Books to Get Your Cozy Going
It might be mid-August, but is that a faint waft of pumpkin spice in the air – no? School is starting, apple picking is mere weeks away and in the midst of it, your TBR list is bound for a refresh from summer fling to full snuggle-up by the fire - get your flannel out - put cinnamon in everything COZY. We’ve rounded up our Top 10 books to kick off fall and bring visions of crisp autumn air – even while it’s still pushing 85 outside. So, grab a blanket, light an apple and spice-scented candle, and let’s dive into our top picks that will have you ready to welcome the season of cozy with open arms.
1. Most Likely to Warm Your Heart with a Ghostly Embrace
Under the Whispering Door, By TJ Klune
Welcome to Charon's Crossing, where the tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through. Wallace, who never quite lived while he was alive, finds himself at this peculiar tea shop after a reaper comes to collect him from his own funeral. With just one week to cross over, Wallace embarks on a journey that’s equal parts heartwarming and haunting, learning what it truly means to live. This tale, much like the first fall breeze, reminds us of the delicate beauty in every ending, and the unexpected warmth that can be found even in the most unexpected places.
2. Most Likely to Send Shivers Down Your Spine
Never Whistle at Night, Anthology Edited By Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Last Jr.
Autumn evenings are made for ghost stories, and this collection delivers chills like no other. Drawing from Indigenous legends, these tales of ghosts, curses, and hauntings are a masterclass in the art of suspense. Each story is a journey into the unknown, a whisper in the night that lingers long after the last page is turned. If you’re looking to add a touch of the eerie to your fall, this is the book to keep by your side—just be careful not to whistle while you read.
3. Most Likely to Make You Savor Every Moment
Before The Coffee Gets Cold, By Toshikazu Kawaguchi
In a tucked-away café in Tokyo, time stands still—or at least, it offers the chance to. This novel invites you to consider the bittersweet beauty of moments gone by, as four customers seek to change their pasts before their coffee gets cold. With each sip, the story unfolds in a way that feels both nostalgic and comforting, much like a cherished autumn memory that resurfaces with the changing of the leaves.
4. Most Likely to Keep You Guessing Until the Last Leaf Falls
The Thursday Murder Club, By Richard Osman
There's a certain charm to a fall mystery, and The Thursday Murder Club serves it up with a side of wit and warmth. In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely sleuths find themselves unraveling a real-life murder mystery. As the stakes rise, so does the camaraderie among this quirky group of friends. With the scent of woodsmoke in the air and a chill creeping into the evenings, this book is the perfect companion for a night of suspense by the fire.
5. Most Likely to Haunt Your Dreams
Mexican Gothic, By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Fall is the season for gothic tales, and this one delivers in spades. Set in the 1950s, this novel takes you to an isolated mansion in Mexico, where a young socialite uncovers dark secrets that threaten to consume her. The atmosphere is thick with dread and mystery, much like the heavy fog that rolls in on a crisp autumn night. As the story unravels, you’ll find yourself wrapped in its eerie embrace, unable to leave its shadowy world behind.
6. Most Likely to Feel Like a Cozy Reunion with Old Friends
Little Women, By Louisa May Alcott
There’s something about fall that makes us yearn for the comfort of familiar stories, and Little Women is just that. The tale of the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—is as enduring as the autumn leaves that return each year. Whether they’re putting on a play or celebrating Christmas, the warmth and love that bind these sisters together is as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa on a brisk day. This classic will wrap you in a cozy, nostalgic hug that never goes out of style.
7. Most Likely to Cast a Spell on You
The Once and Future Witches, By Alix Harrow
In a world where witches are supposed to be a thing of the past, three sisters defy the odds to reclaim their power. Set against the backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement, this novel is a stirring tribute to the resilience and strength of women, both then and now. The Eastwood sisters’ journey is one of magic, family, and revolution, making it a perfect read as the world around you transforms with the season. Like the changing leaves, this story is a reminder of the beauty and power in reclaiming what’s been lost.
8. Most Likely to Take You on an Emotional Journey
Let Us Descend, By Jesmyn Ward
Fall is a time for reflection, and Let Us Descend offers a deeply moving narrative that resonates with the season’s introspective nature. Annis’s journey from the rice fields of the Carolinas to the heart of a Louisiana plantation is a story of pain and perseverance, beautifully rendered and heartbreakingly real. As you follow her descent and eventual rebirth, the novel’s poetic prose will leave you contemplating the ghosts of history and the spirits that still linger.
9. Most Likely to Give You Classic Love Vibes
Persuasion, By Jane Austen
Autumn is the season of second chances, and Persuasion captures that spirit perfectly. Anne Elliot’s story of lost love and rekindled romance is as timeless as the changing of the leaves. With its wit, charm, and deeply felt emotions, this novel reminds us that some things, like love and autumn, are worth waiting for. As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself swept up in the beauty of a love story that’s as enduring as the season itself.
10. Most Likely to Keep You Coming Back for More
The Dutch House, By Ann Patchett
Much like the annual tradition of visiting a favorite fall spot, The Dutch House is a story you’ll want to return to again and again. Set over five decades, this dark fairy tale explores the complexities of family, memory, and loss. Danny and Maeve’s bond is the heart of the story, much like the way a cozy autumn gathering centers around the warmth of the hearth. As you delve into their lives, you’ll find yourself lost in the rich tapestry of a story that lingers long after the last leaf has fallen.