This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure for more information.
The only thing I love more than the fall time is fall reading! 📖🍂
I love books that are filled with witches, vampires, monsters, and the likes. But I also enjoy reading fall books that deal with magic. Thriller, mystery, and gothic are also great genres for the season.
For this fall, I have compiled a list of the 20 best fall books that you need this autumn season!
1. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” has taken the book world by storm since its release and there’s a reason for that.
This book follows Addie LaRue who once made a deal with the devil. Since she leads a life in which she doesn’t age and other people are destined not to remember her as soon as she leaves their sight. Therefore, she’s destined to a life of invisibility and loneliness.
However, after 300 years of the same life, something changes and Addie embarks on a new adventure.
Buy “Addie LaRue” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
2. “Night Film” by Marisha Pessl
In “Night Film,” a girl is found dead on an October night. Her death is deemed a suicide. But a journalist – Scott McGrath – suspects foul play. The more he investigates, the weirder the circumstances of her death becomes. Especially when he looks into the girl’s father, who is cult-horror film director Stanislaus Cordova.
This mystery is as much about the truth and the dead girl as it is about the journalist – who has lost both his career and his marriage. Now, he faces losing much more than that.
Making it the perfect, chilling book to read this fall season.
Buy “Night Film” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
3. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
“The Secret History” is a quintessential book to read during the fall-time as it has all the back-to-school vibes… with a twist. It is also a dark academia-like book which is an ideal sub-genre for fall.
The story follows Richard Papen who leaves his hometown to attend an elite College in Vermont. There, he studies Ancient Greek. He meets a group of 5 mysterious students that are selectively chosen by a charismatic Classics professor.
The school year takes a dark turn when one of the five students is declared dead. Soon enough, the students find themselves in a Greek tragedy for themselves.
Buy “The Secret History” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
4. “These Violent Delights” by Micah Nemerever
“These Violent Delights” is another dark-academia like novel – set in the 70’s – ideal to read in the fall season. The book follows Paul and Julian who met at university during their freshmen year.
Julian is from the working-class, whereas Paul comes from a wealthy family. They’re intellectually compatible. However, their bond is all-consuming, so much so, that they’re forced to confront the truth in a demanding, violent matter.
This book is perfect for fans of “The Secret History” and “Call Me by Your Name.”
Buy “These Violent Delights” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
5. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
“The Night Circus” is one of the greatest atmospheric novel that will have you feeling all cozy and magical in the fall-time.
This is a book about a circus that arrives without any warning in anywhere and at anytime around the world. It’s called Le Cirque des Rêves (the circus of dreams) and it only opens at nighttime.
Behind the curtains of this expansive magical circus, there’s a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco. They each have an instructor that have been preparing them to outperform each other since they were children without them knowing they will have to do so.
This story is lush with many performers and players in this imaginative battle that will keep your imagination going.
Buy “The Night Circus” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
6. “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfeld
“The Thirteenth Tale” is another spell-binding book to add to your fall reading list. The story follows a reclusive author named Vida Winter. She’s created stories that brought her fame and fortune. But she’s also kept her tragic past as her deepest, darkest secret.
But it’s time. It’s time for the story of her thirteen tale to come to light. It will happen with the aid of a biographer – by the name of Margaret Lea – she summoned.
Buy “The Thirteenth Tale” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
7. “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman
“The Graveyard Book” is another ideal book for the autumn-fall time. The story follows Nobody Owens also known as Bod. He’s fairly normal except for the fact that he was raised by the ghosts of a graveyard.
However, trouble looms near on the land as the man who killed Bod’s family is still lurking by…
Buy “The Graveyard Book” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
8. “‘Salem’s Lot” by Stephen King
Stephen King’s books are the best to read during the fall time. They’re full of mystery and thrilling horror. Honestly, any one of his books would do.
I personally love “‘Salem’s Lot” because it’s not too over the top and quite accessible to any reader. The story takes place at ‘Salem’s Lot, a very creepy town with something evil lurking in its corners.
The book follows Ben Mears, an acclaimed author, revisiting his own childhood and actually uncovering the unspeakable…
Buy “‘Salem’s Lot” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
9. “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman
“Practical Magic” is another tale of magic that will entertain you this autumn. The story follows the Owen sisters.
For two centuries, the women of the Owens family have been blamed for every mishap in their Massachusetts town. Their aunts encourage the girls to embrace witchery.
The sisters – Gillian and Sally – both want to escape this town. And they both do so in different ways until they’re brought back… almost like magic.
Buy “Practical Magic” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
10. “The Year of The Witching” by Alexis Henderson
“The Year of The Witching” is another fall, witchy book.
The main character’s existence – Immanuelle – is blasphemous as she is a mixed-race girl living in an antiquated Christian society.
Upon discovering her dead mother’s diary, Immanuelle investigates her mother’s involvement with witches.
Slowly as the secrets unravel, she discovers that the society she’s grown up in, is deeply corrupted.
Buy “The Year of the Witching” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
11. “The Once and Future Witches” by Alix E. Harrow
“The Once and Future Witches” is a third witchy book ideal for its autumnal vibes.
In 1893, witching has officially become a thing of the past. That’s until the Eastwood sisters join the suffragists of New Salem.
The sisters draw on old magic in order to turn the women’s movement into a witchy movement…
Buy “The Once and Future Witches” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
12. “Serpent & Dove” by Shelby Mahurin
“Serpent & Dove” is another ideal book to read in the fall time. The story follows Louise le Blanc who fled her coven and took refuge in the city of Cesarine.
There, she meets Reid Diggory, who’s sworn to the Church as a Chasseur. The Church and the witches are sworn enemies. And yet, Louise and Reid by a twist of fate, are bound… to holy matrimony.
Buy “Serpent & Dove” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
13. “The Accident Season” by Moira Fowley-Doyle
“The Accident Season” is another dark, mysterious tale. Cara has always known the accident season. It comes around at the end of every October and her family is at its mercy.
The accident season shadowed many of her relatives’ deaths. Despite the family’s efforts, the mishaps always follow them. But two questions remain, why are they cursed and why can’t they break free?
Buy “The Accident Season” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
14. “All’s Well” by Mona Awad
If you recognize the author’s name, it’s because she wrote the brilliant novel “Bunny” (which I also recommend reading in the fall time.)
As for this novel, “All’s Well,” it’s a play on Shakespeare’s play “All’s Well That Ends Well.”
This story follows Miranda Fitch who’s lost everything. Her job as a college theatre director is also nearing its end. That’s until she meets three strange benefactors that might actually turn her fortune around…
Buy “All’s Well” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
15. “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley
“The Guest List” follows a wedding on the coast of Ireland. Shortly, however, resentment and jealousy becomes palpable as the bride and groom celebrate amongst their guests.
And then, the worse has happened. There’s a murder on the island. But who could have done it? And, why?
Buy “The Guest List” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
16. “Home Before Dark” by Riley Sager
“Home Before Dark” follows Maggie Holt. She’s used to invasive questions. After all, she grew up with her parents at Baneberry Hall, a crumbling Victorian estate in the woods of Vermont. Her father, Ewan, published a non-fiction horror book called House of Horrors about this very estate.
After her father’s passing, she inherits Baneberry Hall and decides to restore the house as she is a restorer of old homes.
Now that she’s back, many questions resurface. She didn’t believe in ghosts nor the peculiar events that were mentioned in her father’s book. That’s until she discovers very dark and old relics in the mansion…
Buy “Home Before Dark” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
17. “A Slow Fire Burning” by Paula Hawkins
“A Slow Fire Burning” is another great thriller book by Paula Hawkins, author of “The Girl on the Train.”
A young man’s body is found on a London houseboat and the investigation turns to three separate women who knew him.
There’s Laura, a one-night stander, Carla, his already grieving aunt, and Miriam, a noisy neighbor who also happens to be withholding information from the police.
Although these three women have different connections to the victim and each has their own secrets; they each brim with resentment. The question is how long before their secrets start to combust?
Buy “A Slow Fire Burning” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
18. “The Little Stranger” by Sara Waters
“The Little Stranger” is perfect for fans of gothic fiction. The story is set in postwar times in rural Warwickshire. It follows Dr. Faraday, the son of a maid, who’s made a respectable name for himself. He’s summoned at the lonely Hundreds Hall to care for a patient.
The house is crumbling and its owners – being a mother, son, and daughter – are struggling. The Ayres family may be haunted more than Dr. Faraday initially realized. Soon enough, he will also be swept away by the mysteries of the house and its heirs.
Buy “The Little Stranger” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
19. “The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein” by Kiersten White
“The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein” is a young adult horror and a “Frankenstein” retelling. It follows the story of Elizabeth Lavenza who’s living terribly by the hands of her “caregiver.”
Luckily, she’s saved by Victor Frankenstein and his family. She is endlessly grateful to them and becomes incredibly close to Viktor. Until… her survival depends on Viktor’s moods and whims… Slowly, she becomes submerged in darkness once again.
Buy “Elizabeth Frankenstein” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
20. “The Death of Mrs. Westaway” by Ruth Ware
“The Death of Mrs. Westaway” is another great gothic-like novel to read this fall. The story follows Hal who receives a letter stating her inheritance to a relative.
However, she realizes that the letter was sent to the wrong person. But maybe she can still get the money…
When she visits the funeral of the deceased, she slowly concludes that they’re something quite peculiar about this inheritance.
Buy “The Death of Mrs. Westaway” Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
That concludes my list of the 20 best fall books that you need to read this season. What are some of your favourite fall books? 🍁
Enjoy the post? Save Pin for later!
Leave a Reply