Fall reading, standout books, cozy mystery season, and a very busy month behind the scenes.

September was a little slower than usual for me reading wise, with fewer than 30 books finished—which is definitely low for me—but this was absolutely not a reading slump. Real life was just BUSY. Between homecoming, school activities, dance, family stuff, and all the usual chaos that comes with having three kids going in three different directions, reading had to take a backseat sometimes. The good news? The books I did love REALLY worked for me, and I’m heading into October very ready for some five star reads and a whole lot of cozy season.

Behind the scenes at Novelgossip, though? September was one of those months where all the planning I’ve been doing really started to pay off. I shared a ton of fall content, launched another completed cozy mystery series guide, and actually felt like I was ahead of my own ideas instead of chasing them around. 😂 Can you tell fall is my favorite?

ICYMI: SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

September Book Recs

September brought a fresh batch of new releases perfect for kicking off fall reading season, including romance, thrillers, and plenty of books worth making room for on your TBR.

→ Read my September book recs

September Reading Wrap Up

A slightly smaller reading month than usual, but still plenty of romance, thrillers, cozies, and books worth talking about.

→ See everything I read in September

FALL READING TOOK OVER

Listen, I warned everyone this was coming. 😂

Pick a Fall Vibe, Get a Book Recommendation

One of my favorite posts to put together this month! I matched 12 very specific fall moods—from apple orchards and cozy coffee shops to rainy windows and slightly spooky evenings—with books that fit each vibe.

→ Pick your fall vibe, get a book rec

Cozy Mysteries for Apple Picking Season

If your ideal fall afternoon involves an apple orchard, cider, baked goods, and perhaps a small town murder, I have you covered.

→ See my picks for cozy mysteries for apple picking season

The Massive Fall Reading Guide

Thirty books. Three genres. Maximum fall vibes.

I rounded up thrillers, cozy mysteries, and romances for just about every kind of fall reader. This was a BIG one, but exactly the kind of giant seasonal guide I love putting together.

→ Explore my Fall Reading Guide

Shop the full book list here

A NEW COZY SERIES GUIDE

Linda Reilly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery Mysteries

My completed series reading guides continued in September with Linda Reilly’s Grilled Cheese Eatery Mysteries!

I’ve had so much fun putting these guides together because they’re exactly what I want when I’m considering starting a longer cozy series: reading order, what to expect, overall vibes, and enough information to decide whether it sounds like your kind of series without spoiling anything.

→ Read my Grilled Cheese Eatery Mysteries series guide here

SEPTEMBER’S STANDOUT READS

Even during a slower reading month, I had four books that rose straight to the top.

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult

This was easily one of my strongest reads of September and another reminder of why Jodi Picoult has remained such a trusted author for me. It was thoughtful, layered, emotionally complex, and exactly the kind of book that gives you plenty to think about after you’ve finished. An easy five stars and one of my favorites of the month.

→ Read my full review here

Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty is so good at taking ordinary people, complicated relationships, secrets, and seemingly mundane moments and slowly revealing everything simmering underneath. Big Little Truths gave me exactly that kind of layered, character driven storytelling, and I loved watching all the pieces come together.

→ Read my full review here

The Thoroughbreds by Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham

Rich people behaving badly? Family drama? Wealth, secrets, privilege, and messy relationships? Obviously I was seated. 😂 The Thoroughbreds delivered the kind of addictive, escapist drama I love while giving me plenty of complicated characters to obsess over.

→ Read my full review here

A Killer for Christmas by Kim Harrington

One of my favorite surprises of the month! This had such a fun balance of genuinely engaging mystery and cozy charm, and by the end I was already hoping we’ll get more books with these characters. Exactly the kind of seasonal cozy mystery I want as we head toward the holidays.

→ Read my full review here

CURRENTLY READING, LISTENING & WATCHING

Reading: Apparently I have decided that the only two speeds available to me right now are romance and cozy mystery. 😂 I’m reading Christmas books and fall books because publishers insist on releasing them in September and October, and who am I to argue? I’ve also been on a major indie romance kick with Laura Pavlov, Willow Aster, Corinne Michaels, and Lauren Blakely. Basically, I keep bouncing back and forth between swoony romance and murder with snacks.

Listening: Taylor Swift. That’s it. That’s the update. 😂 Encore: The Life of a Showgirl has completely taken over, and I am OBSESSED with “Patient Zero.” The music video basically feels like one of my favorite domestic suspense/psychological thrillers brought to life, and I would like approximately 19 more immediately.

Watching: Dancing with the Stars because serotonin, obviously. I don’t have one clear favorite yet because there are so many great teams, but I am especially loving Jan and Tatiana. I also decided to finally start The Rookie and am still very early in my binge, but I’m digging it so far. Did Jenna Dewan being on DWTS influence this decision? Absolutely.

WHAT’S NEXT

October feels like the perfect month for a little reading reset. September wasn’t a slump, I simply had less time to read than usual, but I’m definitely ready for a run of really strong books.

And I can feel a cozy mystery series binge coming.

Right now I keep eyeing both Nancy Coco’s Candy Coated Mysteries and Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, so one of those may be getting a serious workout soon. Fall is basically prime cozy mystery season anyway, so I see absolutely no reason to fight this urge.

Otherwise, I’m sticking with what has been working: following my mood. Dark thrillers when I want something twisty, cozy mysteries when I want comfort, romance when I need the feelings, and an increasingly suspicious number of Christmas books because apparently the publishing calendar has decided the holidays start now.

September may have been slower on the reading front, but it was a really productive month for me, and honestly, seeing so much of the planning and work I’ve been putting in start to pay off has been incredibly satisfying.

Now bring on October. Give me crisp fall vibes, excellent books, fictional murder, cozy small towns, romance, and hopefully a few five star reads.

Tell me how September was for you?!