As we kick off a new season, this is the perfect opportunity to share some of my favorite books to read in the Fall. While every season offers something unique, I love reading this time of year. Fall reading means surrounding myself with cozy blankets while wearing my comfiest sweatshirt, the scent of my favorite candle, and the taste of something sweet and probably pumpkin-flavored. With this perfect setting, I feel prepped to take on any new adventure.
This time of year always brings history to life. Beneath our feet exists a residue of days gone by and lives well-lived. In the turning from Summer to Winter, history comes that much closer, daring to connect with us inhabitants of the modern world. Their stories come closer when the leaves fall, and the wind sharpens.
With such deep feelings stirring within, I picked 5 of my favorite books to read in the Fall. They each contain something unique but connect strongly to the sentiments expressed above. Pick one to read, or read them all! Regardless, I hope you feel inspired to pick a few of your own Fall reads.
1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
By J.R.R. Tolkien
The first in Tolkien’s iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien introduces readers to Middle Earth, starting with a community of hobbits who prefer tea parties to adventures beyond their territory. Frodo, though, harbors dreams of grand adventures and following in his uncle Bilbo’s footsteps. When a dark and mysterious ring falls into his possession, Frodo’s life changes forever. He sets out from his beloved home on an incredible journey while encountering heroes and villains of all sorts along the way.
I’m sure for most readers, this story is old news. Tolkien creates an entire world, setting the standard for most fantasy books. Few writers reach his world-building level with languages and history embedded deep into Middle Earth. While Tolkien sometimes gets too descriptive, his characters captivate from page one. The book starts in the Fall with Bilbo’s birthday, and Frodo takes his departure at the close of Summer. Fall allows you to begin your journey along with Frodo and his friends.
2. Jane Eyre
By Charlotte Bronte
A true literary classic, Charlotte tells the story of a young girl named Jane Eyre. While intelligent and independent, Jane encounters cruelty and neglect in her childhood. When a new opportunity to become a governess arrives, Jane takes a chance and accepts. Her mysterious benefactor, Mr. Rochester, remains aloof as she navigates her new role in an unusual household. She soon becomes attached to Mr. Rochester while questions about his past linger. Jane must choose between honor and love when a dark secret is revealed.
If you prefer a spookier read, then this makes a good choice. Bronte keeps you engaged through one mysterious setting after another, and several scenes will leave you with goosebumps. Set in Northern England, you’re soon surrounded by twisted trees, heathered moors, and creeping mists. While the eerie factor remains, Jane’s story goes beyond the book’s setting. Through Bronte’s tale, Jane learns the power of her voice and strives for a future of her own choosing.
3. Frankenstein
By Mary Shelley
As the creator of the modern science fiction genre, Shelley creates a dark story following a creator hunted by his creation. Dr. Frankenstein experiments on the possibility of bringing human flesh back to life with the power of electricity. Despite his success, Frankenstein quickly realizes he’s gone too far. He created a monster, one far beyond his power and control. His desperate attempt to flee this horror results in death, destruction, and a conversation at the world’s edge.
Shelley’s Frankenstein is a natural choice for Fall. You can easily find adaptations of Shelley’s work in movies and television. While these adaptations may have made her monster famous, Shelley’s story gives a broader insight into the human condition. She makes readers question how far is too far in science and experimentation. By the book’s end, you wonder who’s the greater monster in this story. I’m not traditionally a science fiction fan, but this book captivated me from the first read.
4. Once Upon a River
By Diane Setterfield
The river brings a wounded stranger to a small village on the Thames with a tiny girl resting in his arms. Her miraculous recovery from almost certain death leaves the villagers with unanswered questions. For each villager, she represents something different. To one family, she becomes the daughter they lost just two years ago. To another, she resembles a child who has yet to be seen following her mother’s suicide. And, to one lonely stranger, the girl is her younger sister brought back to life. While the girl remains silent, these three stories clash, causing division and grief in the village until, at last, her identity becomes apparent.
While I often prefer classic literature, it’s worth including a book or two published within the last 10 years at least. Setterfield’s story revolves around the boundaries between science and miracles. The villagers attempt to process what they witnessed, but this young girl’s appearance brings many dark secrets to life. This story pairs well with the often-haunted nature of Fall.
5. S. (Ship of Theseus)
By J.J. Abrams
Abrams creates a story with a story for his readers. The main story, The Ship of Theseus, follows a man forced into servitude on a mysterious, creepy ship, followed by a confusing and bewildering journey. Within the margins, though, another story unfolds. The author of The Ship of Theseus, V.M. Straka, left behind a few mysteries of his own. Two grad students attempt to unravel the story, writing notes inside the book to keep their conversation private and free from the eyes of others. If they can learn to trust each other, they might solve the story of V.M. Straka.
I’ll admit I have yet to finish this book. It requires significant concentration to keep the two stories straight as they unfold. I chose this book primarily because Fall kicks off the start of a new year. What better way to acknowledge that element of Fall than by including a novel about students literally starting a new year. Is this one too on the nose? It is an exciting read that flew relatively low below the bookstagram radar, so I thought it worth including. If you get the chance to read it, let me know what you think!
When the weather cools and the leaves turn, these are a few of my favorite books to turn to and read. They mimic the changing of the seasons, often inspiring or offering a warning. Books become the perfect companion when the wind rattles and days outside turn into days spent inside.
This is not an exhaustive list; rather, it’s an excellent place to start. I almost added the entire Harry Potter series because my annual re-read typically begins in the Fall. Still, I reference those books in nearly every post already.
Do you have any favorite Fall reads? If so, comment them below! I’d love to check them out.
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