woman reading in her bed

Katherine Witts

The autumn leaves are falling and we can hear the heavy rain against our windows. It’s time to cosy up and get lost in a new book. These are the titles to look out for this season.

Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury

Are you a fan of the 80s classic The Goonies? Do the mystery and thriller aspects of Stranger Things scratch your itch? Well then, Ray Bradbury’s 1962 classic is the book for you. Full of magic, an evil travelling circus, and two friends with a desire to uncover the strange happenings of their hometown, you’re sure to enjoy this page-turning novel. If that alone doesn’t sell it to you, it’s set on Halloween night and is one of Matthew Gray Gubler’s favourite books.

Coraline – Neil Gaiman

“Caroline, Caroline, Caroline. You are in terrible danger.”

If classics aren’t for you, why not try a little lighter spooky read? Neil Gaiman is arguably one of the kings of spooky novels more accessible to all age ranges. Coraline is one of my favourite books, and films, which is why it’s a go-to comfort book for winter. Although the 2009 animated film is a masterpiece, it is a lighter take on Gaiman’s childhood classic.

Tender is the Flesh – Augustina Bazterrica

Probably the most gruesome recommendation of this list, Tender is the Flesh is a popular comfort book for fans on TikTok who love a dystopian novel. Although it is a translated piece of work, the descriptions are vivid and horrific in the best possible way. Bazterrica has undoubtedly created a dystopian classic that’s perfect for this time of year. For those of you interested in this dark piece of fiction, I will give you a trigger warning for blood, gore, and violence. This book isn’t for the faint hearted.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Cafe – Laurie Gilmore

A small-town romance through the lens of a “grumpy x sunshine” trope – what more do romance fans want from an autumnal book? Gilmore’s book has been in the limelight of TikTok over the past couple of months, and for good reason. With spicy romance and charming protagonists, Gilmore’s Gilmore Girls-inspired book is perfect if you want a break from horror this spooky season.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop – Satoshi Yagisawa

“Even if it ends in heartache, please don’t live a lonely life without love.”

Another translated book is Yagisawa’s beautiful 2023 tale of a second-hand Japanese bookstore. The story follows our protagonists as they fall in love unexpectedly. The book is all about the love of reading and discovering new worlds in books. This calm, short book is a must-read for those of you who are after a pick-me-up this winter.

Autumn – Ali Smith

Ali Smith’s seasonal quartet is the perfect book series to begin every season. According to Smith, the series itself is a cycle exploring “what time is, how we experience it.” Following a similar style of writing as Sally Rooney, Smith’s experimental writing and use of political metaphors is one to fly through. The book follows two leads, Elizabeth and Daniel, as they both try and navigate a new world of unconventional love.

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder – Holly Jackson

“But it wasn’t haunted by ghosts, just three sad people trying to live their lives as before.”

Follow the book’s curious lead, Pippa, as she investigates the murder of Andie Bell which happened almost five years ago. Pippa is convinced that Andie’s killer is still residing in her small town. This YA thriller is sure to keep your attention, with many twists and turns. Jackson has a captivating way of creating characters that are so complex you’re left needing more – lucky for us, the author has a whole series dedicated to Pippa and her curiosity. If that doesn’t convince you to pick up this exciting book, the BBC has announced the best-selling book will soon become a streamed series.

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Featured image courtesy of Thought Catalog via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Kath is a native Welsh-speaker and junior news editor for 'upday UK'. She is currently undergoing her masters in 'Visual Journalism' in Cardiff. As a former entertainment editor for Empoword and co-founder of Empoword's 'Pop Babble' podcast, Kath loves all things music, film, TV, and literature.

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