Fall into reading: Fall reads in CMU Library’s browsing section
There’s nothing like cozying up with a good book as the weather cools down. If you're looking forward to your next fall read, look no further than the CMU Library’s Browsing Collection located on the 2nd floor of Park Library. Whether you're into fantasy, mysteries, young adult fiction, or romance, we’ve got something for everyone.
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
Not quite ready to let go of spooky season? Riley Sager delivers a chilling mystery that will have you yelling at the main character to “RUN!”
Kit, a home health care worker, is given one last chance after her previous patient died under suspicious circumstances. Her new assignment? Caring for the infamous Lenora Hope, an elderly woman accused of murdering her entire family at just seventeen. Now mute and only able to communicate via typewriter, Lenora tells Kit: “I want to tell you everything.”
Set in a decaying murder mansion on Hope Hill, this gothic thriller is full of twists you won’t see coming. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the rug gets pulled out from under you.
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
S.A. Cosby is known for writing books that read like action-packed movies—and King of Ashes is no exception. Set in Virginia, this Southern noir follows Roman Carruthers, who returns home after his father suffers a devastating accident. As the eldest sibling, Roman is prepared to step up to help run the family crematorium.
But Roman quickly suspects that his father’s accident may not have been accidental at all. Despite years of avoiding his hometown, he finds himself pulled back into its dark underbelly, going so far as to infiltrate a local gang to save his family and deliver justice for his father. This gripping novel asks: How far would you go to protect the people you love?
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown
Set in the fictional secretive world of Princeton University’s elite societies, this novel blends mystery, social commentary, and emotional depth.
Mya returns to campus for her college reunion and her sister Naomi’s graduation, only to learn that Naomi has died. While the police were quick to say it was an accident, Mya isn’t so sure. When Mya discovers her sister was part of the same secret society she once belonged to, she begins to suspect foul play.
As Mya digs deeper, she confronts the university’s history of cover-ups and the secrets she’s kept buried herself, eventually learning that not everyone’s moral compass is aligned. This isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a powerful exploration of identity, privilege, and the lengths institutions will go to protect their own.
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Series) by Rebecca Yarros
Is fantasy more your speed? Enter the world of Navarre and the elite Basgaith War College, where dragons, magic, and political intrigue await.
Violet Sorrengail has studied her whole life to join the Scribe Quadrant—until her mother, the commanding general, forces her into the deadly Riders Quadrant. There, she must compete with the strongest warriors in the land to earn a place among dragon riders.
With witty dragon banter, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and a fast-paced plot, Fourth Wing is a perfect entry point into fantasy. So far, only three books in the Empyrean series have been released, making it an easy fantasy series to begin.
Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay
Alex Finlay’s Parents Weekend kicks off during a seemingly ordinary college event—but quickly spirals into a gripping academic thriller. When five students fail to show up for a scheduled dinner with their parents, what’s initially dismissed as typical college antics soon escalates into a campus-wide crisis. FBI agent Sara Keller leads the urgent search for “the Five,” unraveling secrets that grip both the school and the families involved.
Told through multiple perspectives, the novel dives deep into each family’s secrets and dynamics, revealing layers of tension and emotional complexity. Finlay masterfully balances suspense with character development, making this a book that’s hard to put down.
What happened to the Five? Why did they vanish? Prepare to be led down unexpected paths as this fast-paced story unfolds.