Sweater Weather and Story Spells: The Ultimate Fall Reading List
As the leaves turn golden and a crispness fills the air here in Indiana, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a captivating book. Fall is the perfect season to embrace cozy vibes and immerse yourself in a new story. Whether you crave a gothic classic, a spooky mystery, a heartwarming fantasy, or a delightful romance, we’ve gathered the best books to be your companions through these enchanting autumn days. Get ready to light a candle, brew some tea, and dive into our ultimate fall reading recommendations!
JUMP TO:
Cozy Up with a Classic | Dark Academia & Mysteries | Contemporary Feel-Good Reads | Spooky and Whimsical | Fall In Love
Cozy Up with a Classic
Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte
This gothic classic begins on a dreary November day, immediately setting a tone that is perfect for the season. The moody atmosphere of Thornfield Hall and the brooding romance make it an ideal read for a rainy afternoon.
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Bronte
For those who love a bit of drama and a windswept, melancholic setting, this book is a must. The descriptions of the Yorkshire moors in the fall and winter are incredibly evocative.
FrankenStein
by Mary Shelley
A classic for a reason, this book is a perfect blend of gothic horror and philosophical inquiry. It’s a great choice for getting into a spooky, yet thoughtful, mood.
Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier
A haunting, atmospheric novel of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower and must contend with the lingering presence of his first wife, Rebecca. The setting of the isolated Manderley estate provides the perfect gothic backdrop.
Dark Academia & Mysteries
The Secret History
by Donna Tartt
Often considered the ultimate dark academia novel, this book is set at an elite New England college and is filled with mystery, murder, and morally ambiguous characters. The fall foliage provides the perfect backdrop.
Ninth House
by Leigh Bardugo
A blend of dark academia, ghost story, and murder mystery, this book follows a young woman who can see ghosts and gets recruited to Yale to monitor the secret societies’ occult rituals. This is the first book in the series.
A discovery of witches
by Deborah Harkness
If you’re looking for a mix of fantasy, history, and romance, this is a great option. It’s a rich and inventive story about witches and vampires that’s perfect for curling up with. This is the first book in the series.
The thirteenth tale
by Diane Setterfield
A mysterious and atmospheric story about a reclusive author who hires a young biographer to tell her life story, a tale filled with secrets and ghosts from the past.
Contemporary Feel-Good Reads
The very secret society of irregular witches
by Sangu Mandanna
A feel-good, cozy fantasy about a lonely witch who finds a sense of belonging and family. It has a magical, heartwarming vibe that is perfect for the season.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T.J. Klune
Another incredibly wholesome and enchanting book. It’s a story of found family, magic, and acceptance that feels like a warm hug. This is the first book in the series.
The night circus
by Erin Morgenstern
A fantastical and enchanting tale of two rival magicians in a mysterious circus that only appears at night. The writing is lush and magical, making it a perfect escapist read.
Legends and Lattes
by Travis Baldree
Known as a “cozy fantasy,” this book is about an orc warrior who gives up her adventuring life to open a coffee shop. It’s a gentle and heartwarming story that’s a perfect antidote to a chilly day. This is the first book in a series.
Spooky and Whimsical
Coraline
by Neil Gaiman
A short, but incredibly spooky, book about a young girl who discovers a parallel world that is both wonderfully similar and terrifyingly different from her own.
practical magic
by Alice Hoffman
A charming and witchy story about the Owens sisters, who are descended from a long line of witches. It’s a tale of family, love, and magic that’s great for Halloween and beyond. This is the third book in the “Practical Magic” series.
the ex hex
by Erin Sterling
A young witch’s drunken breakup curse from ten years ago accidentally causes a magical catastrophe when her ex-boyfriend (and fellow witch) returns to town. They must work together to reverse the curse before it’s too late. A fun and lighthearted witchy romance with plenty of fall vibes. It’s a “spicy” read with a “Hocus Pocus” feel. This is the first book in a series.
Fall in Love
The pumpkin spice cafe
by Laurie Gilmore
A city girl inherits her aunt’s café in a small, gossipy town and clashes with a grumpy but handsome local farmer. Their grumpy-sunshine dynamic and the cozy small-town setting make it a perfect fall romance.
Paybacks a witch
by Lana Harper
A young witch who fled her magical hometown returns to participate in a spellcasting tournament. She teams up with a powerful witch and her best friend to get revenge on their mutual ex-boyfriend, only to find herself falling for one of her new co-conspirators. This is the first book in the series.
The simplicity of cider
by Amy E. Reichert
A woman with a special gift for making cider must save her family’s failing orchard. When a widower and his young son arrive to help, deep family secrets are uncovered and an undeniable attraction blossoms.
The dead romantics
by Ashley Poston
A cynical ghostwriter who no longer believes in love gets a shock when her new, very alive, editor turns out to be a very dead ghost in her family’s funeral parlor. He must resolve his unfinished business, and together they might just find a second chance at love.
Tell me about what your go-to favorite fall books are to read in the comments below!
