In the beginning of November, when the air is crisp and the lingering spookiness of Halloween is present, the only thing cozier than a rainy day spent inside is a rainy day spent inside with a book. Fall is the perfect time to choose a good book that will carry you well into winter and reflect the transformations and beauty happening right outside your windows. Whether that be a thrilling mystery or a warm rom-com, there’s truly something for everyone. Like the many colors of autumn, there is a big selection of genres to choose from. Curated here is the perfect collection of cozy feel-good classics and stimulating thrillers to keep you turning pages throughout the most tranquil months of the year!
The first novel that expertly captures the aura of autumn is the New York Times Bestseller A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. With a geniusly crafted and thought-out plot, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, or AGGGTM (as it’s branded on social media), follows high school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi as she investigates a local murder for her senior project. The setting is a classic small town, where everybody knows everyone, relationships are not always what they seem, and unsettling secrets are desperately protected. As Pippa peels back layers of the supposedly solved murder, the reader sinks deeper into a tangle of lies, rumors, and unexpected conclusions, ideal for long reads on foggy weekends and stormy nights. Lucy Rellosa ’29 commented, “AGGGTM is the perfect book for fall because of its mystery aspect and scary vibes. The suspense of the book makes you unable to put it down, and it’s a great book to cozy up with and read during fall months.” The mood is effortlessly enthralling, creating that petrifying chill that society has come to adore in the gloomy short days of fall.
The second book that simply must be on your bookshelf this November is the well-known classic, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Already fabricated into seven film adaptations, with 2019 as the most popular, Little Women follows the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth, in 1863 Massachusetts. Including elements of historical fiction, Little Women captures themes that are heavily associated with fall by focusing on the March sisters and their transition into later chapters in life. Just as the world around us prepares for winter, the sisters prepare for new stages in their lives. Lena Goedde ’29 said, “Little Women is such a beautiful book; the way it writes relationships between characters is incomparable to any other story.”
The last book that radiates pure fall vibes is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. The novel depicts excruciatingly poetic and lyrical tones, enforcing the visual depth of the season. Maja Spence ’29 expressed that, “I think The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the perfect fall book because it feels sort of magical and dark but cozy at the same time, making it very autumnal to me.” The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue has a very dark academia tone. From the point of view of a girl born in 18th-century France and living in 21st-century New York, the novel features themes of memory and solitude. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue contains all the perfect fall feels.
With fall in full swing and the temperature beginning to plummet, it’s the perfect time to invest in a new book. Hopefully these suggestions make your November reading list a little easier to create!
