{"id":970,"date":"2026-09-20T14:15:08","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T19:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=970"},"modified":"2026-09-20T14:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T19:15:08","slug":"building-a-fall-tbr-cozy-fall-reads-to-discover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=970","title":{"rendered":"Building a Fall TBR: Cozy Fall Reads to Discover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Untitled-design.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-972\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Untitled-design.png 940w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Untitled-design-300x251.png 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Untitled-design-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here in Tennessee, we\u2019re still in the throes of summer, with daily temperatures reaching the 90s. (It\u2019s 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\u2019s still very hard to get into a fall frame of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I have a friend who builds her TBR around the seasons and events that happen throughout the year. I don\u2019t intentionally choose my books that way, but I thought it was an interesting approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So I thought it\u2019d be fun to build a Fall TBR and bring you along for the discovery. &nbsp;One thing you&#8217;ll notice: I haven&#8217;t read every book on this list. That&#8217;s intentional! I&#8217;m sharing the discovery process \u2013 not presenting myself as an expert on books I haven&#8217;t read. Some are books I&#8217;ve already read, while others are new discoveries that I&#8217;m researching for my own TBR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>To learn more about my book cycle process, check out <a href=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=963\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"963\">this post<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Makes a Book a Fall Read for Me?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And because I&#8217;m choosing books for my own TBR (and potentially yours), I&#8217;m also looking for books without witches, magic, horror, or open-door sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Classics for a Crisp Fall Day<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4yOuWHj\">Anne of Green Gables<\/a><\/strong> <em>by L.M. Montgomery<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> Set in a small town, it has vivid descriptions of the fall landscape and has a cozy and comforting vibe. I&#8217;ve read <em>Anne of Green Gables<\/em> before, but it&#8217;s one of those books I could happily revisit in the fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\u2764\ufe0f<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Read before<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2) <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4hDpvoM\">Little Women<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Louisa May Alcott<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> It focuses on home, family and quiet domestic moments that pair well with the changing seasons. I\u2019ve read <em>Little Women<\/em> before, and I\u2019d happily read it again in the fall \u2013 and then watch the movie!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\u2764\ufe0f<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Read before<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3) <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4xB9JzK\">The Return of the Native<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Thomas Hardy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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\u2019ve never read, and it seems like it would really pair well for a fall read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udd0e<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Researching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Historical Fiction for a Chilly Evening<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4hhJvMm\">With This Pledge<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Tamera Alexander<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\u2764\ufe0f<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Read before<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3TeHZmk\">Their Burden to Bear<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Heather Tabers<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> Its setting is in Washington, D.C. during the fall season. I\u2019ve never read a book about the Unknown Soldier, and this looks like it combines history + romance + fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udcda<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>New to me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fall Mysteries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4hdetGV\">Hallowe&#8217;en Party<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Agatha Christie<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udd0e<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Researching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7) <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4cY1HJD\"><strong>A Riddle in the Lonesome October<\/strong> <\/a><em>by J.P. Allen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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\u2019ve been on the hunt for this type of book to add to my TBR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udcda<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>New to me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4rp7EW2\">Maple Syrup, Murder, and Mayhem<\/a><\/strong> <em>by A.R. Winters<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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\u2019m trying to find some more suspense\/mystery books to add to my TBR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udd0e<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Researching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9) <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4yQXXCk\">Autumn &amp; Autopsies<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Maisy Marple<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udd0e<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Researching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fiction with an Autumn Feel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4AkGeVi\">Dead Poets Society<\/a><\/strong> <em>by N.H. Kleinbaum<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> This book starts at the beginning of a new school year in September. I\u2019ve seen this movie (a long time ago!) and think it\u2019d be interesting to read the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udd0e<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Researching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>11) <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4yhfQdm\">The Winds of Autumn<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Janette Oke<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> The book describes vibrant fall days with changing leaves and temperatures. I haven\u2019t read Janette Oak in awhile, but I\u2019ve enjoyed what I read and would give this book a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udd0e<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>Researching<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>12) <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4yIQHIp\">A Fall of Marigolds<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Susan Meissner<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> This book switches back and forth from September 2011 to September 1911. Having just marked the passing of the 25<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of 9\/11, I thought this would be a great book to read in September as I\u2019m trying out the \u201cread a book in the season\/month it occurs\u201d trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udcd6<\/strong> <strong>Currently reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>13)<\/strong> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3TBWhgZ\">Fall Flip<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Denise Weimer<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udcda<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>New to me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>14) <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3VEYTeu\">Autumn Skies<\/a><\/strong> <em>by Denise Hunter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why It Feels Like Fall:<\/strong> 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 \u2013 perfect for cozying up on the couch under a blanket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Status:<\/strong> <strong>\ud83d\udcda<\/strong> <strong><\/strong>New to me<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Other Fall Activities I Enjoy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hiking<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We always try to go on a Fall Family Hike to one of the state or national parks near us. There\u2019s nothing like seeing the vibrant colors of the changing trees and hearing the leaves crunch beneath our feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hike.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-973\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hike.png 940w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hike-300x251.png 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/hike-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Family Hike<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pumpkin Patch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u261d\ufe0f<em>Teri&#8217;s Fall Tip: We buy our pumpkins at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aldi.us\/store\/aldi\/storefront\">Aldi<\/a>. They often have HUGE pumpkins for around $5, which is significantly cheaper than the pumpkin patches or other stores around us.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Thanksgiving Turkey Trot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I started running turkey trots in 2006. The one near my parents\u2019 house went right behind their backyard, so anyone who didn\u2019t 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\u2019t feel like Thanksgiving to me without a good turkey trot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/turkey-trot-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-975\" srcset=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/turkey-trot-1.png 940w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/turkey-trot-1-300x251.png 300w, http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/turkey-trot-1-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>My first turkey trot!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So, What&#8217;s Actually Going on My Fall TBR?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That&#8217;s the fun part &#8211; I don&#8217;t know yet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I&#8217;ll share what I end up reading as the season goes on. In the meantime, <strong>what books make you think of fall?<\/strong> I&#8217;d love to add a few more to my discovery list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf1fCome hang out with me for daily bookish chats on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61571135243421\">Facebook<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/readersgottaread.blog\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in these:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=963\">Life Cycle of a Book: My Personal Reading &amp; Buying Process<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=92\">How I Choose My Next Book: 6 Ways I Pick Books to Add to My TBR Pile<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/?p=694\">Fun Ways to Pick Your Next Read (From Your TBR!)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here in Tennessee, we\u2019re still in the throes of summer, with daily temperatures reaching the 90s. (It\u2019s 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\u2019s still very hard to get into [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[514,451],"tags":[519,515,516,105,517,520,518],"class_list":["post-970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-seasonal-reads","category-tbr","tag-classics","tag-cozy","tag-fall","tag-fiction","tag-harvest","tag-mystery","tag-turkey-trot"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=970"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":978,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/970\/revisions\/978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/readersgottaread.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}