Your Guide to the Perfect Fall TBR List

By: Sara Volka

Bookworms, our time has come. Fall marks an exciting time of year for us girls who like to cozy up with a good autumnal read (bonus points if it’s a comfort read). It’s the season to sit by the window and watch the leaves dwindle down along with the pages of our books. To fill the air with ambrosial scents and allow ourselves an escape from all of the chaotic fall-time festivities. 

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for a new world to indulge in, especially if that world is a little eerie and mysterious. If that happens to be the case, I’ve done some extensive digging in the worlds of book lovers across the net and sourced some incredibly atmospheric reads.

Here’s my list of all time favorites, forever classics, personal TBR’s, and books to bring back that spark.

1. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë

If you find yourself longing for a novel full of haunting atmospheres, this story is for you. Though, it is not just the misty moors and intricate world building that will reel you in, but also the incredibly layered relationships. This rings true to the dynamic between Catherine and Heathcliff, two deeply human characters in a constant state of push and pull. The raw emotions  paired with the alluring setting creates the perfect concoction for a fall time read, one that will likely stick with you as it did to me. 

2. Katabasis, R.F. Kuang

Dark academia, fantasy, a classic student rivalry tale– what else could you ask for? This novel, being a new release, is catching the attention of book lovers on a global level (including me, of course). This story follows two students, Alice and Peter, on an outlandish journey to save their professor's soul, which is somewhere deep in the pits of Hell. Although I haven’t read this one personally, it sounds exactly like the thrilling dark fantasy I've been searching for this fall. It’ll be on my list, and it certainly should be on yours. 

3. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, V.E. Schwab

If you’re on a recent Twilight binge like me, trying to relive the feeling of watching Bella discover Edward’s supernatural secret, this book is for you. This vampire tale follows the lives of three women, María, Charlotte, and Alice, each of their stories originating from different points in time. As their lives intertwine throughout the novel, we fall deeper into the worlds of immortality and hunger. I’m currently reading this one, and I have to say, it has me hooked. Schwab’s writing is incredibly ethereal, and the way she builds upon her characters is magnetic. It is the perfect read if you want a book that tackles both fantastical elements and very real aspects of life.

4. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

I could not write this list without including the classic tale of Frankenstein and his monster (and no, Frankenstein is NOT the monster). This is the book that reignited my passion for reading! It is a beautiful blend of science fiction, gothic literature, horror, political commentary, and existentialism. How Shelley is able to do this all in one book? That will forever remain a mystery, but this book should not remain a mystery to you. I will most definitely be re-reading it this fall to experience its gothic ambience all over again.

5. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna

If you’re looking for a book that is more lighthearted while still having that cozy fall feel, I highly recommend this mystical romance novel. We follow the story of Mika Moon, a witch who is unexpectedly invited to teach at the magical manor of Nowhere House. At this house, she becomes entwined in the lives of its inhabitants, making both friends, enemies, and romantic connections. I don’t want to spoil too much, so I suggest you go ahead and take a look for yourself. It is the type of book to sit by the fire with, to carry in your bag, to escape to a fantasy world of both magic and love. 

From eerie settings to magical powers to heartfelt relationships, I feel as though these books supply a wide range of fall-worthy material. I hope you were able to find some of these reads as appealing as I do, and if you need some additional top-tier book rec’s, check out this article.

Happy reading, girls! Let this fall be as magical as it is cozy.