The Hottest Fall Accessory? A Book
Brat summer reigned, but now that Charli herself has declared that it’s officially over, it’s time to switch it up for fall. And while brands that are weeks late to the demure trend want you to believe that it’s Demure Fall and buy their stuff, fall has its own identity. It’s about long nights and chunky sweaters. And when you’re not busy being cozy and rewatching Twilight, what feels better than a mug of hot chocolate — whipped cream and sprinkles — and curling up with a good book?
And these days, nothing looks better than curling up with a good book, either. Recently, a trend has been emerging. All the cool girls are reading. From the rise of BookTok to the bevy of celebrity book clubs, we’ve entered the era of aesthetic intellectualism.
When Kendall Jenner posts a picture reading on a yacht or Central Cee shows off a copy of The Old Man and the Sea in his Vogue “What’s In Your Bag” video, it sends a message. Reading is cool, and a book is the latest and greatest accessory.
What should you read this fall?
The old money trend has given way to the revival of prep. But it’s not just just boat shoes and ties that are blowing up. Trends are going full dark academia and adding an essential accessory to the mix: a book. Preferably one in a literary-themed tote bag (think Shakespeare & Company or Daunt Books).
But it’s not just the preppy crowd that’s carrying around books to seem cool and well-read. It’s the It Girls, too — and the It Boys, if Jacob Elordi’s back pockets are to be believed. Yes, he recently told people who say he pioneered the books-in-pockets trend to “get out more.” But the brooding Aussie has even more recently been spotted in Toronto, on set for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, with a book in his back pocket. Nature is healing.
But since women’s pockets — if there are pockets at all — aren’t big enough to fit a phone, let alone a book, we’ve taken to carrying them around like handbags. The latest It Books are also frequently featured on curated Instagram tablescapes or in “What’s my bag” videos on TikTok.
They’ve taken to starting book clubs so everyone knows they read — or, at least, can read. In recent years, celebs-turned-producers have launched book clubs to promote the books they’re adapting. Reese Witherspoon’s book club spotlighted Where The Crawdads Sing and Little Fires Everywhere before turning them into successful adaptations.
But today’s It Girls are using reading as social cachet. Dua Lipa’s new “cultural concierge,” SERVICE95 hosts a monthly book club alongside travel recommendations — she is the queen of vacationing, after all — and a newsletter. It’s like the modern day Goop — but instead of questionable wellness, they’re peddling … intellectualism?
Maybe it’s because, in a world where anyone can buy Instagram-face and Ozempic, the new era of Hot Girls are girls who read. It’s strange to talk about reading like it’s a trend, but it’s impossible to ignore how reading has grown more popular since the pandemic. The spike of reading sales hasn’t slowed down, though. Thanks to Colleen Hoover, no matter how problematic she might be. And series like the Bridgerton books or The Fourth Wing, people are flocking to BookTok like they did to Marvel movies.
Also, the lack of shame around reading “low-brow” books like romance novels or fantasy books has provided a gateway to reading for people who have never been “readers” before. And seeing your favorite celebs brandishing their books doesn’t hurt either.
But for some celebs, it’s not just about being seen reading, it’s about what they read. A bookclub like Kaia Gerber’s Library Science features Gerber’s recommendations of the best books of the moment.
Noname’s Book Club focuses on decolonial literature and books by BIPOC authors.
So grab the coolest book on your bookshelf and head to a cafe. Across the biggest cities in the world, I’ve seen people start conversations sparked from the books peeking out of their Balenciaga City Bags. I’ve seen people reading books in the pool. So, if you want to know what book to keep in your back pocket, we have a list of the 20 best books to read this fall — from cozy fall classics to the latest reads everyone is waiting for.
1. Brat: A Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith
Brat (the album) summer, make way for Brat (the book) fall. Gabriel Smith’s new novel, which published smack in the middle of brat summer, was a total coincidence and pure marketing genius. This gothic coming-of-age story is funny, messy, and dark. It’s a deadpan take on family and alienation that will send a chill down your spine and get you into the fall spirit.
There’s going to be a line around the bookstore when this drops on September 24th. The latest Rooney novel is getting terrific buzz from all the It Girls who received advance copies — and I’m unspeakably jealous. Rooney’s latest novel dives deep into the complexities of modern relationships. With her signature sharp dialogue and keen observations, Intermezzo explores the fleeting moments that define our connections. It’s her typical critique on capitalism with a new perspective.
Cusk had mainstream success a few years ago, but she’s been beloved by critics for years. Beware: this is literary fiction and not for those seeking a quick and easy read — despite the whimsical covers. After the Outline trilogy, Parade follows a writer unpacking the facades we present and the truths we hide. It’s a slow burn that’ll make you question everything you think you know about your neighbors — and yourself.
4. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
This book was so beloved that it spurred a Hollywood bidding war. Apple TV snapped it up in a straight-to-series deal, starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. And this was all before it even published.
So, before series premiers, read Thorpe’s dark comedy about Margo, a struggling millennial drowning in student debt, who stumbles into a pregnancy and unlikely personal relationships. It’s a biting commentary on capitalism, influencer culture, and the desperation of a generation. A perfect read for anyone who — like Margo — has ever had money troubles.
5. Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
After the success of her first novel The Most Fun We Ever Had, Lombardo’s sophomore novel is another granular examination of family dynamics. It follows a woman on the cusp of facing her empty nest as she wrestles with the past and the present. I’ll be listening to Taylor Swift’s evermore as I read this one.
6. The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
I love a thriller for the fall. And if you liked The Paris Apartment and The Guest List, you’ll love Foley’s most recent twisty thriller — this time set in isolated manor. Within the pages of a well-rendered crime thriller, it explores human nature through questions about social influence and the dark sides of privilege.
Not a novel but another play, this is a must for anyone who didn’t catch the critically acclaimed Broadway production. It’s a favorite of Kaia Gerber — who recently led a talk-back about the play and recommended it on her site, Library Science. It’s about a therapist tasked with the question of whether his client can return to work after she had a breakdown in public.
8. My Nemesis by Charmaine Craig
Craig’s novel sets the bar high for the unreliable narrator. It’s part Conversations With Friends, and part What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. Playing with perspective and form and characters you never know what to make of, it’s a gripping exploration of rivalry, desire, and the stories we tell ourselves. When two couples become entangled in each other’s lives, tensions rise and loyalties shift. It’s a slow-burn, psychological drama that’ll have you questioning every character’s motives. If you like weird-girl books, this is the read for you.
9. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Williams’s Seven Days In June was a blockbuster. If you’re partial to autumns New York, this book is perfection. It’s the literary equivalent of a New York City autumn rom-com as Williams delivers a swoon-worthy romance with depth. When two artists meet in the city, sparks fly, and old wounds begin to heal.
10. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Read this one before the Cilian Murphy movie debuts later this year. Set in 1980s Ireland, Keegan’s novella packs an emotional punch. It’s short but profound and Keegan makes every word count. You’ll be planning a trip to Ireland after this. Short enough to read in one sitting, but it’ll stay with you long after.
11. If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga
This award-winning, experimental novel challenges notions of identity, language, and belonging. When an Egyptian-American woman moves to Cairo, she starts to scrutinize the identity she had in America and builds a new one. When she has a cafe meet-cute, she forms a relationship that becomes a lens for exploring larger cultural tensions.
The girls are loving this book so it’s this year’s favorite. Akbar’s debut novel is a lyrical exploration of addiction, identity, and the search for meaning. Following an Iranian-American man who’s been grappling with the meaninglessness of his mother’s death during his childhood. This experience shaped his understanding of himself and of the world and influences the trajectory of his life.
13. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Morrison’s debut novel remains a powerful and relevant read. Set in 1940s Ohio, it follows young Pecola Breedlove’s heartbreaking quest for beauty in a world that labels her as ugly. Morrison’s lyrical prose and unflinching exploration of racism, self-hatred, and the destructive power of beauty standards make this a must-read. It’s as haunting today as it was when it was published in 1970.
14. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Highsmith’s psychological thriller is a heartpounding autumnal read for those who like their books with a side of sly. Follow the charming and amoral Tom Ripley as he cons his way from NYC to the sun-drenched Italian Riviera.You might think this is a summer read. But to me, it’s about the end of summer — when the glorious apricot and rosy sunsets fade and the darkness creeps in. In Ripley’s case the darkness is murder. But we all relate to the sadness that comes with the first chill of autumn when we get all nostalgic — and remember summer as far better than it was.
15. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is an epic journey through love, loss, and the power of art. Yes, the movie sucked. But the book is worth rereading over and over again. It’s an epic tale spanning the childhood-to-adulthood of a boy who survives a tragedy that claims his mother’s life and leads him down a twisting path to the treacherous underbelly of the art world.
16. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sometimes, fall calls for a classic. Just like the eponymous film is an autumnal must-watch, the book is a necessary-read for fall. Austen’s witty romance between the spirited Elizabeth Bennet and the proud Mr. Darcy never gets old. It’s a warm cup of tea on a chilly day. Curl up under a cozy blanket and lose yourself in the world of Regency England. Imagine a man who loves you as much as Darcy does.
Kuang’s corrupt academia fantasy is a thought-provoking exploration of language, power, and colonialism. Set in 1830s Oxford, it follows a Chinese boy with a gift for languages as he becomes entangled in a magical rebellion. This richly imagined world will appeal to both fantasy lovers and history buffs. Plus, you can live your dark academia fantasies through it and pretend you’re wandering the gloomy streets of Oxford.
18. The Black Woman: An Anthology edited by Toni Cade Bambara
Publishing in 1970, this groundbreaking anthology remains a vital collection of essays, poetry, and fiction by Black women writers. From activism to art, from politics to personal experiences, it covers a wide range of topics with unflinching honesty and powerful voices. It’s an essential read that’ll inspire thoughtful discussions long after you turn the final page.
19. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Everyone I know cried while reading this novel. Napolitano’s masterpiece is a heartwarming, yet complex, exploration of family, love, and the ties that bind us. Inspired by Little Women, it tracks the intertwined lives of four sisters and the young man who gets entangled with their family. It’s a beautifully written story about the power of chosen family and the weight of expectations.
20. James by Percival Everett
Everett’s follow-up from his smash Erasure — which inspired the award-winning film American Fiction — James is a retelling of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of escaped slave, Jim. Everett’s startling take is a revelation and a reinvention of an American classic.
