Books to Get You into that Pumpkin Spice Latte Mood
Believe it or not—and, for the record, I don’t believe it—it’s almost fall! That means umber-colored leaves floating to the ground, cozy strolls, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes (of course). While I don’t believe it’s coming, I am SO ready for it. Specifically, I am ready to sit in a park among the autumn foliage at golden hour, with my favorite hot beverage in one hand and a quintessentially fall book in the other. If you so desire to join me in this park—figuratively, of course—then you grab your favorite fall drink, and I’ll provide the book recommendations.
Phoebe’s Diary
by Phoebe Wahl
While I haven’t spent a lot of time in the Pacific Northwest, I do know that it’s basically always fall over there. Or at least it rains a lot. This is just one of the reasons why I think Phoebe’s Diary pairs perfectly with a PSL. This ruthless and relatable sort-of-fictional diary also begins at the end of summer and makes its way into fall, so it’s the perfect book for the change of seasons. And the vibes are undoubtably autumnal, with school, boys, and personal drama filling up the pages of Phoebe’s diary.
Only She Came Back
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: judge a book by its cover! Especially Only She Came Back because it’s cover is just as incredible as what’s inside. But before we get to what is inside, let’s just take a moment to appreciate how the cover will fit perfectly into our park-bench-fall-leaves-PSL romanticization. And, if the summer is for Romance, then the fall is definitely for thrillers–hello, Halloween–and this chilling book is no exception. It’s about unlikely friendships, true-crime, and a dead influencer boyfriend.
The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black
Do I talk about The Cruel Prince too much? The answer is probably yes, to which I say, one cannot discuss said book enough! When I think of Faerie, I think of wet moss, cool forests, and full moons. There is just something about the vibes that are both cozy and earthy, perfect for that time of year when you can still be outside and enjoy the last outdoor moments of the year. Fantasy also just feels so right in the fall–perhaps because it’s simply a magical time of year?! Ok, also, it’s amazing, and you shouldn’t need a reason to read it.
Foxglove
by Adalyn Grace
Signa is definitely a winter girlie. She likes dark places and is sort-of anti-sunshine. Well, in Foxglove, a certain person enters the story to shake up the dynamic, ushering in a different mise-en-scène. Just look at the cover! We’ve got shades of ruby and ocher, indicating that the vibes have shifted. (Fear not, they have not shifted too much!). The gothic-y story is still chilling, and romantic, and perfectly mysterious. It has this cozy quality so fitting for an autumnal reading session.
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Besides spooky thrillers, you know what else fall is good for? Falling in love. (Yes, I realize I said Romance is for summer, but who cares?) There is just something about a truly comforting book that fits the season. This story is so cute and gives all the warm feels—for when the weather suddenly becomes freezing—and there’s a movie adaptation, “Love at First Sight,” coming out in September! Just like the Pumpkin Spice Latte, this story is truly universally appealing.
Hollow Fires
by Samira Ahmed
Don’t mind me, just throwing in another judge-a-book-by-it’s cover situation, but Hollow Fires has the most autumnal cover. Spooky, but autumnal, nonetheless. Now what’s inside the cover? Well, this gripping thriller is about the insidious nature of racism, the terrible costs of unearthing hidden truths, and the undeniable power of hope. Suspenseful and moving, when I look at this book, I’m ready to skip to November. I’m ready for the smell of cinnamon. I’m ready to pull on my favorite beanie. So, if you’re like me, and ready to skip ahead a few months, this is your book.
New Moon
Let me just plagiarize myself for a second: “Many moons ago, it was fall, and I was in the 7th grade, and I skipped a day of school to read all of New Moon. There’s just something about the second book in the Twilight series that feels autumnal. Maybe it’s all those nearly blank pages that list off the months of fall and winter. Or, maybe, it’s that it’s always rainy in Washington. Or is it that it reminds me of that fall day in the 7th grade? Either way, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold, rainy day. Grab your Pumpkin Spice drink and sink your teeth into a YA classic!” My feelings have not changed.
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet
Sometimes, one thing can be two things. Let me explain: the cover of Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet looks like the essence of summer. But…it also looks like the essence of fall. So let me argue why this can be a fall book: weather is different all over the world, so one person’s summer is another person’s fall–incredible reasoning, I know! This book is full of delicious food, and we’re connecting books to Pumpkin Spice Lattes over here. Great books can be read in any season, so it doesn’t matter whether this is a summer book or a fall book. It’s a good book, a great one! And that’s what matters.
