Fall is the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book – no, scratch that – every time of year is the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book. But there’s something about reading during Autumn that makes things that much cozier. We’ve already seen cooler weather where I live and my first reaction was to grab a cup of tea, a cozy sweater, and a good book.
But fall is also a perfect time of year for seasonal mood readers. Whether you love atmospheric reads or picking up a few thrillers before Halloween, fall tends to be the time of year where so many of us want to get those reads in.
If you’re looking for some books to read this season, here are a few that I recommend. From recent releases to backlist books, these are all books I read and enjoyed – and you might, too!
Disclosure: The links to Bookshop.org are affiliate links, meaning that I may receive a small commission if you do decide to make a purchase using one of these links.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexican Gothic is a gothic horror novel that follows Noemí, who receives a letter from her cousin Catalina. Catalina is ill and asks Noemí to visit, but the contents of the letter are quite frantic. Shortly after Noemí shows up at High Place, only to discover that strange things are happening at Catalina’s family’s residence. And after spending so much time in a home who’s residents seemed to despise her ever showing up, Noemí soon finds that she may never be able to leave.
This is a great pick for gothic horror fans. It includes all of the atmospheric elements of gothic lit and has that continual buildup and slowly rising suspense that the genre is well-known for.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Secret History is a novel that follows a group of classics students at an elite New England college. Richard, a California transfer, joins this small group as a new student of the school. Richard recounts his time at school, the dynamics of the classics group, and their secrets – as well as what led to the murder of one of their own.
This book is one of my favorites, and it’s a very intriguing atmospheric read. If you enjoy darker books in academic settings, consider picking this one up. I’ll likely be rereading this book soon!
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
The Grace Year is a YA dystopian novel set in a world where men believe women have a power to lure them and drive them mad. So after turning sixteenth, the girls are sent away to a place undisclosed and undiscussed in order to purify them. Tierney is about to enter her grace year, but quickly realizes what surviving that year will really come to for her and the other girls.
This is easily one of my favorite YA dystopian novels. There are so many chilling elements to this story and setting that makes it the perfect fall read for fans of YA dystopian novels.
Sadie by Courney Summers
This YA mystery/thriller follows Sadie, whose been raising her younger sister Mattie. But when Mattie goes missing, she’s out to find her – and seek revenge. This story switches between the POVs of Sadie and West McCray, a radio host who hears of her story and starts a podcast around the case;
This was a memorable YA mystery/thriller that I read a couple of years ago. And if you prefer audiobooks, this is a great choice for that – the mixed narration between Sadie and the podcast host is so well done in the audiobook.
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
Where Dreams Descend is the first book in a duology. It follows a group of magicians facing off to determine who the next headliner of the Conquering Circus will be. Little do they know there is the threat of danger waiting for them. And with each act, this threat becomes more and more dangerous, only to be avoidable with the reckoning of their own secrets.
If you enjoy books centered around circuses, this is a beautifully written, atmospheric read that centers around just that. Story-wise, this is more of a slower-paced book, so keep that in mind. But if that’s something you enjoy, this is a good read for the season.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Dark Matter is a sci-fi and thriller novel following Jason Dessen, whose life changes before his eyes. In a matter of moments he wakes to a world where his wife is no longer his wife and his child doesn’t exist. And instead of being a professor he is a celebrated genius. Will Jason ever return to his old life?
This book is a good pick for fans of both sci-fi and thrillers. The MC’s new situation is chilling at the very least. And if you’re considering venturing into sci-fi, this book is a good place to start.
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
The City We Became takes place in a world where each city has a soul represented by one of it’s people – and New York City has five. Each city also has its own dark side, and it’s up to the city’s protectors to find eachother and stop the dark side from rising once and for all.
As the characters were discovering each other (and themselves) in this novel, I couldn’t help but feel on the edge of my seat for them. There is a darkness looming over the city, and the way this book made me feel definitely reminded me of the feelings I’d expect from a novel I want to read around this time of year – even if it’s not a thriller. (I also tend to think of home and family this time of year, and while the city isn’t quite my home, this was the most ‘New York’ books I’ve read.)
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
All the Birds in the Sky follows Patricia and Laurence who were once good friends. They parted in middle school, only to find their way back to each other in the near future. But their reunion is no coincidence- they have been brought together to either save the world, or end it.
This book has some weird vibes to it – and I definitely don’t mean that in a bad way! This is another book I read a couple years back that stuck with me. There are definitely spooky aspects of this book (I remember this book being perfect on a rainy day!) but it’s not scary if you’re worried about horror.
Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
Beatrice was a part of the popular group at Darrow-Harker School until the death of their friend, Jim. A year after graduation, Beatrice returns to the estate to find answers for what really happened. Suddenly, a strange man appears at the door, informing the group that they have entered the Neverworld, trapped in time – unless the group settles on a series of difficult decisions.
I thought the setting of this book matched the season perfectly – and I think the cover perfectly describes what much of this book looks like. This was a pretty interesting concept and I found myself really invested in the story.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brönte
Wuthering Heights is a classic novel that follows Heathcliff and his love for Catherine. After the two go their separate ways and marry others, and tells the story of how their families and the people around them suffer from their lost love.
This is precisely the book I think of when I think of classics to read during this season. Wuthering Heights is a gothic novel that has all of those perfect elements for fall – from the feelings of darkness and dramatics to the setting. If you’ve been wanting to read this book, this time of year is the perfect time.
Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power
Burn Our Bodies Down follows Margot, whose family as she knows it consists of her and her mother. She knows nothing else of her family history until she finds the name of her mother’s hometown and goes there to investigate. Margot wants to find out why she left, but she knows for sure that there’s something wrong regarding her past, and she may never be able to leave.
I flew through this book. Just like Wilder Girls, Burn Our Bodies Down feels so eerie and suspenseful. There are some supernatural elements of this book which I felt wasn’t as clear in the synopsis, so be wary of that if you have preferences about this in this genre. But otherwise, this book is pretty interesting, to say the least.
Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee
Forest of Souls is a YA fantasy that follows Sirscha, who is training to be the queen’s next royal spy. But after Sirscha’s best friend Saengo is killed by shamans, and Sirscha restores Saengo’s life, she is known as the first soulguide in living memory. Now, Sirscha is summoned as the only person who can confront the Spider King, and in that time it is up to her to master her new abilities to bring peace back to the kingdoms before it is too late.
This is definitely more of a plot-driven story than a character-driven one, but all throughout I was captivated by the setting and couldn’t stop reading. This is definitely a great fantasy to start this time of year.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
This classic novella follows lawyer John Gabriel Utterson, a close friend of Dr. Jekyll. After hearing of the criminal acts of Mr. Hyde, a friend of Dr. Jekyll, Utterson begins to investigate.
Jekyll and Hyde are well-known especially for this time of year, but it took me so long to read the original story. It’s definitely worth the read and there’s a lot of interesting discussion to be had about the characters in this book.
The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata
The Lost Book of Adana Moreau starts with the story of Adana Moreau herself, a Dominican immigrant and science fiction writer. After gaining a small following with her first novel, she begins to write a second – but she passes in that process, and the manuscript destroyed. Many years later, Saul Drower is going through his deceased grandfather’s belongings and finds the second manuscript – but knows nothing of it, not even Adana Moreau’s name, so he sets out on a journey to find answers.
Not only do many of the events of the book take place during this time of year, but this book also heavily explores themes of family values and history shared across generations. I love the way that this book led me to reflect and I love the direction this book went – it was unexpected in a very good way.
Do you like to read certain books at certain times of the year / have different reading preferences based on your mood? Or do you like to read similar books or genres throughout the year?
Also, let me know if you’ve read any of these and what you thought of them!
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Gah, there are so many good books on here. I love how you got classics here as well: I need to reread Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and I think it would be the perfect spooky treat for this fall. The Grace Year and Forest of Souls sound so intriguing, and the covers are lovely!
Thank you! I had a few classics in mind but ended up narrowing it down. They are definitely great books with great covers! They’re both ones I couldn’t put down.
I didn’t really get on with Mexican Gothic, although I realise I’m in the minority with that!
I DO love The Secret History though and I really enjoyed Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde when I reread it a couple of months ago 🙂
This is a great Autumn list – it’s really got all the spooky vibes!
That’s okay! There’s a lot of elements specific to that genre that I really liked about it, but I can definitely see why some things like the pacing wouldn’t work for a lot of readers.
The Secret History is one of my favorites – I read Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde within the last year as well and it was really neat as well! They definitely have a similar dark setting going for them which I love.
Thank you! 🙂
Excellent recommendations! I’m really hoping to read Mexican Gothic soon, and The Grace Year is also on my TBR. Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite classics, and a perfect read for this time of year!
Thank you! 😊 I hope you enjoyed them both! Wuthering Heights is probably on my top 5 of favorite classics too. I only read it for the first time last year but it definitely deserves a reread!
I love gothic horror and have been looking at Mexican Gothic for a while now. Might actually pick it up next month since I’m in the gothic spooky mood with Halloween. Also looking at reading The City We Became. I’ve had that one on my TBR for a while now. Love the list! – Amber
Thank you! I hope you enjoy them if you do decide to read them!