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September is shaping up to be a beautiful month for book lovers, especially those of us who live for stories by BIPOC authors. As the seasons shift, so does our reading energy, and this month’s releases are overflowing with joy, love, reflection, and resistance.
From sizzling romances to haunting family sagas and soul-baring memoirs, these books remind us that our stories are infinite and ever-expanding. Below, I’ve pulled together a list of new releases I’m most excited about, starting with my top five picks you’ll definitely want to add to your TBR.
Carnival Curves by Stacey Robinson
A heartfelt YA debut set in Toronto, Carnival Curves follows two best friends, Karla and Nneka, in the summer before university as they dive into the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Working at a “mas camp,” they confront body-image anxieties while learning about the event’s roots in emancipation and cultural resilience. It’s a celebration of self-acceptance, friendship, and rich cultural tradition. Check out my full review here.
Why it’s a must-read for September: With its vibrant Caribbean Toronto setting and poignant themes of identity and belonging, it’s a perfect read for the season, uplifting, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in cultural pride.
Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola
This sizzling second-chance rom-com reunites Kiki Banjo, a podcast host, with her ex Malakai at a friend’s summer wedding. As they navigate lingering chemistry, career pressures, and wedding chaos, Babalola blends sharp humor and pop-culture savvy to explore what modern love really feels like.
Why it’s a must-read for September: I had the joy of listening to an audio ARC of Sweet Heat thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, and Bolu Babalola once again delivers a romance full of heart and nuance. What drew me in most were the intricacies of the central relationship, layered, tender, and real, showing that love can be both messy and healing, yet still win in the end.
It’s Me They Follow by Jeannine Cook
In this imaginative, allegorical love story, a reserved bookseller—the Shopkeeper—who builds soulmates’ stories through books, faces her own heart when a mysterious figure from her past returns. Blending allegory with romance the novel explores love, identity, and the magic found in stories.
Why it’s a must-read for September: Its dreamy, introspective style offers readers a poetic and emotionally intricate escape, perfect for those craving something introspective and magical this fall.
Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This “wickedly funny” novel weaves together modernity and superstition. Eniiyi, born on the day her cousin Monife is buried and bearing a striking resemblance, is haunted by her family’s belief that she’s Monife reincarnated. With sharp wit and perceptiveness, it delves into themes of female rivalry, family expectations, and forging one’s own path.
Why it’s a must-read for September: Braithwaite’s trademark humour and depth make this a compelling exploration of familial bonds and individuality, darkly funny, thought-provoking, and richly layered.
Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy
This memoir examines Roy’s fraught relationship with her formidable mother, Mary Roy, an educator and pioneering feminist. The memoir weaves memory, grief, and literary reflection, capturing Mary’s dual identity as both muse and tormentor. Critics note Roy’s powerful, lyrical prose as she unpacks how her mother shaped her worldview.
Why it’s a must-read for September: Roy’s memoir delivers both emotional weight and literary brilliance, a deeply introspective journey through trauma, empowerment, and legacy, ideal for readers seeking something intimate and resonant this season.
Whether you’re drawn to spirited friendships, romantic sparks, uncanny allegories, complex family dynamics, or soul-baring memoir, this list captures the essence of what makes fall reading both enriching and evocative.
Looking for something different?
There are tons of great books hitting shelves this month. Here are all the books by Black and BIPOC authors that you should look out for this month. Let us know which ones you’re adding to your list.
What do you think?