If you’ve been around for a while, you already know how much I love reading. It’s an all year long thing for me,but if I had too choose a “favorite reading season,” it would definitely be fall. The weather starts to cool down and it’s time to swap out my breezy beach reads for something a little moodier. Think dark academia, psychological thrillers, and those perfectly atmospheric stories that keep up past bedtime because you have to know what happens!
Today, I’m sharing a list of 10 perfect fall books. Reach for these as the leaves start to change and you pull out your sweaters. Whether you’re soaking up golden hour on your porch or curling up by the fire (or the Netflix fireplace, my fave lol!) with a pumpkin spice cocktail in hand, these are the books you’ll want to add to your fall reading list.
10 Good Books for Fall to Curl Up With This Season
There is something for everyone on this list. Maybe you want a sweeping epic, or maybe you’re looking for something shorter. In any case, fall is the perfect time to get cozy and dive into a new book. If you aren’t sure what to read next (or if you are just getting into reading, yay!), I’ve rounded up a mix of books that are cozy, spooky, and all around fall-approved. You will not regret adding any of these to your TBR stack. Consider this your go-to guide for finding the perfect story to curl up with this season.
What Makes a Book Good for Fall?
What makes a book feel like fall? For me, it’s all about the mood, especially when there is a back-to-school sort of vibe. I love anything that involves college or boarding school campuses (ideally with rich unsupervised teens behaving badly), foggy coastlines, creaky old libraries, and a touch of warm candlelight.
It’s also the tone. This time of year I want something little mysterious, a little magical, maybe even a bit melancholic. Fall reads have a way of inviting you to slow down and immerse yourself in the story. This goes for haunting thrillers, cozy gothic fantasies, or a beautifully written novel that lingers with you long after the first page. This list has a little bit of everything.
With that in mind, I’ve pulled together a list of my favorite books to read this season. From dark academia to atmospheric mysteries and reflective stories, these reads perfectly match the quiet, cozy energy of fall. These are also the books I’ll be cozying up with (and I think you’ll love them too). Two (backlist!) titles I’m personally dying to read and eight favorites from over the years.
What Are Good Books to Read in the Fall?
Two Backlist Titles I’m Excited to Tackle This Fall
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
I brought this to Paris with me! From everything I’ve heard, it sounds like Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is just made for fall. I’ve been dying to read it. Think ivy-covered buildings, dusty old libraries, and late-night talks that slowly take a darker turn. It follows a group of students at an elite New England college who get a little too wrapped up in beauty, philosophy, and ancient rituals. And, let’s just say, things unravel quickly.
The vibe sounds like a mix of cozy and haunting. I’m a long-time fan of Tartt’s beautiful writing. I have heard that the characters are wildly flawed but fascinating, and the whole thing has that dark academia feel that’s perfect for fall evenings. If you’re into books like Bunny or If We Were Villains, this book is for you. I can’t wait to curl up with a blanket, light a candle, and stay up late reading this one.
Babel, by RF Kuang
After loving Yellowface, also by RF Kuang, I’m excited to add Babel to my TBR. Set in 1830s Oxford, it follows Robin Swift, a Chinese orphan who’s brought to study translation at a mysterious institute called Babel. At first, it feels like the ultimate love letter to language and academia. But then it takes a darker twist (as Kuang’s novels often do!) as it slowly unravels into something much deeper. This one has been heralded as a sharp look at colonialism, power, and what resistance really means.
This book has all the fall vibes. Think: ivy-covered buildings, dimly lit libraries, long discussions about academics and philosophy. The kind of setting that brings you back to your school days. Kuang’s writing is so vivid and layered, and her worldbuilding? Unreal. I can’t wait to read this!
My Personal Recommendations
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Lucy Foley’s The Guest List is one of those books that’s practically made for a stormy fall night. It feels like it should be read with howling wind, lit candles, and a cup of tea (or glass of wine!) within arm’s reach.
The story takes place on a remote island off the Irish coast during a very chic, very exclusive wedding. But, of course, it wouldn’t be an Agatha Christie-style mystery without secrets. So, in true Lucy Foley fashion, someone is dead by the end of the night. It’s told through multiple points of view, and each chapter drops just enough breadcrumbs to keep you flipping pages.
I’ll be honest: I guessed the twist. But even so, it was still such a fun read. The pacing is quick, the writing is sharp, and the whole setting has an eerie, windswept vibe that just screams “fall read.” It did take me a few chapters to get used to some of the Irish names and phrases, but once I settled in, I flew through it.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
I am a massive fan of Riley Sager’s books (honestly, a great fall exercise would be to try and read all of his books, I have read every single one and they’re all so good!). Middle of the Night is the kind of fall book you start thinking you’ll just read one chapter. Then suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and you’re still tearing through it. This one made me cry!
The story follows Ethan Marsh, who returns to his sleepy hometown decades after his best friend vanished without a trace. Naturally, he’s still haunted by it. And when strange things start happening, you can’t help but wonder if something darker has been hiding all along. It’s eerie and nostalgic in the best way, with that small-town spookiness that gives you chills and makes you want to light every candle in the house.
Sager’s writing is so fast-paced and addictive. Those short, snappy chapters pulled me right in. Every time I tried to put it down, I told myself, “Just one more chapter.” Spoiler: it was never just one more. And that ending? It absolutely wrecked me. In a good way.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven is one of those books that completely wraps you up and doesn’t let go. I read it slowly (on purpose) because I didn’t want it to end. The writing is stunning, but what really got me was the way the story felt… eerie. Not because it’s scary and dystopian, but because it’s so relatable! Maybe a little too relatable at times.
The plot moves between the world before and after a pandemic (I know, I know . . . but trust me, it’s worth it). It follows a traveling theater troupe performing Shakespeare for scattered communities of survivors. It’s a book about survival, yes, but also about art, memory, and why beauty still matters even when everything else falls apart.
The storytelling is thoughtful, and Mandel’s writing? Gorgeous. Every sentence feels like it was written by candlelight. It’s quietly emotional and full of moments that make you pause and think about what really matters. I will add that I loved the TV show too!
The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
I just finished reading this a few weeks ago and think it’s the perfect fall read! It is the newest from Elin Hilderbrand (written with her daughter!), and I must say, I am really enjoying this new direction for her. I wasn’t sure how to classify it, as it definitely had suspenseful parts, but it is not a thriller. There’s also some romance (but it’s not a romance!). Contemporary fiction?
The book takes place over the course of a year at Tiffin Academy, a prestigious boarding school in New England. But when the school jumps 17 rankings (all the way up to the number two boarding school in the country), the headmaster fears that there’s been a typo (or that something fraudulent could be happening). Over the course of the year, the wheels begin to fall off the bus and mini crises emerge daily. A new app called ZipZap surfaces, releasing scandalous blind items every week. No one is safe, be it the young new history teacher, the queen bee influencer, the bookish new transfer student, the older staff members, or the charming son of a wealthy board member.
This one has villains you want to see get taken down, and heroes you root for. I absolutely love it (and continually marvel over Hilderbrand’s ability to write from the perspective of so many different characters, with seamless transitions! There were a few things left unresolved; I hope we get a sequel!
The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
I picked up The Chateau thinking it would be the perfect weekend read, and ended up absolutely glued to it. I flew through it and immediately told my mom she had to read it too. She devoured it: it’s that good! Since then, we’ve both become massive Goldis fans and have read all of her books. This, for the record, remains my favorite.
Set in the dreamy south of France, this twisty thriller follows a group of old friends reuniting at a luxurious estate. It has sun-drenched vineyards, sparkling rosé, and glamorous dinners. You feel like you are right there, and get a little envious. But then, things take a dark turn. Secrets start to surface, tensions rise, and yep . . . someone ends up dead.
Jaclyn Godis does such a great job of blending glitz with danger. The setting is lush and escapist, but there’s this constant eerie undercurrent that keeps you flipping pages way past bedtime. It reminds me a bit of The Guest List, but with even more glamour and just the right amount of grit.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
I fell completely in love with The Midnight Library. Matt Haig’s writing is just so beautiful. Gentle, thoughtful, and full of heart. It’s one of those rare books that makes you pause and think about your own life (in the best way). There is a content warning for suicidal thoughts, but I promise: it’s an extremely hopeful book that proves that each of us are right where we should be.
The story follows Nora Seed, who finds herself in a magical library suspended between life and death. Each book on the shelves offers her a glimpse into a life she could have lived if she’d made different choices. And these choices are often versatile—whether it’s chasing a dream, mending a relationship, or taking a completely different path. It’s imaginative and a little philosophical, but also incredibly comforting.
This book feels especially right for fall. It’s quiet and introspective, the kind of story you want to read with a warm drink, a cozy blanket, and maybe a candle flickering nearby. I highly recommend this one if you’re in the mood for something that’s both tender and thought-provoking.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
If you’ve just finished The Midnight Library and want something just as emotional, magical, and beautifully written? The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue needs to be your next read. I absolutely adored it.
The story follows Addie, a young woman in 18th-century France who makes a desperate deal for freedom and immortality. But, of course, there’s one heartbreaking catch: everyone she meets forgets her. What follows is a sweeping, centuries-long journey through art, loneliness, fleeting moments, and the quiet hope of being remembered. It’s haunting in the most beautiful way.
This is one of those stories that lingers long after the last page. It’s about love and loss and identity and the little marks we leave on the world. Pour yourself a glass of wine, get cozy, and prepare to be swept away.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
If you love a little magic, a little romance, and a whole lot of atmosphere, A Discovery of Witches is one of those books that feels made for fall reading. I loved it. And the TV show! Wander through dusty old libraries, discover mysterious manuscripts, and read by candlelight in Oxford. It’s deliciously moody in all the right ways.
The story centers on Diana Bishop, a historian (and reluctant witch) who stumbles across an enchanted manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. That moment sets off a chain of events involving ancient secrets, forbidden magic, and a brooding (and hot!) vampire named Matthew Clairmont.
Deborah Harkness’s writing is rich and immersive. She’s a real-life historian, so all the academic details feel super authentic. But, don’t worry, she writes in a way that’s still totally readable and fun. The book reads like a young adult fantasy, but it’s very much written for grown-ups. I flew through it and loved every twist.
Embrace the season and immerse yourself in the perfect fall read!
As the weather starts to cool (even just slightly here in Charleston), I find myself wanting to slow down and fill my nights and weekends with good books. Fall here definitely still has its fair share of sunny, mild afternoons. However, I always think back to my time in New York where I was bundled in a cozy sweater with a cup of something warm in my hand. Pure bliss.
With this list of books, you can recreate that feeling too, no matter where you are.
Looking for more book inspo? Take a peek at my list of the best fiction books! Or, take a second to scroll through my young adult book recommendations to find your next perfect read. And if you haven’t already, make sure you’re subscribed to my Substack for exclusive content, and come follow along on Instagram to see what I’m reading in real time! Lastly, The Library: every book I’ve read in the past ten+ years, and you can search and rank and filter by genre.
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