lou's library

It’s autumn, aka the season to get cosy and read, read, read. It’s my favourite season and I can’t wait to start hibernating and make the most of these last reading months! So here are some books I believe to be perfect for autumn, whether that’s ultimate cosy vibes or something a bit more intense. Happy reading!

The Hobbit by J. R. R . Tolkien

There’s something about fantasy books that just screams autumn to me. The Hobbit is an obvious choice, but one I believe to be perfect to ease you back into the world of fantasy if you spent the last few months reading fluffy romance books (or if you’ve never read fantasy before, this is also a great starting point!). It doesn’t get much better than The Hobbit, if you ask me (and approximately one billion other people), but it’s also short, a standalone and written for children. That’s quite an unusual combination for a fantasy book and so this one is great if you don’t want to dive straight into a meaty fantasy series. I myself am hoping to tackle The Lord of the Rings this autumn, but am planning on rereading The Hobbit first, because LOTR is just so damn intimidating, whereas The Hobbit is completely doable.

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

I’m not one for horror, but I do love seriously good writing of the kind that makes you not want to put the book down. Fairy Tale by Stephen King is one of his newer books and I guess technically is a fantasy novel, although it feels difficult to put it in a box like that. It features aspects from lots of different fairy tales (as the title suggests) and we follow our protagonist on an epic quest that has him fight all sorts of creatures and overcome oh so many hurdles. I absolutely loved the way Stephen King used well known stories and incorporated them into his own. It’s still a tad creepy at times and a bit intense (just the right amount, if you ask me), so felt perfect for the time around Halloween. Obviously, Stephen King has also got you covered if you’re after something a bit more intense. Go read your heart out!!!

Under the Whispering Door by T. J. Klune

Oh, T. J. Klune, master of cosy fantasy books!! There’s something so, so wholesome about the characters in his books and the journeys he sends them on. Under the Whispering Door is no exception and because I found it a bit more intense and dark than The House in the Cerulean Sea, I think it’s perfect for autumn! It deals with the question of what happens after death, and what a life worth living looks like. Pretty heavy stuff, but so well executed and thoughful! There are ghosts and a whole plethora of other amazing characters, and while the topics the book covers are not necessarily cosy, the story is uplifting nevertheless. I don’t want to give too much as I do believe it to be best going in knowing as little as possible, just cosy up in bed with this book and a cup of tea and some chocolate and thank me later.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

This is a murder mystery published in 1962 and has become a classic since then. It centres around two sisters who, together with their uncle, live in their family home, separated from the rest of the village. Ever since a tragic incident killed part of the family, the remaining survivors have been seen as strange outsiders and throughout the course of the story, we slowly learn more about what happened and why the characters behave the way they do. I found this pleasantly accessible for a modern classic and enjoyed the suspense a lot. I think the mystery and slightly creepy elements make it a perfect autumn read and I can’t wait to read more of Shirley Jackson’s works because quite a few of them sound great for this time of year!

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

This one is a bit of a no brainer, really. But I do believe Frankenstein to be one of those books most people (aka people into books) should read at least once in their lives. I know classics can be daunting, but this one is actually reasonably short and so addictive. I also wasn’t prepared for how sad it is!? If you have no idea what I’m talking about, Frankensteinis about a scientist who creates a living creature who he then has no control over. The book asks all the big questions, such as what it means to be good, who deserves to lead a happy life, what makes someone a monster and how should we treat one another. Deep stuff, but all packaged in an addictive story that is creepy, moving and touching. Highly recommend!!

I hope this has given you some inspiration for which books to pick up this autumn! Let me know what you’re planning to read in the coming months ❤