Hello everyone,
At the risk of uttering a cliché, how are we in October?! The scarily fast pace at which this year has progressed means we are now in autumn, or ‘fall’ if you happen to be from the opposite side of the sea.
Autumn happens to be a lot of people’s favourite season, the time when evenings grow gradually darker, temperatures decline towards zero, and most pleasingly the natural world shines an array of beautiful colours. It is also a time where we reach for some spooky books…
With that in mind, I have decided to list some of my favourite books out of the ones I have read during the months of October and November, peak autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Please note that not all of them are scary, ghostly, and full of Gothic vibes, but still there are some standout examples that fall into that category.
On with the list!
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
October 2018 was when I first dipped my toe into the world of historical fiction, and I truly could not have chosen a better book than The Miniaturist. It was an entirely new reading experience at the time, and I absolutely loved it.
The Once And Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
With its witchcraft and entrancing atmosphere, this was the perfect autumn read and I was left spellbound by its brilliance in 2020. Outstandingly told with amazing characters and some fairytales in there for good measure, this is one of my favourite ever reads.
The Dictionary Of Lost Words by Pip Williams
This felt ideal for autumn in a less traditional way. I remember reading this one in October 2022 and as the evenings were drawing in earlier with each passing day, it matched the mood of the book.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
I honestly had mixed feeling about Mexican Gothic, but not many books scream autumn more than this one. It is made for spooky season as has all the vibes you could possibly want.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
I have actually read all of the Thursday Murder Club books in autumn. They are normally released around this time of year and I buddy read them with Ellie @ Read To Ramble, so it has become an annual tradition of ours.
How To Be Brave by Louise Beech
I have mentioned this book on here more than I care to remember, but reading it was such a profound experience and it is the kind of story that you never forget.
Everything But The Truth by Gillian McAllister
This was the first book I ever read on Kindle, way back in October 2017. I had heard good things about it, and from reading it I discovered a new favourite author. This was so long ago that I had not even started book blogging at that time!
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Another book I read with Ellie, I finally picked up this one in the autumn of 2020 and it was a great young adult thriller. We only recently finished the trilogy.
The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup
This is a thriller that demands to be read in autumn. It is dark and intense, with many moments where you are left gasping or on the edge of your seat.
The Devil And The Dark Water by Stuart Turton
A long, haunting mystery, The Devil And The Dark Water has an atmosphere of looming dread that is perfect for the season. It is kind of spooky, too.
None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
For me, a lot of Lisa Jewell’s thrillers have been summer reads, but there was something fitting about me picking up this one in autumn 2023. The story felt darker and I really enjoyed the twists and turns.
The Library Of Shadows by Rachel Moore
Ghosts probably belong in autumn, even when there is romance involved. The boarding school setting also added to the autumn vibes in a book that was both beautifully written yet contained countless popular culture references.
The Passengers by John Marrs
One of the most breathless and intense thrillers I have ever read!
The Ten Thousand Doors Of January by Alix E. Harrow
Another Alix E. Harrow book, I read this in 2019 and it made me fall in love with her writing. There was a hint of dark academia about it, while the sheer uniqueness and escapism of the book just made it a standout.
Let’s Chat
Have you read any of these books? What are your favourite books read during autumn? Let me know in the comments!
Happy reading :)
Stephen Reads Books 