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I compiled a fall reading list of ten books from various genres released in 2020 that would fit perfectly for the fall atmosphere! 🍂
1. “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Release Date: June 30th, 2020.
“Mexican Gothic” is raved by book reviewers as well as The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, and The Guardian. It is for fans of Shirley Jackson and Daphne du Maurier.
The story’s setting is a gothic mansion in 1950s Mexico. A young woman named Noemí receives alarming letters from her newlywed cousin Catalina. In response, Noemí faces her cousin’s new mysterious husband and his father as well as the rest of their family. Inside the mysterious mansion, the young woman tries to unveil their family secrets. This new gothic historical fiction is greatly suited for your fall reading list. It is filled with seduction, secrets, and a self-sacrificing relative.
2. “House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1)” by Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: March 3rd, 2020
“House of Earth and Blood” suits perfectly urban fantasy lovers. Author of the “Throne of Glass” series and the “A Court of Thrones and Roses” series, Sarah J. Maas brings a brand new series for her devoted fans and new fans alike. The author is well-known for her romances. She creates intensive fantasy world and long lasting impressionable characters in her lengthy novels.
Although, reviewers claim that the 100 page “set-up” of this 800 paged book is slow but worth it. At the end of the tunnel, there is a magnetic story to unravel. This story is gripping and leaves its readers flying through its pages.
Sarah J. Maas is a queen to fantasy worlds and badass female characters. Moreover, this book is no different than her others. Except for the fact that this new series is set in our world with fantastical elements. The thematic focus of this series debut centers around love, loss, and freedom.
This story follows Bryce Quinlan, a mundane girl, that has her life turned upside down when she decides to investigate the demonic murders of her friends. She crosses path with Hunt Athalar, an enslaved Fallen angel. Hunt can gain his freedom if he helps find the murderer of Bryce’s friends. Together, they embark into the dark journey into Crescent City. Thus, Crescent City is the perfect place to visit when you are getting through your fall reading list.
3. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
Release Date: October 6th, 2020
First off, I simply have to mention that the cover of this novel is absolutely stunning. It is very thematic to the fall time colors; a rust orange wistful font on a black background.
Furthermore, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” is marketed as the story of V.E. Schwab’s heart. The author in question has been sharing snippets to her long excited followers and readers on social media for a few months in anticipation for this spectacular release. Followers have shelved this book as early as 2015. That is 5 whole years of anticipation! Hence, V.E. Schwab is not one to disappoint her readers. She previously crafted amazing series like the “Shades of Magic” and the “Villains” series.
In France, in 1714, a girl named Addie LaRue makes a pact with the devil in order to live forever. For over 300 years, Addie LaRue is cursed living a life of immortality. A life unremembered and unremarkable. Simply put, to be invisible since everyone she meets, will and does forget her. Until one day, someone doesn’t.
4. “Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke
Release Date: September 15th, 2020
“Piranesi” is Susanna Clarke’s long awaited second book. Her first tome of a book “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” gained high claim.
In contrast, her second novel is much shorter, nearing the 300 paged mark. This new book is marketed as a dream-like narrative and is reminiscent to readers of Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus.” In the description of this tale, it also appeals to readers of Neil Gaiman’s “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” and fans of Madeline Miller’s “Circe.” The mashup of those two works is enough incentive for lovers of fantastical tales of tides.
This story follows Piranesi who knows the inner-workings of his labyrinth-like house. However, there is something wrong and mysterious happening in the house. There is an ocean stuck in one of the rooms. There is nothing better for your fall reading list than tales of corrupted mansions and houses… well maybe there is.
5. “The Glass Hotel” by Emily St. John Mandel
Release Date: March 24th, 2020
First comes creepy mansions, then comes enchanted houses, and now comes a glass hotel.
This book is written by Emily St. John Mandel. She is the Canadian author of the famously praised dystopian novel “Station Eleven,” a novel that centre around a post-pandemic like world.
In summary, “The Glass Hotel” is a mystery-thriller. It resides on an island in British Columbia. In this luxurious glass hotel, white-collar crimes happen and a woman vanishes from a container ship. This book is filled with mystery and deception following themes like greed, guilt, money, beauty, and morality to say the least. Therefore, this one is perfect for the chilling fall time crisp nights.
6. “The Year of the Witching” by Alexis Henderson
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
This novel is a puritanical witchy historical fiction. “The Year of the Witching” is also a feminist fantasy debut. It is currently receiving a lot of buzz which is amazing for a first book.
This witchy tale is all about caste and conformity as it touches on themes of hypocrisy, sexism, and corruption.
The main character’s existence, Immanuelle, is blasphemous in this Christian society since her mother conceived her from a father of a different race. Upon discovering her dead mother’s diary, Immanuelle investigates her mother’s involvement with witches. Furthermore, Immanuelle discovers that her mother gained sanctuary in the dark woods. From this place, she quickly starts to notice the corruption of her society’s church and foundation.
Additionally, this book is pushed for its atmospheric quality, which is always a plus in the fall time. Fall is all about atmosphere; a wistful, witchy, and tense one that could cause chills.
7. “Burn Our Bodies Down” by Rory Powers
Release Date: July 7th, 2020
Rory Powers is the novelist of the 2019 bestseller “Wilder Girls” which was also a mystery-thriller in itself.
Therefore, there are high hopes and expectations for this new mystery-thriller release. “Burn Our Bodies Down” is all about secrecy and family history. This is yet another book about a girl discovering her past through the story of her mother. This book is described as weird, creepy, and thrilling, and at times nonsensical.
Upon the discovery of a photograph, the main character Margot visits her mother’s hometown in order to understand the reasons for her mother’s escape. Now that Margot has gone back and unraveled the poisonous roots of her family tree, she believe she might not be able to escape.
Just as a side note, the orange fire tones of the book matches perfectly the fall aesthetics. (Don’t roll your eyes at me. I love books that match the leaves on the ground.)
8. “The Pull of the Stars” by Emma Donoghue
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
If you recognize the author’s name, it is because of her highly praised novel “Room” that has been successfully adapted onto the screen a couple of years back. She is also the author of other amazing recent novels you might have heard of, respectively, “The Wonder” and “Akin.”
Here comes Emma Donoghue’s timely historical novel “The Pull of the Stars” about the Great Flu of 1918, set in historical Dublin. Emma Donoghue wrote the book before the pandemic. However, it is startling illuminating for its late 2020 release.
Amazingly so, this is a novel about hope and survival. It follows the story of women workers and mothers. These women are quarantined together during the pandemic. Consequently, they change each other’s lives.
9. “Midnight Sun” by Stephenie Meyer
Release Date: August 4th, 2020
The “Twilight” series practically screams fall. It has been on my fall reading list for years. The dark black covers, the sparkly vampires, and the brooding romance are only the tip of the iceberg. Underneath the surface, we find the back to school feelings of nervousness and dread, as well as the atmospheric scenery of rainy Forks, Washington.
Fans and lovers of the series waited a long time for this next instalment: “Midnight Sun.” It is the result of a decade’s worth of waiting. Edward Cullen is a little over a century’s old vampire. In the past, he survived the Spanish influenza.
In our time of COVID-19, Edward is here to retell his story. Edward recounts his struggles with his humanity. After a century of quiet isolation in the Carlisle family, he needs to face the feelings he thought long gone. Edward Cullen devotionally loves his family. Yet, his misery is palpable. He is the very last of the Cullens to have a life partner by his side. He is the one most concerned about the eternal damnation of the soul. His world changes forever after falling in love with the very human, very mortal, and irresistible soul of the town’s new girl. Her name is Isabella Swan and she happens to also the daughter of the town’s overprotective sheriff.
10. “Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass” by Lana Del Rey
Release Date: September 29th, 2020
This poetry collection “Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass” is carry over to fall from the summer time feelings. This is what I call a transitional seasonal book.
Before we get into the collection itself, the tittle itself is creative and grabbing. The cover’s artwork is exceptionally perfect for the fall aesthetic.
Furthermore, this collection of poems also comes highly anticipated since Lana is a lyricist genius with multiple successful albums and hit songs. Before the release of her first book, she posted snippets of herself reading some poems, “LA, who am I love you?” and “Salamander,” on her instagram with millions of fan in awe by her beautiful verses. Thus, Lana Del Rey’s new collection is undoubtedly raw, emotional, and engaging.
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