Autumn... My favorite season. I love it so much that I begin to celebrate Fall around mid-August. I know, crazy, but that’s just how passionate I am about this season! That being said, the first official day of Autumn is cause for celebration as well as another seasonal reading list! So below are my top five book recommendations for fall. After you’re done reading, please share a book from your reading list!
[I also want to announce that the winner of my seasonal giveaway has been chosen on the Instagram page for All Things Literary! Stay tuned for announcements for the next free giveaway that will take place on the first day of Winter (December 21st)! Congrats to the winner and good luck to everyone next time!]
“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie
Really any of her books are wonderful for this time of year, but this one is still by far my favorite. "And Then There Were None" is not specifically an autumn-themed book, but, as I’ve said in the past, mysteries are perfect for this time of year.
First off, the story takes place on a dreary isolated island off the coast of Devon, England. It is extremely remote and secluded, which is not what you'd want if people started mysteriously dying. The fact that this island is isolated is acknowledged by the characters, which may make the reader feel uneasy.
The second thing that makes this the perfect fall read is the mystery and suspense of the story. It's filled with tension as the characters are trapped on the island and subjected to a series of murders seemingly committed by one of them. This creates a lot of mistrust amongst the group and makes the story all the more interesting.
In all, while "And Then There Were None" is not explicitly an autumn-themed book, the elements of isolation, mystery, and tension create the perfect story for a chilly autumn day.
Nancy Drew by Carolyn keene
Nancy Drew, books are the epitome of nostalgia for me. I read these as a kid and would spend hours cooped up in my room reading them. I think this is actually where my love of cozy mysteries began. That being said, Nancy Drew books are perfect to read during the fall because they are nostalgic, and cozy, and also contain many autumnal settings featuring descriptions of colorful leaves, crisp air, and eerie landscapes, which can enhance the fall reading experience.
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” by J.K. Rowling
Much like Agatha Christie, any Harry Potter book works for Fall, but in my opinion, “The Prisoner of Azkaban” is the most autumnal of them all. In this one, Harry returns back to school as he does throughout all the books before “Deathly Hallows.”
Throughout the story, there are vivid descriptions of Hogwarts and its grounds during the fall season with its colorful leaves and cozy common rooms. There are many different scenes that feel autumnal. One of them is a Halloween scene for those who like Halloween. The suspense of Sirius Black being on the loose and the whole mystery behind his supposed crimes and how they pertain to Harry is also very intriguing and creates tension and suspense throughout the entire book. Lastly, a scene that always sticks in my mind is when Buckbeak is sentenced to be executed and he’s chained up in a pumpkin patch. Pretty much everything that transpires from here on out is especially autumnal to me.
Overall, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" combines elements of magic, mystery, and cozy settings that make it one of the best ones to read during the Fall.
“Dracula” by Bram Stoker”
I’m not the biggest fan of vampires but this is a classic I would recommend for Fall time. While I wouldn’t say this is an easy read as it is a classic, I would say it’s a good read for this time of year. “Dracula" combines elements of gothic horror, vampire lore, and suspense that make it a classic choice for fall reading
The atmosphere of the story particularly focuses on Castle Dracula and the fog-shrouded streets of Victorian London, which exudes a dark, gothic atmosphere that aligns with the eerie, atmospheric mood often associated with the fall season. This story is filled with the horror of vampires and the fight against such evil. There is a representation of the power of God and His power against evil. I appreciate that this story doesn’t glorify evil but rather condemns it. Though it is quite lengthy I found it to be a good book for this season.
In summary, "Dracula" combines elements of gothic horror, vampire lore, and suspense that make it a classic choice for fall reading, especially for those who enjoy a darker and more atmospheric literary experience during the season.
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley is also considered a good classic for fall. It combines a gothic atmosphere with desolate landscapes, stormy weather, and the eerie laboratory where Victor Frankenstein creates his monster. It also has themes of Creation and Hubris which explores themes of scientific ambition and the consequences of playing god. These themes can provoke deep contemplation and resonate with the changing seasons and the natural world's cycles. There is also the monster and horror aspect to the story. Reading about the tragic consequences of Victor's experiments can be particularly chilling during the fall season. In all “Frankenstein” is a thought-provoking book with elements of gothic horror, eerie weather, and hard questions.
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Questions
What is on your Fall reading list?
What’s one book you would recommend?
Which one of these do you want to read this Fall?
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