5 Books To Cozy Up With This Fall
By: Kristina Dunham
Autumn is here, meaning that we are saying goodbye to swimsuits, sunhats, and sandy beach towels and hello to cardigans, cozy blankets, and pumpkin spice. With the leaves changing and temperatures cooling, the only thing missing is a good book for the cozy weather. Here are my must-read books for Fall!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
My rating: 4.2/5
“Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as
my own: in pain and sickness, it would still
be dear. Your mind is my treasure, and
if it were broken, it would be my treasure still.”
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
Starting with a timeless classic, Jane Eyre is a great pick for (fellow) romance lovers. Brontë’s most famous work is timeless, encompassing topics ranging from family dynamics to the power of love. Plus, Mr. Rochester is the perfect man if you’re into the tall, dark, handsome, and broody type.
“An absolutely stunning book. This is my third time through, and each time I am blown away by Jane's strength of character. ****With every twist life hurled at her, Jane merely straightened her shoulders, adjusted her pack, and trudged on. Each time I read this novel, I notice something different.”
Miranda Reads on Goodreads
Carrie by Stephen King
My rating: 4/5
“Jesus watches from the wall,
But his face is cold as stone,
And if he loves me
As she tells me
Why do I feel so all alone?”
― Stephen King, Carrie
It isn’t October without a spooky read, and Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie, is no exception! Carrie White, a high school student, is a troubled teen with psychic abilities, an abusive religious fanatic for a mother, and a friendless loner in her town of Chamberlain, Maine. However, everyone will know her name after a fearful prom night.
“The way he combines the past with the present and horror seems all too real. It’s mouth-watering and it leaves you wanting more and more of that horror and terror. It’s a small enough novel, it’ll take you no time at all to read it. So, if you’ve seen the movies then don’t be hesitant about it. Just do it. You won’t regret it.”
Lazaros on Goodreads
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4.7/5
“You are a man. You are an average, lazy, boring, cowardly,
woman-fearing man. Without me, that's what you would
have kept on being, ad nauseam. But I made you into something.
You were the best man you've ever been with me. And you know it.
The only time in your life you've ever liked yourself was
pretending to be someone I might like.”
― Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl
In her third novel, Gillian Flynn introduces us to Nick and Amy Dunne, a couple living in North Cartridge, Missouri. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing, leaving Nick confused and worried, as well as the cops’ number one suspect. As we follow along Nick’s journey to prove his innocence and find his wife, we get a sneak peek into Mrs. Dunne’s diary, filled with shocking details. After reading this thriller, I recommend watching the movie rendition*,* starring Rosamund Pike, Ben Affleck, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry.
“Quite simply, this is one of the best novels of the year. It's a thriller in the best tradition of Alfred Hitchcock and layered with brilliantly written characters; it's the kind of book that's nearly impossible to put down. The surprises and twists keep the reader guessing up until the final page, and my first thought upon finishing the novel was that I wanted to read it a second time.”
Nicholas Sparks
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
My rating: 4.6/5
“The world is a beautiful place,” she insists, and she’s serious;
her gaze is even, her voice level. Her eyes catch mine, hold them.
“Don’t forget that.” She reclines, mashing her cigarette into the
hollow of the bowl. “And don’t miss it.”
― A.J. Finn, The Woman in the Window
The Woman in the Window is one of my all-time favorite thrillers. Set in New York City, readers are introduced to Anna Fox, a child psychologist with agoraphobia, meaning that she is terrified of leaving her house. Instead, Dr. Fox fills her days by drinking and spying on her new neighbors, the Russells, who appear to be the perfect family. Dr Fox even forms a friendship with their son, David; however, everything is not what it seems. A fast-paced and gripping novel, A.J. Finn knows how to draw in his audience and will take you on the journey of a lifetime.
“The Woman in the Window is the kind of cozy psychological thriller that is easy to gobble up in a sitting or two. I didn't even mind that some things were obvious because the getting there was so damn fun and suspenseful. I'll be on the lookout for more from Finn.”
Emily May on Goodreads
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
My rating: 4.2/5
“I am tired of trying to hold things together that cannot be held.
Trying to control what cannot be controlled. I am tired of denying
myself what I want for fear of breaking things I cannot fix.
They will break no matter what we do.”
― Erin Morgenstern, The Night Circus
Published in 2011, Morgenstern’s The Night Circus follows two young magicians, Celia and Marco. The magicians, performers for Le Cirque des Rêves, (a circus only open at night) compete against one another until only one is left standing. This proves to be difficult as a romance sparks between Celia and Marco. Morgenstern takes us into a world full of magic, romance, and seduction as we anticipate the magicians’ fates.
“The prose sparkles, and the story itself is a feat of magical acrobatics. It's a hard book to summarize, but basically two ancient magicians set their two best pupils against one another in a magical contest. Its venue? A mysterious circus that only appears at night. The only problem: the contestants don't really know the rules, or how victory is determined. And when the contestants start falling in love which each other, things get complicated.”
Rick Riordan
Happy reading, ghouls! □
