We love debut authors. There’s something so fun about picking up a new read by a first-time author and reading their words. From memoir and mystery, a book of essays and a thoughtful pet crow in the midst of the apocalypse, we’ve tracked down eight must-read books of fall by debut authors.

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

This is a story about a pet crow and his trusty friend Dennis the dim-witted dog, and the adventure they go on when Big Jim’s eyeballs fall out. Intrigued? So are we! Our cowardly crow becomes a hero in the midst of the apocalypse in this humorous novel sure to delight!

After She Said Yes by Kaya Gravitter

Magazine editor Aurora has just escaped her abusive marriage, leaving the man who betrayed her behind for good. Doing her best to heal the wounds from her previous relationship, all Aurora wants is to find her own independence once again. But everything changes when she reconnects with her soon-to-be ex-husband’s friend Melih. With her career on the up-and-up and her past relationship looming in the background, Aurora convinces herself that she can’t have both a prosperous career and a budding love life, forcing her to choose which she wants to pursue.

Holly Banks Full of Angst by Julie Valerie

In Julie Valerie’s debut, we meet Holly Banks, who’s a normal mom thrown into an affluent community of perfect moms. On top of a move, she’s worried that her husband might be cheating, her daughter still sucks her thumb and she’s not using her film degree. When she’s thrust into a neighborhood mystery, she begins to wonder about her neighbors and if there is really truly a perfect mom?

A Prayer for Travelers by Ruchika Tomar

After high school, when Cale’s grandfather becomes ill, she’s on her own for the first time and takes a job as a waitress in their small town’s local diner. Cale reconnects with former classmate Penelope and she learns of the side hustle that is supporting Penelope’s dreams. The two girls form a friendship and a bond, but after an act of violence and Penny’s disappearance, it’s up to Cale to set out to find her friend and learn about herself along the way.

On Swift Horses by Shannon Pufahl

Muriel is a newlywed who leaves the comfort of her hometown for a new life in San Diego. She misses her dead mother and her brother-in-law, Julius. Bored and lonely, Muriel begins to spend time at the racetrack discovering secrets and betting on horses. Julius is in Vegas, working at a casino when he falls in love with Henry, who is a card cheat. When Henry’s forced out of town for cheating, Julius goes to search for him. This is a story of two people – Muriel and Julius – who are trying to discover their place in a country that has promised them everything.

Do You Mind If I Cancel? by Gary Janetti

Do You Mind if I Cancel? is a collection of essays from Gary Janetti, writer, producer and creator of a hilariously funny Instagram account (check out @garyjanetti and start laughing!). These essays chronical the time when Gary was in New York trying to make it big. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, Gary says of his book: “These are essays from my childhood and young adulthood about things that still annoy me.” It is not to be missed!

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom

In this ambitious memoir, Sarah M. Broom tells the story of her mother Ivory, who became a widow when Sarah was just six months old. With a combined family of 12 children, this story is about love and loss, faith, family and relationships, all set within New Orleans and the backdrop of Sarah’s childhood home.

The Other’s Gold by Elizabeth Ames

The Other’s Gold is the insightful story of four women who meet freshman year at college and what happens as their lives progress on campus and beyond. Told in four parts where each friend makes a terrible mistake, there is the Accident, the Accusation, the Kiss and the Bite. A story of friendship and forgiveness, readers will be drawn to Lainey, Ji Sun, Alice and Margaret in this complex and compulsive debut.

(Feature image courtesy of @riverheadbooks)

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