Every September, I say goodbye to the stupidly-large collection of books I’ve acquired over the summer, whether they be borrowed from friends, renewed a ridiculous amount of times on Libby, or have broken my book-buying ban. I don’t pack them away, but I do leave them looking pretty and nicely-organised on my shelf, so I can stare longingly at them for the next few months and think about how I’ll fail my Goodreads goal.
If you’re anything like me, you also can’t read during term time. I’m here to say: That’s so normal! Hobbies are neglected, and fun seems like a thing of the past. With our brains so full of academic jargon and pointless data, it’s impossible to even think about picking up a fiction book, let alone read it.
However. If you’re going to – and able to – read at least one book this semester, I have some suggestions. This collection focuses on spooky, cosy, escapist, and tragic books that will get you ready for the best season of the year.
Spooky Books for Halloween
Autumn means Halloween, so here’s four books and one graphic novel that are sure to scare you this spooky season.
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Things We Say in the Dark by Kirsty Logan
White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi
The Low, Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machado and DaNi
Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Cosy Books for Autumn Girl Season
If you love autumn because of the crisp autumnal air, hot coffees, and Gilmore Girls, this collection is for you. Queer (or about cats, which is essentially the same) cosy fiction is in this year, and this list reflects that with four warm and well-loved books.
Of Love and Libraries by Brenna Bailey
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill
Escapist Books for Fantastical Autumn-Haters
Hate autumn? Not used to seasons? Wish you could be anywhere else? These four fantasy books are perfect, each delving into a different realm and helping you to run from your responsibilities and the incoming cold.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
Bestiary by K-Ming Chang
Tragic Books for Rainy Days
Prefer to read next to a rain-splattered window and watch the thick clouds roll over? Then these books are for you – someone who curls up in bed with a blanket and a hot chocolate and waits for the grey skies to appear. A mixture of fantasy and reality, these books are guaranteed to thrill you, or make you cry.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Babel by R. F. Kuang
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
Boulder by Eva Baltasar Sardà
As always, make sure to check out any trigger warnings (especially for horror and fantasy novels), and make sure to always read diversely! Happy reading this autumn!