Six Books to Kick Off Sweater Weather
From dark classics to heartfelt romances, here are some books to read this autumn
By: Nicolette Cavallaro
As a mood reader, the time of year is crucial to deciphering which book is right for me. In the winter, I enjoy high fantasy, with deep world-building and complex magic systems spread across a multi book series. In the spring, I tend to veer toward nonfiction, specifically biographies and informative narratives, as well as coming-of-age classics like Jane Austen’s Emma. I can't put down cheesy college romances or cliquey high school stories in the summer.
But the fall is where my choices shine. It is the perfect weather for contemplative classics, dark academia aesthetic mysteries, and Gilmore Girls-inspired romances. So grab your tea and fuzzy blanket: Here are six books to kick off the Autumn season.
The Pumpkin Spice Café By Laurie Gilmore
With a title like that, it’s not shocking that this spicy romance is the perfect book to cuddle up with this season. Join Jeanie as she takes over her aunt’s dreamy small-town cafe and falls in love with local grumpy farmer Logan. This book is the first in a series of romances.
Jane Eyre By Charlotte Brontë
This gothic classic by Charlotte Brontë follows Jane, a young girl, through the struggles of orphanhood, bullying, romance, and being a woman in the Victorian Era. It’s known as a proto-feminist novel with a moody backdrop – perfect for a contemplative fall. In fact, the book even starts on a dreary November day.
The Secret History By Donna Tartt
If Dead Poets Society is on your must-watch list every autumn, then The Secret History is the perfect book for you. This story is a mysterious contemporary, taking place at an elite New England school where a group of misfits partake in strange behaviors under the influence of a manipulative professor.
Book Lovers By Emily Henry
Although this book takes place at the end of summer, a relationship formed through a passion for books and the written word feels cozy, making it a fun addition to your fall book collection. Emily Henry is a fantastic storyteller who entraps readers in Nora Stephens and Charlie Lastra's romance while not falling for the Hallmark movie trope of a girl giving up her big city job to be with the man of her dreams.
Holding the Reins By Paisley Hope
As a cowboy lover, this book was precisely what I needed this season. CeCe leaves an unhealthy relationship and returns to her family ranch, where she reconnects with her brother’s best friend and hometown hero, Nash Carter. The sparks between them are unimaginable. Some of the tropes in this romance tale include found family, secret dating, and a small town—perfect for a cozy read!
Ninth House By Leigh Bardugo
As a Leigh Bardugo fan, Ninth House was one of my first selections this season. This paranormal fantasy is dark academia-inspired and follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, an unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class tasked to monitor the secret societies within the university.