As the fall season approaches, there is no better time to curl up with a good book: foggy weather, colder nights, the chance of rain and the autumn colors. Nothing screams “time to read” like the fall. In honor of the season, here’s a list of a few books that help you reach those fall vibes, whether it’s a suspenseful mystery to set the mood for Halloween, a gothic classic steeped in fog and atmosphere, a dark academia with winding halls and dangerous magic or a cozy romance to keep you company on the long nights ahead.
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” An opening line almost as famous as “Call me Ishmael.” Daphne du Maurier has gone down in history as a prolific writer of Gothic fiction, and her pièce de résistance is “Rebecca.” This gothic classic is drenched in atmosphere, from the haunting Manderley estate to the mysterious presence of the first Mrs. de Winter. Fog, suspense and psychological tension make it a perfect companion for stormy autumn nights. If you are looking for a classic to broaden your horizons, delving into the foggy nights of Manderly estate is a perfect first step. A staple in the genre, inspired by earlier works like “Jane Eyre” and later inspiring modern gothic novels such as “The Thirteenth Tale.” I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a rich, atmospheric classic to hit those autumn notes.
“It wouldn’t make for sanity, would it, living with the devil.”
“Legends & Lattes” by Travis Baldree
If you’re looking for a low-stakes fantasy romance that lets you curl up next to a window on a cold day, a cup of cocoa or tea next to you and a good sweater, this is the perfect book for you. A warm and cozy fantasy about an orc who gives up adventuring to open a coffee shop in a town, with exciting patrons and a blossoming love story. With themes of friendship, comfort and starting fresh, this book is exactly what’s needed for a cold night, to bring some warmth into your heart.
“I don’t know. I kind of like it. It’s more exotic that way.”
“Ladies’ stockin’s and exotic bean water.
God help us.”
“Hallowe’en Party” by Agatha Christie
No fall reading list is complete without a seasonal mystery, and the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, doesn’t fail to deliver with this gripping story. A Halloween party turns deadly when a child boasts of witnessing a murder. Enter Hercule Poirot, tasked with unraveling a web of secrets and lies. He arrives and starts uncovering all sorts of skeletons hidden in the closets, forged wills, missing opera girls and a suspicious lawyer. This mystery is a classic and one of Agatha Christie’s last novels. Steeped in autumn mystery vibes, old mansions and hints of classic horror, this is the perfect book to fulfill your fall mystery cravings.
“The personality of the victim is the cause of many a murder.”
“Blood Over Bright Haven” by M. L. Wang
For any readers craving something darker, this novel offers a sharp twist on dark academia. Set in a magical university where ambition and corruption run deep, it explores the dangerous costs of power and knowledge. M. L. Wang is a master of character creation, putting you inside the lives and minds of complex and flawed characters. This book is thought provoking, dark and brutally honest. In a society plagued by corruption and the abuse of power, this book takes a look at the systems we live in through the fictional ones of the High Magistry. The main character Sciona is curious, determined and dangerously clever. If you are looking for a book that sets the tones of dark halls, deep secrets, and things hidden just beyond the mists, this book is for you. Perfect for when fall’s cozy mood takes a dark turn.
“Because good people can turn desperate when the horrors are upon them. Good people will turn monstrous when it’s down to their survival or someone else’s.”
“The Spellshop” by Sarah Beth Durst
If magical libraries and small-town charm sound appealing, this cozy fantasy is for you. If “Legends & Lattes” is about cozy community, “The Spellshop” is about quiet discovery—the comfort of books, the magic of friendship and the healing power of starting over. The story of a young woman who is forced to flee from her home to the home of her parents on a tiny, secluded island. With quiet enchantments, found family and a touch of whimsy, “The Spellshop” feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket on a rainy day. If you’re looking to stay warm during autumn’s foggy nights, this book is for you.
“It wasn’t that she didn’t like people. It was only that she liked books more.”
