As the sun bids farewell to its summer reign, there’s a subtle shift in the air—a gentle reminder that autumn is on the horizon. The days grow shorter, the breeze carries a newfound chill, and the world begins to adorn itself in the rich, vibrant colors of fall. It’s the time of year when we eagerly anticipate the arrival of sweater weather, the enchantment of Halloween, and the simple pleasures of reading by a window, cocooned in warmth, with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or spiced apple cider in hand.
Autumn, with its crisp and comforting embrace, invites us to slow down and savor the changing seasons. It’s a time when our hearts long for cozy corners, soft blankets, and the immersive worlds that books offer. In this blog post, I invite you to join me in celebrating the unique magick of autumn reading—a season when every page turned is a step deeper into the warmth and wonder of stories that perfectly complement the ambiance of chilly days and the promise of fall. So, grab your favorite sweater, and your coziest blanket, and let’s embark on a literary journey through the heartwarming and spooky tales that make autumn reading an irresistible delight.
Here’s a list of books that will transport you to the enchanting, magickal, and sometimes spooky world of autumn. These categories offer a diverse range of autumn-themed reading options, whether you’re in the mood for magickal adventures, classic tales, haunted settings, or mysterious plots. Enjoy your autumn reading journey!
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase a book I’ve talked about or recommended, I may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.
Cozy Autumn Reads: Embrace the Season with These Enchanting Tales
Whether you’re wrapped in your favorite sweater or sipping a warm beverage by the window, these enchanting stories will transport you to worlds of mystery, magick, and heartwarming intrigue. From timeless classics to captivating new releases, these books are the perfect companions for a cozy autumn evening.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett: A timeless classic. When young Mary Lennox loses her parents to a terrible illness, she is thrust into a new life with her reclusive uncle in the confines of the enigmatic Missel Thwaite Manor. Consumed by bitterness and loneliness, Mary’s life is about to change once more when she stumbles upon a hidden key and a long-forgotten door—a gateway to a secret garden full of mystery and splendor, where time stands still. Follow the adventures of Mary Lennox as she discovers a hidden garden in the Yorkshire moors, a place where both nature and her spirit come to life.
The Cider House Rules by John Irving: Being born and raised in New England and taking many loved trips to Maine I couldn’t help but include this classic. Set in a Maine orphanage, this powerful novel explores a young man’s journey who defies societal norms to find his own path in life, touching on themes of love, choice, and the complexities of the human experience.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: Reclusive author Vida Winter unveils her enigmatic past to Margaret Lea, a young biographer with her own secrets. As they delve into Vida’s haunting narrative of gothic intrigue and family mysteries, they confront the ghosts of their own lives, ultimately finding transformation in the power of truth and storytelling. A tale of secrets and books, this story unfolds in a cozy English countryside setting, making it a perfect autumn read.
Mysterious Escapes: Fall into the Unknown
If you crave spine-tingling mysteries that match the intrigue of autumn’s changing landscapes, this selection of mystery books will transport you into worlds of enigma and suspense. These gripping tales will keep you guessing as you immerse yourself in the crisp air and the enigmatic atmosphere of fall. Get ready to unravel secrets, solve puzzles, and embark on thrilling adventures in these autumn-inspired mystery novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the season.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: On their fifth anniversary, Nick Dunne’s wife, Amy, mysteriously disappears, and he becomes the prime suspect. As the search for the truth unfolds, a web of lies, dark secrets, and shocking revelations leads to a chilling question: Is Nick a husband with something to hide, or is something more sinister at play? This is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end, perfect for those crisp autumn nights.
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins: Set in 1859 London, “The Woman in White” is a groundbreaking mystery novel that weaves a tale of intrigue and identity. Walter Hartright, a young art teacher, encounters a distressed woman dressed in white one night. Little does he know that this chance encounter will lead him to a web of secrets, including the mysterious asylum escapee Anne Catherick, who bears a striking resemblance to Laura, a student at Limmeridge House. A classic Victorian mystery with a Gothic twist, this novel is ideal for readers who enjoy intricate plots and atmospheric settings.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson: Harriet Vanger, a member of one of Sweden’s most affluent families, vanished without a trace over four decades ago. Her uncle, still haunted by her disappearance, refuses to give up on finding the truth. To uncover the long-buried secrets, he enlists the help of Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist grappling with a recent libel conviction. Together with the enigmatic and unconventional Lisbeth Salander, they plunge into a world of unimaginable darkness and breathtaking corruption, unearthing a twisted web of deceit that has remained hidden for far too long.
Hauntingly Ghostly Tales: A Trio of Unforgettable Chills
In this collection of timeless classics, journey into the depths of the unknown as you immerse yourself in tales of spectral secrets, gothic horrors, and the uncanny. Each story invites you to explore the eerie and enigmatic, where unsettling mysteries and supernatural occurrences blur the line between the living and the spectral. With each turn of the page, you’ll be drawn deeper into a world where the unexplained lurks just beyond the edge of perception.
The Fall The House of Usher and Other Essential Works by Edgar Allan Poe: In the cold grip of a January night in 1809, Edgar Allan Poe’s journey began in the shadowed alleys of Boston. His life, a tapestry of enigma and obscurity, gave birth to stories that would forever haunt the human psyche. With a quill dipped in melancholy and mystery, Poe became the “Master of the Macabre,” weaving tales that dared to explore the darkest recesses of the human soul. Within the pages of this collection, you’ll traverse the abyss of his imagination through classics such as “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.”
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson: Published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s masterpiece, this book remains a timeless and spine-chilling tale of supernatural horror and the inspiration behind a Netflix series. What begins as a seemingly innocent investigation into the unknown quickly transforms into a descent into madness as Hill House’s malevolent presence grows stronger, threatening to claim one of them as its own. Shirley Jackson’s haunting narrative continues to cast an eerie and enduring spell over readers, leaving them questioning the boundaries between the living and the supernatural. A chilling and atmospheric ghost story that will send shivers down your spine.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: Although the wrong season in the book itself, it fits perfectly into this category of “Hauntingly Ghostly Tales” for our autumn reading list. Set on a chilly Christmas Eve, guests gathered by a crackling fireplace to exchange ghostly tales. But one guest’s story unravels a chilling narrative no one could have foreseen. Orphaned siblings, placed under their distant uncle’s care, are entrusted to a young governess who quickly realizes the depths of her chilling predicament. Haunting secrets emerge as the children appear to have a spectral connection to the estate’s former governess and her lover. The governess is soon engulfed in a nightmarish struggle to protect the children from sinister forces. This timeless horror classic, now adapted into the Hollywood hit “The Turning,” will send shivers down your spine and leave you questioning the boundaries between the living and the supernatural.
Spooky Supernatural Books: A Journey into the Unseen
Prepare to step into a realm where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and the natural collides with the supernatural. In this list of books, you’ll embark on an eerie journey through tales that defy the laws of reality. From restless spirits to malevolent forces, these books will immerse you in spine-tingling stories that explore the unexplained, the otherworldly, and the mysteries that lurk just beyond the veil of our everyday lives. Whether you seek ghostly encounters, supernatural intrigue, or the inexplicable, these books will transport you into the realms of the uncharted and the uncanny.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: Step into a magickal world where a mysterious circus appears at night, filled with enchanting wonders and a magical competition. In the blink of an eye, the enigmatic Night Circus materializes, shrouded in mystery and opens only after sunset. Within its black-and-white-striped tents lies an otherworldly spectacle known as Le Cirque des Rêves, captivating visitors with its breathtaking wonders. Yet, unbeknownst to its patrons, a high-stakes competition unfolds behind the scenes—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who are bound by fate and trained for a battle they did not choose. As their paths intertwine, Celia and Marco fall deeply in love, setting off a chain of events that could alter the course of their lives and the very fabric of the circus itself. With consequences reaching far beyond the tent flaps, “The Night Circus” weaves a mesmerizing tale of magick, love, and sacrifice, where the destinies of all involved hang in the delicate balance of enchantment and danger.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman: A book set in my home state of Massachusetts. This book is also one of my favorite movies. For centuries, the Owens women of Massachusetts have been blamed for every misfortune in their town. Gillian and Sally, as sisters, faced the same fate as outcasts, haunted by whispers of witchcraft that surrounded their aunts’ mysterious home and its enigmatic brews. Desperate to break free, one sister chooses marriage, while the other flees. Yet, the unbreakable bonds of family, tinged with a hint of magic, will reunite them in ways they never imagined, weaving a story of love, resilience, and the extraordinary power that lies within their bloodline.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Noemí Taboada receives a desperate letter from her newlywed cousin, who pleads for rescue from an ominous fate at High Place, a remote mansion in the Mexican countryside. Despite being a glamorous debutante ill-suited for amateur sleuthing, Noemí is undaunted. As she confronts her cousin’s menacing yet captivating husband, the sinister patriarch, and the eerie mansion itself, she forms an unexpected alliance with the family’s youngest son. Together, they uncover the chilling secrets hidden within High Place’s walls, delving into a history of violence and madness. As Noemí is drawn deeper into the terrifying yet alluring world of the mansion, she may find herself unable to escape its enigmatic grip. “Mexican Gothic” weaves a mesmerizing tale of mystery, horror, and the irresistible pull of a house plagued by dark and haunting histories.
Magickal and Enchanted Worlds: Where Fantasy Knows No Bounds
This book list would not be complete without these two book series. No matter how old I get these books will always remain in my favorites even more so than the movies because I can use my own imagination to see these books played out in my mind’s eye.
Prepare to be transported to extraordinary worlds where magic is real and enchantment awaits around every corner. In this captivating reading list, you’ll embark on journeys alongside wizards, witches, vampires, and werewolves, all within the pages of timeless classics like the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” series. Immerse yourself in the wonder of spellbinding adventures, where the ordinary mingles with the extraordinary and the boundaries of reality blur in the face of magick. Whether you’re drawn to the wizardry of Hogwarts or the allure of supernatural romance, these books will ignite your imagination and sweep you away into realms where the impossible becomes possible.
The” Harry Potter” Series by J.K. Rowling: Journey to the magickal world of Hogwarts, where the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp in the autumn. Join Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley as they navigate the mysteries of wizardry, face supernatural creatures, and uncover secrets that will change their lives forever. In this beloved series, enchantment and adventure are intertwined, making this a perfect book series for autumn reads.
The “Twilight Series” by Stephanie Meyer: Step into the mysterious town of Forks, Washington, where autumn brings its own sense of magic. Follow the love story of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, where vampires and werewolves exist in the shadows. As the days grow shorter and the nights cooler, the Twilight series weaves a tale of forbidden love, supernatural intrigue, and the allure of the unknown, making it an ideal companion for cozy autumn evenings.
Bonus Book: Unveiling Hidden Gems
In this special category, I present you with a literary treasure that might have slipped under the radar. This book is a hidden gem offering unique perspectives, captivating storytelling, and unforgettable characters. This bonus book promises an enriching reading experience. Dive into these unsung narratives and open the door to a world of unexpected delights.
Salem Switch by Jessica Lucci: For a quick read this is a great book. Being a fan of Salem, Massachusetts and its rich history, also being the town where literary great Nathaniel Hawthorne was born, I had to include this in my list. Professor Tess Alset time-travels to 1690 Salem, where she faces witchcraft accusations, dangerous alliances, and the perils of the Salem Witch Trials as she seeks to escape back to her own time. In a world filled with magic, deception, and a quest for love and glory, Tess’s fate hangs in the balance.
These autumn-inspired books, mystery novels, ghostly tales, and supernatural stories are perfect companions for the season. So, grab a warm blanket, a cup of your favorite fall beverage, and let your imagination wander through the pages of these captivating books as you embrace the magic of autumn. Happy reading!
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