Book Recommendations to Cozy Up to This Fall
Written by Lila Mabanta
One of my favorite forms of self-care aims at the mind and soul– reading. My personal preference in books is fiction, mainly within the fantasy genre (some might say romantasy: a combination of romance and fantasy). I love reading fantasy books the most because of the extremely complex world-building, magic, and it’s the ultimate escape from everyday life (if you only read contemporary books this may not be for you, but I will try my best to convince you). So, as this autumn season approaches, why not start a new book (or series, depending on how full-fledged you want to go), as your fireplaces or fall-scented candles begin burning, and the weather calls for some ultimate inside days (especially with this rain we’ve been having, New York)? And, you might even find inspiration for your Halloween costume!
The Lights of Prague by Nicole Jarvis
The Lights of Prague is a standalone fantasy book set in 19th-century Prague, with the classic (and best) enemies-to-lovers trope. The two protagonists include a lamplighter, Domek Myska, who is in charge of maintaining the city streets’ gaslit lighting and, more importantly, fighting off nighttime monsters, and a wealthy, secretive, widow named Lady Ora Fischerová. The worst type of monster known to the Lamplighter Union is a pijavice–a.k.a., a vampire. This book is a relatively quick read that is perfect for adding some dark, gothic-toned spookiness to your October. I read this book while I was studying abroad in Prague leading up to Halloween, and it was so exciting being able to recognize the places they mentioned. Whenever I’d walk through the streets, especially at night, I’d imagine the monster-filled world this book described throughout its Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical streets.
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab
The Near Witch is also a standalone book–although there is now a prequel, The Ash-Born Boy–that feels like an old folk tale. Set in a patriarchal, religious-led village called Near, the townspeople have told their children their whole lives about the legend of the Near Witch and her evilness. The protagonist, Lexi, starts seeing a strange ghostly boy at night, and at the same time, town children start disappearing. This book is perfect for the spooky season as it forms its witch lore, contains a mystery to be solved, and has some romance. Although this book is not one of my top favorites, it was a fun, almost sweet, read.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Next up is a series, but not too long at that, if you want to add a little more time commitment (each book is on the quicker side). The Kingdom of the Wicked series includes the trilogy of Kingdom of the Wicked, Kingdom of the Cursed, and Kingdom of the Feared. This Tuesday, the author is releasing a spinoff, focusing on another character’s story, called Throne of the Fallen. These books are set in Sicily, Italy, with a family of secret witches who own a restaurant. The protagonist, Emilia, discovers the death of her twin sister Vittoria, and seeks out dark magic–consequently one of the Wicked, or princes of Hell–to solve her murder’s mystery and seek vengeance. I think the coolest aspect about this series is its use of the seven deadly sins as the Wicked, where we get to meet the devil-personifications of Wrath, Pride, Envy, Lust, Sloth, Greed, and Gluttony. Oh, and Emilia is really into and descriptive about her Italian cooking, so you might want to cook an autumn feast after reading this.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
The Six of Crows duology is widely considered two of the best-written fantasy novels for a reason. Six of Crows, and Crooked Kingdom, stars a group of thieves, outlaws, convicts, and forbidden power-wielders in a slum of a city called Ketterdam. The makeshift group is tasked with accomplishing a very impossible heist in a foreign territory, facing lots of trauma, drama, and danger. Although this series is not necessarily spooky, it gives off strong autumn-to-winter vibes with all its dark descriptions. It also was one that I never wanted to put down, and grew very attached to the characters. And if reading isn’t necessarily your thing, there’s a TV show adaptation on Netflix called Shadow and Bone, which combines the other book series in the author’s universe.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
On a slightly less magical, but eerie note, the English translation of the original French story, The Phantom of the Opera, was one of my most interesting reads this year. As an avid Phantom lover (my expertise lies in the 2004 movie starring Emmy Rossum and Gerald Butler, though I have seen other versions including the 1925 black and white silent film, and went to both a Broadway and West End show of it), I had visited the Palais Garnier (the Paris Opera House) knowing it was the setting of the story, and I bought the book in the gift shop, which I had never considered reading before. The story, originally published in 1909, was so insightful as it had so many differences to the rendition I’ve loved my whole life, yet still kept the main fundamental arcs and scenes. Additionally, it was a bit of a mind shock, as its original music wasn’t a part of it until Andrew Lloyd Webber composed its soundtrack in 1986! So, if you want more of a classic read that still feels pretty novel, The Phantom of the Opera is the perfect book to cozy up to!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
As popular as they are (for the good and bad), I’m not ashamed to say that this is my favorite book series. A Court of Thorns and Roses, often referred to as ACOTAR, is an ongoing series that consists of A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, and A Court of Silver Flames (do you sense a theme?). This series does require some time and emotional commitment. It’s very character-driven, where you easily grow attached. The protagonist, Feyre, is a strong, young teenage girl fending for her family’s survival out in the woods, which closely neighbors the Fae borders. This series is heavy on faeries (not fairies), High Fae, world-building, character development, and enemies to lovers, and is perfect for some Halloween costume inspiration. The first book is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but quickly jumps off that course. Some of my favorite characters exist in this series, and it’s a series where even two years after reading, I think about it all the time (if you’re up with the trends…this is my Roman Empire).
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Written by the same author as ACOTAR, Throne of Glass is considered Maas’s best series by her fans. This requires a pretty lengthy time commitment as it comprises eight books that literally grow as the series goes on. From the plot’s chronological order (yet not necessarily reading order), is the prequel The Assassin’s Blade, Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Queen of Shadows, Empire of Storms, Tower of Dawn, and Kingdom of Ash. The story follows the protagonist Celaena Sardothien, who is one of the most renowned assassins in the kingdom of Adarlan, which is run by a tyrant in a literal castle of glass (you guessed it, the throne too). What I believe is so amazing about this series, and overall the author’s writing in general, is its attention to detail. For example, something briefly mentioned in book two can come back and become a crucial part of book seven. The protagonist, as well, is one of the most loved characters in the fantasy book community, due to her extraordinary character growth and strikingly bold personality. This series also deals with fae, witches, pirates, mythical creatures, magic, heavy world-building, mystery, and you guessed it, enemies to lovers (as well as friends to lovers and other romance tropes–there are many characters). I do fully believe this series is life-changing and again owns a rent-free plot in my brain. I’ve been considering going as a witch for Halloween for a few years now, maybe this book will inspire me to finally do it.
Goosebumps by R.L. Stine
There are so many other amazing fantasy books that would be perfect for the fall season, however, that list could go on forever and it has to stop somewhere! For me, I wouldn’t feel right not ending this with the most iconic series of all, Goosebumps. Yes, they’re for a child audience, but I love still engaging in things my younger self loved. Plus, they are very quick reads that are perfect for waiting around as your pumpkin pie bakes in the oven. My favorites, and possibly most October-coded picks are Vampire Breath, One Day at HorrorLand, The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight, and Attack of the Jack-O’-Lanterns.
So, I hope in my variety of books that there’s at least one you’d consider checking out this fall! Whether you’re in a reading slump or an active reader, I think there’s a fit for you. Now see you later, going to escape into my magical fantasy land.
Thanks for reading,
Lila
