Fall has officially begun and the colder months are quickly approaching. The days are getting shorter and more time is being spent indoors. While watching Netflix or scrolling through social media is a common way for people to spend their time, reading is much better for the mind and can be equally, if not more enjoyable, with the right book. That said, here are 10 books to read this fall.

1. Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone 

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness

Goodreads rating: 4.26

With the pressure of being “perfect” as one of the popular girls in her junior class, Samantha McAllister keeps the fact that she has Purely-Obsessional OCD hidden from her friends. When Sam Meets Caroline, a girl who wears the wrong clothes and has a refreshing sense of humor, she knows this friendship is another secret to be kept. Caroline introduces Sam to Poets’ Corner — a hidden room filled with outcasts ignored by the school. She is drawn to them immediately and begins to feel more normal than she ever had with her lifelong friend group. That is until she finds something new to make her question her sanity. 

2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Genres: Coming Of Age, Drama, Romance, Mental Illness

Goodreads Rating: 4.22

Charlie’s letters tell the story of growing up in high school. While there is a lot unknown about who he is writing to, he shares the world he lives in. A teenager’s world of what it’s like to try new things, new friends, family drama, and mental health. This book is a powerful coming-of-age story that many will find relatable, regardless of age. 

3. We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach 

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Coming Of Age, Romance 

Goodreads Rating: 3.52

The book follows four high school kids all coming from different cliques. As the world is known to be ending in two months due to an asteroid hitting the earth, they decide to leave their labels behind. The stories of each character and how they tie together in the end, are revealed through the two months they have to truly live.

4. It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Genres: Young Adult, Mental Illness, Romance, 

Goodreads Rating: 4.09

Craig Gilner is determined to succeed. In his eyes, this means getting into the right high school and getting the right job. Once he makes his way into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure builds far too high. The book follows Craig’s mental health struggles and his time in inpatient treatment. 

5. Looking for Alaska by John Green 

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Mystery, Romance

Goodreads Rating: 3.98

In hopes of finding “the Great Perhaps”, Miles “Pudge” Halter leaves his life at home and heads to the eventful world of Culver Creek Boarding School. Down the hall lives the utterly captivating Alaska Young, who pulls Pudge into her world launching him into the Great Perhaps… Nothing will ever be the same. 

6. Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Goodreads Rating: 4.05

Jessie’s life drastically changes when her mom dies from cancer and her dad marries a woman he hardly knows. Moving from Chicago to Los Angeles, Jessie struggles to find her place in Wood Valley High School. However, things begin to look up when she receives an email from Somebody/Nobody offering to help her navigate through the intimidating prep school. She begins to rely on SN without knowing if she can trust them and the desire to meet SN in person grows stronger and stronger.

7. Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent 

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Realistic Fiction

Goodreads Rating: 4.01

Everyone in Beckett’s life seems to be hiding the full truth. Her father lied about losing his job before his death, her boyfriend might be cheating on her, and everyone in town seems to be whispering about her and her family. All of this becomes insignificant when she finds the body of a newborn baby in a gym bag on the floor of the girls’ high school locker room. When the word spreads, rumors that Beckett is the mother seem to be believed by everyone in her town. As the investigation unfolds, Beckett realizes everyone has a secret that could alter everything she once believed. 

8. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Genres: Fiction, Music, Romance, Contemporary

Goodreads Rating: 4.24

Daisy Jones is young, undeniably talented, and just beginning her music career when a producer pairs her with an up-and-coming band, The Six. Going through the struggles of Daisy’s adolescents and ascending to stardom, and the history behind the wildness of each band member, the reason why they split up at the height of their popularity is revealed. 

9. My Life in Black and White by Natasha Friend

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Romance 

Goodreads Rating: 3.89

Lexi has always been pretty. Her admirable features have helped her attract a boyfriend, friends, and even the attention of a modeling scout. But everything changes the night she is involved in an accident and her face goes through the car windshield. She’s not sure what’s worse, the permanent scars or what she saw between her best friend and boyfriend right before the accident. After losing her perfect looks, with the help of her older sister and a guy recovering from trauma of his own, she discovers she is more than just a pretty face.

10. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Death, Romance

Goodreads Rating: 3.93

After a tragic accident leaving Mia in a coma and the only surviving member of her family, she can only remember what happens afterward. Slowly, she struggles to figure out what she’s lost, what has left, and the impossible decision she has to make. Will she choose to stay and live her life without her family, or go with them?