With fall quickly approaching, I can’t stop thinking about curling up in a fuzzy blanket with my pumpkin candle and a warm cup of coffee. However, this scene would not be complete without the perfect book. I’ve compiled a list of ten books that I think are perfect for reading while your favorite “Gilmore Girls” episode plays in the background. Happy reading!
“The Rules of magic” by alice hoffman
This is probably my favorite book of all time. If you’ve ever seen “Practical Magic,” this book is the prequel! It follows three siblings that live in NYC in the 60s. Magic runs in the family, but so does a curse. This book made me laugh, cry, then cry some more, as it’s beautifully heartbreaking. However, it also changed my outlook on life, so if you want an existential crisis, give this book a try!
“Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman
Okay, I know I’m obsessed with Alice Hoffman. But come on! How could I not recommend this one to you? I do have a confession to make, though: I’ve never actually seen this movie. I know, shame on me. But Alice Hoffman is, in my opinion, one of the best writers ever, and this book is a perfect example of that. I mean, there’s a reason it got turned into a movie. Gillian and Sally Owens are funny, eclectic, and such a lovable pair of sisters. After reading “The Rules of Magic,” this is an absolute must.
“The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt
If you don’t like books that are 800+ pages, steer clear of this one. But if you want to accept the challenge, you will realize that “The Goldfinch” is worth it. Theo, the narrator and protagonist, follows his life from age 13 to his late twenties. After the loss of his mother, Theo struggles to navigate adolescence and relationships. Theo struggles with addiction and a fall into the life of crime as he attempts to understand his role in the world. I absolutely adore this novel. It’s also one of my personal favorites, and I cried dozens of times over Theo and his life. I even want to name my son Theo, if I ever have one. Probably don’t want him to live like Theo, though.
“The Twilight Series” by stephanie meyer
It wouldn’t be a fall reading list without “Twilight.” Listen. I know it’s considered cringe by most people. I know that the movies are absolutely horrible. However, I think it’s important to embrace the cringe these days. Have fun! Be cringe! Read the entire “Twilight” series in one weekend because you saw a pumpkin spice latte! Binge-watch “Twilight” while crying over how beautiful Robert Pattinson is! Not speaking from experience, btw.
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte
This was the first classic novel I ever read, and it still remains close to my heart. As a 13 year old girl, the story of modest Jane and her rich husband gave me hope for my future (even if that hope was fleeting). Now, the storyline doesn’t really have anything to do with fall, but it’s such a cozy book. Aside from the cozy feel, it does have a few ghost stories involved, so it’s perfect if you like your books with a side of suspense. Even if you’re not a huge classics fan, I encourage you to give this one a try!
“My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Ottessa Moshfegh
For lovers of “The Bell Jar” (or the thought daughter trend), this book is for you. Set in 2000 NYC, the story revolves around a young woman wanting to rebuild her life – by sleeping for a year straight. This book explores themes of nihilism, mental illness, and isolation, which are all super relatable to a broad audience! That was sarcasm, by the way. But as a woman approaching her twenties, there are definitely parts of this book that resonated. This is one of my personal favorites, and I honestly think it’s one of those stories that everyone needs to read at least once.
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
This is another one of the creepy novels on the list. Dorian Gray, our titular protagonist, is an absolutely gorgeous man living in London in the late 1800s. Wanting to preserve his youth forever, he convinces his best friend to paint a portrait of him. However, Dorian quickly realizes that something is very, very wrong with the portrait. This novel also was a key piece of evidence for Oscar Wilde’s trial for homosexuality, which he was eventually convicted of and sent to prison for. The descriptions in this novel are beautiful, and the homoerotic nature of Dorian and Basil’s relationship add even more intrigue to this story.
“A Certain Hunger” by Chelsea G. Summers
Alright, this is probably the weirdest book on the list. However, I stand by my decision to include it. We follow the narration of Dorothy Daniels, a successful food critic who also happens to be a cannibal. She only eats men, though, so don’t worry! Dorothy’s description of the (non-human) food she eats will make you hungrier than you could ever imagine, but her description of her human meals will make your stomach churn. If you like creepy books that’ll make you rethink your eating habits (or your romantic relationships), I definitely recommend this one.
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte
Most people who read this book either love Heathcliff or hate him. Personally, I hate the dude. However, he’s tall, dark, and handsome, so if you’re into that kind of stuff, he’s your man. Other than the insufferable main character, “Wuthering Heights” is another classic masterpiece. I read it for AP Literature in high school, and I loved getting to curl under a blanket with my cats on a rainy day to read this. The movie is pretty good, too, so that’s always a plus! This book does contain themes of violence and abuse, however, so be aware of that.
“Autumn Light” by Pico Iyer
This is probably going to be the book I read this fall, since I haven’t actually read it yet. I know, I’m sorry. But I’ve heard so many amazing things about it! This memoir follows Iyer’s return to Kyoto, Japan, after his father-in-law passes away. Iyer contemplates family, Japanese culture, aging, and death as he compares each of these experiences to Autumn. I’ve been loving memoirs lately, so I cannot wait to start this novel and probably cry. I promise I’m not actually that emotional – books just get to me.
Alright, those are my recommendations for this fall! Let me know if you end up reading any of these novels – and how you feel about them. Grab your favorite fall drink, your coziest blanket, and have fun reading!