5 New Books Goodreads Readers Can’t Wait To Read This September: ‘A Breathtaking Story’
These five highly anticipated releases are already generating buzz among Goodreads readers
Key Takeaways
- Goodreads readers have already singled out these five September books as must-reads.
- This month’s picks span historical fiction, literary drama, family sagas and more.
- Several of September’s buzziest releases are also Woman’s World book club picks.
September has officially begun and with the new month comes a new round of book releases. From historical fiction to family sagas, one thing is clear: September is going to be a great month for reading—and Goodreads users agree! According to the book lovers at Goodreads, readers everywhere are already sharing their most anticipated reads for this month and trust us when we say, you’re going to want to make some extra time for reading this month! To learn our top five picks from Goodreads users’ most anticipated September releases, keep scrolling!
‘Taipei Story’ by R.F. Kuang
From the bestselling author of Babel and Yellowface comes a new drama set in the summer that was chosen as a Woman’s World book club selection for September. When college freshman Lily Chen travels to Taipei for an intensive language program, she follows in the footsteps of countless Chinese American students before her. But after struggling to connect with her heritage, Lily embarks on a different journey of self-discovery that challenges everything she thought she knew about identity and belonging. (Out September 8, 2026)
What early readers are saying on Goodreads: “As someone who loves character-driven literary fiction, this was almost a dream novel for me. It contains so many of the things I value most in literature: an intensely realised interior life, thoughtful explorations of identity and belonging, nuanced relationships, and prose that is as interested in ideas as it is in people. I adored it.”
‘American Hagwon’ by Min Jin Lee
Min Jin Lee’s newest novel, a Woman’s World fall must-read, follows the Koh family as they navigate devastating upheaval. John and Helen Koh, along with their three children—Bo, DH and Mido—face betrayal when John’s oldest friend turns against them. Then the catastrophic 1997 Asian financial crisis further nearly destroys them . Eventually they relocate to Southern California, where they start over in ways they never thought possible. (Out September 29, 2026)
What early readers are saying on Goodreads: “This novel is a breathtaking story about a survival of a family, their unwavering bond and love that endure through the most challenging times. I became deeply invested in the Koh family and in the people around them who support them. American Hagwon is an ambitious, deeply immersive read that resonates with me so much and I’ll keep thinking about.”
‘Hollow Bones’ by Jodi Picoult
In Jodi Picoult’s 30th novel, a Woman’s World book club pick, readers return to the world of My Sister’s Keeper and meet Molly Fitzgerald, who was only 2 months old when she lost her mother in the September 11 attacks. Now an adult working in emergency preparedness, she prides herself on handling anything. But when she and her husband receive devastating news, everything changes. What follows is a dual time-line tale that will leave readers flipping the pages long into the night. (Out September 15, 2026)
What early readers are saying on Goodreads: “I went into this with high expectations and wasn’t disappointed. Jodi Picoult tackles diverse, complex topics in a way that forces you to see every angle, leaving you with a deeper understanding and empathy by the end. I love how she makes you understand each person’s situation and actions to the point where they feel so deeply human, showing a realistic mix of both good and bad.”
‘Under Story’ by Chloe Benjamin
This Good Morning America and Woman’s World book club pick follows Laurel Salter, a dishwasher at Antarctica’s McMurdo Station research base. She has a secret, though: She was once a brilliant scientist, devoted wife and loving mother, and no one there knows. When a mysterious light appears across the ice, Laurel becomes convinced it’s a portal to another world—and perhaps a second chance. A stunning epic about the “what ifs” that haunt us all.
What early readers are saying on Goodreads: “Under Story covers Antarctica, mycology and quantum physics, but also aging, love, memory, forgiveness and the ways our lives echo across time and space. It’s heartbreaking, mind-bending and left me wanting to travel to McMurdo Station and across the duoverse. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a book as much as this one, or the last time I stayed up until 2am reading because I couldn’t put it down.”
‘The Pirate Queen’ by Ariel Lawhon
This Woman’s World fall must-read is set in 16th-century Ireland and follows Grace O’Malley, the country’s most infamous pirate queen. Grace always knew she was destined for the sea, but her family had other plans and forced her into a marriage she didn’t want. Refusing to be tied down, she eventually breaks free and starts commanding her own fleet, becoming a legendary pirate queen. But as her power grows, so does the danger. Soon Grace must fight not only for her ships and land, but for everyone she holds dear. A dazzling historical adventure. (Out September 8, 2026)
What early readers are saying on Goodreads: “Going into The Pirate Queen, I had shamefully never heard of Grace O’Malley. By the time I turned the final page, I was completely and utterly in awe of her. Ariel Lawhon has resurrected a fierce, brilliant and largely unsung historical figure and turned her into an unforgettable literary heroine.”
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