In Episode 211, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 14 new releases they shared in the Fall 2025 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why.

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CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog.

Highlights

Catherine's success rate bounces back from summer.
Sarah's fall reading felt kind of "meh" despite a higher success rate.
They also share their combined 2025 Preview success rates.
Their fall pick ratings were all over the place, with only one DNF, but books range from 2 to 4 stars, with Catherine boasting the sole 5-star book!
A couple of books suffered from an identity crisis, while others were surprise successes.
Catherine's assignment for next season is to check the page count and look for authors following-up award-winning books.
They name their best and worst books picks for fall!

Books We Read Before the Preview [5:57] SEPTEMBER

Sarah's Picks

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy (September 16) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [6:01]

Fall 2025 Circle Back [7:23] AUGUST

Sarah's Picks

Dominion by Addie E. Citchens (August 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [7:29]
We Loved to Run by Stephanie Reents (August 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [13:38]

Catherine's Pick

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (August 26) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [9:59]

Other Books Mentioned

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (2025) [9:28]
Inferno by Dante (c. 1321) [11:29]
Babel by R. F. Kuang (2022) [13:16]
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (2023) [13:25]
The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (2018) [16:12]

SEPTEMBER

Sarah's Picks

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (September 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [20:51]
Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman (September 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [27:30]
Underspin by E. Y. Zhao (September 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:06]

Catherine's Picks

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (September 23) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [17:12]
Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent (US release: September 30) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [24:01]

Other Books Mentioned

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary (2019) [28:07]

OCTOBER

Catherine's Picks

Workhorse by Caroline Palmer (October 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [31:24]
The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson (October 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:49]

Other Books Mentioned

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (2003) [32:43]
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson (2012) [38:35]
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (2006) [39:03]

NOVEMBER

Sarah's Pick

Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel (November 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:37]

Catherine's Pick

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (November 25) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:48]

Other Books Mentioned

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel (2018) [44:43]

DECEMBER

Catherine's Pick

The Day I Lost You by Ruth Mancini (US release: December 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:49]

Fall 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) (Ep. 211)