Try: Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel (Sept. 7)

The end of summer means the return of school, routines and more consistent time at work, which can…kind of suck. And that’s before we even start thinking about all of the complicated feelings that come with those things. British multihyphenate Michaela Coel’s new book, Misfits: A Personal Manifesto, is here to help. Taken from her celebrated 2018 MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, the I May Destroy You star shares personal stories about growing up in public housing, discovering storytelling, dealing with trauma and becoming an advocate for herself. Writing like no other, Coel offers a powerful reminder that fitting in isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Try: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (Sept. 14)

Love being transported by a good novel? Look no further than Harlem Shuffle, the latest book from Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Colson Whitehead. For this one, Whitehead creates a vivid picture of 1960s Harlem that’s full of affection. The story follows Ray Carney, a furniture salesman who is expecting his second child with his wife Elizabeth. But when his cousin volunteers him as part of a group attempting to rob the Hotel Theresa–a heist that, of course, goes wrong–Ray is forced into the criminal underworld, leaving him to play two roles: Ray the upstanding citizen, and Ray the crook. As the intricate heists and moving family saga unfolds, you’ll definitely forget that you’re just reading on your couch.

Try: Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen (October 5)

Whenever award-winning author Jonathan Franzen has a new book out, you’re going to want to take your time with it. Grab your pumpkin spice latte and curl up in your fave reading spot with his latest, Crossroads. The first book in a planned trilogy, the sprawling tale takes us back to 1970s America, where the Hildebrandt family is on the precipice of major change. Patriarch Russ, who works as a pastor, is ready to leave his marriage to Marion; their three children Clem, Becky and Perry are also seeking their own kind of freedom. Prepare to be sucked into the Hildebrandt family’s lives–and have them stick with you for a long while.

Try: The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox (October 5)

Counting down the days until it’s socially acceptable to listen to your fave Christmas music? Fill your time with The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox. The cheery romcom has a premise worthy of a Netflix movie: while filming her baking show in L.A., chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head, loses consciousness and her ability to taste and smell. Meanwhile, her twin sister is running the family bakery in their quiet hometown while trying to avoid her ex. And what do twins do when one’s in trouble? Switch places, obviously. At Charlie’s request, Cass goes off to L.A. just before Christmas, but it isn’t long before the sisters realize they’re getting more than they asked for–including a little holiday romance.

Try: The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (September 7)

Is it actually possible to find true love on a The Bachelor-esque reality dating show? That’s what Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive ponders when disgraced tech mogul Charlie Winshaw joins a long-running franchise as its newest star. But there is, of course, a twist. Charlie doesn’t believe in love–he only wants to improve his public image–and doesn’t know how to behave on camera, let alone charm 20 women at the same time. As the show’s producer Dev Deshpande works closer with Charlie to get him to warm up, sparks starts to fly and the two begin to question what a real happily ever after looks like.

Try: Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King (November 9)

Pull on your fave sweater and cozy up with beloved, award-winning author Lily King’s latest book, Five Tuesdays in Winter. It’s King’s first-ever collection of short stories–five previously published in lit mags, and five that are brand new–that showcase the writer’s trademark storytelling. Each moving tale is so lived-in, exploring themes of desire, loss, discovery and love and will leave you feeling exactly how a perfectly crisp fall day does.

Try: The Strangers by Katherena Vermette (September 28)

Are you the person friends and family come to for book recos? Be sure to add Katherena Vermette’s The Strangers–which just got longlisted for the prestigious Giller Prize–to your list. The sweeping intergenerational tale follows the Stranger family and the strength of their bond even though they’ve been forced apart. Cedar, having spent so much time in foster homes, barely remembers what her family looks like and is now moving in with her estranged father. Her sister, Phoenix, is in a detention centre about to give birth to a baby she won’t have the chance to raise. And matriarch Elsie is struggling with addiction but determined to turn her life around so she can be reunited with her daughters. The Strangers is a story of trauma, connection and family that you’ll want to share with those closest to you.