📚 5 Books Women 40+ Should Read This Fall

Stories of Reinvention, Friendship, Love, Mystery & New Beginnings

A Tuttilove Book Review

There is something wonderful about reading a book at this stage of life. The same story can mean something completely different when you've experienced love, loss, career changes, family, independence, disappointment, reinvention—and the realization that there is still plenty of life ahead.

For this fall reading list, I chose five very different books. They aren't all specifically about women over 40, and that's intentional. Some are about midlife. Some are about friendship. Some are about grief and starting over. One is a delicious cozy mystery.

But each one leaves you with something to think about.

So instead of simply telling you what each book is about, let's talk about the aftertaste—that feeling or thought that stays with you after you've closed the book.

1. The Change — Kirsten Miller

A story about midlife, power, rage and discovering what you're capable of

Three women experience menopause and, quite literally, discover unexpected powers.

Harriett, Jo and Nessa are all at very different points in their lives, but menopause becomes a turning point for each of them. Their new abilities eventually bring them together when they discover the body of a young woman and become determined to uncover what happened. The novel combines thriller, supernatural fantasy, humor and commentary about sexism and ageism.

What I took away

This isn't a gentle “embrace getting older” story.

It's much more rebellious than that.

The women in The Change aren't disappearing into the background because they've reached midlife. They're becoming more aware of themselves.

And that's one of the most interesting ideas in the book: sometimes the things we are taught to view as weaknesses can become sources of power.

💭 The Tuttilove Aftertaste

Don't underestimate the woman you've become.

For women 40+, that's a pretty powerful message.

2. How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water — Angie Cruz

A story about starting over when life doesn't go according to plan

Cara Romero is 56 when she loses her job after decades of working in a factory. She enters a workforce program and begins meeting with a younger employment counselor.

But instead of simply talking about her résumé, Cara tells the story of her life—her immigration, family, relationships, financial struggles, friendships and regrets.

And that's where the book becomes especially interesting.

Because a résumé might say what someone has done.

It doesn't necessarily tell you what someone has survived, learned or become.

What I took away

Cara's story reminds us that life experience has value—even when it isn't easily translated into a job title or a list of qualifications.

She is imperfect. Funny. Complicated. Sometimes frustrating.

But she's also resilient.

The book explores how relationships, community and personal history shape us, and how a difficult chapter doesn't necessarily mean the story is over.

💭 The Tuttilove Aftertaste

Your past isn't just a collection of things that happened to you. It's part of what you bring to your next chapter.

And sometimes starting over requires admitting that you don't have everything figured out.

3. Remarkably Bright Creatures — Shelby Van Pelt

A story about grief, loneliness, unexpected friendship and finding connection again

Tova Sullivan is a 70-year-old widow who works nights cleaning an aquarium. There she develops an unusual relationship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus.

Meanwhile, another young man arrives in town searching for answers about his own past.

Their seemingly separate stories gradually begin connecting.

And yes—the octopus is one of the reasons this book is so charming.

But underneath that unusual premise is a much more human story about loss, belonging and connection.

What I took away

One of the beautiful things about this book is its reminder that life doesn't stop surprising us because we're older.

Tova has experienced enormous loss, but she isn't presented as someone whose story has ended.

New people enter her life.

New connections develop.

Unexpected possibilities appear.

And sometimes healing doesn't arrive in the form we expect.

💭 The Tuttilove Aftertaste

It's never too late for an unexpected friendship, a new connection or a completely different chapter.

And sometimes the people—or creatures—we least expect can help us find our way back to ourselves.

4. Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun — Sarah Ladipo Manyika

A story about independence, friendship, desire and refusing to disappear with age

Morayo Da Silva is approaching 75 and living in San Francisco. She's independent, adventurous and socially engaged.

Then a fall changes things.

Suddenly, independence becomes more complicated, and Morayo has to rely on friends and unexpected connections. The novel explores aging, friendship, loss, independence and the desires of an older woman.

What I took away

This may be one of the most interesting books on the list for women 40+ because it challenges the idea that a woman's life gradually becomes smaller as she gets older.

Morayo still wants things.

She still has curiosity.

She still has memories, friendships and desires.

She still has a personality that isn't defined by her age.

And that matters.

💭 The Tuttilove Aftertaste

Getting older shouldn't mean becoming invisible.

There's something wonderfully liberating about seeing an older woman portrayed as a whole person—with interests, independence, friendships, memories and desires.

5. The Thursday Murder Club — Richard Osman

A cozy mystery about friendship, curiosity and proving that you're never too old for an adventure

Four residents of a retirement community meet every Thursday to investigate unsolved murders.

Then a real murder happens close to home.

Suddenly their little club isn't just discussing cold cases—they're involved in one. The book combines mystery, humor, friendship and characters whose age is definitely not stopping them from getting involved.

What I took away

This book is simply fun.

But underneath the mystery is something worth noticing: friendship doesn't have an expiration date.

Neither does curiosity.

Neither does having fun.

Neither does getting yourself into a little trouble.

The four characters bring different skills and life experiences to the investigation, which becomes part of what makes the story work.

💭 The Tuttilove Aftertaste

Keep your curiosity. Keep your friends. Keep having adventures.

And never assume that life has to become boring simply because you've reached a certain age.

🌸 What These Five Books Have in Common

At first glance, these books couldn't be more different.

A supernatural thriller.

A literary story about a woman rebuilding her life.

A feel-good story involving an octopus.

A thoughtful exploration of aging and independence.

A cozy murder mystery.

But put them together and an interesting theme emerges.

Life after 40 isn't one story.

It can be:

Reinvention.

Friendship.

Adventure.

Grief.

Love.

Starting over.

Finding yourself again.

Trying something completely new.

And sometimes…

solving a murder with your friends. 😉

☕ The Tuttilove Aftertaste

If I had to describe the feeling I want you to take away from this collection, it would be this:

There is still so much life left to live.

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You don't have to remain the person you were at 25, 35 or even 45.

You can change.

You can start again.

You can make new friends.

You can travel.

You can fall in love.

You can discover a completely new interest.

You can become more independent.

You can simply become more you.

And perhaps that's what makes these books such good fall reads.

They don't all tell us the same story.

They remind us that there are many stories still available to us.

📖 Which One Should You Pick Up First?

Rather than ranking them, I'd choose based on what you're craving right now:

Want something fierce and unconventional?
→ The Change

Want a story about starting over?
→ How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water

Want something warm, emotional and uplifting?
→ Remarkably Bright Creatures

Want to think about independence and life beyond traditional expectations?
→ Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun

Want friendship, humor and a cozy mystery?
→ The Thursday Murder Club

📚 Continue Your Reading Journey with Tuttilove

Want to read one—or all five—of these books? I’ve gathered the books featured in this review in my Amazon Storefront, so you can easily find them in one place and choose your next cozy, inspiring read. Whether you’re in the mood for reinvention, friendship, love, a little mystery, or simply a story that makes you think, there’s something here for you. Visit my Amazon Storefront and discover these books along with more of my favorite finds for women 40+.

Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.