7 New Books Goodreads Readers Are Shelving for Fall, From Historical Fiction to Romantasy
These seven new releases are already piling up on book lovers' 'Want to Read' shelves
Key Takeaways
- Goodreads readers are already adding these seven new releases to their Want to Read shelves.
- Witchy fantasy, romantasy and historical fiction make these new books ideal seasonal picks.
- All seven titles are fresh off the presses and already generating excitement among readers.
Tuesday was a big day for bookworms. Seven highly anticipated new releases hit shelves—from R.F. Kuang’s genre departure Taipei Story to Aiden Thomas’s long-awaited Cemetery Boys sequel—and Goodreads readers wasted no time adding them to their shelves. In fact, based on how many times each book has been added to a “Want to Read” list this week alone, these are the seven titles everyone’s talking about. Perfect timing, too, since fall is officially here and there’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a good book. Keep scrolling to see what made the cut!
‘Taipei Story’ by R.F. Kuang—117,916 shelves
This novel, a Woman’s World book club pick, follows college freshman Lily Chen after she arrives in Taipei for an intensive language program, seeking connection to her heritage. But when Lily struggles to bridge the cultural divide she expected to cross, she embarks on an unexpected journey of self-discovery that forces her to question everything she believed about identity and belonging.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Language lovers, those born and living far from their family’s homeland, and anyone caught between cultures; buckle up, this one’s for you. I’ve always loved R.F. Kuang’s writing, but I especially appreciated the sincerity and vulnerability she brought to this book and her willingness to share her own past.”
‘The Pirate Queen’ by Ariel Lawhon—147,670 shelves
Set in 16th-century Ireland, this Woman’s World fall must-read follows Grace O’Malley, the country’s most notorious pirate queen. Grace always knew she belonged on the sea, but her family had other plans and forced her to marry. Grace eventually escapes and begins commanding her own fleet, and soon she becomes a legendary pirate queen. But as Grace’s influence expands, so does her list of enemies. Now Grace must fight not only to protect her ships and territory, but to save everyone she loves.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Ariel Lawhon has done it again. The Pirate Queen is filled with incredibly immersive writing that completely pulls you into the world of Grace O’Malley. What makes this novel especially powerful is that Grace O’Malley’s story has historically been told through the perspective of her enemies. Here, Ariel Lawhon gathers the scattered pieces of history and gives Grace the chance to tell her own story. The result is vivid, emotional and unforgettable.”
‘The Witches of Cambridge’ by Alice Hoffman—81,263 shelves
Practical Magic author Alice Hoffman delivers a spellbinding new fantasy, which was selected as both a Read With Jenna pick and a Woman’s World book club pick. In 1950s Massachusetts, Ava meets her polar opposite, Lauren, during their first year of college. Their unlikely friendship takes a mysterious turn when the enigmatic Lilith Society recruits them both. As the young women investigate the Society’s secrets, they discover shocking truths about their own hidden pasts. Their discoveries also awaken dangerous forces, forcing Ava and Lauren to decide how far they’ll go to protect their secrets.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This is the perfect mix of witchy goodness and historical fiction. Alice Hoffman never failed me, and this book is no exception. The interwoven stories of past and present that appear within this book flow effortlessly and the journey of each character is flawless in execution. There is nothing about this book I didn’t love or enjoy. I might even re-read it in the fall, just to find my way back to Lilith House.”
‘Burn of the Everflame’ by Penn Cole—168,536 shelves
Penn Cole’s Kindred’s Curse Saga returns with its fourth book, a Woman’s World book club pick. Healer Diem Bellator navigates the dangerous corridors of Emarion’s royal palace, where she fights tyranny while knowing any false step could prove fatal. As threats multiply and danger escalates, the Crowns discover they need each other to survive. Can rivals set aside their hatred and work together, or will ancient grudges seal everyone’s fate?
What Goodreads users are saying: “What an emotional way to say goodbye to this series. The heartbreak, the emotions, the final moments… I was not prepared. After everything these characters have been through, watching their story finally come full circle hit me so hard. I’m going to miss this world so much.”
‘Tempest’ by Victoria Aveyard—74,658 shelves
The bestselling author of the young adult Red Queen series ventures into adult fantasy with this pirate saga. Cat Rose has mastered the art of reinvention. Once Lady Catrine Rose of the Meridian Empire, tragedy transformed her into the Widow Rose, a pirate tavern queen ruling the Sirian Sea. But when vessels begin vanishing near her shores and the infamous Valerian Kane emerges as the culprit, everything shifts. Now Cat must embark on a treacherous new journey that will bring buried memories back to the surface and reunite her with the one man who still holds her heart.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Victoria Aveyard is BACK with a new adult romantasy series set on the seas. Tempest was one of my most anticipated books of 2026 and I am so happy to say that I had the best time reading it. I really loved the setting of this book and how the swelling and roughness of the Lyrian Sea added an element of tension to the story!”
‘Espíritu’ by Aiden Thomas—22,872 shelves
The highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling fantasy Cemetery Boys is finally here. The plot follows Julian, who can now talk to spirits—a power he was granted as a direct result of a forbidden ritual. But along with the voices, he’s also seeing things, and his boyfriend Yadriel has never heard anything like it. On top of all of that, a new person is in town and he can heal the living, release the dead and is seeing the same things as Julian. What follows is a magical blend of romance, family and mystery.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of the year as a long-time Cemetery Boys fan and this sequel did not disappoint. This story was heartbreaking, heartwarming, dark, funny and hopeful all at once. It also featured a very interesting supernatural approach to exploring how trauma lives in the body.”
‘A Snake Among Swans’ by Hannah Kaner—19,444 shelves
From bestselling author Hannah Kaner comes a new fantasy that is sure to stun. Tilde has always heard the whispers of the kithwood—her ancestors speaking through the mysterious forest of her conquered homeland. To stop the bloodshed, she must marry the aging Swan King Liran and bear him a son. But the king’s court is treacherous and Liran’s sons plot to destroy her, while his daughter Princess Elise struggles with conflicting loyalties. Yet none suspect Tilde has a forbidden power that could help her reclaim her kingdom.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Hannah Kaner has found a new fan in me by writing this gripping story of power and loss and womanhood, and I truly can’t wait to see what the next book brings. I clearly need to become acquainted with her other work as soon as possible, so you can find me making my way through the Fallen Gods trilogy as I wait for the sequel.”
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