September is a HUGE month for new SFF book releases, is anyone surprised? (but not as big as October, just wait..) September is also the month of the female writer. I just realized that fifteen out of seventeen of these books are by women authors. My most anticipated book of the year comes out this month—Exit Party—and it’s not the only one I’m dying to read. In fact, all of the books below are so exciting! I’m going to push myself to read as many of these as possible, wish me luck:-)
Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel. My queen is finally releasing a book, lol. Sadly, I was not able to get a review copy of this, but it actually doesn’t matter because my preorder will probably arrive on September 15th, at which point I will drop what I’m reading and dive in:-)
Kiss Slay Replay by Rachel Harrison. I have already read this, and all I can saw is wow. I absolutely loved this, and you are NOT going to want to miss it! (review coming soon)
An Immaculate Deception by Isabela Livino. A Gothic horror story set in Brazil, this sounds fabulous. And I’ve already seen some very positive reviews.
Newbourne Park by Jennifer Thorne. Thorne never disappoints, and I believe this is a werewolf novel, which makes me even more excited to read it:-)
Something of a Calling by Zoje Stage. I will read anything Stage writes, and this new horror/mystery sounds really good.
Trad Wife by Sarah Langan. I’ve been excited to check this out for months, so I’m glad the release month is finally here!
Crone by Keith Rosson. This is getting great reviews, and I’m glad to finally check out one of Rosson’s books!
All Her Beautiful Deaths by A. Rushby. This dual timeline story about two artists sounds amazing. Rushby is such a unique writer, I can’t wait.
She’s a Doll by Barbara Truelove. A story about a murder victim who is inhabiting the body of a doll in order to get revenge on her killer? OK I can’t think of a more original story idea!
Incarnate by Alma Katsu. I’ve been reading Alma’s books for years, and this time she’s tackling AI with a retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Blacktail by Scott Hawkins. I’ve heard this is a very dark tale about a wolf on a journey of revenge, told from the wolf’s point of view. I can’t wait!
Our Cut of Salt by Deena Helm. I’m very much looking forward to this haunted house story. And hopefully I can add it to my list of favorites!
This Movie Doesn’t End the Way We Want by Hailey Piper. I love “cursed movie” stories, and I’ll be reading this very soon.
I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by Mackenzie Reed. The title alone is enough to get me to read this:-)
Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske. This is a dark academia fantasy by an author I really love, so I’m curious to read it.
Strange is the Light by Sarah Maria Griffin. This sounds very different from the author’s last book, which was horror. This appears to be an Lit RPG, maybe?
A Time of Witches by Madeline Martin. A dual timeline witch story, this sounds fantastic!
The Sisters of Crimson House by Melissa Anderson Sweazy. This is another witch-centric story, and I saw the words “haunted house” in the blurb, even better!
Wow, And October is even huger? Anyhow, I love that there are so many women in SFF/horror nowadays!
I’m surprised you didn’t get Exit Party. I mean, you’ve made a name for yourself as a blogger in the above categories…
I want to read Strange Is the Light.
I was surprised too. I was approved on NetGalley for her other three books, but my request ended up in limbo for this book, for some reason (neither approved or rejected, lol). Maybe there were just too many requests and they missed mine.
You need a huge stomach, lol, enjoy!
Here are my plans: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/08/31/the-top-7-books-to-read-in-september-2026/
LOL so true!
I don’t plan on reading any of these right now but once you start posting your reviews I’m sure a lot of them will end up on my TBR!
I will convince you, Stephanie!
There are so many books coming out this month! The only one we have in common is the new Freya Marske book. I’ve loved her other stuff and am looking forward to her take on dark academia. I’ve been curious about Emily St. John Mandel’s books for a while, too, but I’ve never given them a try.
I highly recommend Emily St. John Mandel! They feel like literary fiction but with science fiction elements. So good:-)
Exit Party is high on my list of September reads, and so is Newbourne Park! I just finished Kiss Slay Replay. What a trip! Can’t wait to hear about all of these!
I’m reading Newbourne Park right now and omg I love it so far:-)
I love coming to your page at the beginning of every month to plan my reading – haha! There are a lot of good releases coming out. I just grabbed Crone and the new Tananarive Due book from Aardvark this morning. I missed She’s a Doll so I will have to get it elsewhere. I am current reading Kiss, Slay and Replay and really enjoying it. Such a great month for reading. Plus football season is ramping up so it will day-long college marathons and reading while they are on in the background. Bring on Fall!
It is a great month for books! I’m looking forward to comparing notes with you on some of these. I’m so excited for Crone, I’ve been meaning to read his books for a long time.
Lots of great titles!
Yes, I wish I could read them all!
Looks like an amazing lineup!
It should be a really good reading month. It’s already started well with a five star book!
September is fuller than October for me.
You’re lucky! I don’t know what happened to my October. I kept saying “yes” before I really looked at what I had already said “yes” to, lol.
Exit Party is the one I’m most curious about on this list, and yet I’ve still not read anything by the author. One day! 🙂
She’s an amazing writer, but her books should be read in order since they all sort of link in interesting ways.
I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell and Strange Is the Light both sound interesting! I love a good LitRPG, so I’m especially curious about Strange Is the Light.
I loved her last book, so I’m hoping Strange is the Light is just as good.
So many great books. I already have a couple on my TBR and added a few more.
There really are some awesome sounding books coming out this month:-)
September is packed!!! I personally cannot wait for Our Cut of Salt and Crone. Very interested to hear your thoughts on these. Happy reading!
Thanks Alicia! I hope you have a fantastic month too:-)
September is crazy, but I’m excited for it! I am looking forward to so many of these–there really are so many cool books coming this month. I wish you all the luck and hope you get to read all of them! 🙂
Thanks Jordan! It really does sound like an amazing month, I just wish I could fit everything in!
Wow what an incredible line up. With so many favourite authors releasing titles it sounds like you’re set for a fantastic September book wise. Im especially intrigued by Our Cut Of Salt, Bodies Of Magic and Crimson House. So many of these sound amazing though and I look forward to seeing all of your reviews. Hope you have a wonderful month.
I definitely have high hopes for my reading this month!
I’ve already read one of these and unfortunately had to set another aside, and I think i have another two or three from your list. How come September is so busy! I couldn’t believe how many books I had – I am totally ashamed or myself – although I’m going to have a good try at reading as many as possible.
Lynn ::D
Boo to you not getting an arc for Exit Party! You deserve one. But crickey… there’s a LOT of books here, Tammy!! Best of luck with your reading schedule. That said – it is what it is and there’s no point in worrying about what you can’t manage. This is, after all, our beloved hobby:).
Lots of good looking books coming up! Hoping to finally have time to get around to check out reviews this month!
It seems cruel that the release of all these amazing titles dropping in Sept and Oct coincides with the craziness of back to school! Both my kids are starting new schools and I’m still struggling to find my footing while trying to get more reading time in. So many great books coming out!
How many interesting books!! It seems like you have a great month waiting for you! (We’ve already passed the halfway point, but still…) I hope to read I Hope This Mail Will Find You in Hell soon, too!!