Books to Read in the Fall: 7 Great Autumn Reads
OUTLANDER BY DIANA GABALDON
I will take any opportunity to suggest people read my favorite series ever, Outlander. What better time than fall to escape to the Scottish Highlands with Claire and Jamie, in the series’ inaugural book?
Plus, the novel opens with Claire visiting Inverness during Samhain, the Gaelic festival often equated with Halloween.
Diana Gabaldon’s writing is evocative and transportive. The book (and series) are lengthy, but the detail and descriptions throughout are well worth the time.
P.S. Explore more Outlander posts of mine here!
DRACULA BY BRAM STOKER
I’ve included a few quintessential Halloween reading options, and Dracula certainly ticks all those boxes. Featuring the original vampire, the novel follows a series of dichotomies: good versus evil, life versus death.
Bram Stoker’s iconic and chilling work is a fascinating read whether you’re interested in classic literature or not. Told through a series of letters, Stoker’s Dracula introduces the vampiric tropes commonly seen today, including the idea of garlic as a repellant.
MEXICAN GOTHIC BY SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
Described by The Guardian as “Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America,” Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic has been all over Bookstagram since it’s June 2020 release.
A thrilling gothic novel, as the name suggests, Mexican Gothic features eery countryside mansions, mysterious families, and well-dressed socialites. The perfect mixture for a great book to read in the fall around Halloween!
Add this to your TBR pile before the Hulu Original Series is released!
FRANKENSTEIN BY MARY SHELLEY
Another of my quintessentially Halloween-inspired selections, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a fascinating tale about humanity’s role in monster creation.
Also known as “The Modern Prometheus,” Frankenstein follows a young scientist who creates an animate creature. Interestingly, while the term “Frankenstein” has come to refer to the monster, the name actually belonged to the creature’s scientist-creator.
As a female-written literary classic, I can’t recommend this one enough. Everyone should read it at some point in their lives.
THE ESSEX SERPENT BY SARAH PERRY
Historical fiction set in England in the late 19th century, Sarah Perry’s 2018 novel offers a strong female lead against the backdrop of superstition and folklore. The Essex Serpent, a mythical creature thought to roam the marshes of the coastal town, intrigues protagonist Cora, an agnostic amateur naturalist.
Much of the novel focuses on Cora’s interaction with a local vicar, a man of faith who challenges her own views. The Washington Post was pretty spot on when they related the heroine — and, as such, the book itself — to Elizabeth Bennet. It’s very Lizzie and Mr. Darcy.
GRACE BY PAUL LYNCH
Described as Dickensian in design, Paul Lynch’s Grace follows a young Irish girl as she is forced from her home just before the start of the Irish Famine. The protagonist and her brother traverse the rugged and wild Irish landscapes in a lyrical prose.
This coming-of-age novel can be a bit confusing at times, because of the unique style of prose, but it is nonetheless engrossing. Whether you’re interested in Irish history or not, this story is a poignant portrayal of the human spirit.
Not unlike Outlander, the romantic-yet-bleak landscape of Wuthering Heights is one of the perfect books to read in the fall and autumn. Mystifying and powerful, Emily Brontë’s only published novel is a quintessential example of the tragic gothic genre.
Alongside the multi-generational narrative of status-fueled relationships, the novel features a nuanced critique of Victorian ideals. With windswept moors and lost love, Wuthering Heights is a chilling and classic read.
Originally published at https://catsandcoffee.me on October 13, 2020.
