What to Read This Fall: My 2026 Fall Reading List

Posted August 14, 2026 by Prairie Wife -

The 10 books reviewed below cover just about every genre! From thrillers to historical fiction, memoirs to romance-filled chick lit, there is a little something for everyone.

Slow Days, Fast Company: The Word, the Flesh, and L.A. by Eve Babitz

Eve Babitz was one of the IT GIRLS of LA in the 60s and 70s, and this collection of 10 essays tells the story of her outlandish life in her prime. From shocking tales of parties fueled by sex, drugs, and alcohol to candid stories that show the truth of the people trapped in this hedonistic lifestyle, I loved the insight into this unique time in American history. In the end, I couldn’t decide whether I loved Babitz and her authenticity or felt bad for her…I was definitely captivated by her stories and writing style.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

17 years ago, Kathryn Stockett wrote the bestselling book “The Help”. And now, finally, we have her second novel, “The Calamity Club”. While it’s much longer than “The Help,” I think that fans of Stockett’s debut novel won’t be disappointed. “The Calamity Club” takes place in Mississippi in 1933, when the depression has officially taken hold of America. It tells the story of 3 women (though one is technically still a girl). Birdie is a “spinster” who leaves the small town where she was born (hoping her mother and grandmother can fend for themsleves in her absence), to ask her recently married sister for help during these hard financial times. Meg is an 11-year-old girl who was abandoned in her home by her mother and was later placed in a local orphanage. Charlie is Meg’s mother, and her appearance in the story leads everyone down an unexpected path of lies…that just may save them all. This book is full of authentically written women that, despite their foibles, I couldn’t help but relate to. I encourage you to read this book through the lens of the time in which it was written.

How to Ruin a Wedding by Elba Luz

This racy chick-lit book follows down-on-her-luck Lucy Delgado. Her multiple failed marriages and unemployment lead her to become a professional wedding crasher. People pay her to burst into weddings and ruin them before the “I Dos” are said. But when she accidentally crashes the wrong wedding and meets mysterious Anders Kennedy, her life takes a new direction. She begins to wonder whether the money she makes is worth the pain she causes, and she also questions whether true love really exists.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

This book is a bestseller, and possibly one of the most controversial books of 2026. It tells the story of “Tradwife Influencer” Natalie Heller Mills. Those of us who spend a lot of time on social media will recognize Natalie and her life full of multiple perfectly behaved homeschooled children, calico dresses, flawless sourdough, and idyllic photos of prairies and mountains. But as we get a look into Natalie’s true inner monologue, we begin to see the cracks in her perfect life are more like massive canyons. Midway through the book, Natalie suddenly finds herself in a whole new reality that leaves her wondering what is true and what is fiction. While some critics say that the characters are too stereotypical, and that the author clearly shows her distaste for the women she writes about…I personally found that this is what drew me into the story. As I tried to figure out the truth about who, when, and where Natalie is, I began to question whether today’s influencers are causing actual harm with their messaging and whether they even care.

The Secret Lives of Murders’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott

This novel is part thriller and historical fiction, with a little suspense thrown in! It tells the story of three women in the mid 1960’s who are recovering from the trauma of learning that their husbands were all serial killers. As they struggle with the question “How could you not know?” and their roles in what happened, they form a quirky friendship that offers support and comfort. When a string of local murders catches their attention, they begin to work together to try and find the real killer. In the end, you can’t help but admire all three women, and you’ll be staying up way too late to see if they can solve the crime and redeem themselves to each other and the community around them…

We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship With Kate Spade by Elyce Arons

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did! While I am very familiar with the Kate Spade brand and the tragic death by suicide of one of its founders, I myself don’t own any of this popular label’s items. I chose this book because I wanted to broaden my reading list, and I love fashion in general. I listened to this book, and I think hearing Aron’s story of her friendship and life with Kate in her voice really helped me connect to the narrative. I learned a lot, not only about the founders (I had no idea they both came from rural states and met at the University of Kansas), but about the process of building a multi-million-dollar brand. As someone who watched the brand grow and Kate become an icon, it was fascinating to hear the real story behind what the media showed.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

It’s the classic tale of Cinderella, but told from the stepmother’s point of view. In this version, the stepmother (Lady Tremaine) isn’t evil. She’s a woman stuck in a period of history that doesn’t offer her any power, trying to do her best as a single mother to her two daughters and a stepdaughter she barely knows. All while trying to keep the roof of their crumbling castle from caving in on them and working on a budget so small that everyone (including the girls) has to help out with the most menial of tasks. The Prince’s interest in Cinderella isn’t the end of this story; it’s the catalyst for what may just end up destroying everything Lady Tremaine has fought so hard to prevent.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

For most of this book, I could not figure out what was going on. And I don’t mean that I couldn’t follow the story; I mean that this thriller was so well written that I kept on second-guessing myself the entire time! Eden Fox goes for a run, and when she returns home, a woman answers the door and claims to have no idea who she is. When her “husband” has the same response, Eden’s world shatters. Then we are introduced to Birdy (a Londoner) who inherited the home “Spyglass” 6 months earlier and would be the one who sells the home to Eden and her husband. Throw in a clinic that promises to tell you accurately what day you die, quirky small town characters, and a past tragedy no one has been able to recover from, and you have the perfect novel to read on a rainy fall day.

Cake, Crime, and Cocker Spaniels by Gayle M. Irwin

This book, written by local author Gayle M. Irwin, is a Hallmark movie in a book, and I mean that in the best way possible! A small town setting, characters that are likable (and quirky), just the right amount of drama, and a happy ending that will leave you smiling. With all the chaos happening in the world, Irwin’s book was the break from reality I desperately needed.

A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The storytelling in this historical fiction novel was wonderful; after all, how can you not be captivated by a story about New York’s first black female prosecutor and its most famous Madame? It’s the 1930s, and notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano seems unstoppable. He has the police and local citizens under his thumb, and there seems to be no end to what he’s capable of. When Lucky and his goons start to bully the local prostitutes and use them in ways that are both humiliating and dangerous, Polly decides enough is enough and risks her life to protect her girls. This book covers a wide range of topics from racial issues to women’s issues, as well as ethics and corruption. It’s one that will give you plenty to talk about at your next book club!

If you want to read another book written by a Wyoming author, take a look at my review of India Hayford’s latest novel, “Days of Sun and Shadow”.

What to Read This Fall: My 2026 Fall Reading List

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