The great thing about reading in autumn (fall) is that so many genres feel better when read during this transitional, eldritch season. Autumn is a time of letting go, considering possibilities, embracing the wild unknown and unleash our childish wonder.
Autumn/fall is a time for:
- The camp
- The queer (in every sense of the word!)
- The macabre
- The witchy
- Academia
- Deep reflection
- New worlds
- Twisty tales
- Blurring lines and blended genres
Dark Academia books
In the UK, schools starts again in September so this is the perfect time to dive into academia books. Dark academia especially has this natural autumnal feel to them. Here are some recommendations from me:
Classic Dark Academia:
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
- Stoner by John Williams
Newer Dark Academia:
- Babel by R. F. Kuang
- Bunny by Mona Awad
- The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
- An Education in Malice by S. T. Gibson
- Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake
- The Lessons by Naomi Alderman
- Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
- The Academy of Liars by Alexa Henderson
Autumnal or Autumn-Coded books
This needs no explanation! In autumn it makes sense to read autumnal books! Books set in autumn or give that autumn feel: cooling weather, crisp leaves, fog, mystery, golden tones…
- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones
- Rewitched by Lucy Jane Woods
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
- Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston
- A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
- Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
- Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
- Pine by Francine Toon
- Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
Dystopian or Sci-Fi books
I’ve been enjoying sci-fi lately which I never thought I’d say! I’ve enjoyed quirky, funny sci-fi but I’m interested in exploring more. Dystopians also feel quite autumnal to me because the subject matter is dark naturally for the genre. The world has ended or is ending; people are flying through space, escaping earth for the claustrophobic and unpredictable conditions of space! Great for autumn, if you ask me!
- The Hunger Games series (and prequels) by Suzanne Collins
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner
- Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
- The Wall by Marlen Haushofer with Shaun Whiteside (Translator), Claire-Louise Bennett
- I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman with Ros Schwartz (Translator)
- High Vaultage by Chris and Jen Sugden
- Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove
- The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
- Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Atmospheric books
Autumn is the season of atmosphere. Of palpable energy and meaningful transition. The leaves turning colour; the air smoothing out; the world slowing down. These books are full of “vibes” over strict plot. About the feeling of a place, time, or internal experience over an epic adventure.
- House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
- Anatomy (a love story) by Dana Schwartz
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Uprooted by Naomi Novik
- Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
- The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
- Juniper and Thorn by Ava Reid
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia
- The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
- Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Horrors and Thriller books
Again, no explanation really needed. October is Halloween month. In spooky season, you need books that spook you!
- The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson
- Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker
- Pet Semetery by Stephen King
- We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
- Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica with Sarah Moses (Translator)
- The Lamb by Lucy Rose
- Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer
- Gallant by V. E. Schwab
- A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
- Slewfoot by Brom
- The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
- T. Kingfisher books
- Pine by Francine Toon
Dark, Vibey Fantasy
We are all about the vibes this season. We want dark themes and dark settings. We want magic that makes you stop and think. We want to be immersed in worlds that we’d be afraid to explore! We want morally grey characters and villain arcs!
- The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
- Vicious by V. E. Schwab
- Bride by Alix E. Harrow (adult content)
- The Exorcism of Faeries by J. L Vampa
- Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
- The Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
- Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang
- The Poppy War series by R. F. Kuang
- The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
- Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
- Bookeaters by Sunyi Dean (low fantasy)
- The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
Coffeshop cozy fantasy
On the flip side, we want hot beverages and cozy environments. Low stakes and pure vibes. We want blankets and jumpers and the smell of coffee in the air!
- Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
- Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
- Theodora’s Teashop by Christy Anne Jones
- A Magic Steeped in Poison (tea-based magic system!) by Judy I. Lin
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
- A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
Contemplative, Reflective Literary books
This is the season of slowing down. Taking our time after the rush of summer. Regulating our nervous systems. Grabbing a blanket and taking our time with a book.
- My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
- Real Life by Brandon Taylor
- Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
- My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
- Sally Rooney’s works
- Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Vampire books
Vampires are creatures of the night. They stalk dark hallways and hide in shadowy spaces. This is perfect for autumn and Halloween.
- Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab
- Interview with a Vampire by Anna Rice
- Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- A Vow of Shadow and Blood by Charlene Antrobus
- Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
- The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
- A Dowry of Blood by S. T. Gibson
- Milkteeth by Caitlin Starling
- Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
Classic books
Similar to contemplative books, we want classics for autumn because they force us to take our time. You can’t rush through a classic. You need time to grasp the context, the history, the language. These are classics that especially feel autumnal with their moors setting, darker themes, or introspection.
- Jane Erye by Jane Austen
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
- Emma by Jane Austen
- Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Little Women by Louisa Alcott
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
- Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
- The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
- Edgar Allen Poe’s works
- Ray Bradbury works – Halloween Tree, October Country
Nostalgia & Childhood
For some reason, I see November as a nostalgic month. Getting ready for the Christmassy vibe of December. The true in between of seasons and festivities. This is a time for reconnecting with our inner child. Allowing space for what made us smile as children. Wonder, awe, and lightheartedness!
- The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman
- City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
- Childhood fantasy series like HP and Percy Jackson and Narnia
Graphic Novels & Manga
Similar to the above, graphic novels (even with heavier themes) feel nostalgic and childlike and fresh. Perfect for November.
- Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
- Sheets by Brenna Thummler
- Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui with Taylor Engel (Translator)
- Monstress by Marjorie M. Liu with Sana Takeda (Illustrator)
- Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
- One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
Short Story collections
Autumn is a great time to diversify your reading with some short stories. They’re also great if you want to dip in and out of a story or world without a big commitment of a novel. This could be good if you’re burnt out from summer.
- The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez
- The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
- Classic fairy tales like The Brothers Grimm or Hans Christen Anderson
Mystery books
Autumn is the season of fog and mist and hidden things beneath the rain. Shadows and clouds and grey skies. Perfect, mystical, mysterious energy!
- In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (not too serious)
- Welcome to Dorley Hall by Alyson Greaves (trigger warnings for trans folks)
- The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
- The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
- The Fury by Alex Michaelides
Queer or Obsessive Love books
Lastly, we want dark or dangerous or morally grey people who love each other. We want yearning but make it queer and destructive and complicated and messy. Give us a subplot of romance that furthers the plot of the story. Queer awakenings. Internal conflict. Obsession with who we could be if only…if only!
- These Violent Delights by Micaiah Nemerever
- Girl Dinner by Olive Blake
- Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
- The Cloisters by Katy Hays
- The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
- Voice Like a Hyacinth by Mallory Pearson
Sincerely,
S. xx
