Photo credit to Alisa Anton on Unsplash.
Hello, everyone! With fall temperatures finally starting to set in, I've been in the mood for autumnal books lately. So when Belle, a fellow blogger, bookworm, and writing friend, reached out about wanting to do a blog post swap, it's no surprise that we decided on sharing some of our favorite fall novels on each other's platforms.
You can find my list and all her other amazing posts over on Belle's blog, oldfashionedgirl.com, but until then, I hope you enjoy seeing her recommendations below! And feel free to share in the comments - what are some of your favorite cozy or autumnal books?
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Genre - historical fiction
Every October, I begin to crave this book. It’s about 16 year old Kit Tyler who, upon the death of her grandfather, leaves her comfortable life in Barbados to live with her aunt in the New England Colonies.
When she befriends an old outcast Quaker woman, who is considered by the Puritan town to be a witch. Kit herself has to deal with accusations and standing up for what she knows is right.
The book takes place over the course of a year, highlighting the hardships of everyday life in the early colonies. It’s a unique take on the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and follows Kit through romance, prejudices, and the changing of seasons.
Though it takes place year-round, a lot of the plot happens in autumn, and the rustic, nautical New England setting makes it a perfect contender for the season.
The Pumpkin Falls Mystery Series by Heather Vogel Frederick
Genre- contemporary mystery
This is the coziest middle-grade series around! Though it isn’t great literature, it’s so much fun and I need more people to read it.
When the Lovejoy family moves from Texas to New Hampshire, Truly isn’t so excited to leave behind all she knows and loves. But she finds that living in the small town of Pumpkin Falls isn’t as sleepy as she expected. Between helping at her family’s bookshop, getting donuts at the local diner, and running into mystery after mystery, her life is far more exciting than she could have guessed.
There are currently four books in the series, Absolutely Truly, Yours Truly, Really Truly, and Truly, Madly, Sheeply. Only the last book is set in Autumn, but I feel like you can read them all this time of year.
The first book, Absolutely Truly, is set in winter as the family gets adjusted to life in New Hampshire and Truly has to solve a mystery based on a rare book that has disappeared. Yours Truly takes place in early spring during sugaring season (maple syrup) and Truly is caught up in multiple mysteries including one with some fun historical elements. Really Truly takes place over the summer as Truly’s family has a reunion and Truly goes to an unusual summer camp. The final book, Truly, Madly, Sheeply, takes place in autumn and Truly finds herself trying to solve a spooky mystery at her aunt’s new sheep farm.
These are great comfort reads with all of those little atmospheric details that make you love the characters and Pumpkin Falls.
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Genre - classic (social satire and romance)
All of Jane Austen’s books are great choices for cozy reading, but to me, Persuasion is the best for Autumn! The book begins in the season and concludes as spring begins to arrive.
It’s about Anne Eliot, a single woman who, eight years ago, was persuaded by a friend to not marry the man she loved. But now, he’s back in town and catching the eyes of many eligible young women. Anne is caught up in wondering if he misses her as much as she misses him.
The tension and close proximity in this book make for such a compelling read. This book was Jane Austen’s last, and it shows. It’s clean, concise, and the characters are so well developed. It’s a bit slow going at first, but then the plot starts moving and you won’t want to put the book down.
Combine the classic wit of Jane Austen, a swoon worthy romance (that’s totally clean), Regency England, and beautiful descriptions of Autumn, and you get a book that’s basically perfect!
The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindi Thompson
Genre - historical fantasy
This is a gem of a cozy book that I randomly picked up at my library one day thanks to the stunning cover. It’s set during World War 2 at the Rhyme and Reason bookshop. The book spans from November to April, and everything about the setting is wonderful.
Rhyme and Reason isn’t just your average bookshop, it's a magical, time-traveling bookshop that brings hurting people from across the decades together.
We follow Poppy, as her family deals with the death of a family friend, the magic that seems to be fading, and conflicts between bookstore patrons.
The book deals with grief, light versus dark, and the power of stories in dark times.
I love this book so much, it’s so beautiful and gut wrenching and cozy.
The Fairy’s Return and Other Stories by Gail Carson Levine
Genre - fairy tale retelling short stories
I had to put something by Gail Carson Levine on this book list, her books are so perfectly cozy. This is a collection of humorous short stories that are poking fun at classic fairy tales and their tropes. They’re easy, light reads, perfect to add a little whimsy to your everyday life.
From a story about curses and gifts gone magically wrong, to princesses too smart for their own good, and girls who can feel a single goose feather in their mattresses, Gail Carson Levine uses humor and genius storytelling to craft backwards fairy tales.
I've read many of Levine's fairy stories, and a couple of those other books were already on my tbr list!
Love these recommendations! 💜 I've read a few of them, and will definitely check out the others! 😉🤗