by Casey Marion
It’s that time of year when pumpkin spice lattes seem to almost magically appear in hand, and chunky sweaters find their way out from the back of the closet. If you’re anything like me, the moment the calendar flips to Sept. 1, you’re dusting off Halloween decorations and dreaming of pumpkin patch visits. Perhaps digging out those nostalgic 1990s rom-coms or immersing yourself in DIY decor is how you celebrate. Or maybe you prefer snacking on kettle corn while glued to the slasher on your television screen. No, don’t split up! Or maybe, like me, you wish to experience all this time of year has to offer. Diving headfirst into the season seems to be the best way to enjoy it. No matter what you’re popping into the DVD player (you can pry my Blu-ray from my cold, dead hands, Netflix!), there’s just something undeniably comforting about wrapping up in a warm blanket, watching the colors start to change outside, and curling up with a good book.
As a self-proclaimed autumnal literature enthusiast, I’ve spent the last few years gathering all the best reads for the season. Whether you love cozy, low-stakes, small-town romances à la Gilmore Girls, heartwarming historical fiction, or bone-chilling horror, this list has something for you. After all, autumn reading doesn’t have to mean terrifying thrillers that will have you double-checking the locks on your doors. It can be slow, thought-provoking historical fiction, sweet romances with just enough spice to have you pulling at your cable knit sweater and asking, “Is it hot in here?”, or anything in between. There’s really no wrong way to spend a crisp autumn afternoon with a book.
From debut authors just getting their start to novels in the process of being turned into blockbuster movies, every single one of these books holds a special place in my heart. Some are cozy, some are creepy, and some may have you questioning why you decided to read them alone at night. There are books for those looking to get lost in a charming little town, books for those craving something mysterious, and books for anyone who wants to spend the season completely immersed in the fantasy of another world.
So, if you’re browsing for your next five-star read, trying to get through your TBR (to-be-read list), or simply searching for something that feels like the literary equivalent of a crisp autumn afternoon, I hope you find something here. Grab your favorite sweater, make yourself a warm PSL (pumpkin spice latte), and settle in. There are plenty of stories waiting to make their way onto your autumn reading list.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
From bestselling author of Bird Box, Josh Malerman’s Incidents Around the House is a chilling horror story told through the eyes of 8-year-old Bela, a girl who values her family above everything: Daddo, Mommy, Grandma Ruth, and Other Mommy. Other Mommy is different. She looks like Bela’s mother and sounds like her too, but there’s something wrong about her presence. Every day, she asks Bela the question: “Can I go inside your heart?” What begins as a strange, friendly question soon turns horrifying as Other Mommy becomes impatient. Reckless, violent, and bolder, she needs an answer. Bela must cling to the ties that bind family together before it’s too late.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
Emily Wilde is NOT good with people. Books? Sure. Her dog, Shadow? Of course. But not people. A highly educated professor at Cambridge, Emily’s research of all things Faerie has led her to a small northern town called Hrafnsvik. It is there that she gets a feel for the savory locals, their culture, and runs into none other than her longstanding academic rival, Wendell Bambleby. Wendell has a habit of throwing off her research and getting in her way as she searches for an elusive group of faeries. This low-stakes fantasy is the perfect autumnal escape for readers looking for something magical, charming, and cozy.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mika Moon is one of the last witches left in Britain. She’s gotten this far by knowing how to responsibly use her magic and how to keep her head down — mostly. Mika has a secret social media account she uses to “pretend” she’s a witch. That changes when she receives a mysterious letter asking her to teach three young witches at Nowhere House. Reluctantly, Mika goes and quickly becomes enamored with the students and staff, including the handsome house librarian, Jamie.
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
Half a decade ago, Heather’s husband, Owen, disappeared. Since then, she’s taken her stepdaughter and moved far away from the hurt, focusing on healing. But then Owen shows up when she least expects him, and danger follows closely behind, threatening everything she’s built.
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
After witnessing her sister’s brutal murder, Cora thinks she’s experienced the worst this life has to offer. That is, until deceased bats begin showing up at her job. Cora is haunted by the last thing the murderer said to her before fleeing the scene: “Bat Eater.”
Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
When retired serial killer Lottie Jones answers her front door, the last thing she expects to see is an investigative journalist. Suddenly, she’s being asked about crimes committed decades ago. To Lottie, there’s only one logical next step to ensure she keeps her freedom: come out of retirement.
Final Girls by Riley Sager
Quincy belongs to a club no one wants a part of. She’s a final girl. Alongside Lisa, the sole survivor of a sorority massacre, and Sam, who escaped a notorious serial killer while working the night shift at a local inn, the three are the only ones left alive to tell their stories. It’s been 10 years since Quinn went camping with her friends and returned completely alone. She’s spent the past decade healing, starting a baking blog, and meeting her soon-to-be fiance, Jeff. But when Lisa is found dead, and Sam shows up on Quinn’s door, things change. Someone is hunting the final girls — and won’t stop until there’s no one left.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus is one of those reads that sticks with you long after you turn the final page. Magicians Celia and Marco belong to the Night Circus, a magical cirque show that appears with no warning, for one night only. Their entire lives, Celia and Marco have been groomed by their mentors to fight in a duel. Unbeknownst to them, only one can survive. As tensions rise and the night of the big show looms closer, Celia and Marco begin to fall for each other. They must navigate their newfound feelings while preparing for the fight of their lives. Written in beautiful prose, The Night Circus is an autumn must-read.
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
This sweet and sassy paranormal romance is the perfect way to kick off the spooky season. After a bad breakup, Vivienne, a witch from Graves Glen, Georgia, curses her evil ex-boyfriend, certain no real harm could come to him. Nine years later, Rhys returns to Graves Glen, and strange things begin happening. The town is under attack by unexplainable entities. It’s up to Vivi and Rhys to break the curse before the town is completely overtaken.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Oliver Marks is released after 10 years in prison for a crime he may or may not have committed. A decade ago, he was among thespians. When a gruesome murder occurs, Oliver and his fellow actors must put on the performance of a lifetime.
The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham
Today is move-in day at Tiffin Academy, a well-known, party-friendly boarding school. But soon, a popular new app begins blowing up phones at Tiffin Academy, revealing secrets about everyone from staff to students. No one is safe from its encompassing reach.
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
Benny and Joy host a comedy survival podcast with millions of listeners. But when Joy and her husband go missing, all eyes turn to Benny. Through Joy’s unpublished memoir, secrets emerge that could finally reveal exactly what really happened the night she disappeared.
\
Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
This is the perfect historical fiction romance for anyone who doesn’t mind a little body horror. The novel follows Hazel, a woman determined to become a surgeon in the early 1800s. After getting kicked out of a lecture because she’s a woman, Hazel makes a deal with her professor: If she can pass the medical examination, she can enroll. That’s where Jack comes in. Jack is a “resurrection man” who spends his days digging up graves. Normally, his job is easy. Except now, strangers are lurking around the cemetery, and people in Edinburgh are disappearing. It’s up to Hazel and Jack to uncover the mysteries around them before it’s too late.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden
Largely regarded as Freida McFadden’s spookiest work, Never Lie is a great book to add to your autumn reading list. The novel follows young newlyweds Tricia and Ethan as they begin searching for their forever home. When a nasty storm strands them at a particularly creepy house, they scour the estate for something to cure their boredom until the blizzard passes. They discover the house belonged to Dr. Hale, a psychologist who went missing years prior. They stumble upon a room filled with audio cassette tapes of Dr. Hale’s sessions. One by one, Tricia plays them, slowly learning what exactly happened to Dr. Hale — uncovering secrets she wishes she’d never heard.
Bunny by Mona Awad
Samantha can’t stand the girls in her writing class. They call each other Bunny and look like clones. But when Samantha receives an invitation to come over, she can’t help but feel curious. Monstrous things happen at the Bunnies’ house, changing Samantha’s reality forever.
Nothing More to Tell by Holly Jackson
Brynn returns home after four years following her teacher’s murder. Now an intern at a true-crime show, she’s determined to find what police couldn’t: who did it? With her ex-best friend as the key witness, Brynn uncovers secrets that could change everything forever.
Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter
In an act she isn’t proud of, Isabella takes a latte that isn’t hers. Holding a cup labeled “Amy,” she runs into a kind, gorgeous man. On her first day at her dream job, she realizes that the handsome stranger is her new boss.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Credited with being the inspiration for the dark academia aesthetic, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is a great read for the colder months. At an elite liberal arts college in New England, a handful of misfits form a group around one of the university’s more eccentric professors. In this small society, new norms are created, and in time, new morals. Told in beautiful prose, this novel expertly intertwines elements of a thriller with philosophy and psychology. Fans of Kill Your Darlings and Dead Poets Society will find much to love in this heartbreakingly thought-provoking novel. This is a story that will stay with you long after the final page.
Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
In the early hours of Halloween, Jen watches her teenage son commit a gruesome murder. Horrified, she’s helpless to do anything but watch as her son is arrested and dragged to the police station. Exhausted, she falls asleep, only to wake up and discover that the murder hasn’t happened yet. It’s Halloween again, and she has the chance to prevent this horrible atrocity from occurring. As the days go on, Jen continues waking up in the past — first days, then months, then years before the murder. Deep in the past, something is set up so her son becomes a killer — and Jen must find it and put an end to it.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Set in the late 1990s, this autumnal romance brings nostalgia akin to classic rom-coms. Michelle is licking her wounds after a nasty divorce when she takes over her family’s bed & breakfast in Copper Run. Enter Cliff, a handsome, single dad next door who seems to embody the town itself. Michelle warms to Cliff as the days pass and the weather gets colder. What started as neighbors blossoms into friendship. But it’s the other feelings that might end up hurting her.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
Every September, Margaret and Hal’s house becomes haunted. After four years, Hal seemingly can’t take it anymore and vanishes. Their daughter, Katherine, travels to search for her father, unaware of horrors lurking in the house. As the search continues, the haunting becomes worse.
Slasher Summer by E.L. Chen
A group of friends reunite in their rural hometown, famously known as the backdrop to one of Hollywood’s greatest slasher films. However, fiction and reality begin to blur as they realize they’re being hunted and fall into the notorious roles found in slasher films.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Tradwife influencer Natalie spends her days promoting her lifestyle to millions of followers, despite the army of help behind the camera. However, she wakes up one day living the reality she’s spent years masquerading in, only to discover life isn’t what it seems.
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
I stumbled on The Sun Down Motel while shopping around for my next read, and it did not disappoint. Vivienne Delaney was only 20 years old when she disappeared. She had been working the night shift at the Sun Down Motel, just as she’d done every day for the past few months. Viv had been looking into a recent string of murders and presumably got too close to the truth. Thirty-five years later, her niece Carly takes it upon herself to find Viv — even when that means working at the same motel, staying in the same apartment, and looking into the same strange events that happened long ago.
Fall Into Temptation by Lucy Score
Anyone who has been scanning the Great Reads section for a while knows that I love anything by Lucy Score. Fall Into Temptation, the second installment in the Blue Moon series, is no exception. Gianna Decker, a newbie to the small town of Blue Moon, wasn’t looking for love. That is, until she spotted handsome bachelor Beckett Pierce, who just so happens to be her landlord, the town mayor, and her father’s girlfriend’s favorite son. With all these connections, it’d be impossible to stay away from him, right? As if having him as her landlord wasn’t complicated enough, his chemistry makes staying away even harder.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
This novel is a classic, and for a very good reason. Shirley Jackson takes readers through the horrors of Hill House in this paranormal gothic mystery. The Haunting of Hill House follows four protagonists, each seeking out the manor for different reasons. As they comb their way through Hill House, horrors are unleashed, and each must grapple with the sinister psychological evil lurking within. Atmospheric, unsettling, and deeply haunting, this is a classic that deserves its reputation.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Addie LaRue has spent centuries being forgotten. In 1714, she struck a deal that allowed her to live forever. But immortality has a price: Everyone she meets forgets her. She lives alone, traveling the world, until she meets a man who remembers her name.
Crave by Tracy Wolff
After her parents’ death, Grace moves to Alaska to attend Katmere Academy, run by her uncle. She soon realizes that monsters are walking among her — vampires, werewolves, and dragons posing as everyday humans. But surviving her new school may be harder than she ever imagined.
Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose
When estranged siblings Beth, Nicole, and Michael reunite after their parents’ passing, they begin sorting through the couple’s belongings. They discover an old VHS tape showing their father covered in blood while their mother helps him hide a body. Suddenly, everything they knew changes.
This article was originally published in the September 2026 issue of Appleton Monthly Magazine.
