Fall Reading Guide: 8 Books Perfect To Cozy Up With

Alright, dear readers. It’s been quite an intense literary year around here, which means I have a fresh batch of recommendations ready for you to devour. As a mood reader, it’s hard to predict which book I’ll pull off the shelf next; however, come August, I start looking for reads that feel perfect for "cozy season." Think books about witches or the supernatural, psychological thrillers, or historical fiction with darker, grittier plots. As winter approaches, I’m likely to dive into fantasy to escape to entirely different worlds. Choosing my next read based purely on a feeling might seem random, but there are definitely patterns to it. This also means I usually have a wide variety of recommendations spanning different genres and themes—I hope one of them sparks your interest!

What are you reading this season? Head over to our Instagram and send us a DM if you have any recommendations!

If you aren't quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet, read *Book Lovers* by Emily Henry.

To be honest, I didn't love the first book I read by Emily Henry. That’s why it took me a while to work up the nerve to try another one. I’m so glad I did, because *Book Lovers* turned out to be a refreshing romantic comedy featuring characters in their thirties who face real, relatable challenges. It’s a book for the eldest daughter—or only child—who took on adult responsibilities at a young age and whose dream isn't the typical idyllic family life, but rather a successful career and a child-free existence. It’s for that girl who seems to have everything constantly under control, but who deep down wishes she didn't have to.

Nora Stephens is a ruthless New York literary agent who ends up vacationing with her younger sister, Libby, who is heavily pregnant. They visit a small town that served as the setting for a popular romance novel—written by one of Nora’s clients—that Libby absolutely loves. Libby creates a trip bucket list and insists that Nora become the protagonist of her own story, all while Nora continues to work remotely. One of the items on the list is for Nora to go on a date with a local, Hallmark-movie style—an idea Nora finds, at best, nauseating. Needless to say, Nora isn't exactly thrilled, especially when she keeps running into Charlie, a book editor who happens to be her professional nemesis and a native of the very town they are visiting. As classic rom-com hijinks ensue, Nora and Charlie realize that while they might not be perfect on their own, they could be perfect for each other. That is, provided they manage to overcome an obstacle for which neither of them sees a clear solution.

If you’re ready to bid summer farewell and are looking for a cozy rom-com, pick up *The Long Game* by Elena Armas.

Given the craze surrounding college-set sports romances this year, this book was a refreshing find because the protagonists are adults. Spot the trend? I read Armas’s *The Spanish Love Deception* a few years ago and loved it; so, when I saw *The Long Game* in a local bookstore’s sports romance section, I bought it without a second thought. A surly ex-footballer who just wants to be left alone, an ambitious, perfectionist millennial heroine, and farm animals? How could I not love it?

I love that these characters faced situations I could relate to as someone in my thirties. From their anxiety triggers to the way he managed to break down her walls, everything felt very close to home—perhaps *too* close. The witty dialogue was fun, her mother is someone I’d love to be friends with, and I’m already hoping this turns into a series—because I want to immerse myself in these characters' world again, since becoming friends with them in real life isn't exactly an option.

If you enjoy gripping, raw, and honest memoirs, read *Chanel Bonfire* by Wendy Lawless.

I wonder why it took me so long to decide to read this book. Reading *Chanel Bonfire* was a harrowing experience, yet the way Wendy recounts her childhood was so captivating that I couldn't put it down. Her mother’s complex personality—and the way Wendy and her sister dealt with it—could well serve as a case study on the children of narcissistic parents. I often find memoirs to be uneven, but Wendy’s narrative style earned my five-star rating. That said, I recommend approaching this book with caution, as it tackles difficult subjects such as addiction, abuse, and self-harm. Nevertheless, if you do decide to read it, you will find it to be a deeply thought-provoking work.

If you're looking for a lighthearted romantic comedy with a supernatural twist, read *The Dead Romantics* by Ashley Poston.

Florence Day sees ghosts. Seriously—she sees ghosts. Ironically, her family owns a funeral home, so naturally, spirits are part of the landscape. Florence works as a ghostwriter (yes, Poston loves a good pun) for a famous romance novelist, but she's struggling to meet her next deadline following a painful breakup. Living in New York and feeling like her career is on the line, she is forced to return to her small South Carolina hometown after her father's unexpected death. While handling funeral arrangements, she comes face-to-face with a ghost right outside the funeral home. Ben insists he isn't dead, but Florence knows otherwise—no matter how much he argues the opposite. Thrown together, Florence tries to help Ben resolve his "unfinished business" so he can find peace, while Ben helps Florence cope with her father's death and face a town that made her childhood difficult. It's a fun story, yet one with great depth and a few heart-wrenching scenes. By the end, we discover the identity of the famous romance novelist, whether Florence manages to write the book, and whether Ben is, in fact, dead.

If you’re looking for an immersive, twist-filled narrative that takes you on a journey, read *The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue* by V.E. Schwab.

This book seems to divide readers: you either love it or hate it. *The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue* is one of the most unique stories I’ve read in a long time. It follows the life of Addie LaRue, a young woman born in 1714 who makes a pact with a god to live forever, only to find herself condemned to be forgotten by everyone she meets. She leads a truly extraordinary existence—from meeting influential figures across the centuries and overcoming impossible situations to witnessing countless wars and historical events—eventually ending up in New York, a place where everyone is, in a way, forgettable. That is, until she meets Henry, who is harboring a secret of his own. And this is where the story really gains momentum.

The relationship between Addie and Henry is fascinating. At their core, both made a deal with the devil driven by desperation, heartbreak, and—honestly—a bit of selfishness. The wishes granted to them brought specific consequences that would make most people wonder if asking for them had truly been worth it. Their meeting allowed them to gain what their wishes had inherently deprived them of—something that, ironically, was exactly what they had tried to escape in the first place. And at the center of these wishes was the ancient god Addie called Luc.

In my opinion, Luc is the most interesting character in the book, and I wish we could have learned more about him. Addie’s refusal to yield to him backfires, causing him to develop an almost unhealthy obsession with her (at least, as far as an easily bored immortal god is capable of feeling such a thing). Upon meeting Henry, Addie faces a decision that forces her to choose between thinking of herself—regardless of the consequences—and making a selfless sacrifice to save the only person destined to remember her. It is a thought-provoking read that takes you on a journey spanning three centuries. An excellent choice for when the days begin to grow dark.

If you’re looking for something witty and fun with a supernatural twist—and you also love classic literature by authors like Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters—read *The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels* by India Holton.

The second book in this series earned a spot on our summer reading list, and for good reason. I am fascinated by the "Dangerous Damsels" series. These books blend historical romance with fantasy, all seasoned with an appreciation for English literature. Each book follows an eccentric heroine caught up in a whirlwind adventure, closely pursued by a suitor with a somewhat rough edge and ambiguous morals who—eventually—falls head over heels in love with her. How could you not adore them? The first book tells the story of Cecilia Bassingwaite, a Victorian lady and thief who crosses paths with Ned Lightbourne, a hired assassin sent to take her out. Luckily for her, Ned has plans of his own! Holton’s books are delightfully entertaining; they stand out for their sparkling dialogue and a captivating plot that hooks you from the very first page. Do yourself a favor and give them a try.

If you’re looking for a fantasy series to keep you entertained for months, read *From Blood & Ash* by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

The last fantasy series I read was *Throne of Glass* by Sarah J. Maas. It was a monumental work—a true adventure and absolutely perfect. That’s why, when I turned the final page over three years ago, I knew I needed a break from the genre. *Throne of Glass* is the kind of series that makes anything read afterward seem disappointing, and that didn't feel fair to the other wonderful literary series out there. I felt 2026 was the perfect year to dive back into the world of fantasy, and starting *From Blood & Ash* reignited my love for the genre. It has everything you could want in a fantasy series: a strong protagonist, detailed world-building, and an irresistibly attractive, morally ambiguous hero. There is action, longing, tension, and constant witty banter. Armentrout does a magnificent job setting up the story. Another strength of the first book is its solid cast of supporting characters—figures you know will take on a larger role as the plot unfolds. They are people you genuinely want to learn more about, not just tools needed to advance the main story.

One thing worth mentioning about the *Blood & Ash* series is its scope. If you’re looking for something to enjoy during the colder months without worrying about what to read next, this is an excellent choice; the universe spans ten books in total, with more on the way. After the third *Blood & Ash* book (*The Crown of Gilded Bones*), you begin the prequel series, *Flesh & Fire*. From that point on, you alternate between the two series as their plots intertwine. Another somewhat frustrating aspect is that Armentrout leaves us with cliffhangers that occur right in the middle of the action. I repeat: it is a fantastic series that is well worth reading, but it feels as though each book begins by revisiting the final hundred pages of the previous one. It is incredibly difficult to wipe the slate clean and move on to something else when you need a change of pace. I have just finished reading *A Shadow in the Ember*, the first book in the "Flesh & Fire" series and the fourth according to the overall reading order.

If you’re looking for a sci-fi psychological thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish, read *Dark Matter* by Blake Crouch.

This book was a pleasant surprise. Set in Chicago, the story follows a man who, after being kidnapped by a stranger, suddenly finds himself in a parallel universe. He retains his own body, yet the life he wakes up to isn't his own. He recognizes the people around him, though none of them are exactly as he remembers. The plot follows Jason as he tries to make sense of what is happening—making friends and enemies along the way—and ends up passing through doors that lead to different timelines within the same universe. What would you do if you knew that every everyday decision—no matter how big or small—could have a monumental impact on your future? Something as simple as the route you take to work in the morning or meeting a friend for a drink after the workday ends. Would you make different choices? *Dark Matter* explores the consequences of our choices and the value of the life we ​​have, proposing a fascinating theory: the existence of an infinite number of timelines coexisting in the same universe. It is a book that will get your heart racing and leave you wanting to read "just one more page" until you reach the end.