Fall Book Recs For [Almost] Every Mood
- Coffee, Book, & Candle
- Nov 5
- 7 min read
Ahh, it's finally begun to feel like fall where we live. Time to indulge in all of the spooky, cozy vibes this season has to offer! We've got a list of book recommendations that will help you lean into the season no matter what vibe you're craving.
NOTE: Click titles to learn more or purchase.
CARNIVALCORE
There's nothing like the contrast of danger and delight, especially during spookytime. The mystery and magic of this aesthetic can set the stage for a chilling tale or cozy adventure.
This romantic fantasy features a traveling circus, magical competition, rivals-to-lovers, and interesting storytelling. In Kori's review, she raved about the almost Burton-like atmosphere. If you're in the mood for more whimsy than plot, this is the book for you.
This beloved trilogy follows two sisters as they receive tickets to a mysterious—and dangerous—contest. They're constantly reminded that "it's all just a game"...but is it?
If you want something a little more plot-heavy with interesting twists and morally grey characters, you might have fun with this series and its spinoffs.
(Psst: For more information on this series, you can read Kori's review!)
DARK ACADEMIA
Alex Stern is a high school dropout and the sole survivor of a gruesome multiple homicide. Not exactly Yale material, right? But she's given the chance to turn her life around, starting with monitoring the occult activities of the school's secret societies.
This one has dark moments, so check your trigger warnings!
This epic series follows Zoey, a newly Marked vampyre fledgling as she settles into her new life at the Tulsa House of Night. Mean girls and religious fanatics aren't the only threat: not every fledgling survives the Change to become a true vampyre.
If you love dark academia settings, mythology and folklore, found family, animal companions, and a dash of romance, this series is for you.
Effy's been through a lot, and her greatest comfort is Angharad, her favorite fairytale. When the late author's family announces a contest to renovate the estate, it seems things might turn around. But she arrives to a mercurial family and a scholar on a mission to defame her favorite author.
Literature, fae, a crumbling seaside manor, academic rivals...what more could a girl want, aside from the sequel? You can read Kori's reveiw here.
Blue Sargent is the only one in her family of clairvoyants who doesn't see visions—until she sees the "ghost" of a boy who goes to their local private school, Aglionby. After meeting the perfectly alive Gansey and his group of friends, Blue's soon joining these rich-kid Raven Boys in their search for a mythical king who grants wishes.
If you like found family, philosophical musings a la Dead Poets Society, and aesthetics caught between dark academia, southern gothic, and a modern fairytale, Raven Boys is perfect for readers who like some humor with their spooky vibes. You can check out Jordan's review here!
COZY
Viv, an orc and mercenary, hangs up her sword to open a cozy coffee shop. But no one in town has even heard of coffee, and Viv's fighting days might not quite be behind her.
This novel and its prequel Bookshops & Bonedust are two of the most fun and un-put-down-able books Kori has read in years. She was excited to receive an ARC of the sequel Brigands and Breadknives, coming in November. Stay tuned for her review!
When her mentor is killed and a dangerous is grimoire unleashed, Elisabeth must leave the Great Library of Summershall—the only home she's ever known—and team up with a sorcerer and his demonic butler. On their quest to save the rest of Austermeer's Great Libraries, they uncover a conspiracy, hidden powers, and companionship.
We both adored this book and its companion novella. To read our thoughts, click here!
This cozy story follows Reyna and Kianthe, a Queen's Guard and mage, who say "screw it" and run away from their unsatisfying lives to open a bookshop. If you loved Legends & Lattes, you're sure to enjoy this. And vice versa, of course.
Kori published her review of this first installment, but stay tuned for her reviews for the rest of the series!
COTTAGECORE
Tana accepted her fate long ago: marry the mainland governor's son and release her magic into the ocean each full moon to broker peace for her coven's island community. But a missed ceremony and a chance encounter with the mysterious Wolfe and his forbidden magic causes her to question if she can follow through with her family's carefully laid plans.
Kori highly recommends this to anyone who'd enjoy a romantic drama set against a cozy, magical backdrop. For her full thoughts, check out her review.
Emily—a young, socially awkward Cambridge professor and expert on faeries—travels to the far-flung village of Hrafnsvik to study the highly elusive Hidden Ones. She doesn't expect her rival to follow close behind, or that she'll have to work with him if she hopes to finish writing her encyclopedia.
The snowy backdrop, small community, grumpy + sunshine pairing, and dark fairytale / folkloric whimsy make this story perfect for a any of the -ber months.
Pssst, this is one we read together; keep an eye out for our upcoming buddy review!
WHIMSIGOTH
If you love the Queen of Hearts, Heartless is a must read. This whimsical tale recounts Her Majesty's first loves: baking and a handsome jester. Several other famous characters make appearances, but they might not all keep their heads.
Warning: book hangover possible. This one stirs up a lot of emotions.
If you'd prefer a more Alice-centric plot featuring teen skaters, this might be more your speed. The women in Alyssa's family are cursed to hear the voices that drive them mad. To break the curse, thereby saving herself and her institutionalized mother, Alyssa must travel to Wonderland and pass a series of tests to right Alice's wrongs. But Wonderland is much darker than the stories that were published.
A favorite from her teen years, Kori reviewed the entire series!
If you, like us, might not be able to get enough of The Nightmare Before Christmas, you're in luck. Disney's Twisted Tale tells a different story: one where Sally is the one to find Christmas Town. This story is original yet nostalgic, perfect for a light read or reading slump cure.
NOIR
V.E. Schwab's Villains series is, obviously, about some sketchy characters. It follows Victor and Eli after they discover how to give themselves powers...and subsequently have a falling out. As they plot each other's demise, Victor and Eli encounter a variety of other ExtraOrdinary people with gifts—or curses—of their own.
The famous Caped Crusder is on a mission to take down Gotham's notorious mob boss when he's sidetracked by a serial killer who strikes on holidays: starting with Halloween. With each passing holiday, the body count grows, and the Dark Knight must work with familiar faces on both sides of the law.
Although this is part of a wider story and universe, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.
GASLAMP
Ours is not the only London, and Kell—full time ambassador of Red London, part time smuggler—has the rare ability to travel to all of them. When an exchange goes wrong, Kell runs into Delilah Bard, a thief with ambitions for adventure. She gets more than she asked for when she robs Kell, saves him, then hitches a ride out of Grey London. Now she has to help him save every London from a dark magic.
If you're in the mood for criminal intrigue, stabby female characters, and a dark, atmospheric vibe, look no further.
Audrey Rose is passionate about forensic science and loves sneaking to her uncle's laboratory. Her uncle's other helper, Thomas, she's not such fan of. When a string of murders stuns Whitechapel, they set aside their rivalry—for the most part—to investigate.
While Kori didn't love the second novel in this series, it is well-loved, so you might enjoy it!
GOTHIC
Catalina is on a quest to find her brother, who's been taken by the legendary Man of Sap. As she searches the Wisconsin forest, she encounters a curious bird, a young lumberjack, monstrous creatures, restless spirits, curses, and more. Come for the folklore and Faustian bargains, stay for the impeccable atmosphere and hellish journey.
For more, you can read Kori's review.
Yes, another Schwab story! This one's a standalone so good, you'll devour it in no time—especially if a Crimson Peak + The Secret Garden mashup interests you.
Olivia receives an invitation to Gallant, the home of distant relatives she knew nothing about. Upon arrival, she learns that no one sent an invitation...and that the manor holds several ghosts, literally and figuratively.
Kori raves about this book in her review.
Last Schwab recommednation, we swear! But her latest release is a gothic feverdream with vampires, elegant prose, and atmsopheric settings.
Maria, Charlotte, and Alice were born centuries and continents apart, but their stories collide when they make mysterious aquaintences and desperate decisions. This one's for fans of True Blood, Interview With a Vampire, and Bridgerton.
Kori recently reviewed this one; spoiler alert: she loved it.
DARK FANTASY
Loosely based on the poem The Highway Man and incorporating all sorts of fairytale and folklore themes such as magical tarot-like cards, an impenetrable mist, curses, and a shadowy creature who lives in the protagonist Elspeth's mind, this gothic fantasy is a must-read for anyone looking for darker Ever After vibes.
If you love good ol'-fashioned murdery vampires, but in a gritty fantasy setting, you might enjoy this enemies-to-lovers between a human raised as a vampire princess and the winged vampire she's forced to team up with in a set of deadly trials—even though only one of them can win and claim the goddess of death's favor.
Last but not least is a story that could fit into most of these categories. Academic rivals Lorelai and Sylvia must work together when a member of their expedition crew is murdered. But finding the culprit might be as difficult as locating the legendary spring they're searching for.
If you like folklore, ghosts, dark academia, and dark fairytale vibes, you're in good company! Kori's review will enlighten you on all the reasons you're sure to love this story.
We could keep going, but we'll stop here soas not to overwhelm you. If you'd like more recommendations, or [have] read any of these, let us know in the comments below, or hit us up on bookstagram!
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