While I am preferential to all things scorching hot and summer, this season has its charms. Apple cider, pumpkin patches, hay rides, spooky vibes, oversized sweaters, and cozy romance! What’s not to love?
As the colors begin to change and the chill creeps in—families gather around fireplaces and tables full of food. We celebrate each other and the beauty of nature before it all goes to sleep. So, in honor of the falling leaves and lengthening sleeves, I’ve dusted off some of my favorite fall fiction.
P.S. I tried my best to balance the cozy/creepy vibes, almost half and half. Enjoy!
Equal parts ghost story and murder mystery, this one has that perfect spend all night turning pages by flashlight energy. A creepy motel setting in small-town New York, where the past refuses to stay buried.
This one is a romantic comedy wrapped with autumn in the city vibes. Witty banter, complicated friendships, and just the right sprinkle of coziness for those first sweater-weather days.
“The October Country…that country where it is always turning late in the year. That country where the hills are fog and the rivers are mist.”
Bradbury captures fall itself—moody, eerie, and strange. This short story collection is a perfect bite-sized read when the days grow shorter.
A wholesome, heartwarming story about found family, tea, magic, and belonging. If Gilmore Girls had witches, it might feel a little like this book.
“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”
No fall reading list is complete without a gothic classic. Shelley’s masterpiece is chilling, tragic, and thought-provoking—especially when the nights start to feel longer.
Fun, flirty, and a little witchy. Think cozy romcom but with curses, small-town charm, and just enough magic mishaps to keep it interesting.
“Merricat,” said Constance, “would you like a cup of tea?”
Creepy and domestic all at once—this gothic gem makes the ordinary feel unnerving. Perfect if you like your fall reads subtle, slow-burn spooky.
A nostalgic, bittersweet coming-of-age story wrapped around ghost stories and urban legends. It’s more about memory and loss than true horror—like Stranger Things for wistful grown-ups.
“Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!”
Atmospheric, eerie, and full of delicious gothic drama. Another classic that pairs best with candlelight and maybe some garlic.
“There’s a little witch in all of us.”
Romance, sisterhood, magic, and a sprinkle of tragedy. This is the ultimate cozy witch book—and probably the one I’ll be rereading with my latte in hand.
If you’ve already read something on the list, tell me if you agree—if you found something new here, let me know what you thought!!
Happy Haunted reading everybody!
Alyssa B.Newbon 
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