The golden leaves littering the streets, the semi-cold wind blowing through the window, you taking out your sweaters and blankets while tea simmers on your gas stove and cookies bake in your oven... The aroma and the ambiance make for the best time to read as many books as you can.
Like many bookworms, fall is my favorite season to read books. I love to snuggle up in a cozy corner of my room with a book that is either a mystery, thriller, fantasy or a fairy-tale retelling. I'm not a huge fan of horror books, but I don't mind a bit of a spooky read thrown into the mix of speculative fiction I usually read during this season.
If you have similar tastes as mine, then this fall book recommendation post is perfect for you. You can also watch this booktube video of mine where I recommend books you can enjoy during autumn. I haven't repeated any of the books listed in this blog post, so you will have an even bigger reading list to look forward to.
Listed below are books both in the Young Adult (YA) and the Adult categories. You can click on the Young Adult Category or the Adult Category to jump straight to the books in your favored age range.
Table of Contents:
YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
TITLE: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
GENRE: Fantasy
In a world where libraries are sacred and books lethal, sixteen-year-old Elisabeth is training to become a warden of the Great Library of Summershall. However, her plan comes to a standstill when she finds herself entangled in a conspiracy implicating her of a crime she didn't commit. She must now team up with a young sorcerer, Nathaniel, and his demon to save all the libraries in her world.
SORCERY OF THORNS is one of my top favorite YA Fantasies of all time. Elisabeth is a protagonist you want to root for. Her not-so-subtle romance with a certain grumpy sorcerer will have you swooning for more. Even the side characters are compelling to read about, especially Nathaniel's mysterious demonic servant.
I don't have a single point of criticism against this fantastic book. It kept me hooked from start to end. Dangerous books, sorcery, and an interesting protagonist make for the perfect autumnal read.
TITLE: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
GENRE: Dark Academia/Arthurian Retelling/Urban Fantasy
To escape the pain of her mother's unexpected passing, sixteen-year-old Bree enrolls in a residential program for bright high-schoolers at an Ivy League college. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she gets embroiled in a secret society of Legendborn after witnessing an attack by a flying demon. Soon she uncovers her own magical powers and must decide how far she's willing to go to discover the truth behind her mother's death and her magic.
There are many wondrous aspects in LEGENDBORN including—but not limited to—the magic system, the character growth, the world-building, and the fresh spin on the legend of King Arthur. I had a fun time reading this YA urban fantasy/retelling: perfect if you're craving a school-with-secret societies setup.
TITLE: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
GENRE: Fantasy
Louise le Blanc is a teen witch currently running away from her coven, and hiding in a city where witches are feared and burned. Reid is a witch-hunter sworn to the Church. In a cruel twist of fate, these sworn enemies end up in a holy matrimony. As the fight between the witches and the Church intensifies, these two find themselves falling hard for each other. But they must choose their sides, none of which leads to their happiness together.
I read SERPENT & DOVE a few years ago when it debuted. The story is still fresh in my mind. If you thought you'd seen enough of this love-hate relationship between a witch and a witch-hunter, think again. I found both the central characters endearing and their romance convincing. The story is fast-paced and one that will definitely warm your cold autumnal evening.
TITLE: The Diviners by Libba Bray
GENRE: Historical/Paranormal
Troublemaker Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her hometown to live with her uncle in New York City. When her uncle is called by the police to help in the investigation of a cultish murder, Evie can't help but jump to the cause. Oh, she also has a secret magical ability that may come in handy to catch the killer. Meanwhile, other fascinating stories unfold in the bustling city where a young chorus girl, Theta, is running away from her past; a young lad with a secret can't help but get into trouble; and a student called Jericho is hiding a terrible secret. The lives of these youngsters entwine and they must work their differences to uncover the truth behind the brutal murders happening in their city.
If you want to read something absolutely spooky, where multiple characters lead fascinating, albeit shady, lives, and murder mystery awaits in every corner of the New York City of the 1920's, then THE DIVINERS is for you. It'll amaze you, scare you, make you gasp, and totally grip the handle of your coffee mug gone cold long ago since you couldn't take your eyes off of the pages.
ADULT BOOKS
TITLE: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
GENRE: Classic Sci-fi
Victor Frankenstein, a scientist obsessed with recreating life, partially succeeds in his mission by creating a monster. Unable to stand the sight of his experiment gone wrong, he abandons the monster and returns to his mansion only to be secretly followed by his creation. The monster seeks only love and affection from his master, and when he realizes people will only hate him for his appearance, he sets out to take revenge.
I don't think any description from my end will justify the depth of this classic. FRANKENSTEIN is probably the first science fiction ever written and is bustling with many themes of humanity. In just a few words, Mary Shelley has told many tales and asked many questions about the morality of humans. It's a true masterpiece you shouldn't miss reading even if you have seen a thousand retellings based on the original text.
TITLE: The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian
GENRE: Cozy Mystery/Paranormal
Recently moved to Portland, Zoe Faust is a herbalist and secretly an alchemist. In her new, or rather old manor, she finds herself confronting a three-and-half-foot gargoyle that talks and apparently cooks delicious meals. She's forced to take the aid of this living, breathing gargoyle when a murder happens right on her front porch.
This murder mystery is unlike any I've read thus far. Especially not one that has a smartass gargoyle in it. The writing is simple, but the mystery behind the murder and the fascinating characters will keep you hooked till the end. Even better, as this is a series. This a quick and cozy read perfect for the fall season!
TITLE: The Push by Ashley Audrain
GENRE: Psychological Thriller
Blythe Connor, a middle-aged mother of two, finds herself in a terrible predicament when strange occurrences in her household force her to conclude the improbable: something is very wrong with her daughter.
I know this is a vague description, but saying any more about THE PUSH will most likely affect the immersive reading experience you will otherwise get diving right into the novel. This psychological thriller is twisty and the exploration of how motherhood can push a woman to the edge is done plausibly.
I have reviewed this page-turner earlier on my blog. You can read my thoughts here if you need more convincing.
TITLE: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
GENRE: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Jessamyn Taoh unwillingly becomes a medium for her deceased grandmother when she returns to her ancestral country, Malaysia, from the US. Her ghost of a grandmother seeks revenge against a gang boss and she's willing to use Jessamyn as she pleases to meet her vengeful goals. In this war of Gods and spirits, Jessamyn fights to regain control over her mind and body before a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister devours her entire existence.
BLACK WATER SISTER took me by surprise. It isn't as simple as the description makes it sound. There are many dark and difficult topics touched in this paranormal fiction. The central character battles not just the ghost possessing her body, but also her inner demons. She's pushed into difficult (often violent) circumstances. Seeing her journey made me empathize with her so much. Don't expect this to be a fast read, though. But there is no stopping once you get into the story.
TITLE: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
GENRE: Mystery Thriller
Broke and orphaned, Hal unexpectedly receives a mysterious letter that announces her sumptuous inheritance after the death of one Mrs. Westaway. Soon she finds herself attending the funeral of this stranger and meeting Mrs. Westaway's family members—none of whom know who Hal is or why she deserves any mention in the will of the deceased. The more she notices her surroundings, the more she becomes certain of the strangeness of her situation.
Looking for a creepy novel to huddle with in the gloom of the autumn? Look no further. The setting and the thrilling component in THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY is sure to give you goosebumps. The unsettling mystery is one to look forward to.
TITLE: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
GENRE: Contemporary/Magical Realism
A century-old Tokyo cafe provides its customers with a unique experience where they can time travel. But the visitors must remain in their seats and return to the present before their coffee gets cold.
BEFORE THE COFFEE GETS COLD is a collection of interrelated short stories revolving around the customers and the staff of the cafe. Each and every character has a backstory that will make you weep. The stories are poignant and focus on human relationships. Reading this book made me cry a couple of times. The stories touch your hearts and the bittersweet resolution of each individual's story is sure to move you or make you ponder. Read this fiction with a warm cup of coffee or tea as the sun sets early on a cool autumn day.
TITLE: The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
GENRE: Dystopian
Daily objects are disappearing on an unnamed Japanese island. The oblivious inhabitants forget that these items existed in the first place. But there are a few individuals who remember, and the Memory Police is after them. When a young novelist discovers that the Memory Police are hunting her editor, she leaves no leaf unturned to ensure his safety. Thus begins her risky pursuit where she tries to record everything before she starts forgetting herself.
THE MEMORY POLICE is a thought-provoking dystopian fiction that's grim and dark. The storyline is edgy and will have you second-guessing everything. The world is unique and makes you wonder what it would be like to live in a place where things disappear—not just physically, but also from the minds of the residents.
TITLE: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
GENRE: Fantasy
Belonging to the family of moneylenders, young Miryem decides to take over the family business after her father fails to provide for her family. She steels herself and does her job pretty well, earning herself a reputation that she can turn silver into gold. This draws the attention of a grim fey king who sets an impossible task for her. While she plots to save herself, she unwittingly gets a poor peasant girl and an unhappy daughter of a lord involved in her plans. The three young women embark on a quest to save themselves from the clutches of greedy lords and fey alike.
SPINNING SILVER is a dark, twisty, and atmospheric fantasy that will have you gasping for more. The challenges that the characters go through will have you rooting for them. The fairytale-esque world will make your heart pound. The unexpected turn of events will keep you on your toes.
I was transported back in time as I wrote the descriptions of these books. Such splendid stories you just can't miss. I hope you found at least a couple of books up to your liking. If you enjoy reading spooky Middle-Grade books, I have a book recommendation video for you here.
Oh, and I've also published a list of cozy mystery books to read in the fall. You can watch the video here.
Thanks for reading! Share this post so other readers can discover more books to read this autumn.
Happy Reading!
