7 Books To Read This Fall

Sep 4

There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a book as the leaves begin to fall, that dead leaf smell permeating the air as the subtle chill of cooler weather whispers down your spine. Cozy knits, a hot drink, and soft candlelit ambiance create an aesthetic we crave all year long. It’s a time for fantasy reads and witchy stories, psychological thrillers and nostalgic rom-coms. No matter which genre you lean towards, we can all agree that hitting the TBR pile as soon as the chill hits the air is a universally accepted simple pleasure in life. Not sure what to read this fall, we’ve got several recommendations to inspire your reading ambitions.

If you love Paris + prose, read → A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway’s memoir, A Moveable Feast, chronicles his time living in Paris in the 1920s and is considered his love letter to the city. At the time, he was poor with a newborn, writing in cafes around Paris, and spending time with fellow writers such as James Joyce and the Fitzgeralds. Reading the prose in A Moveable Feast is a similar experience to listening to someone who loves to hear themself speak - but it works. Hemingway adores Paris, and he loves the romantic idea of being a writer. He loves good writing but is envious when it comes from someone who isn’t him. Despite his love for the city, A Moveable Feast is one of the moodier representations of Paris, making it a great choice for a fall read.

If you want lighter Practical Magic vibes without the creepy dead boyfriend, read → Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Sarah Addison Allen knows what she’s doing. Garden Spells strikes the perfect balance of supernatural elements without feeling superficial or out of the ordinary. She pulls you in from page one, telling the story of the Waverlys, a family with subtle powers that are unique to each of their women. Claire, for example, has a catering business with a special touch thanks to her mystical plants. Her life is turned upside down with the return of Claire’s sister and niece. We’re put on a journey of healing among the sisters, especially as they come to terms with their family’s legacy. Oh…and don’t forget the unique side character, an apple tree with a personality that “bears prophetic fruit.” Trust us when we say this is a charming read that will have you eagerly transitioning into fall spirit.

If you love classic literature with gothic vibes, read → Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

We’re fans of the Brontë sisters around these parts, and Jane Eyre is our favorite. It’s Gothic literature at its finest, a genre we love to dive into when the season of rainy days and early sunsets kicks in. Jane Eyre is an orphan who spent her childhood mistreated and abused by her cruel aunt. When she comes of age, she finds work as a governess to the young ward of Mr. Rochester at Thornfield Hall. Rochester is the quintessential broody aristocrat, and Jane, innocent and easily impressionable regardless of her independent nature, falls in love. However, Thornfield Hall has a dark secret that has the potential to tear the two forbidden lovers apart. Will they find their way to a happy ending, or is the relationship doomed from the start? Charlotte Brontë takes us on a wild, emotional journey, beautifully written and immensely powerful. It’s worth a read at least once, but don’t be surprised if you return to this classic over and over again.

If you want a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing, read → Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Settle in with this one, because at a whopping six hundred pages, you’re in for a literary ride. Night Film is a masterpiece with twists and turns that have you believing it’s based on a real story. The book follows a reporter whose reputation was destroyed after his first attempt to uncover the truth behind notorious film director Stanislas Cordova. He’s convinced that Stanislas is a cult leader and is determined to prove it, but in the process, he destroys his credibility as a reporter and ultimately loses his career. Several years later, Ashley Cordova, the daughter of Stanislas, is found dead in an abandoned warehouse from an apparent suicide. The reporter makes it his personal responsibility to determine if her death was indeed a suicide, if she was murdered, or if there was something else that caused her to commit suicide. His investigation takes readers on a wild journey where the supernatural and reality often blur. You may think you know what’s going on, but you don’t. You might have a hunch, but chances are you’re wrong. Pessl has a talent for making her readers believe in the fictional world she creates, and Night Film is no exception. If you love suspenseful and thrilling novels that have twists at every turn, this is the one for you.

No explanation needed → The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

There's something about this time of year that calls for Middle-earth. Maybe it’s the cozy nature of the season making us wish we lived in The Shire, eating several meals a day, or perhaps it’s the cold, rainy days perfect for an all-day movie marathon. The first in the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien introduces readers to the history of Middle-earth and how the One Ring came to be. Frodo Baggins inherits all of his Uncle Bilbo’s possessions when he suddenly leaves without saying goodbye after his 111th birthday party. Among those possessions is a ring that Bilbo begrudgingly parted with at the insistence of Gandalf the Grey. Gandalf, uncertain if this is indeed the One Ring, tells Frodo to keep it hidden and keep it safe until he can learn more. Years later, Gandalf returns and sets Frodo on an adventure to Rivendell to keep him and the Ring safe until a plan to destroy it is figured out. When he finally arrives at Rivendell, the Fellowship of the Ring is established - two Men, an Elf, a Dwarf, a Wizard, and four Hobbits. Frodo’s journey continues as they leave Rivendell, moving towards Mordor to destroy the ring in Mount Doom once and for all.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is often regarded as the father of modern fantasy. When it was initially released, there had never been anything like it. Tokien’s writing style is approachable and captivating, drawing readers in with descriptive world-building and thrilling adventures. It’s a tale of resilience and good winning over evil. It offers hope and constant reminders that even in the darkest of days, there is still light. The Lord of the Rings trilogy and related works by Tolkien have been inspiring writers, filmmakers, and other creatives for decades. If audiobooks are more your style, a new version of the series was narrated by Andy Serkis - the actor who plays the character Gollum. They couldn’t have chosen a better narrator! In classic Serkis fashion, each character has a distinct life and personality, making it easy to immerse oneself in the world of Middle-earth.

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, read → The Paradise Guest House by Ellen Sussman

For those not quite ready to let go of beach reads, The Paradise Guest House is an emotionally charged novel that follows a Bali nightlife bombing survivor when she returns to the country one year later for the first time. In the aftermath of the bombings, Jamie meets a man named Gabe, who helps her save fellow victims amidst the rubble. They spend the days following the bombing together while Jamie heals from significant injuries, and they both process what happened and the harsh reality of being survivors. One year later, the country invites survivors from other countries back for a memorial anniversary, placing them with local families who were also impacted by the bombings. Jamie accepts the invitation to return and stays with a man who lost his wife in the attacks. Together, they continue a journey of healing, and Jamie pursues a personal mission to find and reconnect with Gabe after having left him suddenly the previous year. The Paradise Guest House does a beautiful job telling a story of healing and resilience after an unthinkable tragedy.

If you’re ready for spooky season and want to embrace the vibes but not have nightmares, read → The Witch in the Well by Camilla Bruce

We are all about spooky season, but the PG-13 version. I know What You Did Last Summer? Classic. Saw? Not a chance. Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Hell, yeah! It? Hard pass. This translates to books, too. The Witch in the Well is the perfect amount of spook, so you’re not sleeping with the lights on. It’s also the kind of book that will have you constantly saying to yourself… ”what is going on?!” A Norwegian thriller by Camilla Bruce, The Witch in the Well follows Elena, returning to her family’s summer home to pack up the manor and sell it. She becomes intrigued by the centuries-old legend of a local woman named Ilsbeth, accused of being a witch and blamed for the disappearance of several children. Ilsbeth was ultimately killed in a well not far from Elena’s family manor, a place some considered to be haunted. Coincidentally (or not), Elena’s childhood friend Cathy had been writing about Ilsbeth for years, and Elena’s newfound interest doesn’t sit well with her. The two women enter into this rivalry of sorts - both determined to tell the real story of Ilsbeth. But will they survive it? Bruce tells the story from multiple perspectives in a way that prompts you to question everything. There’s nothing outright “scary,” but there’s an unexplainable creepiness that comes through the more you learn. It’s also one of those books where you don’t know whose side you should be on. Regardless, this intriguing read is the perfect vibe to kick off the -ber months.