Curl Up with These Cozy Reads: A Fall Bookworm’s Escape

Whether you are looking for books to read by a cozy fire, books to read before bed, books to read for fun or if you’re just looking for a new read for your book club, I’ve got you covered with 9 of the best books to read this fall!

Seasonal reading is a favorite of mine! Since I’m a big mystery/thriller girl, those reads just seem to go hand and hand with autumn. There’s just a little element of spooky when it comes to fall. Don’t you agree? On the other hand, I enjoy a cozy sentimental read or a good classic, too. Not all the books need to be brand new or a best seller to be worthy to read.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy mystery, a heartwarming romance, or a thrilling adventure, this fall reading list has something for every bookworm. I’m hoping you find the best of everything in my fall book list!

When You Can’t Afford New Books

It’s true that books can be a pricey habit. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to acquire books for free. Here’s my up-to-date options if you can’t afford to purchase new or used.

1. Public Libraries: Public libraries are excellent resources for borrowing books for free. Most libraries also offer digital lending services where you can borrow e-books and audiobooks without leaving your home. It’s easy to check with your local library and find out what they offer.
2. Book Swaps: This is one of my favorite resources! Organize or participate in a book swap with friends, family, or local community groups. This allows you to exchange books you’ve already read for ones that are on your list.
3. Little Free Libraries: These small, community-based book-sharing stations can often be found in neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces. You can take a book to read and leave one for others.
4. Online Sources:
   • Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg offers over 60,000 free e-books, including many classic literary works.
   • Open Library: Open Library provides access to millions of e-books that you can borrow for free.
   • Google Books: Google Books offers a vast collection of free e-books, including many older and out-of-copyright titles.
5. Free E-book Websites: Many websites offer free e-books, often from independent authors. While some of these may not be well-known titles, you can discover hidden gems in various genres. Websites like Smashwords, ManyBooks, and Feedbooks are good places to start.

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Get Spooked: Fall Mysteries to Keep You Guessing

We Are All Guilty Here | Karin Slaughter

We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter is a mystery thriller that follows officer Emmy Clifton as she investigates the disappearance of two teenage girls in the small town of North Falls during a fourth of July celebration. Feeling a personal responsibility because one of the girls is her best friend’s daughter, she uncovers dark secrets about the town and missing girls. This novel, is the first in the series and combines police elements with family drama and hidden truths within a seemingly close-knit community.

Mother Daughter Murder Night | Nina Simon

Mother Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon is like Gilmore Girls, but with murder. This novel brings together three generations of women to solve a murder.

The story revolves around Lana, a high-powered businesswoman who finds herself trapped in a small coastal town after a fall. Forced to rely on her estranged daughter, Beth, and teenage granddaughter, Jack, for help, Lana becomes entangled in a local murder investigation.

Together, this unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must navigate the complexities of family relationships, small-town politics, and a murder investigation to bring justice to the victim.

The Unraveling of Julia | Lisa Scottoline

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline is a thriller, romance and has some great twists! Scottoline’s character, Julia Pritzker is beginning to think she’s cursed. She’s lost her adoptive parents and then her husband is murdered. When she realizes that her horoscope essentially foretold his death, she begins to fall apart. She fears her fate is written in the stars, not held in her own hands. When she receives a letter stating she has inherited a Tuscan Villa she heads to Italy for answers. Julia’s journey becomes a search for her identity, a race to save her sanity, and a question of her survival as she is thrust into a dangerous conspiracy.

The Note | Alafair Burke

The Note by Alafair Burke is a psychological thriller about a girls’ weekend in the Hamptons that goes terribly wrong. The story follows three friends, May, Lauren and Kelsey, who are reunited for the first time in years. What seems to be a harmless prank involving a note left on a car leads to a murder investigation, forcing the women to confront secrets from their past and question their loyalty to each other.

And Then There Were None | Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is one of the most celebrated and best-selling authors of all time. She’s known for her sixty-six detective novels and fourteen short story collections. If you’ve never read any of her novels, fall is the best time to do so!

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie follows ten strangers, all with a dark secret in their past. They are invited to a remote mansion on a secluded island off the coast of Devon, England. Their mysterious hots, known only as “U. N. Owen.” is not their when they arrive.

During their first night, a gramophone recording is played that accuses each of them of a past murder for which they were never punished. Trapped on the island as a storm cuts off all contact with the mainland, the guests realize that a killer is among them and that they are being picked off one by one, with each death mimicking a verse from a sinister nursery rhyme, “Ten Little Soldier Boys.” As their numbers dwindle, suspicion and paranoia rise, and the remaining survivors frantically try to discover the killer’s identity before they become the next victim.

Autumnal Affairs: Fall Romance Novels to Warm Your Heart

Counting Miracles | Nicholas Sparks

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks follows Tanner Hughes, a former Army Ranger, has always been a wanderer, never quite finding a place to call home. When his grandmother passes away, she leaves him with a final request: to find his biological father. Tanner embarks on a journey to North Carolina, where he discovers a family he never knew he had.

As he searches for his biological father and finds love in a small North Carolina town, Tanner faces family secrets and personal demons. He must ultimately decide between his past and a new future.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe | Laurie Gilmore

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore follows Jeanine who inherits a beloved cafe in th small town of “Dream Harbor” from her aunt. Seeking a fresh start, she moves to the town where she meets Logan, a local farmer who initially wants nothing to do with her. The book features a “grumpy x sunshine” dynamic as Jeanie’s cheerful attitude clashes with Logan’s grumpiness, all set against a cozy, small-town backdrop. It’s the first in the “Dream Harbor” series and has been recognized for it’s autumnal feels and Gilmore Girl vibes.

A Daily Dose of Inspiration

Jump and Find Joy: Embracing Change in Every Season of Life | Hoda Kotb

Jump and Find Joy by Hoda Kotb is a self help book that focuses on embracing change and learning to find happiness. Using her own personal experiences, including unexpected career shifts and becoming a mom later in life, Hoda shares a guide to navigating life’s unexpected shifts. The book combines insights from resilience studies and advice from change experts including personal stories from inspirational people and celebrities teaching readers how to not only survive but thrive during times of transition.

Devotions for the Fall: Celebrate the Harvest Season with Gratitude and Joy | Thomas Nelson

Devotions for the Fall by Thomas Nelson contains 40 daily devotions, each with scripture reading and reflections on a fall themed topic. The devotional is also filled with festive photographs, inspirational quotes, prayers of thanksgiving, ideas for fall activities, traditions and fall-inspired recipes.

Cozy Up with a Good Book

I hope this fall reading list has inspired you to grab a book and escape into a world of imagination. I don’t expect you’ll make it through all of them, however, if you’re an avid reader you might! If you read any of them, let me know what you think! It’s always fun to get your feedback on my choices.

If you are looking to start a book club, you can read my post 7 Ways to Host a Book Club. It’s a great way to get together with friends or family and share the hobby you love!

Happy fall reading, my friends!

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