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63 Reading Recommendations for Every Fall Reading Vibe
For reasons that are hard to rationally explain, autumn remains the best season for serious book reading. It’s a vibe thing. There’s just something about the fall season that makes you want to curl up with a big book.
In honor of this annual phenomenon, we’ve scoured the stacks to compile this list of 63 book recommendations for autumn reading vibes. It’s largely an intuitive process. Some books just feel autumnal—spooky classics like Practical Magic or The Haunting of Hill House. Some pivot off the back-to-the-school setting, like Donna Tartt’s The Secret History. And some just possess a kind of ambient October Gothic energy—think Daphne du Maurier’s immortal classic, Rebecca.
To further facilitate the vibe sorting, we’ve divided this collection into different reading moods: Witchy & Magic, Cozy Fantasies, Dark & Moody, Autumnal Academia, Uncanny & Strange, and Ghosts Galore. The books selected are a mix of older and newer titles, and feel free to make any additional recommendations in the comments section.
You can also use the Want to Read button beneath each cover image to save space on your own digital shelf. Have at it, Goodreaders.
Witchy & Magic
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Cozy Fantasies
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Dark & Moody
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Autumnal Academia
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Uncanny & Strange
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Cozy Capers
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Ghosts Galore
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OK, your turn! Give us your best picks for fall reading vibes in the comments below.
Comments Showing 51-100 of 195 (195 new)
message 51:
by
Sharon
(new)
Sep 18, 2024 08:45AM
So many of the fall books are scary, horror stories. Then we go into Christmas with sloppy romance. Not the best time for books.
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I found Sarah Addison Allen' Garden Spells and First Frost as great autumn reads.
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"Read it. You won't know until you do. It's one of my favourite books and maybe you'll feel the same way. But even if you don't at least you'll know!
I think "The Night Circus" is the most evil book I have ever read. I finished it so that I could tell my book club. They laughed at me. I don't care. Don't read it if you are sensitive to evil.
I'm going to reread "Tam Lin" by Pamela Dean, which takes place in various autumns, and also Roger Zelazney's "A Night in the Lonesome October," with one chapter per day in October, that should be fun!
Brittany wrote: "The Night Circus and Cemetery Boys are NOT cozy reads! I don't know who chose those books for that category - there are so many amazing cozy fantasies out there that should be on that list."I LOVED Cemetery Boys! SO MUCH! But cozy? I'm scratching my head at that one.
If you like using audio, Lincoln in the Bardo was AMAZING! Plus, Just added umpteen books to my TBR shelf. Grew up on Stephen King, so these are up my alley.Also, a fun book about a bunch of women who find out their handsome new neighbor might be a killer-vampire, that is, is a bit of a cozy adventure. The book is called The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires and it's by Grady Hendrix
JA wrote: "The Night Circus was a book of the year for me. Several books on the list are new to me, and look very interesting. Can'twait!"
Agree about The Night Circus. My high school book club I moderated read this a few years ago and it was a popular choice.
More people should read Idlewild! It is so good.
Night Circus may not be “cosy “ but it is a great book. The people who mention “child abuse” and “trigger warnings” really didn’t give the book a chance and seem to be applying modern life rules to a very different time. This is 1880-1890s London and it’s a fantasy novel with magic and circus life. A very different world from ours. I loved it and all of her other books — she is an incredible author. I actually read most of this at bedtime and hate that I had to turn off the light and sleep, so it was “cosy” to me!
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"Honestly The Night Circus is a book where I agree with most of the reviews, both positive and negative. Positive reviews praise the vivid immersive atmosphere, the writing style and the Tim Burton/Wonderland-esque setting, and I agree that all these things are amazing. Negative reviews complain about the romance, characters and lack of plot, and I agree that all these things were bland, and sometimes even frustrating. Nevertheless, I am impressed with this book for getting me to enjoy it enough to give it 4 stars even though I didn't like the characters! I'm usually a more character-focused reader so this is quite a feat.
Read it if you like Tim Burton movies or dark fairy tale vibes. Don't read it if you need a clever plot, fast pacing or lots of character depth to enjoy a book.
For a book with a similar dark magical atmosphere, but with better characters and a tiny bit more plot, I'd recommend Gallant.
Law wrote: "I've read three books on this list. Weyward was too depressing to be enjoyable. Babel was okay but The Night Circus was somewhat enjoyable other than the abuse scenes. Can you recommend me a book t..."You should try Tress of the Emerald Sea! It's lighthearted but still has a great plot, wonderful characters, and gorgeous writing.
theres not enough autumn for me to read all of that (slow reader)
Why goodreads only align with North Hemisphere seasons? It's almost Spring here lol
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"The Night Circus is one of my all time favorite books and not the type of books I usually read. I read it a long time ago. I may have to go back and check it out again to see if I still feel that way. I say give it a try.
i enjoyed the Night Circus. There was abuse and may have triggered others which is unfortunate. i enjoyed the read. For me, if there is a touch of realism, it makes the plot better
Two Wonderful books. A TRIP TO THE STARS ~ Nicholas Christopher and THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS ~ Elizabeth Gilbert
The Book Squirrel wrote: "Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"Listen to the audio narrated by Jim Dale."
Seconding the audiobook recommendation. I adored listening to "The Night Circus" (as well as the author's "The Starless Sea").
Rebecca was already on my TBR! I guess I should read it now.
I really wanted to like Mexican Gothic, I could not get into it at all unfortunately.
The September House has me intrigued, it's on my waitlist
Anne of Green gables is always a cozy fall read. Is perfect for late September/October.
please read "A Psalm for the Wild Built" and the sequel. They are both quite good, in an intriguing world with great characters. Bonus, they are both short, quick reads, but you'll wish there was more.
“Our Wives Under the Sea” is a poorly written book with no plot.
I read the Cemetery Boys, Addie LaRue and Babel and I liked all of them. Addie LaRue was a little slow, but it was worth reading, while in Babel there were a lot of things happening, but I really enjoyed it. I also recommend Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt.
I’ve read 11 of these and have several others on my TBR- my favorite reading season of the year is upon us 😁
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"I struggled reading the book in print but found the story and descriptions much more engaging as an audiobook.
I believe it being written in second person is what throws a lot of people. If you can snag the audio through the library it might be worth a shot.
Shannon wrote: "I am really in the mood for anything cozy, witchy/magical realism, major fall vibes. I will be looking up all of the books mentioned in previous comments that seem to fit the bill. Any others you r..."I loved Salt & Broom. It's a witchy retelling of Jane Eyre.
No Dracula?!? What better time to read it? (I suppose the same could be said for Frankenstein but I didn’t like that one.).
Celine wrote: "Türkiye'de hangileri satılıyor bilen var mı?"Amazonda birçoğunu bulabilirsin, tek tek hangi kitaplar satılıyor hatırlamıyorum fakat The Night Circus ve Mexican Gothic olduğunu biliyorum
Law wrote: "I've read three books on this list. Weyward was too depressing to be enjoyable. Babel was okay but The Night Circus was somewhat enjoyable other than the abuse scenes. Can you recommend me a book t..."Invisible life of Addie LaRue is an awesome read!
Elentarri wrote: "Miss Peregrines House for Peculiar Children is NOT a children's book! [spoilers removed]"I mean I read the entire book series in middle school and I was considered a child and thoroughly enjoyed Miss Peregrines home for peculiar children and had zero issues with it whatsoever.
The Night Circus is NOT cozy at all. It wast also the worst book of the 60 books I read in 2017.
The invisible life of Addie Larue is a really enjoyable read. Definitely a comfort read but filled with intrigue.
Also my novel The Piano Room, published in the UK by Fairlight Books, fits perfectly in the Uncanny category: a psychological suspense with Gothic and LGBT+ elements, featuring doppelgangers, a deal with the devil, and queer romance, set in the 70s and 90s. Hope you all enjoy <3
Sharon wrote: "So many of the fall books are scary, horror stories. Then we go into Christmas with sloppy romance. Not the best time for books."Not the best time for books for YOU. Maybe don't be so judgemental and let other people enjoy what they enjoy?
Law wrote: "I've read three books on this list. Weyward was too depressing to be enjoyable. Babel was okay but The Night Circus was somewhat enjoyable other than the abuse scenes. Can you recommend me a book t..."Tress of the Emerald Sea
Michelle Hyland wrote: "The Cinnamon Bun Store isn't "cosy". "Cosy" books do not have intimate scenes on page."Thank you for point that out and saving me time looking for and reading a book I would have put down upon seeing that.
I would not categorize Cemetery Boys as cozy! A very good YA book, though.
No thanks I am only going to read Secret History over and over again ❤️
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"I loved The Night Circus, decide for yourself. Everyone is different!
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"Go for it! It was great.
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"The Night Circus (in my opinion) was quite a hard read, it took me two and a half weeks to read (when my average is three/four days) when I finished it I had found satisfaction in the ending (mostly because I sisn;t have to keep reading but also cus the ending was ok, I won't be re-reading any time soon - it's wordy and slow but has some decent twists/turns - the writing style is a bit frustrating if you aren't committed enough so its not the best read
Leigh Howard and the Ghosts or Simmons Pierce Manor needs more hype!!! If you do read it be careful of the TW but it's so good!!!
