It’s that time of year again – summer is still here, but you can barely hear the crisp autumn breeze blowing and the colorful leaves crunching beneath your feet. As August approaches and you try not to put up your Halloween decorations “too soon” (there’s no such thing), you should consider picking up some cozy fall books to read over the next few months. Yes, horror books and dark academic books are both appropriate for October, but maybe you’re more of a PSL, furry girl. If you prefer browsing homewares rather than getting into the spirit of Halloween, these titles are for you.
Listen, the younger generation can say what they want about our thick sweaters and flannel shirts, our obsession with pumpkin spice, and our preoccupation with fall. I’m sorry to say it’s their loss. There’s nothing happier than snuggling up with a good book and getting lost in a fictional town—preferably one with magical creatures and a potion shop on every corner, because it’s almost fall. If you enjoy it with a pumpkin spice latte, good for you. These games take you into another world where witches, werewolves and vampires do unexpected things: they knit, take classes, and drink PSL.
01A cozy fall book with a protagonist who is under 20 years old
Are you tired of reading stories about 23-year-olds figuring out their lives? In this novel, the witch lives in an old college town and returns to graduate school after the death of her husband, who also suffers from hot flashes. There’s a sexy young professor, there’s a murder mystery element, and there’s a dark academic vibe. Sounds like a winning premise to me.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? Yes.
02A unique magic book about love and loss
The main character, Sadie, has magical abilities, but they come at a price: she’s cursed to endure four heartbreaks, and after the last one, she loses her magic. So, she built a lot of walls. When her first heartbroken Jack returns to town, those walls begin to come down, as do her estranged twin brothers as their beloved grandmother grows increasingly ill. The book gets extra comfort points with the little recipes included at the end of each chapter.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? No.
03If you love Luke and Lorelai, this is the perfect cozy book
The coziest books have cafe scenes in them, and there’s more than enough of them Pumpkin Spice Cafe. Jenny took over the little coffee shop from her aunt and moved it to the small town of Dreamport (it’s located in the Pacific Northwest’s Startown). Her arrival attracts the attention of local farmer Logan, who usually avoids crowds and towns. Will her bubbly personality drive him away or attract him? If not, her delicious lattes will.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? No.
04iconic editions of fantasy books
Kira worked for many years as a librarian at the Great Library of Alisium, cataloging spellbooks and maintaining information for the city’s elite. But a revolution is afoot, and when the library is set on fire, Kira must escape to her remote island home. Soon her nosy neighbors start meddling in her business and she starts a jam business and opens a spell shop using some unapproved spells.
The book is described as a Hallmark romantic comedy fantasy “filled with mythical creatures and powered by cinnamon rolls and magic.” There is also a sentient spider plant assistant. The hardcover version has lavender-sprayed edges for an extra whimsy, but you can also get the paperback version for a little cheaper ($17.99).
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? No.
05Warm romance in a cute town
Witty and charming? Sign us up. When Vivian gets her heart broken, she goes through the usual breakup blues, but since she’s a witch, she may or may not cast a harmless little spell on her ex – just enough to bring him a few A minor inconvenience. But when he returns to the town after years away, disaster always seems to befall him, and Vivian realizes her spell may be more effective than she bargained for.
You’ll get maximum comfort from the setting: the small town of Graves Glen, tucked into the foothills of Georgia, with streets lined with shops like Something Wicked and The Coffee Cauldron.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? No.
06This is…Vampire Knitting Club
Between the title and the trailer—”Who Killed Grandma, and Is She Really Dead?”—you don’t need any convincing to pick up this book. In this series, Lucy Swift arrives in Oxford to run her grandmother’s knitting shop, Cardinal Woolsey’s. Grandma was murdered and left her knitting shop in her will, but Lucy can still see her because now she’s immortal. Enter a sexy 600-year-old vampire and an equally interesting detective, and you’ll see why this is a must-read.
This is one of 15 books, so if you’re willing to really invest time in the characters and the world, you’re going to love this universe once you’re in it.
Is Kindle Unlimited available? Yes.
07dark academia Jane Eyre repeat
The main character’s name is actually Jane Aire, so you know where this is going. In October, she enrolls at Thornfield Hall, a girls’ school, and is hired by an annoying headmaster – although the more time she spends with him, the more she finds him interesting. Mysterious forces begin to plague the school, and the two must work together to stop them.
Is Kindle Unlimited available? Yes.
08Cozy autumn reading about a magical town
Autumn is a witch in the magical town of Avening who is looking for her replacement. She has been promoted to a higher level wizard and will be relocating, but Avening needs a town witch to keep things in order. So she made a list of 13 candidates and began interviewing them. Kirkus Reviews called the story “a charming debut in the tradition.” practical magic and Witches of Eastwick”.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? No.
09A fairy tale full of magic and romance
This story follows Sasha Pierce as she works as a substitute teacher in Old Middleton. enchanting (wink) ancient village. All is well until she stumbles upon an ancient portal, is thrown into a fairy tale kingdom, and unknowingly finds herself sitting on the throne betrothed to the king. Disclaimer: This series is still a work in progress, so you’ll have to wait for the next part.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? Yes.
10A weird fantasy story
This story, the first in a trilogy, takes place in the middle of winter, so you’ll have the unique pleasure of snuggling up under a cozy blanket with lit candles and reading about the cold winds and snow. Vasya and her siblings were always careful to honor the gods who protected their home from evil in the remote Russian wilderness. But her pious new stepmother forbids the practice, and soon evil forces begin to creep in from the forest.
Is it available on Kindle Unlimited? No.
11A cozy fall book about witches and found family
Micah Moon is one of the last remaining witches in Britain, and she isolates herself from others lest she encounter another witch and their powers mix and draw attention. She also has no real family. She connects with others by posting videos online “pretending to be” a witch – but someone sees through her ruse. She receives a strange letter asking her to go to Nowhere House (a boarding school-like school) to teach three students how to use magic.
Is Kindle Unlimited available? No.
12a cozy book practical magic resonance
If you loved making “potions” as a kid and running a magical apothecary sounds like your dream life, then this is the book for you. The Waverly family had some strange gifts, and so did the plants and produce in their garden. Claire Waverley is a caterer whose dishes are known to have strange and wonderful effects on people. She and her cousin lived a simple life until the return of her sister Sidney, who had a daughter. As they live together again in their childhood home, they must face the demons of their childhoods in order to move forward. The theme of magical house and sisterhood feels very practical magicNo?
Is Kindle Unlimited available? No.
13A slow-burning romance with witches and werewolves
Mateo Cruz is a werewolf, but he hasn’t been able to transform into his animal form for months. The wolf within him basically drives him crazy with intrusive thoughts, so he seeks out a powerful witch to help him break the curse. Enter witch and renowned witch-buster Evie Savoy – whose rules of the coven include avoiding dealing with werewolves at all costs – and she succumbs and agrees to help him. Mateo’s inner wolf decided to make Evie his.
Is Kindle Unlimited available? Yes.
These games range from ultra-low-stakes and sweet to a little weird and atmospheric, but all of them will get you in the fall mood.