, but it is truly a read for people of all ages and backgrounds. —Taylor Ann, Tattered Cover bookseller
Calamity by Constance Fay
Release month: November
A romance novel set in deep space, Calamity is a remarkable debut that will appeal to fans of the Murderbot Diaries and the Expanse sci-fi [TV] series. Main character and captain of her own spaceship, Temperance Reed has been banished from her powerful family, but she has found a new family in her crew of outcasts. When they are hired to scout a remote planet and forced to take on a new crew member, a once-routine mission turns into something much bigger. The imperfections and growth of the characters feel real. The world-building spurs the imagination. And the romance doesn’t feel forced or fake. For fantasy or romance readers looking to delve into sci-fi, this is your book. —Scott Patnesky
Last Word to the Wise by Ann Claire
Release month: October
This is the coziest of murder mysteries. A perfect pick for a snowy day and a good glass of red wine, Last Word to the Wise is set in Colorado, where two book-loving, romance-starved sisters get pulled into a deadly game when one of the sister’s blind dates ends up dead the next morning. —Taylor Ann
The Kitten Story: A Mostly True Tale by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese
Release month: October
The whole family wants a cat, but there are so many decisions to be made: Old or young? What’s a good name? Who gets to pick the moniker? Ideal for elementary-age kids, the Kitten Story deftly weaves themes of family unity, conflict resolution, and managing disappointment while still weaving a tender yarn. —Kate Brasch
The Witches at the End of the World by Chelsea Iversen
Release month: October
Sisters Minna and Kaija—both witches—live deep in the forests of Norway. They sequestered themselves there after their mother, also a witch, burned at the stake in a Nordic village. One of the sisters wants to forget the horror; the other wants revenge. This magical mystery is a Tattered Cover bookseller favorite with a family story at its heart. —Kathy Baum
Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Release month: November
The big ears act as radiators, shedding off excess heat—that’s why. Your kids will get more answers to their most-burning animal-related questions in this bright and beautifully illustrated book from two author-illustrators who have produced nearly 100 children’s books. —Kate Brasch
