Autumn Reading List

I have already set myself the challenge to read only marginalised authors for the rest of the year, but I thought I’d help you guys with book recommendations for autumn based on the themes I feel work for September, October and November. I will prioritise marginalised authors and voices, but these will just be books I own that I think perfectly fit the autumn vibes of each month.

September reads:

For me, and those in the UK, September is back to school season. It’s the end of the summer holidays. Therefore, I think our reading should be themed around this. School and academia books; Coming of age books with the nervousness of starting something new or learning who you are. It’s also prize season, like Man Booker, International Women’s Fiction, etc. So, we could prioritise reading the longlist nominees.

Here are some of my ideas from my bookshelves that target this theme:

1. She Who Remains by Rene Karabash
2. On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia
3. Welcome to Dorley Hall by Alyson Greaves
4. The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
5. Solace House by Will Maclean
6. The English Teacher by Lily King
7. Babel by R. F. Kuang
8. Wimmy Road Boyz by Sufiyaan Salam
9. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
10. Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang

October reads:

October is Halloween and the Day of the Dead for many cultures, so we’re reading Horrors and Thrillers, duh! This could be scary books, books with heavy or unnerving themes, books about death, or books about the supernatural.

Here are some of my ideas from my bookshelves that target this theme:

1. Japanese Gothic by  Kylie Lee Baker
2. Dreamland by Olivie Blake
3. Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
4. You Were Never Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White
5. Chlorine by Jade Song
6. Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns
7. Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by  Kylie Lee Baker
8. I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There by Roisin Lanigan
9. The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
10. We Use to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

November reads:

Lastly, November for me is a nostalgic month. It’s when we’re getting ready for December which is Christmas season. We’re winding down the year. Maybe a little more tired. I’ve done the NaNoWriMo in the past, where we write a 50,000 word novel in November. This is all to say that it feels like a reflective and contemplative month. Our chance to go back inward.

Here are some of my ideas from my bookshelves that target this theme:

1. Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami
2. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
3. My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
4. The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
5. Palaver by Bryan Washington
6. Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
7. I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
8. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrente
9. Childhood favourites
10. John Green books

Sincerely,

S. xx