Books That Embrace the Spirit of Fall
In this post, I recommend 11 books to read in the fall.
Fall is the season I look forward to most in the year. I love feeling that first cool breeze and seeing the changing colors of the leaves. With it comes all the seasonal festivities, like bonfires, Halloween and Thanksgiving, and football games. And, of course, pumpkin spice everything!
I wanted to put together a list of books that take place in the fall to fully embrace the changing of the season. Many of these books are cozy fallcore, while others are more thought-provoking reads, and some are full of mystery and *murder*! I tried to include something for everyone, so I hope you find something you love on this list! I usually only include 10 books on my reading lists, but this one has a bonus book because there are so many fun things to read in fall. :)
As important as I think it is to support libraries and independent bookstores, I understand this is not a possibility for everyone. So, I’ve included links to purchase the books mentioned in this post through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
The Autumn of Ruth Winters
By Marshall Fine (2024)
Literary fiction. Ruth Winters likes her routine the way it is - predictable and spent alone. As a retired widow, she may not be completely happy, but she is accepting of how her life is. Then, three things happen simultaneously that shake up Ruth’s routine - she receives an announcement from her niece, devastating news from her estranged sister, and contact from a former flame. Ruth must decide between staying set in her ways or giving life a second chance.
The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre
By Philip Fracassi (2025)
Humorous horror. In her late 70s, Rose DuBois plans to live out her remaining years undisturbed in a retirement home. However, things go awry when a resident is found dead in her bed, and other residents begin dropping like flies. Rose starts investigating, and all evidence points to a murderer on the loose in the retirement home. But the more involved she becomes with the investigation, the closer she gets to becoming the killer’s next victim. If you want a riotous slasher to read for Halloween, this one is for you!
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe (Dream Harbor #1)
By Laurie Gilmore (2023)
Spicy romance. If you’re looking for a fall setting, Gilmore Girls vibes, and a Hallmark movie plot, look no further! Jeanie is excited to move from the big city to a small town to take over he aunt’s business at the Pumpkin Spice Cafe. Logan is a local farmer who, despite his grumpy attitude, finds himself charmed by Jeanie’s positivity. Will Jeanie and Logan become the town’s newest relationship gossip, or do their differing outlooks on life have them doomed from the start?
Murder at Cinnamon Falls (Cinnamon Falls #1)
By R. L. Killmore (2025)
Cozy mystery. Another book with all the small town fall vibes! Nia recently graduated, but after a painful breakup and no jobs on the horizon, she decides to move home to Cinnamon Falls to figure things out. The town is getting ready for their annual fall festival, but tragedy strikes just a few days before the big event - a body is found in the town diner with a note asking who’s next. Nia, along with other residents of Cinnamon Falls and the town detective (aka her high school ex-boyfriend) are on the case! Can the town find the killer before they claim their next victim?
Wicked Autumn (Max Tudor #1)
By G.M. Malliet (2011)
Cozy mystery. An oldie but goodie! Set in England, former MI5 agent Max Tudor is now living a quiet life as a vicar in the small village of Nether Monkslip. During the village’s Harvest Fayre, the outspoken and unpopular Wanda Batton-Smythe dies suddenly by what looks like an allergic reaction to peanuts. But to Max’s trained eye, this looks more like a calculated murder. People who enjoy this introductory novel will enjoy the many other Max Tudor mysteries!
Wrong Place Wrong Time
By Gillian McAllister (2022)
Psychological thriller. Halloween morning at midnight. Jen is waiting up for her 18-year-old son, Todd, when she witnesses him brutally stabbing a stranger, seemingly unprovoked. What would cause her son to do such a thing? After Todd is taken into custody, Jen falls asleep and wakes up the previous day. Is this her chance to stop the murder before it happens? Each time she falls asleep, she wakes up weeks, months, years before the crime is committed. Jen realizes the reason for Todd’s attack is somewhere in his past, and she needs to find it before it’s too late.
The Witching Tide
By Margaret Meyer (2023)
Historical fiction. Martha Hallybread witnesses the devastating effects of a 17th century witch hunt on her village. Martha is a midwife, healer, and servant, and is also mute. When witchfinder Silas Makepeace shows up in her village, he enlists Martha to help search the accused for “devil’s marks”. Martha needs to choose between protecting the women of her village or protecting herself, as she holds a secret that could lead her straight to the gallows - a wax witching doll that belonged to her mother, which Martha has resurrected in attempt to bring protection to herself and the women in her community.
Picture Perfect Autumn
By Shelley Noble (2023)
Contemporary fiction. Self-taught photographer Dani is enjoying her current artistic popularity in Manhattan, but doesn’t know how to keep up the momentum. She discovers photos at an antique shop that inspire her, which prompts her to find the photographer behind them, 80-year-old Lawrence Sinclair. Dani travels to Rhode Island to meet Sinclair and convince him to mentor her. But this does not prove easy as Lawrence’s devastating past makes him not want anything to do with photography. To tops things off, Lawrence’s grandson, Peter, shows up to try and scare Dani off, who he believes is after Lawrence’s money. But Dani won’t be scared away easily, and is ready for the challenge of breaking Lawrence out of his shell and showing Peter she is not who he thinks she is.
If It Makes You Happy
By Julie Olivia (2025)
Romance. Michelle is running her family’s B&B in small-town Vermont, healing from her recent divorce. She has plans to pass off the B&B to her sister and take a new job in Seattle. But her handsome, single-dad next door neighbor, Cliff (who bakes!), may just put a wrench in those plans. This story takes place in 1997, and if you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls or When Harry Met Sally, you may just love this book!
The Book of Autumn
By Molly O’Sullivan (2025)
Dark academia fantasy. Marcella (Cella) Gibbons, anthropologist and former student of Seinford and Brown College of Agriculture (and Magic) in New Mexico, has sworn off magic forever after a rough final year of school. But things are changing at her alma mater, and there is dark magic harming and killing students. When Cella’s former magic partner - and ex - contacts her to help him fight the dark forces, she has no choice but to step in to keep her former school from going to ruin.
Lauryn Harper Falls Apart
By Shauna Robinson (2025)
Contemporary fiction. A mishap at a large corporation gets blown out of proportion, and Lauryn Harper is being sent back to her hometown (a place she never wanted to return to) as punishment to work in their charity department. The corporation is causing the town to go downhill, and Lauryn’s ex-best friend demands Lauryn right her wrongs by throwing a huge fall festival for the town. She agrees, but this is easier said than done when hijinks and chaos ensue. This is a light, feel-good novel about second chances and the comfort of home.
Please let me know if you decide to read any of these books! Also tell me what type of books you like to read in the fall, and if you have any on your reading list that you’re excited about. Whatever you’re reading, I hope you’re enjoying it!
Thanks for stopping by. :)