If you’re anything like me, you like to theme your life with the seasons. Now that fall is (basically) here, I’ve put pumpkin spice in my coffee order, started watching “Gilmore Girls” again and broken out my books.
Reading is one of the best fall activities because of its versatility. Looking for an excuse to sit outside and watch the leaves change? Grab a book and take a seat on a bench. Stuck inside because of the rainy weather? Grab a book and curl up in bed.
Of course, you’ll need the perfect fall book to complete the cozy atmosphere. Here are some recommendations.
The classics
If you don’t know where to start when book browsing, you can always revisit the classics. Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” is one of those novels you can’t skip; it chronicles the romantic relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, and, conveniently for this list, it begins and ends in autumn.
The tender relationship between the characters makes this the perfect fall read for anyone wanting something heartwarming with just enough drama to keep them hooked. Really, any of Austen’s works would do — I’m partial to “Emma.”
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott is another classic autumnal novel that shines in its intimate moments between characters. When you’re done reading, you can watch Greta Gerwig’s acclaimed 2019 film adaptation.
Novels with film adaptations
If film adaptations are important to you, you could try the eerie young adult novel “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” by Ransom Riggs, then watch the movie starring Asa Butterfield.
Or if you’re not into the creepy, you might want to pick up the most recently released prequel to the “Hunger Games” trilogy, “Sunrise on the Reaping.” The film adaptation will be released in late November, so now is the ideal time to read it. I encourage you to start the rest of the “Hunger Games” series if you haven’t already!
Trilogies or series in general can be especially great in the context of the fall semester; they provide something familiar to lean back on during the stress of school, and it can be motivating to set a goal to finish all the books in a particular trilogy by winter break. I recommend “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis and “Dungeon Crawler Carl” by Matt Dinniman.
Fantasy
Following in the genre of fantasy — which in my opinion, is at its peak reading time during the back-to-school season — when all you want is to escape from your classes and enter a magical realm, I highly suggest “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Set loosely in autumn, the adventures of Bilbo Baggins feel like a warm afternoon in the foliage-filled woods, where I find myself longing to be on days with torrential downpours. The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy has the same feel with a much larger commitment, so if you like “The Hobbit,” you should read it too.
Speaking of school, it can sometimes be helpful to see your struggles with a stressful semester reflected on the page. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt and “Stoner” by John Williams are two fantastic books that portray the college experience.
Looking for something a little less serious in nature? Try “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood and similar contemporary romance books.
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky is set in high school, but is an excellent read (and better than the movie) about school and coming of age.
Miscellaneous picks
Not every novel you read this season needs to take place in fall, though; sometimes, it works otherwise. I read “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde recently and loved it. The setting is second to the book’s themes, but in those themes of isolation, transition and beauty, I find a sense of autumn.
Last year, I read “The Bird Hotel” by Joyce Maynard and despite its tropical setting, it was perfect for the beginning of the fall semester, when I was clinging to the remnants of summer break.
Horror
Okay, enough about arbitrary vibes. What fall is really known for is Halloween, and to prep for the upcoming spooky season (if it hasn’t already arrived for you), you should be well-versed in horror literature.
Easily, start with the king of horror, Stephen King. If you haven’t already read his acclaimed novel “It,” start there — but if you have, or just aren’t up to the book’s 1000-plus page challenge, try some of his other works like “’Salem’s Lot,” “Pet Sematary” and “The Outsider.”
You can also travel back to horror’s roots and experience defining novels of the genre like “Frankenstein,” “Dracula” and works by the revolutionary gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe.
If you’re interested in more contemporary mysteries, you could try “Strange Houses” by Uketsu, which doubles as a sort of puzzle — another fall activity!
Or, if none of these suggestions appease you, pick up a book you’ve been putting off and finally crack open the first chapter. Reading is a fantastic hobby to fill downtime between classes and enjoy the crisp fall weather, even if you’re not typically a reader. Who knows — maybe you’ll fall in love with it!