This post was originally published in September 2020. It has been revised and republished to reflect an updated list of cozy books to read this fall.
During the autumn season, I feel the intense desire to curl up with cozy books nearly every day.
There’s something about blustery afternoons, chilly rain showers, and the rapid cool-down that makes me want to dive into old favorites. I often find myself re-reading and I thoroughly enjoy a “comfort read” (you know, those books that feel like a giant hug). The books and series I’m sharing in this post are the epitome of comfort.
I’m not one for scary stories – even during spooky season – so rather than picking out truly terrifying reads, I went with cozy options and a couple of fantasy books that are sure to indulge that need for an adventure.
related posts
The Best Stand-Alone Fantasy Books// Magical Realism Books That’ll Mess With Your Mind // 10 Books to Listen to Rather Than Read
Here are the standalone books and series that I love to read (and read again) during the fall.
You can find a synopsis of each book below, along with a link to buy. Visit my StoryGraph account to read my reviews as they go live – and check out my bookstagram account for more aesthetic photos of books and coffee!
How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton
What happens when the queen of romance falls for the king of horror–you get “a hilarious rom-com comp,” perfect for fans of Beach Read. (Kirkus, starred review)
Event planner Kate Sweet is famous for creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for her clients’ dream weddings. So how is it that her best friend has roped her into planning a bestselling horror writer’s book launch extravaganza? But the second Kate meets—or rather, accidentally maims—the drop-dead-hot Drake Matthews, her well-ordered life quickly transforms into an absolute nightmare.
Drake Matthews is tired of the spotlight and tired of his reputation as the Knight of Nightmares. He’s really a nice guy! But he’s not prepared for Kate, a fearless agent of chaos in steel-tipped stilettos, or for that sweet sting of attraction he feels for her. She’s inspiring him to take his writing in a whole new direction—one that no one expects. Because now Kate and Drake are changing up the rules, and this plot twist might just surprise everyone . . . including themselves.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Seventeen-year-old Aderyn (“Ryn”) only cares about two things: her family, and her family’s graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote Welsh village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to fae creatures known as the Otherfolk. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don’t always stay dead.
The risen corpses are known as “bone houses,” and legend says that they’re the result of a decades-old curse. Ryn has always been quick to deal with this inconvenience whenever they wander too close to her graveyard, but when Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with renewed purpose. What is it about Ellis that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they stop them for good?
Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a quest that will bring them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and long-hidden truths about themselves. Equal parts classic horror novel and original fairy-tale, The Bone Houses will have you spellbound from the very first page.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.
For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara Densmore, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.
In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.
In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.
In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.
In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves…before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
A girl confronts Death—and her own deathly powers—in this Gothic-infused, romantic young adult fantasy.
Nineteen-year-old Signa Farrow, orphaned as a baby, has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her last remaining relatives are the Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at the glittering and gloomy estate of Thorn Grove. Thorn Grove’s patriarch, Elijah, mourns his late wife, Lillian, through wild parties and drink, while eldest son Percy grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and daughter Blythe suffers from the same mysterious illness that killed her mother. And when Lillian’s spirit confronts Signa and claims she was poisoned, Signa realizes that Blythe could be next to die.
Signa’s best chance of uncovering the culprit and solving Lillian’s murder is an alliance with Death himself—the very man she hates most. And Death, that fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side, shows her that their connection may be more powerful than she ever dared imagine.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
Lovely War by Julie Berry
It’s 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She’s a shy and talented pianist; he’s a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it’s immediate and deep–and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.
Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who’s played Carnegie Hall, he’s a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that’s before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who’s already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.
Thirty years after these four lovers’ fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.
A sweeping, multi-layered romance with a divine twist, by the Printz Honor-winning author of The Passion of Dolssa, set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer
Echo Alkaev’s safe and carefully structured world falls apart when her father leaves for the city and mysteriously disappears. Believing he is lost forever, Echo is shocked to find him half-frozen in the winter forest six months later, guarded by a strange talking wolf—the same creature who attacked her as a child. The wolf presents Echo with an ultimatum: If she lives with him for one year, he will ensure her father makes it home safely. But there is more to the wolf than Echo realizes.
In his enchanted house beneath a mountain, each room must be sewn together to keep the home from unraveling, and something new and dark and strange lies behind every door. When centuries-old secrets unfold, Echo discovers a magical library full of books-turned-mirrors, and a young man named Hal who is trapped inside of them. As the year ticks by, the rooms begin to disappear, and Echo must solve the mystery of the wolf’s enchantment before her time is up, otherwise Echo, the wolf, and Hal will be lost forever.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
Villains by V.E. Schwab
A masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, desire, and superpowers.
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.
Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?
In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn’t automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?
A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time.
Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?
In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
The first daughter is for the Throne.
The second daughter is for the Wolf.
For fans of Uprooted and The Bear and the Nightingale comes a dark fantasy novel about a young woman who must be sacrificed to the legendary Wolf of the Wood to save her kingdom. But not all legends are true, and the Wolf isn’t the only danger lurking in the Wilderwood.
As the only Second Daughter born in centuries, Red has one purpose-to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood in the hope he’ll return the world’s captured gods.
Red is almost relieved to go. Plagued by a dangerous power she can’t control, at least she knows that in the Wilderwood, she can’t hurt those she loves. Again.
But the legends lie. The Wolf is a man, not a monster. Her magic is a calling, not a curse. And if she doesn’t learn how to use it, the monsters the gods have become will swallow the Wilderwood-and her world-whole.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book.
When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They’re all—or mostly all—excited to meet her! She’ll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It’s a disaster! And as if that wasn’t enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn’t he realize what a terrible idea that is?
Nina considers her options.
1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.)
2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee).
3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)
It’s time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn’t convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It’s going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
When kingdom come, there will be one.
In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born—three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.
But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.
The last queen standing gets the crown.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
A full-hearted novel about a big-city baker who discovers the true meaning of home—and that sometimes the best things are found when you didn’t even know you were looking
When Olivia Rawlings—pastry chef extraordinaire for an exclusive Boston dinner club—sets not just her flambéed dessert but the entire building alight, she escapes to the most comforting place she can think of—the idyllic town of Guthrie, Vermont, home of Bag Balm, the country’s longest-running contra dance, and her best friend Hannah. But the getaway turns into something more lasting when Margaret Hurley, the cantankerous, sweater-set-wearing owner of the Sugar Maple Inn, offers Livvy a job. Broke and knowing that her days at the club are numbered, Livvy accepts.
Livvy moves with her larger-than-life, uberenthusiastic dog, Salty, into a sugarhouse on the inn’s property and begins creating her mouthwatering desserts for the residents of Guthrie. She soon uncovers the real reason she has been hired—to help Margaret reclaim the inn’s blue ribbon status at the annual county fair apple pie contest.
With the joys of a fragrant kitchen, the sound of banjos and fiddles being tuned in a barn, and the crisp scent of the orchard just outside the front door, Livvy soon finds herself immersed in small town life. And when she meets Martin McCracken, the Guthrie native who has returned from Seattle to tend his ailing father, Livvy comes to understand that she may not be as alone in this world as she once thought.
But then another new arrival takes the community by surprise, and Livvy must decide whether to do what she does best and flee—or stay and finally discover what it means to belong. Olivia Rawlings may finally find out that the life you want may not be the one you expected—it could be even better.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
The enchanting story of a bookshop, its grieving owner, a supportive literary community, and the extraordinary power of books to heal the heart
Nightingale Books, nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village, is a dream come true for book lovers–a cozy haven and welcoming getaway for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father’s death, and the temptation to sell is getting stronger. The property developers are circling, yet Emilia’s loyal customers have become like family, and she can’t imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store alive.
There’s Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an escape in the past few years, but it now seems there’s a very specific reason for all those frequent visits. Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever shy Thomasina, who runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage–she has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section, but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings.
Enter the world of Nightingale Books for a serving of romance, long-held secrets, and unexpected hopes for the future–and not just within the pages on the shelves. How to Find Love in a Bookshop is the delightful story of Emilia, the unforgettable cast of customers whose lives she has touched, and the books they all cherish.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world—a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea.
Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop
Which cozy books do you enjoy reading when autumn rolls around?
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Jenny in Neverland says
Your blog is so beautiful – quickly becoming one of my faves! I’ve read HP, Twilight and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and they’re definitely all cosy Autumnal reads. I really love the sound of The Switch! Thank you for these recommendations 🙂
Stephanie Whitman says
You certainly know how to make my day! Thank you so much for the encouragement 🙂 Those are definitely some classic fantasies. Have you read any of the other Chronicles of Narnia? My favorite is either The Horse and His Boy or The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. They’re so excellent. And YES – definitely check out The Switch. It was seriously adorable.
Jennifer Prince says
I haven’t read ANY of these. Such a shame! The one about the baker seems like such a cute story. I may have to pick that one up. I really need to renew my library card. I’m such a cheapie when it comes to books – I usually get titles at yard sales, but then it’s a big hunt for the right ones, lol.
Stephanie Whitman says
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living was adorable. I highly recommend reading The Late Bloomers’ Club first – since it introduces you to the characters – but it’s not totally necessary if you just want a sweet story set in the autumn and winter (primarily). I utilize the library almost exclusively (and audiobooks from Audible) and then I only buy books if I’ve read and loved them and want to read them again. My bookshelf is small but intentional 🙂
Cathalynn Labonté-Smith says
Thanks for the book summaries. Gives me ideas for the bibliophiles in my life.
Stephanie Whitman says
Absolutely! These books really are ideal for autumn because they’re just such comfort reads. I hope you – and your bibliophile friends – are able to benefit from the list 🙂
Lizzie says
These all sound amazing! I wish it would rain more here! That’s the best reading weather. It’s been so dry!
Lizzie
http://www.izzieinlace.com
Stephanie Whitman says
Come visit Virginia – or really anywhere on the East Coast, and you’ll get plenty of that cozy, chilly, rainy weather in the autumn. Also known as my *favorite* weather… for reading or just relaxing!
rebecca says
yes! so many great books + series starters here and so many that I need to add to my list, too. thanks for sharing, as always Steph!
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com/blog
Stephanie Whitman says
I think autumn makes me want to read more than any other season. Probably just because autumn = happiness, and reading is equivalent to happiness for me! 🙂
Kelly says
Thank you for the suggestions! I used to curl up with wonderful books and wrap myself in quiet, undisturbed evenings. Then I had kids…HAHA! I know I will also miss these days when they become a thing of the past, so I will soak in them until my fingers wrinkle. But I look forward to being immersed in a great book again soon! And I will be coming back to you for suggestions! Thank you!
Stephanie Whitman says
I will say that one of my top recommendations for busy mamas when it comes to reading is getting an Audible subscription (or utilizing any audiobook app). You can listen on-the-go! It’s not quite the same as curling up with a cozy read, but who knows.. soon enough your kiddos might want to join you for those comfy reading times!
Lucy says
Beth O’Leary’s books are two of the best books I’ve read this year, especially The Flat Share, it’s just such a good feel book! There are also some other lovely choices here too! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Stephanie Whitman says
I absolutely ADORE The Flatshare. It’s one of my favorite contemporary books of all time. I wasn’t sure how The Switch would compare, but I did truly love it. I appreciated how it wasn’t *so* based around the romantic aspect, and really touched on the different women living their lives at different ages. It was such a comforting read!
Crystal Green says
I love the array of book choices you shared with us. There are several on this list that has piqued my interest. Thank you for sharing your cozy book suggestions with us.
Stephanie Whitman says
I’m so glad to hear that! I really hope you get a chance to read some of them yourself. And if you do, let me know what you think!
Anika says
Great list! The Starless Sea and The Flatshare are two cosy reads I absolutely love. Perfect to curl up with 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh yes, I agree! Ah, obviously I agree because I have them on this list haha! But I’m glad YOU agree! 🙂 I’ve been craving a reread of both of those lately. They’re comfort reads for sure.
Anita says
Nice post. All the stories seem intriguing but I haven’t read any. I love your page aesthetics.
Stephanie Whitman says
I hope you get a chance to read some of these. A lot of them I would consider my favorite books of all time. I guess you could say they come highly recommended!
Kileen says
So many awesome and cute books here! These are books that I could read over and over again for sure! We’re definitely heading into the sweater and book season for sure!
Stephanie Whitman says
Autumn always makes me want to cozy up with a good book, a soft throw, and a hot mug of coffee or spiced mocha! It just makes me so happy to dive into my comfort reads 🙂
Greta says
I’ve never read any of the harry potter books! I always say I’ll get around to them one day.
Stephanie Whitman says
They’re a great place to start if you want to dive into fantasy! But I didn’t read them until my 20’s, so don’t feel bad!
Venus says
There are so many things I love to do especially around Autumn and. Reading a book is definitely one of them. After reading through your list I have to say the book ” I was told it would get easier” is one that I would read.
Stephanie Whitman says
Abbi Waxman is one of my all-time favorite authors! She wrote The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, which is probably my favorite book of all time, and I Was Told It Would Get Easier was just as enjoyable and cute. I hope you get a chance to read it too 🙂
Lavenda Memory says
Oooooh! The Folconer looks great and wasn’t on my rador. We have similar taste in free-time reads. Definitely gonna check this trilogy out 🙂
Stephanie Whitman says
I’ll admit that I don’t have many people who I connect with about my love for fantasy books, so it’s fun to see your interest in The Falconer. It’s a great trilogy. The finale book had me crying my eyes out (my husband can attest)!
Marissa Belle says
I’m dying to read The Flat Share – I keep seeing it getting good reviews everywhere and it sounds like something I’d really like. Thank you for sharing this great list! I now have a few more books to add to my TBR 😊
🌿 Marissa Belle × marsybun.com 🌿
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh my gracious, The Flatshare is one of my all-time favorite reads. It’s certainly one of the sweetest romcoms I’ve ever read, and the plot is so unique. I hope you get to give it a go sometime soon!
Merry says
Other than Harry Potter, Twilight, Narnia, I haven’t read the rest of the books you have here! I’m curious about the story of Freddie and Lydia. I’ll See You In Paris, Our Stop, and I absolutely love all the recommendations here <3 I'm adding them to my reading list! Thank you so much!
Stephanie Whitman says
Those are some of the “classics” haha! I think you’d really enjoy The Two Lives of Lydia Bird. It garnered a LOT of attention this summer, for good reason. The author wrote another book that I adored, and I just couldn’t resist her latest release.
Hayley says
I love how pretty your blog is! Thanks for sharing these recommendations for autumnal reading. For me, it’s all about ghosts, witches and magic this time of year. 🙂
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh, that’s so kind of you! Thank you for the encouragement 🙂 I totally get that. It’s why I wanted to include some of my favorite fantasies, like HP, Chronicles of Narnia, and A Darker Shade of Magic. Of course, I have some vampires and faeries in there too because… why not? It’s all about the adventure!
Shirsha says
Your book posts are always so great and your photographs are also the epitome of cozy. 🙂
I’ve somehow always thought of the whole Harry Potter series as a December book, but I can totally see it fitting into an autumnal vibe. I really enjoyed reading The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living, and you know how much I love The Flatshare. I think I am gonna add A Darker Shade of Magic to my reading list – it sounds like the perfect escape with just the right hint of darkness.
I still haven’t gotten around to reading The Starless Sea though – just going through a very non-reading phase right now. 🙁
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so kind of you! Thank you so much, Shirsha. How interesting that you’d say that about Harry Potter. I suppose the wintery themes are strong as well, but I just think about the start of school, Halloween and witches, etc. as being so autumnal! I can’t help it hehe. I don’t know anyone else who has read The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living, so that makes me SUPER happy! Did you read The Late Bloomers’ Club as well? I think I preferred that one, to be honest, but they’re both so cute.
Nons Mshengu says
This is such a great collection of books. This rainy weather calls for books you can get lost in. I’ll definitely check out a a few, thank you for recommending !
Stephanie Whitman says
Absolutely! I definitely agree with you. I love reading when it’s rainy and dreary outside. It’s so comforting!
Anna English says
I’m not entirely sure why, but HP and the Twilight books remind me of fall/ winter! Great recs!
Stephanie Whitman says
Well, that’s why I included them in this post, of course! There’s something kinda cozy about both of those series.
Sarah Lindner says
Looks like lots of great options. Love the Narnia series when I was younger…would be fun to revisit! xoxo, Sarah
Stephanie Whitman says
The Chronicles of Narnia has been on my favorites list since I was a little girl. My box set is so worn out and disheveled, but I still adore it. It’s really special to me!
Carrington | Chaos and Coffee says
Ooooo I’m saving this post! I love reading and want to read even more during the fall. I love curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee, especially once it gets cold out. Thanks for these reccs! Xx.
Stephanie Whitman says
There’s something about autumn that just pushes everyone to want to read more. I’m not 100% sure why, but I know that I LOVE it. Reading is my favorite hobby (or really my only hobby) so I just dive into it!
Melissa says
First, your photos are so cute! They make me feel so cozy. Also I couldn’t agree more. Harry Potter is like the perfect book for fall! Also, The Falconer sounds like a super interesting book!
Stephanie Whitman says
Thank you so much for your encouragement. Coziness is what I’m going for at all times – and my bookstagram basically has autumn vibes all year 🙂 The Falconer is an amazing trilogy. I hope you get a chance to read them at some point!
Ro says
YES! I loved these recommendations as I’m always up for a good book rec! The Two Lives of Lydia Bird has been on my list of books to read for a minute, so I am looking forward to checking that out! I’ll have to look more into some of the others you suggested as well! Thank you for sharing!
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh, I’m so glad to hear it, Ro! I hope you do read The Two Lives of Lydia Bird at some point. Josie Silver is an excellent author and I really love everything she writes!
Lily says
So many great suggestions! I am adding The Two Lives of Lydia Bird and In Five Years. They sound like something I’d love!
Stephanie Whitman says
Those are definitely some seriously sweet contemporaries. I think you’ll love them if you give them a read – and they’re both excellent audiobooks if that’s more your style!
Neely Moldovan says
I’ve read a lot of thes and I just loved our stop and lydia bird! Both were two of my favorites this year.
Stephanie Whitman says
Our Stop was performed by my favorite narrator on Audible, which made me love it even more, I think! And of course, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird was so melancholy and precious. Such a phenomenal and unique story. I couldn’t get enough!
Lee says
As always you’ve given me so many “add to my list” books! I definitely want to read that Lauren graham novel, I had no idea she was moving into writing and I’m excited to check that out!
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh, that novel is quite old! Haha! That came out in 2013 when she was still in Parenthood. Since then, she’s written her memoir and an inspirational/self-help book 🙂 She’s pretty talented all the way around if you ask me. And the best part is that all her books are narrated by her in audiobook form, which makes them 10x more fun to listen to!
Brittany Boone says
These are great, I never think to read certain books during this season. I have only read Harry Potter from that list, but they all sound so great, especially in 5 years!
Brittany
BNBstyling.com
Stephanie Whitman says
In Five Years was an excellent book. I listened to the audiobook and it made me actually cry multiple times, which is super rare! I hope you get a chance to read it 🙂
Hillary Conheady says
I never know what to read so this is a perfect guide! Definitely going to check out some of these books!
Stephanie Whitman says
Well, you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for book suggestions haha! I have way too many for my own good.
Indya | The Small Adventurer says
I put off starting the Harry Potter books for SO long because I was afraid I wouldn’t like them, but they (well, the first three anyway, as that’s all I’ve read so far!) really ARE such lovely, cozy books! I’m guessing they get a bit more intense – as the movies sure do – but they’re still great to get lost in ☺️
Stephanie Whitman says
I didn’t read them until I was in my 20’s (right before my wedding, actually) so I totally understand. I’d seen the movies a trillion times over, but it was fun to read all the missing elements in the books. I especially enjoyed the Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire!
Kelly Diane says
I haven’t read the Chronicles of Narnia books for years. I definitely want to read it again this autumn. Lovely War sounds like an interesting book to read.
Stephanie Whitman says
They’re just the most phenomenal books, really. So well-written and meaningful. They’ve taught me a lot in my life. And I JUST finished Lovely War and can easily say it’s one of my favorite books now – and that’s saying something considering I don’t usually enjoy historical fiction. It was so unique and well-done. The performance on Audible was to die for. Full cast and so many brilliant narrators!
Becky says
It was chilly when I woke up this morning and all I could think about was how nice it would be to stay curled in bed reading a book instead of going to work! Autumn is definitely the perfect time to read. I’m still waiting for my copy of Midnight Sun from the library! Twilight is kind of a “guilty pleasure” read for me and sometimes you just need something silly and dramatic!
Stephanie Whitman says
Eeek I love curling up to read in bed on a chilly day, with the windows open and a candle lit.. hot coffee or spiced mocha nearby. Mmmm now I wanna do that today haha! I hope you end up enjoying Midnight Sun. I’m definitely a Twihard and adored all the books and movies (they’re some of my most-read/watched) and I really feel like Stephenie did a phenomenal job with Edward’s perspective. I can easily say I liked it better than the original telling!
Kait says
I definitely don’t have time to read this many books in one season, but so so many of these are jumping out at me! I feel like the city baker moving to the country is exactly my style! But I am also really intrigued by the two lives of Lydia Bird, because it sounds like such a compelling concept. I am so ready to curl up with some coffee and start reading something!
Stephanie Whitman says
Haha! Well, I’m certainly not forcing anyone to read all of them right now, that’s for sure.. though I do suggest reading them all over time 😉 If you end up wanting to read The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living, I suggest checking out The Late Bloomers’ Club first because it does an excellent job introducing the characters (it’s just set in the summertime). Also, I absolutely adored The Two Lives of Lydia Bird. It made me cry.. multiple times.. which is a rarity when I’m reading!
Sarah Lennon says
I really need to get back to reading! I miss it so much and will definitely have to check these out
Deborah says
Great recommendations! I’m so glad to see a couple of familiar books on this list!
Eliza Darlings | Home & DIY Blog says
Such a great list of books! I love to buy more books at this time of year, it’s one of the goals on my autumn bucket list actually so will definitely try and give a few of these a go! Also, your blog is beautiful!
Eliza | http://www.elizadarlings.com
Riana Ang-Canning says
Such a great list! I’m so excited to do some more reading this fall – perfect time to curl up with a book and warm drink. I recently finished listening to Lauren Graham’s memoir so would love to try her fiction book. “I Was Told It Would Get Easier” sounds super fun too – love the mother/daughter relationship and East Coast travel. I read The Flatshare last year and it was great!
Raji says
Great post! These all sound like wonderful reads!
Lauryn Hock says
You’ve inspired me to read ‘Someday, Someday Maybe’! It’s just the book I was looking for.
Yolanda says
The Falconer looks SO good. I love stories about Scotland and anything historical. I just ordered through your link and it’ll be here Sunday. So I have my day planned, tea, cozy blanket outside and this book. Thanks for the great reviews!
Nicole Flint says
Harry Potter hands down will always be my favorite book series. I can read them over and over again. I need to download audible (busy gal over here) so I can check out your other recs!
Aliya says
I I have to read the Josie Silver one! It sounds great! I have a book club at the office so I’ll share this post as so many good ones are on here. Thank you!
Priyanka says
I’ve read Harry Potter, Twilight, Narnia and Someday Someday Maybe. Nice collections you’ve got there. Though I’m not a fan of twilight but I’d like to read other books from your list. 🙂
Ifeoluwa says
I was told it will get easier sounds like a good read! So many things I think about very differently now. I need to pick it up
Cassidy says
Wow! I consider myself a reader and I havnt heard of most of these.
So excited to dive into this list! Definitely getting bookmarked 😍
Emely Turish says
Lauren Graham wrote a book? Im going to have to order that. I love her and NY. We recently watch all the HP movies, but I think it’s time to read the books. Thank you for sharing your recommendations.
Jaimie Tucker says
Just bought the Narnia and Harry Potter sets for our daughter, looking forward to rereading them with her and seeing all the magic through her eyes xo Jaimie
Caitiln says
Truthfully I don’t have any of these books on my list – I shall have to add them!
Em says
So many great recommendations here! I’m actually going to re-read Rebecca this fall so I can be ready when the movie comes to Netflix in October!
Alexis Gauthier says
I love this list! I actually just got a library copy of The Flatshare and I am sooo excited to finally get to read it! I’ve seen lots of hype for it and it sounds so cute.
Amanda says
When spooky season rolls around, I definitely love a good thriller but I also like to weave some feel-good cozy books in there as well. I’ll be adding The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living and How to Find Love in a Bookshop to my tbr list for sure– they sound cute and perfect for a cold day snuggled on the couch!
Jo Linsdell says
I haven’t read any of these yet. Several look really good though. Great selection.
Lindsey says
Ooh it definitely feels like it’s time for a The Infernal Devices read, great suggestion. I’m not really a seasonal reader and like you, can’t do anything ‘spooky’ but I do like digging out my comfort reads when it gets cooler and darker.
Sydney Richards says
First thing’s first – your blog is so stunning. I love the autumn vibes. <3
I am definitely drawn to quite a few of your selections, particularly For The Wolf, The Midnight Library, and Three Dark Crowns (have been wanting to read this one for a while). Hmmm, my suggestions for a book or series that can give off that ~cozy autumn feel~ would probably be The Gemma Doyle Trilogy. While there is ample imagery that could correlate with other seasons, the Victorian girls boarding school aesthetic is something that always connects to autumn for me (not sure why, haha). Thank you for sharing!
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.blogspot.com