Ann Patchett’s Bookstore Staff Shares 5 Unputdownable Books to Sink Into This Fall—From Cozy Romance to Gothic Romantasy
Need your next great read? These 5 Parnassus picks enthrall from page one!
Key Takeaways
- Ann Patchett's Nashville bookstore, Parnassus, is a beloved literary haven for book lovers.
- Expert booksellers share 5 fall page-turners from romance to historical fiction.
- The list includes bestselling authors like Emily St. John Mandel!
The crunch of fall leaves, the crisp air, the burst of colorful foliage outside the window, warm apple cider…fall paints a picture-perfect backdrop for browsing your local bookstore and heading home to read all night long. Here at Woman’s World, one of our favorite ways to collect book recommendations is by asking people who live and breathe books: local booksellers. Their thoughtful, highly specific and intentional recommendations come from the heart in a way no algorithm could ever match.
Ready for some fall reading inspiration from one of our go-to local bookstores? We gathered five must-read books recommended by the staff at Nashville’s beloved Parnassus Books. Founded by award-winning author Ann Patchett, this literary haven is a favorite destination for book lovers and their four-legged friends alike.
Keep reading to discover five can’t-miss picks that are ideal for curling up with under a cozy blanket, from historical mystery-meets-romance to gothic romantasy, family sagas and more!
‘The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies’ by Kate Westbury
There’s nothing like historical mysteries and academia in the fall, and The Oxford Guide to Scandal & Lies serves up both—with a witty side of romance. Set in the academic world of 1951, Ginevra Bishop is studying at Oxford, like her mother did, and wants to prove she’s more than a debutante. Sidney Braithwaite hopes Oxford can free him from a war-torn past. Then, the pair is asked to track down a Soviet spy at the university. Can these opposites work together as sparks fly?
Why Parnassus loves it: “I love mystery and romance. In Oxford? With spies? Even better. A mismatched pair—working class and wealthy, veteran and undergraduate, Gin and Sidney—are teamed up by MI5 to figure out who poisoned a librarian. Watching these two trade barbs and solve a mystery is a fun ride.”
‘The Knave and the Moon’ by Rachel Gillig
Rachel Gillig’s newest novel—the sequel to her hit bestseller The Knight and the Moth—is ideal for atmospheric October reading. A story about a captive protagonist plotting to overthrow a cruel ruler in a gothic fantasy kingdom? Sign us up! With Aisling Cathedral in ruins and her allies presumed dead, Sybil Delling is forced into marriage with King Benji. As she schemes for ways to bring him down, she finds an unexpected ally in a mysterious knight with no memory of his past.
Why Parnassus loves it: “Full of secrets, betrayal, intrigue and sweeping romance, the highly anticipated sequel to The Knight and the Moth was everything I dreamed it would be. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy now!” -Naomi
‘Body Language’ by Meg Howrey
Known for her 2022 novel They’re Going to Love You, Meg Howrey is back with another magnetic, moving story. Body Language follows three very different sisters as they return to their mother’s home after learning she has dementia and a unique request for them. Sloane is a former actress navigating menopause, Laurel is a mom and environmental activist who may be facing infidelity and Nanette, a new nun caught in a media frenzy. When a shocking revelation changes everything, they are forced to reckon with long-buried tensions and learn what it means to truly care for one another.
Why Parnassus loves it: “As a reader, I often have to skip any book that touches on dementia, but as a fan of Meg Howrey, I had to give this one a shot. I’m so glad I did–Body Language is a gorgeous story of sisterhood and family bonds.”
‘The Treasure House’ by Amy Matthews
Starting over in a quaint cottage in Maine is the dreamy premise of award-winning author Amy Matthews’ new book, The Treasure House. Zoe Copeland needs a fresh start for herself and her daughter, Florence. When she spots a listing for an affordable home in Maine, she jumps at the chance. The catch? The house is being sold “as is”—with everything still inside. It’s a cozy, heartwarming story about starting over and discovering what truly makes a house a home.
Why Parnassus loves it: “On a whim, Zoe buys a house in a small coastal Maine town. But as Zoe and Flo sort through the physical treasures (junk) that fills their house, it’s the past stories that shape their lives now and in the future. I highly recommend this book!” -Zoe
‘Exit Party’ by Emily St. John Mandel
Known for her award-winning book Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel returns with Exit Party, another captivating novel set in the future that left Ann Patchett “riveted.” In 2031 Los Angeles, the world as Ari Waker once knew it no longer exists. One evening, Ari walks to a party nearby and before long, odd events occur: A doppelganger shows up and then Kareem, the host, disappears into thin air. As Ari follows eerie clues, a mystery leads her across the globe.
Why Parnassus loves it: “If post-civil war speculative fiction takes you out of your comfort zone, you are in good company, and, more importantly, you are in good hands. Emily St. John Mandel is a brilliant writer. In Exit Party she manages to populate two worlds full of doppelgangers. Time and space slide back and forth, characters lead long and complicated lives, what is true in one state is not exactly true in another, and yes, part of Paris is under glass. And never for one sentence was I confused about what was going on. Never for one sentence was I anything short of riveted. I know exactly where I was sitting when I finished it.” -Ann Patchett
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