It’s so much fun to read along with the seasons, and in my humble opinion, fall reading is the absolute BEST. Here is your go-to guide to fall reading, including the best genres to read during autumn (ranging from cozy fantasy to dark academia to paranormal horror) and specific books guaranteed to get you in the fall mood!
What is seasonal reading?
Seasonal reading is a lot like mood reading, but instead of choosing your reads based on your mood, you’re choosing your books based on the current season. (The current season will likely affect your mood anyway, so it’s not mutually exclusive!).
Basically, you try to match the books you read to the atmosphere of the season. This can mean many things, like the weather, or that season’s particular holidays, or just the overall seasonal *vibes*.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be cut-and-dry. I’m all about reading whatever you feel like reading! But if you do feel like reading seasonally, I’ve put together this guide to help you figure out what to read next!
Best Genres to Read During the Fall Season
Since it’s always hotter than heck in Austin well into October, I need to embrace all the fall vibes I can get. That means lots of seasonal fall reading!
Fall is my favorite reading season, with lots of dark academia, Gothic novels, cozy fantasy, and spooky books! Truly, I can’t get enough.
To help inspire your own seasonal reading, I’m sharing a list of the most popular fall reading genres below (plus some specific book ideas – some of my favorite novels – within each genre)!
Don’t forget to check out my list of cozy & spooky fall book club reads, too!
Dark Academia
The dark academia genre conjures images of vast libraries, campus novels, and reading by candlelight. Many books that fall into this category are either mysteries/thrillers or fantasy.
Here’s a list of dark academia novels to check out, including some of my favorites like:
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Cozy Fantasy (& Romance)
There’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a blanket and cuddling up with a cozy novel on a chilly fall evening!
Cozy fantasy – which often also includes romance – is a perfect genre to warm your heart and give you all the cozy feels this autumn.
This genre tends to feature fantasy elements like magic and magical creatures, but with a lighter, more slice-of-life feel compared to other fantasy genres.
Here’s a list of cozy fantasy books that feel like a warm hug, including some of my favorites like:
- Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
- Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (a classic!)
Spooky Mysteries & Thrillers
The spooky mystery genre is perfect for thriller lovers who also enjoy some spooky vibes in the mix!
Typically, these novels focus on mystery as the main plot, while tying in lighter horror/spooky elements like ghosts. (But they don’t always include the supernatural – some are grounded in the real world if that’s more your thing.)
Here’s a list of the best spooky mystery books and thrillers, including some of my favorites like:
- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
- Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
- The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
Witchy Fiction
This might not be an “official” book genre, but it totally should be! Books about witches are incredibly popular, especially around autumn and spooky season.
There are lots of different options to choose from, too – some are cozy, some are spooky, and some are downright terrifying!
Here is a list of spellbinding witchy fiction books, including some of my favorites like:
- The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
- The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (the prequel to Practical Magic!)
- Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
If you love Halloween and all things spooky, check out my spooky season reading guide!
Fall-Inspired Classic Literature
There are plenty of classic novels with autumnal vibes, from moody romances to cozy literature with settings inspired by beautiful fall foliage. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- The October Country by Ray Bradbury (spookier vibes)
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Modern Gothic & Gothic Fantasy
There’s something so enchanting about Gothic fiction, from the moody, crumbling mansion settings to the romanticism to the otherworldly elements. It’s so perfect for the colder, darker nights that autumn brings.
Modern Gothic novels are influenced by classic authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Daphne du Maurier, Mary Shelley, and Emily Bronte. And there’s even a relatively new sub-genre – Gothic fantasy – that features stronger fantasy and/or horror elements.
If you’re in the mood for some Gothic fiction, check out these mesmerizing modern Gothic novels and these atmospheric Gothic fantasy novels. Here are a few of my faves:
- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Cozy Mysteries
If you’re looking for a lighter read to enjoy this fall, cozy mysteries are heartwarming and entertaining at the same time!
These stories typically follow a lovable amateur sleuth as they attempt to solve a mystery, and they’re usually more light-hearted than a standard murder mystery novel. (They tend to avoid heavier topics like violence or trauma). The best part: they’re usually part of a series!
Here are some of the best contemporary and historical cozy mysteries to read, including some of my favorites like:
- The Maid by Nita Prose
- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
- Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Horror
If you love Halloween and spooky season like I do, spine-tingling horror novels are always a great choice!
There’s such a wide range to choose from, like books featuring the paranormal (ghost stories and haunted house novels) and monster stories (like these vampire novels).
You definitely can’t go wrong with a Stephen King novel or a classic like Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House!
Here are some of the best spooky books for Halloween, including some of my favorites like:
- The Shining by Stephen King
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Also check out these new 2024 horror novels!
Magical Realism
Last – but definitely not least – fall is a time for magic, and that includes stories laced with hints of enchantment.
The magical realism genre is steeped in the real world, but with light fantastical elements. Here are some wonderful magical realism books to enchant you!
I hope this guide has helped inspire your fall reading in some way! What are your favorite fall novels?