A good book is always nice to have, but especially so in fall when you're tucked in bed with a hot cup of cocoa and a cold breeze is stirring through your open window. Here are some suggestions to keep you company this fall.
1. “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre embodies the feeling of fall, as many novels in the Victorian era do. Some may call it a love story, but the heart of the matter is how independent and fierce Jane is in the decisions she makes. This is no girlish tale of a women who would be wooed by a handsome face alone, but who one who knows her worth despite being both poor and plain. This novel is also perfect for all of the feminists out there, as it celebrates both the independence and equality of women.
2. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
“The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation” so begins “The Secret History." In a remarkable reversal of the “who done it” scenario, this book takes you through the relationships of a close knit group of college friends and how they came to murder one of their own. The characters in this book are by far the best part of the book, enchanting and captivating and set in an atmosphere that is decidedly fall-esque.
3. The Collected Stories of H.P. Lovecraft
A pinnacle of horror, H.P. Lovecraft spins haunting tales of eerie, freakish creatures of all sorts throughout his many short story collections. Here you will meet the ineffable Cthulhu of the sea, and the terror that is Azathoth. Lovecraft's works are disturbing in the best sort of way, the sort that will make your spine tingle as if someone is staring at you despite the fact that you are alone in your room. Best read by yourself on a cold, stormy day.
4. “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson
The best thing about fall? Camping season! Bryson will make you laugh until your cry as he recounts the true story of his experience hiking The Appalachian Trail. He'll have you yearning for dancing fall leaves, hiking trails and campfires while also allow you to experience it all from home. For for hiking lovers and cozy home-bodies alike, the fall weather will put you in the spirit of this book without doubt.
5. “Salem's Lot” by Stephen King
It's King, and it's vampires, what more can you ask for during fall? Discover who (or what) lives at the top of that creepy house on the hill, and what happens to the characters who decide to investigate...
6. “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George
A classic, "My Side of the Mountain" is the fictional account of Sam Gribley as he runs away from home to live in the mountains with little beyond the clothes on his back. A great read to bring outdoors, you'll be fascinated to learn how Sam fares on his own out in the wilderness as fall and winter set in. Haven't we all wondered if we could make it on our own? This book will make you appreciate the wonders of heated air conditioning.
7. “Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World” by Haruki Murakami
Murakami's works are distorted and bizarre. They will bend your mind and make you question what is truly going on, lending to a unique atmosphere where characters aren’t allowed to have shadows in a far away town and the subconscious works as an encryption key. The story takes place in two locations, “Hard Boiled Wonderland," and “The End of the World." A great book to pick up if you're looking for something intriguing and out of the box while you're hiding inside from the cold.
8. “Beauty” by Robin McKinley
A wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and perfect for the moment when fall starts slipping into winter. In this retelling, Beauty is no beauty, but instead the ugliest of her two sisters. Still, she is courageous as she takes her father's place as captive in the Beast's castle. On the shorter side (a little over 250 pages), this is a great choice for anyone looking for light, captivating read in familiar territory on a breezy autumn day.