To narrow down the best, fall books is not a small feat, especially considering the wide variety of genres that induce all of the fall feels. With autumn in full swing outside every window, it’s almost irresistible to not curl up by a fire with a steaming cup of tea and a pile of books to take someone wherever they might want to go. Some people however would rather pick up thrillers and mysteries, designating them as the fall books. Others might lean towards dark academia, romance, or horror. Now, all of these genres are and will ever be classified as great, but what specific books capture the essence of fall? Here is a list of exactly that, the must read novels to bring the perfect autumn vibes to everyone’s lives.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Ninth House is a dark academia, border line fantasy horror novel. It is the first book in a series, and is followed by Hell Bent. The book follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a young woman from Los Angeles who has seen it all. She is presented with the opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious colleges in the world, Yale, while she’s lying in the hospital bed after just another life altering altercation. She is more than skeptical about this once and a lifetime chance but decides to follow through, even if it’s just to see what was going on. The Leigh Bardugo novel portrays a tale about privilege, power, dark magic, and murder. It is one to keep the reader enthralled for hours and it creates an eerie vibe. While this isn’t a warm and cozy fall read, it definitely will bring on more of a spooky vibe that can be found only in the nights of autumn when rain is just barely misting down and fog has rolled in.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The novel, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, takes place in a small liberal arts college in Vermont called Hampden College. The thrilling novel follows a small friend group at the college and it tells the events leading up and after the murder of one of them in a specific order. The lasting effects of the student’s death and how it affected the rest of the friend group, is portrayed in such a thrilling and sad story. The book will bring about many emotions and make the reader stare out the window just contemplating how anyone could even think to write what they just read. Just as Ninth House, The Secret History is neither happy nor fluffy, it gives more of a rainstorm type of vibe that will make the reader want to go driving during a thunderstorm and pass by all of the changing leaves.
It by Stephen King
If one has not heard of this book then it can be questioned where they have been for the last 38 years. This outstanding novel written by the one and only Stephen King, is one of his most known pieces of literature. The book follows a group of 7 kids and their experiences with an unknown entity called “it.” The monster terrorizing the children usually shows up in the form of the clown Pennywise but as it’s soon realized, the entity can be whatever it wants if only someone fears it. This exhilarating, heart pounding novel represents the fears that dwell in kids and adults alike. It is perfect for those who love Halloween just a little too much, and wish they could go back to dressing up as clowns and zombies. King’s novel will most definitely keep its readers up at night, but what else is the spooky season all about?
Why Read?
With the lives that each individual leads these days, stress is rather common. From school, to work, to relationships, everyone has a lot to juggle and sometimes it can feel like someone is carrying the world on their shoulders. Some people resort to meditation, exercising, or listening to music to calm their minds, however reading can also be a great source of calm in times of tension and pressure. Books create an environment that the readers want. If that’s a fantasy world in far away lands or Rome in 117 CE, books make people forget about their own problems and fall into the lives of their favorite characters. Reading and writing is a part of the human race, and it sustains the population by giving an out from reality. Students from HHS were asked how it gave them a way to escape real life if only for a while and what satisfaction it gave them. Charlotte McViney, a freshman at the highschool explained, “Reading is a way for me to unwind after school or before bed. It gives an out from reality and reduces stress from school.” Those who have found comfort in reading, think the same as Charlotte, including the 9th grader Abby Zimmerman. She said, “After a long day at school or sports, reading is such a relaxer. It is something that I do for myself so I can get lost in a new world.” Just as these two students conveyed, reading is beneficial for not just adults and kids but also teenagers too. It’s a way to release the long breath that most people start to hold when they walk into school or work. Letting go of stress and responsibilities for an hour or two can be valuable to the welfare of individuals, and books happen to do just that. So, maybe pick up a book this autumn and fall into the depths of endless characters and new worlds.
