I’ll admit I’m not much of a fan of seasons. Give me a hot summer all year round, and I’ll be happy. But since I can’t do anything to stop the cold from creeping under the windows, I may as well crank the heat up and get under the blankets with a good book. Light a candle, and I’m set.
While the cold is what makes me passionately resent the later seasons, I have to admit that the changing leaves do soften my distaste a bit. In many of the books I’m recommending, the settings play a big role in creating the mood. Whether it’s the twisted, eerie branches of Wuthering Heights or the auburn, rolling hills of Avonlea, you’ll easily lose yourself in these distinct autumnal worlds. So, here’s my official list of book recommendations for fall.
Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë
This is my all time favorite book! Mirroring its inhabitants, the hauntingly beautiful — and sometimes just haunting — estates of Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange are closed-off, unwelcoming and miserable. In this entirely separate world, apart from civilization and respectable society, Brontë’s characters flourish as the worst possible versions of themselves. This is a book about hatred, sadness, jealousy and revenge: the perfect gothic backdrop for a night in.
The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling
If Wuthering Heights is my all time favorite book, Harry Potter is my all-time favorite book series. There’s nothing quite like returning to your childhood through this enchanting world of witches, wizards and werewolves. The lack of horror, aside from Voldemort’s nose, might not satisfy your spooky season cravings, but it will certainly give you the cozy vibes you’re seeking at this time of year.
Disclaimer: As we know, Rowling’s been on an anti-trans campaign for the last few years — and her views on this, and other subjects, are certainly evident in the series — so do make sure to read with a critical eye. Try to borrow your books from the library, or buy them second-hand from a local bookstore!
Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier
I first read Rebecca last summer, but I wish I’d saved it for the latter half of the year! The novel follows a young woman who marries a wealthy older man. But with her husband, his servants, and his estate haunted by the death of his ex-wife, Rebecca, our unnamed narrator finds herself competing with a memory. Set in the all-consuming estate of Manderley, this is a story of uncertain romance, a psychologically-complex murder and trying to become someone you’re not. I’ll leave you with one of the most iconic opening lines in English Literature: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Doesn’t that just give you chills?
Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Now here’s a classically cozy book. Set on Prince Edward Island, Canada, this novel is full of warmth, be it the touching moments between Anne and her friends or the gorgeous descriptions of the leaves turning red. Anne is sweet, kind and sincere and — perhaps most importantly for a ‘fall book recommendations’ article — she has a genuine adoration for the natural world. If you wish you were currently in a place with a more pleasing fall aesthetic than rainy Maryland, look no further than Avonlea.
Any book at all by Agatha Christie
Yes, you read that right — I am, in fact, recommending every single one of Dame Agatha Christie’s books. Whether it’s a classic Poirot whodunnit, a Miss Marple mystery or even a Tommy and Tuppence solve, Christie always hits the nail right on the head (literally). Often a quick read, her books are a reliable go-to if you’re on the hunt for a gripping thriller. I’m at a truly unfortunate point in my life where I have very few Christie books remaining; however, this does mean that I’m well-qualified to provide a few specific suggestions: A Murder is Announced, And Then There Were None and, for obvious reasons, Hallowe’en Party.
I truly hope you take some of these recommendations. These books have brought me so much joy, and as we all try to embrace the dreary fall weather, I hope they bring you joy too.
