Tomorrow is the first day of fall and, as is traditional on my blog, now is the perfect time to recommend some books that I think would make for perfect autumnal reading! If you are curious about my past recommendations you can find my post from 2018 here and the one from 2019 here.
What makes for the perfect fall read? I think that the answer is different for everyone! Some of us lean towards horror or thrillers while others are drawn more to cozy mysteries, historical fiction, or SciFi/fantasy. I tried to include a mix of genres on this list with each one being a book I absolutely adored and would want to read this time of year.
Practical Magic Series by Alice Hoffman
I posted my review for Magic Lessons yesterday, but it is safe to say that I absolutely loved it! This entire series is incredibly atmospheric and Alice Hoffman is such a talented author. I would read a book about every generation of Owens’ women- their stories are so compelling. If you are in the mood for a witchy book, look no further than the Practical Magic series! I will certainly be watching the Practical Magic adaptation before Halloween, like I do every year!
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
I am not a horror reader, but I was compelled to pick up Sawkill Girls for reasons I cannot explain, and I am so glad that I did! The story follows three female characters who I grew to love and to understand. There is also a lot of great representation and I love seeing female characters working together to fight a common enemy.
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
For a middle grade novel, Small Spaces was way creepier than I was expecting it to be! It is no surprise that I loved this one, as Katherine Arden is an incredible writer. Go into this book knowing that you will come out with a fear of scarecrows! The sequel, Dead Voices, came out last year and I am hoping to finally read it this fall!
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I just finished reading Mexican Gothic and I am still reeling from it. I think that this is a book that will push many readers out of their comfort zones. It has many of the classic Gothic tropes, like a haunted house and strange dreams, but it is unlike anything else I have ever read. There were moments that made me so completely uncomfortable and sickened, which was 100% the author’s intention!
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Now is the perfect time to read The Fifth Season. This is one of those books that you will want to read while cozied up on the couch and when you have a lot of time on your hands. There is a lot going on in this world and there were moments I found confusing, but it is so worth it! If you are a SciFi or fantasy reader and you haven’t read The Fifth Season, do it now!
Still Life by Louise Penny
The Chief Inspector Gamache series is the perfect cozy mysteries series to dive into this fall- I know that I am! I read and loved Still Life and have been waiting for the perfect time to continue on with it. I own the first four books and I will read them all this fall!
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
While Home Before Dark was just an average thriller for me, I do think that all of Sager’s books are ideal readers for this time of year. They are fast-paced, original, and intriguing. I loved the role that the house played in this story in particular!
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
I am currently listening to When No One is Watching and it is unlike any other thriller that I have ever read. It almost reads more like historical fiction and is a great commentary of gentrification. I am intrigued to see where this one goes, and despite that fact that I have yet to finish, I knew I had to include in on this list!
The Themis Files by Sylvain Neuvel
I love reading SciFi this time of year, and I know am I not alone in that. So of course I had to recommend my favourite SciFi series, The Themis Files! The books are told through mixed media, so they are quick reads, but they will completely blow your mind. A perfect escape!
Lovely War by Julie Berry
Lovely War is primarily a historical fiction novel, which has the perfect vibes for fall, but also has a surprising mythological element that adds another layer to the story. The mix of genres lends itself well for an autumnal read!
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
The Only Good Indians is an intense horror novel that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about! If you are looking for a book that will haunt you, this is the one for you. I will say that it starts slow and can be difficult to get into, but stick with it- it is worth it!
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
There are so many characters in this book and it can be difficult to keep track of what is going on, but The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is one of my favourite mystery novels! It is beautifully written and just so damn clever! I was lucky enough to be sent an eARC of Turton’s next book, The Devil and the Dark Water, which comes out October 6th! I will be starting it this week, but it sounds like it would also make for a great fall read!
What is your number one fall book recommendation? I am posting my fall TBR tomorrow, so there is still time for me to add to it!
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Quite a few of these on my shelf! I’ve got the Sager and Cole books coming up soon. Also, I was skeptical about The Only Good Indians so I’m loving your feedback.
It definitely is takes some time to get into, but I thought it was fantastically done!
I don’t know if you read children’s books sometimes, but The Vanderbeekers Lost and Found came out 6 days ago. I am dying to read it! You should definitely look into adding it to your TBR…or am I too late?
-Millay
I just looked up the series and sound amazing. Love the covers! Added it to my TBR on Goodreads. Thanks for the recommendation!!
Glad you added it! No problemo.
Even though its going into spring season here in Cape Town, South Africa, these reads seem intriguing!
Especially Mexican Gothic, can’t wait to get my hands on that one!
It’s funny because I don’t think I have ever done spring recommendations. I don’t know what would be considered a spring read!
😀 I don’t think I’ve ever come across spring recommendations from other bloggers either!
We should collaborate on something then 🤔
I’m heavily considering the audiobook to The Only Good Indians, I don’t ever go towards horror but after Mexican Gothic I think I’m up for it. I really enjoyed When No One is Watching & Sawkill Girls, def agree they are great autumnal picks 🙂
It’s really good! More literary than I was expecting, but I loved that about it.
Mexican Gothic and Swakill Girls are perfect for halloween!
I saw mixed media and sci-fi and gasped then immediately added Sleeping Giants to my TBR
Yessss!
Small spaces was creepier than I expected too. And I feel compelled to pick up sawkill girls too, even though I don’t read scary books! Very keen to read mexican gothic as well and just got a copy of home before dark- very excited! Awesome list!
I think you’ll love Sawkill Girl. The female friendships really are the main focus of the book. It’s fantastic!!
What a great list! I love the Themis Files, and thought Small Spaces was so good and creepy! Loved Mexican Gothic as well. I’m looking forward to reading the 2nd and 3rd Practical Magic books this fall.
We have similar tastes in fall books! I think you’ll love the entire Practical Magic series!
I realise I’m more or less alone with this, but I just didn’t love Mexican Gothic. Actually I was quite disappointed.
I DID love the Themis Files though, and I’m looking forward to reading Lovely War.
I buddy read Mexican Gothic and there were definitely people in the chat who agree with you!
I am so tempted to reread The Themis Files!
You’re right, I should try some Alice Hoffman this fall.
She’s amazing!
i really want to read Sawkill Girls but i’m scared it’ll be “too similar” to Wilder Girls 😦
I haven’t read Wilder Girls, but I still think Sawkill Girls is worth reading!!
I’m really looking forward to reading Mexican Gothic.
My fall recommendation would be anything by Neil Gaiman. Nothing like diving into something whimsical and creepy around Halloween. I’ve just re-read The Ocean At The End of the Lane and I would recommend it at any time of year but especially fall because of its darker elements.
Ohh Neil Gaiman is a good one! I have only read The Ocean at the End of the Lane! I need to read more of his work.
I’d recommend Neverwhere or Stardust next and I’d definitely recommend the audiobooks. Neil Gaiman is a brilliant narrator!
Oh I forgot! I did listen to Norse Mythology on audio and loved it. Audio is definitely the way I would go. Thanks!
There are so many good recs on here and so many that are on my tbr! I just got Mexican Gothis from book of the month and can’t wait to read it! Home Before Dark was really good and I’m hoping to read another one of his books this fall.
Can’t wait to see what you think about Mexican Gothic. It’s so unique!
I love how past paced Riley Sager’s books are!
Thanks for the recommendations. I’m leaning more towards sawkill girls and mexican gothic because they sound like the type of books I love to read!
Loved both of those! And while they are very different, I do think someone who loves one will probably love the other as well.
Whew I can’t wait to purchase them!