Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links, so if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission.
Here in Tennessee, we’re still in the throes of summer, with daily temperatures reaching the 90s. (It’s been more than 90+ days since our high temperature was in the 80s!) So even though Halloween decorations are already on display in stores and the leaves are starting to change, it’s still very hard to get into a fall frame of mind.
I have a friend who builds her TBR around the seasons and events that happen throughout the year. I don’t intentionally choose my books that way, but I thought it was an interesting approach.
So I thought it’d be fun to build a Fall TBR and bring you along for the discovery. One thing you’ll notice: I haven’t read every book on this list. That’s intentional! I’m sharing the discovery process – not presenting myself as an expert on books I haven’t read. Some are books I’ve already read, while others are new discoveries that I’m researching for my own TBR.
To learn more about my book cycle process, check out this post.
What Makes a Book a Fall Read for Me?
I’m not necessarily looking for books that are set at Halloween or filled with pumpkins and falling leaves. For me, a fall read might involve changing seasons, a school year, harvest time, a cozy setting, or simply an atmosphere that makes me want to curl up under a blanket with a book.
And because I’m choosing books for my own TBR (and potentially yours), I’m also looking for books without witches, magic, horror, or open-door sex.
Classics for a Crisp Fall Day
1) Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Why It Feels Like Fall: Set in a small town, it has vivid descriptions of the fall landscape and has a cozy and comforting vibe. I’ve read Anne of Green Gables before, but it’s one of those books I could happily revisit in the fall.
Status: ❤️ Read before
2) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Why It Feels Like Fall: It focuses on home, family and quiet domestic moments that pair well with the changing seasons. I’ve read Little Women before, and I’d happily read it again in the fall – and then watch the movie!
Status: ❤️ Read before
3) The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy
Why It Feels Like Fall: The story opens on a dark autumn evening where the land (the heath) appears as bleak and moody as the season. It also begins on Guy Fawkes Night. This is a classic I’ve never read, and it seems like it would really pair well for a fall read.
Status: 🔎 Researching
Historical Fiction for a Chilly Evening
4) With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander
Why It Feels Like Fall: The Battle of Franklin took place on November 30, 1864. This would be a great one to start reading mid-November to line up reading it with the actual date it occurred.
Status: ❤️ Read before
5) Their Burden to Bear by Heather Tabers
Why It Feels Like Fall: Its setting is in Washington, D.C. during the fall season. I’ve never read a book about the Unknown Soldier, and this looks like it combines history + romance + fall.
Status: 📚 New to me
Fall Mysteries
6) Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
Why It Feels Like Fall: It starts off at an autumn party with traditional Halloween games. I have never read an Agatha Christie book, and this would make a perfect late October read.
Status: 🔎 Researching
7) A Riddle in the Lonesome October by J.P. Allen
Why It Feels Like Fall: The story is set in October amidst the changing leaves and also mentions a seasonal attraction called The Haunting in the Hollow. The summary makes this sound more like suspense than horror, and I’ve been on the hunt for this type of book to add to my TBR.
Status: 📚 New to me
8) Maple Syrup, Murder, and Mayhem by A.R. Winters
Why It Feels Like Fall: This story takes place in Vermont during peak fall foliage viewing. A Harvest Festival seems to be a key component as well. Like I mentioned with the book above, I’m trying to find some more suspense/mystery books to add to my TBR.
Status: 🔎 Researching
9) Autumn & Autopsies by Maisy Marple
Why It Feels Like Fall: This book contains an Apple Festival and a corn maze. While in the corn maze, the main characters come across a body. #worstcornmazeever This seems like an interesting concept for a mystery book.
Status: 🔎 Researching
Fiction with an Autumn Feel
10) Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum
Why It Feels Like Fall: This book starts at the beginning of a new school year in September. I’ve seen this movie (a long time ago!) and think it’d be interesting to read the book.
Status: 🔎 Researching
11) The Winds of Autumn by Janette Oke
Why It Feels Like Fall: The book describes vibrant fall days with changing leaves and temperatures. I haven’t read Janette Oak in awhile, but I’ve enjoyed what I read and would give this book a go.
Status: 🔎 Researching
12) A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
Why It Feels Like Fall: This book switches back and forth from September 2011 to September 1911. Having just marked the passing of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I thought this would be a great book to read in September as I’m trying out the “read a book in the season/month it occurs” trend.
Status: 📖 Currently reading
13) Fall Flip by Denise Weimer
Why It Feels Like Fall: The setting takes place in Fall and covers life transitions as well as seasonal transitions. It combines romance + mystery, which seems like a fun combination to try.
Status: 📚 New to me
14) Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter
Why It Feels Like Fall: This book takes place in the Fall in North Carolina and mentions crisp outdoor activities in its small town. This just seems like a calm, comforting read – perfect for cozying up on the couch under a blanket.
Status: 📚 New to me
Other Fall Activities I Enjoy
After brutal Tennessee summers where just walking to the mailbox will make you sweat, fall is a sweet reprieve and a great time to get back outside after camping out in the AC. Here are some of my favorite fall activities:
Hiking
We always try to go on a Fall Family Hike to one of the state or national parks near us. There’s nothing like seeing the vibrant colors of the changing trees and hearing the leaves crunch beneath our feet.
Family Hike
Pumpkin Patch
We have a few pumpkin patches in our area, and they have so many attractions and activities available. This one is not as popular as it was in the past when my boys were smaller, but we all still have a fun time.
☝️Teri’s Fall Tip: We buy our pumpkins at Aldi. They often have HUGE pumpkins for around $5, which is significantly cheaper than the pumpkin patches or other stores around us.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
I started running turkey trots in 2006. The one near my parents’ house went right behind their backyard, so anyone who didn’t run could step out and watch for family members running by versus driving to watch. We get free pumpkin pies at the finish line and a great Thanksgiving-themed shirt. I love starting Thanksgiving Day with getting out and being active before all the eating and football watching of the day. It doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving to me without a good turkey trot.
My first turkey trot!
So, What’s Actually Going on My Fall TBR?
That’s the fun part – I don’t know yet!
Part of the reason I wanted to build this list was to take you along for the discovery. Some of these books are already familiar favorites, while others are completely new to me. And as I research them, some will undoubtedly make the final cut while others will get crossed off.
I’ll share what I end up reading as the season goes on. In the meantime, what books make you think of fall? I’d love to add a few more to my discovery list!
🌟Come hang out with me for daily bookish chats on Facebook or Instagram!
If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in these:
Leave a Reply