Curling up with a good book is always a good idea, but there’s just something about Autumn that makes it even more inviting. So, grab a blanket, get a warm drink, and pick a comfortable spot to settle in with any one of these cozy books.
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19 Cozy Books to Add to Your Fall Reading List
I’ve gathered a few new releases, some classics, and several titles from indie authors you should know about. This list of books, from fantasy to historical fiction to romance (and more), is sure to get you in the mood for Fall.
Classics to Read This Fall
My love of fiction literature and eventual pursuit of a career in writing stems from reading the classics during my childhood. There are some you just can’t help but return to every Fall.
The Scarlet Letter – Like many people, I read The Scarlet Letter in English class my senior year of high school. While the details are vague, the overarching story has stuck with me all these years. (So has the memory of falling asleep while writing an essay and rousing only to find strange sentences from dreams filling the lines of my notebook paper. Of course, I erased them. And, I got my first A on an essay, no pun intended, which was no easy feat.)
Really, this fictional story set in a Puritan society during seventeenth century New England is everything Brene’ Brown writes about today: guilt, shame, vulnerability, identity, authenticity…something worth reading any time of year.
To Kill a Mockingbird – This was another classic I read in high school. I remember viewing the world through Scout and relating to her experience of playing outside with the neighborhood kids, believing in the goodness of people, and being intrigued by human behavior.
If small town, Southern life is as enticing and charming to you as it is to me, you’ll love To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s relatable and thought-provoking storyline is full of wisdom and, in my opinion, whimsy.
Little Women – I loved witnessing the relationships between sisters with such different personalities, maybe because I have sisters. I’ve also always been intrigued with courting in the ‘olden’ days and to this day am fascinated with home life in any era.
For me, the cozy part of Little Women is the sisterly bond that gets them through everything as they bear witness in one another’s lives. Pick this one up if you’re looking for the comforts of connection and camaraderie.
Anne of Green Gables – I don’t think I’ve ever read Anne of Green Gables (but I did watch the television series Anne with E). Anne’s constant enthusiasm is very inspiring and contagious. She’s famous for saying, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
If you could use a good dose of hope and encouragement, add this classic to your Fall reading list.
Autumn Romance Books
The Simplicity of Cider – The Simplicity of Cider is set in an orchard in the Midwest. It gets lots of praise for being a charming loving story with a touch of magic.
The Hypnotist’s Love Story – Liane Moriarty always hits it out of the park in my opinion. I read The Hypnotist’s Love Story this past Summer. It’s about a hypnotist who falls in love with a widower only to be stalked by his ex-girlfriend, who also happens to be a client. Instead of being frightened, the hypnotist is a little bit intrigued. The story that follows is quirky and suspenseful.
Mysteries and Fantasy
Is there anything more thrilling than a mystery or fantasy? I remember I used to love it when my third grade teacher read aloud from Encyclopedia Brown. During fourth and fifth grades the only books I checked out were Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. So, if Fall puts you in the mood for a little mystery and magic, you’ll enjoy these books.
Practical Magic – I’ve neither read Practical Magic or even watched the movie, but since it’s a cult favorite I thought I would include it on the list. The bewitching story is about the Owens women who have been ostracized for 200 years by their Massachusetts town. The younger women, Gillian and Sally, eventually leave only to be drawn back, as if by magic.
Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson– In Death by Pumpkin Spice, Krissy Hancock is a bookstore cafe’ owner who finds herself at a Halloween costume party with the elite. But when a woman is found strangled to death, everyone is trapped inside the mansion as Kissy and Officer Paul Dalton investigate. Doesn’t the plot remind you of the game Clue?
The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel– As a book worm and writer the title alone, The Secrets of Paper, captures my interest. The story has all the cozy elements you’d want: England, a bookstore, and three women who are brought together across time by a love of story. One reviewer wrote,
A historical mystery and sweet modern day story entwine to offer a message of healing, hope and second chances set in charming Cornwall.
Rachel Linden, Author of The Enlightenment of Bees
I’m definitely adding this one to my list of books to read this Fall.
Two Mothers: A Ghost Story Novella by K. Kris Loomis – “A mother’s depression. A ghost’s obsession. A baby caught in the crosshairs.” You know those scary movies where you don’t want to keep watching, but you have to keep watching? That’s what that first line of the description feels like to me. I’ve actually had Two Mothers on my mental list of books to read since it released. I’m going to make it happen this Fall.
Historical Fiction
Going back in time always feels so enchanting, especially when it’s historical yet fiction. Something about that combination hits all the cozy book vibes for me.
Promising Meg – Promising Meg is the first book in the Love in Time series by Anna Huckabee. It takes place in 1918 while The Great War was raging in Europe.
In New England, Meg wants to do her part to help in the war effort. Thanks to her aunt and uncle, she finds herself volunteering in a nearby hospital. Here she meets Jack, an American soldier who has suffered severe burns.
They fall in love as Meg cares for him. When it’s time for Jack to leave the question remains, will Jack keep his promises to Meg?
New Fall Releases
Anxious People – Anxious People is authored by Fredrick Backman who also wrote A Man Called Ove.
In an apartment open house gone bad, a rogue bank robber bursts in and takes everyone hostage. As police surround the building we learn surprising truths about each of these hostages. They eventually set an unexpected chain of events in motion that leaves everyone at a loss for words.
The dialogue, humor and understanding of human nature helped Anxious People make its way onto a lot of lists including New York Times best seller.
Falling For Your Best Friend’s Twin – This brand new book is Emma St. Clair’s debut into RomCom. As a big fan of her clean romance, I have no doubt Emma delivers the same stellar writing and storytelling in Falling For Your Best Friend’s Twin. Read this one if you could use a light-hearted laugh as Abby navigates the tricky waters of having a crush on her best friend’s twin.
Young Adult Books to Read this Fall
It doesn’t matter how old you are, you’re never too old to read YA. Or at least that’s my philosophy.
Blakemore Paranormal Academy series – If you enjoy urban fantasy and paranormal academy stories, you might enjoy this three book series by Sullivan Gray and E.C. Farrel
- Supernatural Reform School – Supernatural Reform School is for rejects who have lost their powers. As it turns out, someone is stealing magic. As the reform-schoolers dig into this conspiracy, they uncover a lot more than they bargained for.
- The Academy of Stolen Magic – Turns out the search for who stole their powers led the reform-schoolers high up the chain of command. Now they’re in a race against to time find, and stop, the school’s magical weapon before losing more than just their powers.
- Blood of the Dragon Shifter – In this third book of the series, the reform-schoolers find themselves in a face off with dark magic. The key to ending this war is at Blakemore. But how much blood will be spilled before this is over?
Christmas Romance Novels
I mean, technically Christmas is in the winter. But who among us doesn’t love the idea of snuggling up with an endearing Christmas romance as soon as the weather turns cool?
Purple Socks and Peppermint Tea by Suzy Taylor Oakley– Between the financial struggles at the bookstore and a failed romance, Maribelle struggles to find the childlike joy she usually holds for Christmas. Can Maribelle rediscover her love of Christmas? Read Purple Socks and Peppermint Tea to find out.
Jingle All the Way – Debbie Macomber, a.k.a. the Queen of Christmas, is at it again with her newly released book Jingle All the Way. Everly is forced to take a vacation. She thought she was going on a luxury beach vacation. But her vengeful assistant booked her on a guided cruise in the Amazon. Everything Everly holds dear, namely work, is challenged when she falls in love with the ship’s charming naturalist.
Love Comes for the Scrooge by Savannah Adams – Love Comes for the Scrooge is a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol with a romantic twist. Pick this one up if you believe in Christmas miracles and happily ever afters.
Sandover Beach Christmas by Emma St. Clair – Fans of While You Were Sleeping will enjoy Sandover Beach Christmas. In this sweet romance, Ripley fabricates a boyfriend, Cash has sworn off the holidays and relationships. Putting them together is a recipe for a Christmas disaster, but somehow sparks fly.
Like a Winter Snow by Lindsay Harrel – Joy’s head, and heart, turns when she meets the charming Oliver Lincoln. The only problem is, he lives in snowy England and her life is in sunny Florida where she takes care of her parents and is a women’s counselor. Now Joy has to choose between the life where she feels she’s meant to be and the one she didn’t see coming. Add Like a Winter Snow to you queue to find out what Joy chooses.
Whether you like to listen to books on Audible, download them to your Kindle or read with a paperback in hand, I hope you’ll find a few comfy books from this list to read this Fall.
For more Fall inspiration read:
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