10 Books for Autumn Reading

Hi guys! How are you? We readers tend to get very enthusiastic about autumn and since autumn nights are practically made for staying in with a good book for company, it makes perfect sense. Add some scented candles, cozy sweaters and fuzzy blankets and you’ve got the ideal set-up. But the most important thing is the book, of course.

My perfect autumn book is an atmospheric and immersive read that completely draws me into it’s universe. The kind of book I don’t want to put down without reading just one more chapter. I find I’m usually more willing to tackle longer books this time of year, so I’m more likely to pick up a tome of a classic or a chunky fantasy book. I also find myself drawn to darker stories within every genre, especially if there’s some magic or mystery.

Here on the Southern coast of Norway we’re currently in the midst of the worst storm in decades and I can’t think of a more appropriate time to share some of my favorite reads for stormy autumn days and nights with you guys. So let’s talk about books!

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

An Enchantment of Ravens is one of my favorite fae stories and since it tells the story of a portrait painter who’s kidnapped by the fae prince of the Autumnlands – it’s definitley seasonally appropriate reading.

The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride

Set in 1990’s London The Lesser Bohemians explores the tumultuous and complicated relationship between an Irish drama student and an older, famous actor. It’s the perfect autumn read if you’re looking for some literary fiction, a darker love story for the dark season.

In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente

In the Night Garden is a book you can truly lose yourself in. It’s intricate layers of interwoven tales, heavily influenced by folklore will draw you in and keep you immersed on dark and stormy autumn nights.

Elmet by Fiona Mozley

Elmet is a dark and compelling literary fiction novel about a family living on the outskirts of modern society. It explores class and gender in new and interesting ways, and will definitley give you something to think about this autumn.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History is the ultimate campus novel, which in my opinion also makes it the ultimate autumn read. It’s set a Vermont university and follows a group of classics student who murder one of their friends.

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Imagine Harry Potter if Hogwarts was a school for assassins and every character was a Slytherin. Nevernight’s a little bit like that. The combination of a somewhat creepy magical school and a dark, twisty plot makes this a perfect autumn read in my book.

Spellbook of the Lost and Found by Moïra Fowley-Doyle 

The Spellbook of the Lost and Found is an incredibly eerie and atmospheric story set in a small town in Ireland, where things suddenly begin to disappear. Then the main character befriends three mysterious runaways and together they find a strange spellbook.

When the Moon was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

When the Moon Was Ours gives me autumn vibes on so many levels. Not only is it an atmospheric, slightly magical read – it’s partly set on a pumpkin farm. It’s meant to be.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I think autumn’s one of the best time to dive into one of the classics and I can’t think of one more autumnal than Wuthering Heights with it’s windswept moors, stormy nights and intense emotions.

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater 

With it’s eclectic cast of characters, strange magic, and many mysteries The Raven Boys has exactly the kind of atmosphere I’m drawn to. And any book that opens with a graveyard scene should definitley be read during autumn. That’s like the rules of the Autumnlands, guys.

Let’s talk! Are you a seasonal reader? How does your reading change in the autumn? What’s your perfect autumn read? And today’s math homework: how many birds do you see in this post and how many times did I use the word autumn? I probably don’t want to know…