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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 101-150 of 195 (195 new)
I'm reading We Ride Upon Sticks. It is a perfect fall book. What's more fall than field hockey and witches in Danvers (Salem), MA? This book also has a great '80s vibe.
Piranesi, Piranesi, Piranesi all the way. If you want something compelling, mysterious, but cozy—almost archaeological—with stunning prose and possibly the most loveable main character you’ll read all year, it’s Piranesi. The story unfolds deliciously and you have no idea what’s going on, and when the reveal finally hits you—wow. Curl up with a blanket by the fire, the lights down low, and a cup of tea to this one.
some good recommendations in this list, thank you.the "All Souls" books are great for fall, witchy moody Britain
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"I liked it very much. I listened to it. The narration is what made it so good.
Aniela wrote: "Miss perigrines house for peculiar children is a great halloween. It may be considered a childrens book but it Has a great plot"Loved this whole series!
To the people not liking night circus, this is why trigger warnings exist. You have to look out for yourself. And ive read lots of poorly written books, the night circus isnt one.
I just started Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter and it feels like a good addition
Carola wrote: "Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"You want to read it, so just read it?"
Read it and form your own opinion.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury is my favorite falloween read! I try to listen to the audiobook every fall, but it's also a great one to cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa.
Hey, all those books up there? They give off that cozy autumn vibe. But you know what’s missing? ‘A Discovery of Witches’ trilogy—it’s like pure magic and mystery, especially during autumn!
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..."I LOVED Weyward, as I got to giggle at how the despicable villains got their just desserts! Hahaha...
soooo many that I've read or are on my tbr that I plan to read this fall! I'm stoked. :D
I'm surprised there aren't any comments about The Once and Future Witches. It's SO good. On the top ten list of my ever growing Annual Witchy Reads. It delves into the lives of three women who end up being so entwined and so much more than they ever dreamed they were. Also, takes place in an interesting time historically for women.
I’m thinking of reading A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Bryon, has anybody read it before. Is it good?
Weyward looks so good! The cover alone is gorgeous
Since Amazon owns GoodReads I feel like there are almost no Kindle Unlimited books on these lists...
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..."rebecca
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"If you like book with good vibes but no plot go for it. But if you are plot driven, this book is probably not for you.
Michelle Hyland wrote: "The Cinnamon Bun Store isn't "cosy". "Cosy" books do not have intimate scenes on page."I don't feel like the two are related. Cozy mean low stake and good vibes. Adult scene doesn't make a book high stake. After all, isn't the saying pumpkin SPICE and everything nice ?
Night Circus should come with an abuse warning. Still crazy and enjoyable.
just finished The Secret History and it was THE perfect fall read. will be thinking about nothing but this book for a while.
Melissa wrote: "I've read 12 of these (love!) and remembered I had 2 more of them in my TBR. Also going to reread Frankenstein. Making up my October stack now!"ugh frankestein is so perfect for the season i always have the urge to reread it around this time of the year. such a good book
Mica wrote: "I want to read Weyward, Mexican Gothic, Babel and Ninth House, they're all on my TBR list!" I agree with another reader about Weyward. It was a bit depressing but I blew through it in a few days because the story in the 1600s was interesting. It's not on my list to recommend to anyone, however. Mexican Gothic was terrible! I was so disappointed.
I own several of these as audiobooks. My ratings:The Night Circus - 5 stars - My favorite book!! Narrator Jim Dale is superb!
Practical Magic - 5 stars - I've read every book in author Alice Hoffman's series and loved them all!
A Discovery of Witches - 4 stars - Mostly loved it. The narrator does a great job with all the characters.
Weyward - 4 stars - a strange little story but I warmed up to it and will probably re-read
The Unmaking of June Farrow - 3 stars - The whole premise seemed contrived to me. I've been spoiled by so many really good stories, this one is a little weak.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - 1 star - to be fair I haven't finished it. I'm just having trouble getting into it, may let it go in favor of something else on this list.
Emma wrote: "The Night Circus is NOT cozy. I had to stop reading it because I couldn't deal with the child abuse ("onscreen" as it were) in the beginning of the book. That book requires a trigger warning!"Fully agreee! I stopped for the same reason.
I am currently 60% of my way to The Seven Moons Of Maali Almeida and am loving it. Hoever I dont think its for autumn tho? But yeah.The Seven Moons of Maali AlmeidaI own The Invisible Life of Addie Larue but am not planning to read it this fall.The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
I also read The Secret HistoryThe Secret History and If We Were Villains If We Were Villains and loved them both.
I am planning to start BabelBabel though after finishing my current reads and maybe BunnyBunny; but not too sure.
I hope that this fall will be a blast! Cheers to everyone.
I found the night circus boring - maybe just not my jam, but the plot was weak and just didn’t go anywhere . I may pick it up another time and try and finish it
Julia Park Tracey's incredible Silence: A Novel belongs on this list!
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 ..."Tress of the Emerald Sea OR Invisible life of Addie La Rue !!! highly recommend both!
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 ..."Rebecca is an excellent classic, with a really strong flower motif throughout, that takes place over the course of several months. So not technically autumnal, really, but still atmospheric! It's been a while since I last read it, but I don't recall even the darker elements being distressing to read.
Apple wrote: "I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to do"Those who said it is "slow" aren't exactly wrong, but you really have to get it. There are some moments that are hard to read merely because of the pace---I'm not sure why people believe the abuse scenes need a trigger warning; they aren't that graphic---but, overall, the novel is a great read if you are okay with a bit of slow-burn plot building, rather than fast-paced books that require little-to-no thinking on your part. Also, the romance aspect of the book is sort of a miss and that's the only issue I have with it.
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..."ok for your criteria, I would suggest Legends & Lattes! it was amazing!!
I'm currently reading The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby by Ellery Lloyd and it's a very cozy mystery that I'm currently unravelling to put the pieces together and uncover the story.
So many I can't wait to read! :)
Tresa wrote: "Emma wrote: "The Night Circus is NOT cozy. I had to stop reading it because I couldn't deal with the child abuse ("onscreen" as it were) in the beginning of the book. That book requires a trigger w..."Good to know! I was wondering if I was missing out on that one. Sounds like it will be a good one to skip...
ACHILLES wrote: "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..."My Cousin Rachel by the same author is just as good as Rebecca, I think.
The Night Circus is excellent! Some of these look great! The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey is a great fall read!
Jessica wrote: "Ohhh there's a lot of books here that I think I'm gonna take with me on my autumn holiday!"I am too excited to read these...
I just couldn't get into the night circus and I was so excited for that book. I mean the themes sound amazing but it was boring and weird. I barely made it through without DNF bc I kept hoping the end would make it worth it.. nah
Apple wrote: I really wanna read the night circus but there are so many mixed reviews I don't know what to doRead it and form your own opinion
Absolutely Loved the whole series around Legends and Lattes! Also love Emily Wilde and the third in that series dropped recently!
Being a teenager and wanting to read books like what others say are Wattpad type but don't like reading Wattpad book myself...Can somebody recommend books to me?
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 ..."Anything From Trishia O’Malley is great!!!
Hmmmm, most of us here could easily come up with a better list than this sod🙀! Happy Autumn🎃👻🧹🦇 to us all!
A Discovery of Witches is SO GOOD! I’m usually not into that genre so if magic isn’t usually your thing, give this one a try!
My favorite cozy read would have to be Inkheart by Cornelia Funke or The Book Jumper by Mechthild Gläser <3