Hi everyone! Welcome to October!

I’m so excited that the weather is finally changing and I’m able to put on my jeans and sweaters for autumn. Fingers crossed that the weather stays steady, and I get to enjoy the fall climate before winter officially kicks in!

For me, one of my favorite fall activities is sitting around with a book and a drink (I’m currently enjoying iced spice chai!), so I thought I’d give a list of ten books that my friends and I have read and would recommend to other incoming students. If you love to read, check out some of our recommendations below!

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

Starting off strong with a popular fantasy recommendation, this is the prequel novel to Maas’s Throne of Glass series which follows an imprisoned assassin who is brought to the king’s castle in order to compete against other thieves for the title of the king’s most trusted assassin. This book is one out of eight, so if you’re looking for a longer series to jump into, this one is sure to keep you hooked from start to finish!

There’s also some debate on whether or not to start with The Assassin’s Blade or Throne of Glass, but personally, I think it’s up to you. No matter where you start, you’ll be immersed in the plot’s worldbuilding, characters, and storylines which will keep you engaged from start to finish!

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

This standalone literary fiction novel was actually considered one of the top books of 2023 and for good reason!

The story follows a white woman named Juniper who steals the manuscript of her recently deceased friend, Athena Liu, and lies about her ethnicity in order to profit off the manuscript’s story about Chinese laborers in WW1. Kuang crafts an interesting commentary about who can write what stories, the toxicity of the publishing industry, and the complexities of being a writer during an age of social media.

If you’re looking for a book that follows the villain and will make you reconsider the writer life, I’d recommend giving this one a glance.

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Going back into the fantasy recommendations, Once Upon a Broken Heart follows a girl named Evangeline Fox who makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts to stop her true love from being wed to someone else. But things quickly take a turn for the worse when the Prince of Hearts comes to repay his debt and Evangeline’s life is turned upside down by fate, betrayal, and a slow burn romance with the person she least expected.

This young adult series brought me back to my love for fantasy trilogies where everything and anything is possible. All three books are out now, so if you’re interested in a cute romantasy with high stakes, this is the series for you!

Notes on Shapeshifting by Gabi Abrao

Calling all poets!

This poetry collection blew me away after I finished reading it in a single sitting. The collection takes on poems of all structures and also includes some flash nonfiction pieces about friendship, romance, and the fantastical that pack a punch again and again.

If you’re looking for a quick read (and you want to support a small business which is where I bought my copy!) then you should add this collection to your list and try it out!

Time’s Arrow by Martin Amis

I’m a HUGE fan of science fiction novels which is why I couldn’t resist reading Time’s Arrow when I first heard about it!

The novel follows the life of Tod through the perspectives of an entity inside of him. The catch? The entity is witnessing Tod’s life backwards from death to life. Since the narrative is being told backwards in time, a major plot twist changes everything for the narrator and forces readers to examine humanity and morality in a nonlinear format.

If you’re interested in a standalone science fiction novel that’ll get you thinking about time and place, this is definitely one to check out!

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

This recent romance book is gaining soooo much attention from the romance girlies! For those of you looking to read an easy and low stakes romance novel, I’d recommend this one!

The story follows two college students, Anastasia and Nathan, who are both athletes (an ice skater and a hockey player) who must share their college’s ice-skating rink. Things quickly turn romantic between them, and the story handles both perspectives as they navigate their relationship to see if they can take things to the next level.

If you’re interested in a fun romance that doesn’t take too much brain power, this is a great one to dive into!

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without a literary classic!

I’ve actually read Beloved twice, and I’ve loved it both times because it’s a classic tale that continues to influence generations and generations to come.

The story follows a dysfunctional black family in the aftermath of the American Civil War when their house becomes haunted by a mysterious and dangerous spirit. Some themes that the work touches on include slavery, memory, trauma, motherhood, and the fine line between the past and the present.

I really believe that everyone should read this book at least once in their life, so if you have the time, I’d recommend grabbing this one while you can!

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau

Here’s another quick and lush fantasy recommendation that’s actually one book of a duology!

Dividing Eden follows two royal siblings, Carys and Andreus, as they compete for their kingdom’s crown in the aftermath of their father and brother’s murder. To determine who would be the better ruler, the siblings must compete in a series of trials, and each chapter promises betrayals and secrets that threaten to tear Carys and Andreus apart.

If you enjoyed books like The Hunger Games or Maze Runner, this series is your next fan favorite!

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor

I HAVE to recommend this book, simply because Brandon Taylor set the story in Iowa City!!!

This novel takes place over the course of a year and from the perspectives of multiple characters who intersect as the novel goes on. Themes of friendship, romance, found family, and the struggles of contemporary life continue to connect the characters and make for an interesting conversation about what it means to be alive in modern society.

As an Iowa City resident, I absolutely loved this book! It was fun to read a story set in my college town, and I love how Taylor explores the trials and tribulations that come with life post-graduation. As someone whose getting ready to head out into the real world, this story really landed its punch!

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

Last but not least, I had to throw in a nostalgic, early 2010’s book!

Dumplin’ follows Willowdean, a self-proclaimed fat girl from Texas, who enters a beauty pageant. The book subverts expectations around which bodies deserve to be on stage and it’s a fun, easy read for readers who are looking for something quick to get through.

And after you’re done, there’s a movie on Netflix under the same name, so if you love book to movie adaptations, I’d check this one out!

Those are all the recommendations I have for the fall!

I hope one of these books sparked your interest and gave you a good idea of the wide reading taste among college students on campus. No matter the genre you enjoy, you’ll definitely find someone else here who enjoys it too.