10 Cosy Books to Read in Autumn 2023
As Autumn approaches here are 10 cosy books to read in Autumn 2023 to get in the Autumnal mood. From books to read by the fire with a hot chocolate, to tense and scary reads to read under a blanket with the candles burning.
10 Cosy Books to Read in Autumn 2023
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
For the Dark Academia fans, this is a must. Set during the course of a Classics course in a Boston college, The Secret History follows a group of ‘friends’ – I use that as a loose term – who are obsessed with learning ancient languages. It starts with a murder mystery and ends with a tragic turn of events.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Another story set primarily during school and further education. This will-they-won’t-they romance is the epitome of a literary romance. The story follows Marianne and Connell who have a secret teenage love affair and then reconnect at university where life is very different. I love the portrayal of romance and the inclusion of school and university to show societal pressures put on adolescent men and women. An unforgettable story.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
A comforting classic for many, despite the author’s problematic opinions and actions. Harry Potter, particularly the first in the series, is still a cosy autumn read.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
I love this gothic classic. Mrs De Winter has recently married a much older and richer man, only to discover that the ghost of his first wife still haunts their lives – even if only figuratively.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
One of the most captivating reads I’ve ever read. You’ll be able to taste the toffee popcorn and hear the sounds of the circus when you’re reading this beautiful modern fantasy. Perfect for those looking for a Halloween read without the scares of a horror novel or the tension of a psychological thriller.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
Most people recommend Anne’s sister’s works as a cosy Autumn read, but I think The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a better fit. Under-rated and well ahead of its time, this domestic gothic novel follows a wife who has taken her son and left her alcoholic husband and set up in a small town as an artist with a secret.
The Empire by Michael Ball
If you love the theatre then you’ll love this theatrical novel written by the West End legend, Michael Ball. I was part of the team at Bonnier Books UK that published this novel, so I am biased, but it’s so sweet and atmospheric that I think it makes for the perfect Autumn read. Following a cast of characters after the First World War, this historical novel is all about the magic of theatre with a few mysteries and romances included.
84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff
This non-fiction book is very short and very sweet. After the Second World War, all Helen Hanff wanted was a decent book. She wrote to a bookstore in London at 84 Charing Cross Road requesting help to find a rare volume and she and the lead bookseller struck up a relationship that they maintained through letters and parcels of books and food. Though Helen never made it across the pond to the bookstore, the letters she and her bookselling friends exchanged were saved for prosperity. It’s a beautiful book that shows the power of books and friendship.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
And finally, a charming story translated from Japanese to English. This is the first in a trilogy of books about a magical cafe in Japan, where you can travel back in time. There are rules, you cannot leave the cafe and you have to return to the present before your coffee gets cold. A story of grief, love and memory. A special read.
What cosy books would you recommend for Autumn 2023? Let me know in the comments below.
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