Now that we are one month into fall, the Blue & Read team has crafted a list of fall-inspired books and novels to get you immersed in the autumnal spirit. Whether you’re a horror fan or a lover of the dark academia aesthetic, this list will definitely have something targeted toward your vision of this season, so feel free to browse through the list below to find the right story for you.
The B&R Fall Book Recommendations:
The Secret History:
If you’re looking for a dark academia-inspired book, then look no further: The Secret History, Donna Tartt’s bestselling novel, combines gothic, academic, and psychological themes, all set in a Vermont college. The story features an unreliable, almost Machiavellian narrator who yearns for a life of elegance and charm. The novel now crowns the Goodreads list of the top books influenced by elements of the dark academia aesthetic and is perfect for those who crave an emotionally compelling story that will also leave them pensive for days after finishing it.
Dracula:
The classic genre, on the other hand, is largely dominated by Bram Stoker’s Dracula when it comes to the autumnal spirit, especially since it focuses on gothic themes that are characteristic of one of October’s most celebrated festivities – Halloween. Stoker’s work portrays one of the most prominent archetypes of classic horror, that of the vampire, whose end goal is to expand his monstrous power to the city of London. The text itself is conveyed to the reader through diary entries and a series of letters, but it nonetheless serves as a prime example of a traditional gothic novel of the 19th and 20th centuries in Ireland and has been loved by readers ever since its publication.
The Picture of Dorian Gray:
Along with Stoker’s Dracula, a number of other classics have also established themselves as the fundamental puzzle pieces that make up the gothic fiction genre. Within this category, one of the key works that particularly stands out would be Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, a tale of superficial beauty and immortality where the titular character trades his soul in exchange for eternal charm and youth. Although initially criticized by experts and readers alike, the novel has experienced a rise in popularity in the last century, and continues to induce fearful curiosity in those who read it.
The Catcher in the Rye:
Presented as a coming-of-age novel, The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger’s most celebrated work, narrates a few days in the life of Holden Caulfield, a teenage protagonist who, as a result of a past traumatic experience, must grapple with the harsh realities of the world around him while exhibiting symptoms of both PTSD and depression. While not necessarily a spooky story, a part of the text does take place during the final days of the fall term at the narrator’s preparatory school, therefore fitting the theme of this seasonal guide.
Although there are a variety of other stories and novels that perfectly fit the ambience of a cozy autumnal evening, these are just a few of those picked out by the Blue & Read staff that embody the fall spirit and span a multitude of genres, ranging from a stereotypical horror story to a Bildungsroman with a twist. For that reason, the author of this article sincerely hopes that these stories will resonate with some of the readers out there, and encourages them to pick up a book this fall to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the season. Happy reading!