Introduction
It’s officially happened. September 22nd has passed and with it brings on the official start of autumn. As we all clamber to dive into the fall vibes, it can be hard to sort through the leagues of fall themed books, all written and published to stock the shelves of bookstores with atmospheric reads. Everyone hoping to capitalize on the oddly common obsession readers have with the season. However, because of the recent influx of fall books published in the last few years, it can be hard to know which you should pick up and which are Gilmore Girls rip offs, with the only goal to check boxes and fulfill the “perfect fall aesthetic” (ahem, looking at you Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice).
I want to recommend books that I myself have read during fall seasons in the past. These are books that not only provided the autumn ambience I was looking for, but that I also loved and would recommend any time of the year.
Book Recommendations
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is cozy, whimsical, and full of magical mischief. Perfect for sipping tea, curling up in a blanket, and pretending you live in a world of spell-casting and romance. I loved this book so much more than I thought I would and definitely plan to reread it this fall.
Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch takes place in modern day Salem and is cute, fun and sorcerous from the beginning. Between a family mystery, young love, and general witchy fall vibes this is such an easy, light YA fall read.
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is a mystery thriller, and its ending had my jaw on the floor. I loved the multiple POVs and without going into too many details, it was creepy, culty, and spooky without being overly stomach churning.
In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead is a dark academic drama and mystery about a college reunion with a dark twist. Imagine walking around a beautiful university on a rainy fall day, knowing that one of your closest friends was murdered there years ago. With then-and-now chapters highlighting past tragedy and a mystery that remains years later, this book will keep you invested and on your toes all the way through.
His & Hers by Alice Feeney is one of those thrillers where you can’t trust anyone. Every single character feels suspicious at some point, and I kept changing my mind about who was guilty every other chapter. It’s twisty, eerie, and encapsulates an eerie foggy autumn evening. You’ll want to read this one in one sitting, and will be stopping to look over your shoulder as you do.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power is equal parts creepy and gorgeous. It’s basically Lord of the Flies for girls, set on an unsettling, overgrown island. The story follows a group of teen girls at a boarding school when a mysterious disease starts breaking out. Equal parts thriller and horror, with friendship themes, insane plot twists, and a fast-paced storyline, this book is all-consuming and a great fall read.
Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo is about a ragtag group of miscreant kids banding together to attempt to pull off an impossible heist. It is one of the best found family stories I’ve read, and every single character has such a fleshed out background. The setting is a dingy, rainy city, and there’s the perfect balance of magic and reality in this story.
One Dark Window (The Shepard King Duology) by Rachel Gillig is one of my favorite reads from last fall. It follows Elspeth Spindle, a girl living in a dangerous world with a monster trapped in her head. The story unfolds in a gothic castle surrounded by a mysterious, deadly mist, and the unique magic system is based around a deck of cards. Equal parts romance, mystery, and dark adventure, all wrapped up in a gothic misty atmosphere, this book is perfect for this time of the year.
Conclusion
I have many more fall books I could recommend, but I must stop myself here. Hopefully everyone is able to find a book that they are excited to dive into this fall and good luck to anyone picking up one of those thrillers! As for me, I plan to read several atmospheric reads myself this fall, including but not limited to: The Shining, Truly Devious, Rebecca, Babel, and of course, The Secret History. Check back for updates later this season to see my thoughts on some of those novels and for a wrap up of books I loved reading this autumn.
Image from our lovely graphic designer Dialma Quiroz!
Find these books online or purchase from your local bookstore!
Also check out our latest post about September’s Nintendo Direct: The Good, The Weird, and The Ugly written by Bentley Bramhall!
