My Autumn Reading List
I love how every season makes me want to read certain books, and Autumn is the month for magical reads, books with a dark edge to them, and cosy stories to curl up with. As a reader & lover of multiple genres, there are a lot to choose from. Here are some of the ones on my Autumn Reading List.
OLD FAVOURITES
There is something wonderful about revisiting an old favourite at different stages of life. There’s always something new to discover. It’s like watching Gilmore Girls again and realising you understand Emily more with every year that passes! Here are 5 books I love returning to as the season shifts and the night draws in:
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman - is there any book that feels more perfect for Autumn? Especially this year as the second movie is out and the Owens’ sisters are everywhere (no complaints here!). There are differences between the book and the first movie, but I think you can easily enjoy both without feeling that either one is lacking. This is actually the third book in the series, and I confess I haven’t read the first two but am putting them on my reading list this year.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - a timeless gothic read and perfect for when the nights draw in. It’s my mum’s favourite book, and I finally read it for the first time last year. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. It’s brilliantly written, and the way Rebecca haunts every page despite being dead is perfectly done, as is the way Mandalay (the house) has such a powerful presence that it is like a character in its own right.
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanne Randall - I read this when it first came out and it’s on my cosy reread list this year. A great debut book full of all the things that make a read cosy, familiar and easy to escape into. Perfect if you like magic, twists, and characters that feel like friends within minutes.
The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy - Before Harry, there was Mildred, and I still love her chaotic adventures at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. I bought the collection for my godaughter last year and she loved them too, proving they are timeless stories for younger readers (ages 6+).
Brambly Hedge (Autumn) by Jill Barklem - Even though my children are now in their 20s and my days of reading picture books to them are long gone, I still have a love of the Brambly Hedge books. Just flicking through and looking at the illustrations is enough to satisfy my seasonal whimsy. With a book for each season, these stories deserve a home on every bookshelf (young and old) for pure year-round delight.
NEW READS
New season, new TBR list! Some are new releases and others have been out for a while.
Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros - Yes, I’m fully signed up to the Empyrean fantasy world and am excited to dive into this new book. I’m saving it to read on the plane next month when I head overseas for my eldest daughter’s wedding. I love the dragons, the intrigue, the romance, the action, and that the Main Character, Violet, has hEDS like myself and my youngest (as does Yarros).
A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J Maas - Another fantasy read and another series that I think lives up to the hype. I love the way the story is developing (no spoilers) and exploring all the characters. I enjoyed the first book (A Court of Thorns and Roses) and I think Maas has done a great job of making each book better and better. I’m keeping my fingers crossed this one continues that trend. It’s another one I’m saving for the plane - 27 hours each way = plenty of reading time.
October, October by Katya Balen - Winner of the 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal, this book is aimed at readers 9+. Described as ‘a classic in the making for anyone who ever longed to be WILD’ it sounds like a great book about families, growing up, and the world we live in. Balen is a new author to me, so I’m looking forward to diving in.
Dream Hunters by Nazim Pathan - Another children’s book, aimed at readers 9+. Set in India (I know, perhaps not the obvious choice for an Autumn read), it is about hunting and capturing dreams so they can be recycled and sold. With magic and adventure I think this sounds like a great book to curl up with on a rainy day.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - I watched the movie on Netflix and loved it, so had to add the book to my list. Again, perhaps not an obvious Autumn choice, but as the days get shorter it can be the perfect time to contemplate the preciousness of life and how we want ours to look and feel.
