Best books to read this autumn

September is officially here, which means autumn will be arriving soon, so I'm recommending ten books to read this autumn that are perfect to snuggle up with.

I don't know about you, but my favourite time of year is when we get to 'Ber' months: September, October, November and December. These aren't just my favourite months because I get to celebrate my birthday, my mum's birthday and Christmas.

No. The 'Ber' months are my favourite time of year because of the aesthetic, the atmosphere, and the general feeling they make me feel. And there's nothing better than sitting down with a hot drink, in comfy clothes and a good book.

I think this blog makes it quite clear that I love books. Reading is one of my favourite pastimes, and whilst some may prefer reading on holiday, I love reading in autumn and winter.

There's something about reading an autumnal or Christmas book that just brings me comfort and makes me smile.

So, I thought I'd share 10 books that you can read this autumn.

Up first, is a current read of mine that I absolutely love.

The Ravens by Kass Morgan and Danielle Page

A young adult book told from two characters' perspectives, Scarlett and Vivi. At Westerly College, The Ravens, better known as the Kappa Rho Nu sorority, are three things: ambitious, smart and beautiful.

But what others don't know, is that they aren't just regular college girls. They're witches.

Scarlett is determined to become the president of Kappa Rho Nu and Vivi is trying her hardest to grab this opportunity of a fresh start with both hands. The two of them don't get along, but when wicked magic rises on campus and a threat from Scarlett's past threatens to destroy The Ravens, the girls must work together.

To protect the sisterhood. Protect their secret. And to avoid losing everything they've worked for.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Another witchy book perfect for spooky season is The Ex Hex. It's the first book in a series and it follows Vivienne Jones, a young witch, who cursed her horrible boyfriend nine years ago.

The curse was meant to be harmless. Surely it wouldn't actually work with only a single candle?

Well, when Rhys Penhallow arrives in Grave Glen, returning to his ancestors' town, things start to go wrong. And Vivi starts to realise that her silly little curse, may actually be a real Ex Hex.

With their chemistry being reignited, Vivi and Rhys must work together to put what's wrong in the town right and to reverse the curse Vivi placed on Rhys.

It may sound a bit cliché, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Ex Hex last Halloween. The perfect spooky season read for lovers of romance.

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

Autumn means pumpkin spice, gingerbread, Gilmore Girls, and a cosy mystery. And that's what Laurie Gilmore provides in The Pumpkin Spice Café.

In this easy-read, romance blossoms as Jeanie inherits the Pumpkin Spice Café in Dream Harbour. She jumps at the chance of running the local café and leaving her office job behind, but when she arrives in the small town, her cheeriness annoys Logan, a local farmer.

But the two join forces, making a grumpy-sunshine partnership, to solve the mystery that Jeanie finds herself entangled in.

I must say, I loved this book when I read it last autumn because it had warmth, a feel-good story and provided simple pleasures.

The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

The Dream Harbour series continues with book two, The Cinnamon Bun Book Store. I haven't actually read this novel yet, as it only recently was published, but I think we can all agree that the cover and the title give autumn vibes.

Hazel, Jeanie's new best friend, runs the town's bookstore, and she's now presented with a mystery of her own. A single book starts revealing secret messages that Hazel struggles to decipher.

So she enlists the help of Noah, a fisherman always eager for an adventure and who has been crushing on Hazel for a while. The bookseller and fisherman team up to solve the mystery of the secret codes, whilst realising, as the blurb says, that "their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells..."

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. Always have been and always will be. So it will come as no surprise that one of my favourite book series is Harry Potter and that I'm recommending the first novel as a good autumn read.

The Philosopher's Stone for me provides the best autumn vibes with new beginnings and the discovery of magic and new friendships. There's something magical about delving into the world of Hogwarts and joining Harry as he learns the truth about what he is.

And a bonus about reading the Harry Potter books is that once you've read them, you can snuggle up and have a movie night too!

Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie. A book titled Hallowe'en Party. A dark mysterious cover with a pumpkin. What more could you want from a book to read in spooky season?

I love reading a good old-fashioned mystery novel and Agatha Christie writes these perfectly. In Hallowe'en Party, the infamous Hercule Poirot is put to the test after being called in to find an 'evil presence'.

At the party, Joyce is murdered, found drowned in an apple-bobbing tub, after admitting that she witnessed a murder. No one believes her, but after her body is found, the hunt for the killer is on.

For those who want a more visual story to immerse themselves in, the 2022 film A Haunting in Venice is based upon Hallowe'en Party, and I can certainly say, that if you watch that this autumn, you will feel the chill in the air.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

I must admit that I haven't actually read this book yet. However, it is on my TBR pile for this autumn because I keep seeing such good reviews about it - plus it was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in 2022.

But what I do know about this novel is that it follows Mika Moon, a young witch in Britain, who lives a rather lonely life. Hiding her magic from the world, she keeps her head down and follows the rules.

Apart from when she 'pretends' to be a witch online and mysteriously receives an invitation to Nowhere House as a teacher to three young witches. Mika uses this as a new opportunity in her life, but when she arrives at Nowhere House, she becomes tangled up in the lives of those who live there.

And to top it all off, a threat comes knocking and Mika must make a choice.

Carrie by Stephen King

Stephen King is an excellent writer, evidenced by his success in selling fiction, writing manuals and book-to-movie adaptations. He has written several spooky books perfect for autumn and one of them is Carrie. This was the first book I read of King's and it's great if you want a shorter read.

Carrie's story explores her life as a high-school student with telekinetic powers. She's misunderstood and is alone at school, but when she's invited to Prom by Tommy Ross, she thinks things will start to change.

But little does she know, she's still an outsider compared to the other students. And so, with her powers, Carrie lets loose and gives the town who hates her a taste of their own medicine.

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

The Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy by Kerri Maniscalco is a fantasy, paranormal series that tells the story of: "Two sisters. One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself... And an intoxicating romance."

Emilia and Vittoria are witches who live and walk among the humans, but one night, Vittoria is found murdered. Emilia promises to avenge her sister and enact vengeance, at any cost.

Even if it means working alongside Wrath, one of the Wicked (princes of Hell). The two work together despite all the warnings Emilia has been given about the Wicked, but she'll quickly learn that what you may believe, is not necessarily true.

Emilia and Wrath's story continues in the next two books that delve deeper into Hell and dark magic, which just screams spooky season reading to me.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The final book I'm recommending you read this autumn is the Six of Crows duology. I could talk about these books for hours on end because of how much I love them, but that would probably bore readers, so I'll be brief.

Six of Crows follows the lives of six characters, all different, yet similar in some ways. They're tasked with an impossible quest, but being who they are, they go ahead with it anyway.

The fantasy world, the magic, the adventure, the romance, the friendships. Everything in this novel, and Crooked Kingdom (book two), is worth the read and it's perfect for you to devour this autumn.

So with 10 book recommendations for the autumnal months, I hope you find yourself escaping into the world and lives of others. And if you have any books to recommend yourself, let me know in the comments.

Until next time...