Essays & Stories from the 2023 Fall Reading Guide

There’s something about fall that makes me reach for collections—whether it’s essays that spark deep reflection or short stories that pull me into fully realized worlds in just a few pages. The 2023 Fall Reading Guide Essays & Stories picks are all about intimacy, insight, and connection. Each short story collection and anthology one offers a unique perspective on the human experience, making them perfect companions for slow, thoughtful reading sessions with a warm drink in hand.

Top 3 Essays & Stories

Thin Skin by Jenn Shapland

In this beautifully introspective essay collection, Jenn Shapland examines how the personal and the political intertwine, exploring climate change, health, and human vulnerability through the lens of her own experiences. Each essay feels like a conversation—sometimes comforting, sometimes challenging—that lingers long after you’ve finished. I chose Thin Skinbecause it’s the kind of read that makes you pause and consider your own place in the bigger picture. Perfect for fans of Maggie Nelson or Rebecca Solnit, it left me feeling both grounded and more curious about the world around me.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Holler, Child by LaToya Watkins

Set in West Texas, this powerful short story collection dives deep into the lives of characters facing betrayal, loss, and hard choices. With a focus on the resilience and strength of women, Watkins captures both the grit and grace of everyday survival. I included Holler, Child because the voices in these stories are so vivid, you feel like you’ve met the characters in real life. For readers who love Jesmyn Ward or Elizabeth Strout, this one will stick with you, offering moments of heartbreak and hard-won hope.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Wednesday’s Child by Yiyun Li

This quietly devastating collection explores grief, loss, and the will to keep going, following characters who reflect on what it means to live a life of meaning after tragedy. Li’s prose is spare yet deeply emotional, drawing you into each character’s inner world with precision and empathy. I picked Wednesday’s Child because it’s a masterclass in how short stories can pack an emotional punch. If you love Jhumpa Lahiri or Alice Munro, this is one to savor—it left me feeling both raw and strangely comforted.

You can get a copy on Amazon.

Which Essays or Stories Will You Add to Your TBR?

I’d love to know—which of these 2023 Fall Reading Guide Essays & Stories picks speaks to you the most? Are you drawn to reflective essays, stories about resilience, or explorations of grief and survival? Share your thoughts in the comments—I always love hearing what’s on your reading list.