I’d like to start by apologising to all our readers in the Southern Hemisphere!
Now we have that out of the way. Autumn/Fall is upon us, the leaves are turning red and gold and the weather has taken a big downturn. It’s time to pick up your blanket under the tree and take it inside for the winter and find yourself a new reading spot! And it’s time for us to bring you more recommended reads!
Today we’re recommending ten atmospheric reads, all set in the Autumn time, or embodying the spirit of Autumn, to get you in the mood for the most beautiful season of the year! We hope you enjoy our recommendations, feel free to add your own in the comments.
The Secret History – Donna Tartt
For obvious reasons, campus novels always make me think of Autumn and The Secret History is the perfect atmospheric read for this time of year. The novel follows a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college who discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird is actually set over three years, (1933-35), but the climax of the story takes place in the Fall, making this the perfect Autumn read.
Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Dark, brooding, moody, and that’s just the weather! The atmospheric tale of toxic love on the Yorkshire Moors is the perfect read for the Autumn weather.
Autumn – Ali Smith
Award winning, Man Booker Prize finalist, and part of the Seasonal Quartet, Autumn by Ali Smith is assured to get your through the Fall with its beautiful descriptions in this meditation on richness, harvest, and worth.
Catcher in the Rye – J. D Salinger
Catcher is one of those love it hate it novels, but much of the setting is Autumn/Winter and it’s theme of growth and changing moods perfectly captures the season.
Educated – Tara Westover
If the Fall is a time for learning, growth and development then this fantastic memoir is the perfect read for the time of year, as we follow the story of Tara Westover who leaves a survivalist cult for a new kind of life.
Possession – A. S Byatt
Campus novels always feel Autumnal, and for Possession, the setting of a British university campus just adds extra atmosphere for the Autumn theme.
The Death of Mrs Westaway – Ruth Ware
With Halloween looming, October has always been a spooky month and if you’re looking to see in Autumn with a dark and atmospheric read, we highly recommend The Death of Mrs Westway, offering mystery, suspense, and the rest!
We hope you find some good suggestions there and we’ll be back with more recommendations lists soon. If you want to ensure you never miss any of these, subscribe now.
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