Finding the perfect 22 fall books to read is exciting. The crisp autumn air makes you want to cozy up indoors. However, picking the right story can feel quite hard. There are so many great options out there today. First, we looked for stories with dark mysteries. Second, we found tales with very warm magic. We have picked the best tales for chilly autumn days.
1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This dark academia novel follows a small group of students. They study ancient Greek at a very elite college. However, their elite world soon takes a very dark turn. Their intense obsession eventually leads to a shocking murder. You will feel the chilly autumn breeze on every single page.
This book is perfect for fans of very slow mysteries. You will slowly sink into their strange and twisted lives. Indeed, readers cannot stop thinking about these deeply messy characters. Furthermore, the gorgeous writing makes it hard to put down. It is truly a modern classic for the autumn season.
2. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
This gripping story centers on young passionate theater students. They live and breathe the famous works of William Shakespeare. But, the lines between acting and reality soon begin to blur. Later, a tragic death changes their tight group forever. You will absolutely love the intense drama in this great book.
Anyone who loves dark schools will enjoy this thrilling ride. The story keeps you guessing until the very last act. Plus, the deep friendship dynamics are highly complex and fun. Readers heavily praise the shocking twist at the very end. Thus, it is a beloved favorite among 22 fall books to read.
3. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Yale University holds dark secrets in this great magical story. A young girl joins a secret society to solve crimes. However, she finds dangerous magic hidden safely behind closed doors. Then, she must survive ghosts and powerful rich older students. The gritty setting feels totally perfect for your October reading.
Older teens and adults will love this dark fantasy world. The spooky atmosphere pulls you right into the scary action. Besides, the main character is tough and very easy to root for. Fans highly recommend it for its unique take on magic. Finally, the fast pace keeps you reading late at night.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A magical circus arrives without warning in the dark night. Two young magicians are locked in a very fierce contest. Yet, they slowly fall deeply in love with each other. The circus tents hold beautiful illusions and bright striped colors. So, every chapter feels like a wonderful and waking dream.
Readers seeking cozy and beautiful writing will adore this tale. You will feel like you are walking through the circus. Moreover, the detailed descriptions of food and magic are amazing. People love how gentle and romantic the whole story feels. Therefore, it is the perfect book for a rainy afternoon.
5. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A young woman marries a rich man and moves away. She arrives at his huge historic estate called famous Manderley. Still, the memory of his dead first wife haunts her. The creepy housekeeper makes her new life incredibly hard daily. Now, she must uncover the dark secrets of the house.
Fans of classic gothic stories absolutely need to read this. The growing tension will keep you fully on the edge. Indeed, the twist ending will completely shock your entire mind. Readers still call it one of the best thrillers ever. Likewise, the spooky ocean setting is incredibly great for fall.
6. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
A famous author finally decides to tell her life story. She hires a quiet young woman to write the biography. First, she tells tales of a creepy house and twins. Then, the dark family secrets slowly begin to spill out. The gothic tone is deeply rich and very spooky indeed.
People who love books about books will really enjoy this. The mystery slowly unwraps like a very dark puzzle box. Also, the writing feels like a warm hug on cold days. Readers often say it is their very favorite cozy mystery. Thus, you should add this to your 22 fall books to read.
7. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Two close sisters grow up with magic in a small town. They try to escape their strange aunts and local gossip. However, a family curse makes their love lives very deadly. Later, they must use their magic to save themselves entirely. The warm autumn vibes are very strong in this book.
Readers looking for sisterhood and witches will love this story. It feels much deeper and richer than the famous movie. Plus, the descriptions of food and herbs are truly wonderful. People appreciate the strong message about love and deep family. Ultimately, it is a perfect witchy read for October nights.
8. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Two sisters live alone in a large house with their uncle. Most of their family died from eating heavily poisoned sugar. But, the local townspeople hate them and bother them constantly. Soon, a cousin arrives and ruins their peaceful, strange life. The creepy mood is perfectly built from page one onward.
Fans of weird and unsettling tales will adore this book. You get to see the world through a strange narrator. Indeed, her unique voice is both funny and deeply scary. Readers love how odd and brilliant the entire story is. Therefore, it is a very quick and spooky fall read.
9. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A beautiful young man wishes to stay young forever always. His painted portrait ages instead of his actual human body. As a result, he lives a very wild and sinful life. Eventually, the painting becomes a monster showing his true soul. The dark themes fit perfectly with cold weather reading times.
People who enjoy classic literature will love this famous story. It makes you think deeply about beauty and dark morals. Furthermore, the writing is full of very sharp witty quotes. Readers recommend it for its creepy tone and sad ending. So, it remains a totally fantastic choice for fall days.
10. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
A young woman travels to a distant house in Mexico. She wants to save her cousin from a strange illness. However, the dusty house is full of terrifying old secrets. Then, she starts having very scary and wild vivid nightmares. The creepy fungus and weird family will give you chills.
Horror fans will completely devour this fun and scary book. The author perfectly handles the slow build of scary dread. Also, the bold main character makes the story very fun. Readers praise the unique setting and the gross horror elements. Consequently, it fits any list of 22 fall books to read.
11. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
A smart historian finds an old magical book in a library. She is secretly a witch who ignores her own magic. Next, a handsome vampire arrives to help her solve the mystery. Together, they face danger from many other dark magical creatures. The thick book feels like a warm cup of tea.
Readers who love slow romance and history will enjoy this. You get to learn about old science and cool magic. Besides, the adult characters feel very real and nicely grounded. Fans love the rich world building and cozy library settings. Finally, it is a great start to a very long series.
12. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
A young boy visits the hidden Cemetery of Forgotten Books. He picks a special book and tries to protect it. Yet, a strange man is burning every copy of that book. Thus, the boy dives into a massive mystery in Spain. The gothic streets of Barcelona feel incredibly atmospheric and dark.
Anyone who deeply loves books will cherish this wonderful story. A beautiful historical setting perfectly wraps this very fun mystery. Moreover, the characters are funny, tragic, and very well written. Readers often call it a true masterpiece of modern fiction. Similarly, the gorgeous writing will stay with you forever happily.
13. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Magic has completely vanished from the rainy country of England. Two very different men decide to bring it all back. First, they help the government fight in a very large war. Then, their clashing styles cause massive problems for everyone around. The dark fairy magic makes this story quite spooky indeed.
Patient readers will absolutely love this long and detailed book. The fake footnotes make the history feel incredibly real always. Furthermore, the dry humor will make you smile many times. People recommend it for its brilliant writing and creepy fairies. Eventually, you will get lost in this huge magical world.
14. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
A young woman finds old letters belonging to her father. She discovers he was hunting for the real scary Dracula. Soon, she travels across Europe to find him and the truth. However, the ancient vampire might be hunting her family too. The old libraries and dusty maps are deeply charming everywhere.
History buffs and mystery lovers will deeply praise this novel. You will feel like you are traveling through old Europe. Plus, the scary moments are subtle but very deeply effective. Readers love how much real history is mixed with myth. As a result, it is a deeply satisfying autumn journey.
15. Dracula by Bram Stoker
A young lawyer travels to a very creepy Transylvania castle. He soon realizes his noble host is a scary monster. Later, the vampire travels to England to find fresh blood. A group of brave friends must team up to hunt him. The classic dread holds up very well for readers today.
Fans of classic horror should read this book every October. The journal entry format makes the story feel very real. Indeed, the scary moments still thrill readers today very much. Readers love seeing the origin of so many vampire rules. Thus, it is a classic among these 22 fall books to read.
16. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
A smart scientist creates a living creature from body parts. He runs away in fear from his ugly new creation. But, the lonely monster wants love and real human connection. Eventually, the angry monster seeks revenge on his cruel creator. The icy setting feels perfect for cold and dark nights.
Readers looking for deep and sad stories will love this. It asks big questions about life and human nature always. Besides, the monster is actually very smart and speaks beautifully. People are often surprised by how emotional the story gets. Therefore, it is a great classic to read this season.
17. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
A country doctor visits a crumbling old mansion in England. The rich family living there has lost all their money. Still, something strange and evil seems to live in the house. Strange events slowly drive the entire family completely totally mad. The spooky mood builds up very slowly and nicely inside.
Fans of quiet ghost stories will adore this slow burn. You are never entirely sure if the ghosts are real. Moreover, the details about class changes are very deeply interesting. Readers highly praise the shocking and very scary book ending. Consequently, it is perfect for reading by a warm fire.
18. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
A dark carnival rolls into a small town in October. Two young boys discover the carnival grants very evil wishes. Next, they must hide from the scary man running the show. The prose is like dark poetry filled with autumn magic. The scary autumn vibes are simply unmatched in this book.
Readers who want pure Halloween energy need this great book. It perfectly captures the scary feeling of growing up fast. Also, the writing is deeply beautiful and highly musical always. People love the strong friendship between the two brave boys. Finally, it is a top pick for 22 fall books to read.
19. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
A young man finds a mysterious book in a library. It magically tells a story from his own past childhood. Then, he finds a secret underground world full of stories. The deep honey and book smells leap off the pages. It is a massive love letter to storytelling itself daily.
People who enjoy dreamy and weird books will love this. You will want to live inside this magical underground library. Indeed, the writing is lush and highly descriptive every time. Readers say it feels like playing a beautiful puzzle game. So, wrap yourself in a blanket and dive right in.
20. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
A man returns to his old childhood home for a funeral. He remembers a scary magical event from his dark past. A young girl from a farm helped protect him bravely. But, magic always comes with a very heavy steep price. The dark fairy tale vibe is absolutely great for autumn.
Adults who enjoy magical realism will deeply cherish this book. It shows how scary the world looks to small children. Furthermore, the short length makes it a very quick read. Fans love the weird magic and the bittersweet sad ending. Thus, it is a perfectly cozy and totally emotional journey.
21. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
A bright girl starts school at a famous private academy. The school has a famous unsolved murder from the past. Soon, a new murder happens while she is studying there. Now, she must use her detective skills to catch killers. The remote mountain setting is very cold and deeply isolated.
Fans of fun murder mysteries will fly through this book. The split timeline keeps the story fresh and very exciting. Plus, the main character is funny and easy to like. Readers enjoy solving the tricky puzzles right alongside her closely. Consequently, it is a fun addition to 22 fall books to read.
22. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
A magical school tries to kill its students every day. There are no teachers, just very hungry and evil monsters. A grumpy girl with dark magic must survive her classes. However, she tries hard not to become an evil witch. The dangerous school perfectly fits the dark cool fall mood.
Readers who want a dark twist on magic schools win. The main character is highly sarcastic and very deeply fun. Also, the unique magic rules make the world feel real. People highly praise the fast pace and the great action. Ultimately, it is a thrilling book for a dark night.
These are the top 22 fall books to read this year. Each story offers something special for your dark chilly nights. We made sure to include many different amazing book genres. So, you have plenty of great options to enjoy now. Now, you should pick one that sounds very fun today. Grab a hot drink and start reading before bed tonight. Truly, your next great adventure is waiting right here inside. You will definitely love exploring these amazing autumn worlds soon.
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