Pile of books including “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt Xavierite
Despite the days still climbing to 85 degrees, summer is officially on its way out. Classes are in session, football games are back, and pumpkin spice everything is stocked on store shelves.
Summer gets a lot of buzz as a time for reading—the term “beach read” says enough—but fall is also a perfect time to crack open a novel.
Whether it’s introspective literary fiction or a dark academia cult classic, the following books are sure to keep your interest throughout the fall months.
- “Intermezzo,” by Sally Roone
If you’re an avid reader, you’re bound to have heard of Sally Rooney’s breakthrough novel, “Normal People.” It took the literary world by storm, and Rooney will probably do it again with “Intermezzo.”
“Intermezzo” follows two brothers navigating life and relationships after the death of their father. Knowing Rooney, it’ll be vulnerable, raw, and the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve read it.
“Intermezzo” is a brand-new release and will hit store shelves on Sept. 24. Preorders from Bookie’s are available here.
- “Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn
“Sharp Objects” is one of the darker books on this list, which means it’s perfect to read during the dreary, spookier months.
“Sharp Objects” follows Camille Preaker as she returns to her hometown to investigate two murders. Haunted by hardships from her adolescence, Camille finds it hard to detach herself from the downward spiral her hometown is going through.
I’d advise checking the trigger warnings on this before you pick it up, as it deals with some heavy subject matter such as child abuse, violence, and self-harm.
- “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
A modern classic if there ever was one. If there’s a quintessential fall read, “The Secret History” is it. “The Secret History” takes place on a New England college campus and focuses on a group of oddball students obsessed with Greek Classics.
It’s a relatively long read, but one that you won’t regret investing your time in.
There’s murder, obsession, and criticism of class/privilege. It has all the fall vibes without sacrificing incredible prose and intricate plotlines.
- “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” by Sangu Mandanna
If your fall usually consists of pumpkin spice drinks, thick sweaters, and rewatching Harry Potter or Gilmore Girls, this one’s for you.
“The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” is a cozy story chronicling one witch’s journey to find a true sense of belonging. Mika Moon, one of the only witches in Britain, is contacted and asked to teach three young witches how to use their magic. From there, she finds a new family and must protect it at all costs.
A lighter read than most of the other books listed, “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” is perfect for a rainy fall weekend.
- “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
Fall calls for mysteries just as much as it does for horror. “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is a young adult novel following Pip, who begins to dig into the murder of fellow high schooler Andie Bell.
Through shocking twists and lovable characters, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” is a book that refuses to be put down. It’ll have you turning the pages late into the night as you try to guess who the killer truly is.
If you finish the book and find yourself wanting more, there’s also a recent Netflix adaptation you could watch after reading. The series has all the same fall vibes of the book if not more.
- “It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror” by Joe Vallese
While not fiction like the rest of this list, “It Came from the Closet” is perfect if you don’t want to commit to a whole novel.
“It Came from the Closet” is a collection of essays from an array of queer and trans writers reflecting on the horror films that influenced their gender or sexuality experience in some way. It’s the perfect book to pick up during a study break or on a weekend because you can just read one essay at a time.
It’d also be fun to watch the spooky movies that inspired the essays after you read them. There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch during the fall months with a scary movie or book—this recommendation offers a chance for both.
Correction: This story was updated on September 19 to fix paragraph spacing issues.