50 Insanely Cozy Fall Books to Read Right Now

Good Reads Rating: 4.18

This dark academia book was easily the top recommended fall book. 

We follow a group of clever misfits at an elite college. Under the influence  of their charismatic classics professor, they discover a way of living away from a humdrum existence.

 But they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality and slip gradually from obsession to corruption. 

This book is unlike anything else you will read, with hypnotic writing and unlikeable characters. It's dark so read the trigger warnings carefully.

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 3.95

This 1962 Gothic Horror was consistently recommended as the perfect Autumnal read. 

This haunting read is perfect for Halloween. It follows a girl called Merricat and her family's dark secret/

It's an unsettling novel about an isolated and possibly murderous family. We follow the struggle that ensues when a cousin arrives at their estate.

This book might be short but it packs a punch. Shirley Jackson's writing builds a growing sense of unease. If you're searching for fall books to read you need to add this to your tbr list.

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 4.24

Rebecca is raved about by its fans. It sold 2.8 million copies between 1938 and 1965.  And it has never gone out of print. Also in 2017, English bookworms voted it their favourite book of the past 225 years.

The novel opens in Monte Carlo. The young protagonist is a companion for an American woman Mrs Van Hopper.  She meets Maxim De Winter who completely sweeps her off her feet. And he proposes.

But when they arrive at Manderley country estate she realises how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives.

The complex characters,  slow build tension and gothic atmosphere hook you into this classic.

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 4.24

Sherlock Holmes instantly reminds me warm, cozy autumn evenings next to the fire.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes features 12 short stories. It follows detective Sherlock Holmes. He solves a number of different cases.

The detective is at the height of his powers. And this collection features some of the most famous stories.

This collection of short stories about Sherlock Holmes is incredible. And they are satisfyingly easy to read!

If you’re new to classics or in a reading slump – then I highly recommend these! The short stories can be easily read in one sitting. These were first published in Strand magazine. And they were incredibly successful.

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 4.24

Dracula is a classic horror story. It’s also a great starting point if you want to read more gothic literature.

Jonathon Harker is a young English lawyer. He travels to Castle Dracula in Transylvania to conclude a real estate deal with Count Dracula. However, the local peasants warn him about evil.

If you’re looking for a dark, gothic read then you should pick this one up. It’s a timeless horror story and set the tone for vampire fiction

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 4.20

Agatha Christie was an incredible writer. And she has so many amazing detective stories. ‘Murder on The Orient Express’ is an excellent starting point.

It follows Poirot. He is on a train journey when there is a murder. And he has to investigate who the murderer is.

The characters in Christie’s books were often based on real people. And so they feel very relatable – even today. The plot has some good twists in it. I love reading Poirot’s thought process when solving the murder.

Christie’s books are the ultimate cosy fall reading.

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 3.86

Frankenstein is another classic. The book is very interesting to read as it’s very different from many of the adaptations.

Many people are familiar with the basic story but the novel is different from what you will be expecting.

It’s the classic story of a scientist who decides to create a new being. He plunders graveyards for parts and brings it to life using electricity.

Mary Shelley was a super talented author. And this book is much more emotionally powerful than you realise.

Read the trigger warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 3.84

Frankenstein is another classic. The book is very interesting to read as it’s very different from many of the adaptations.

Many people are familiar with the basic story but the novel is different from what you will be expecting.

It’s the classic story of a scientist who decides to create a new being. He plunders graveyards for parts and brings it to life using electricity.

Mary Shelley was a super talented author. And this book is much more emotionally powerful than you realise.

Good Reads Rating: 3.84

Horror fan? October and Halloween lovers searching for horror books, will love this classic horror. It's scary, mysterious and full of suspense.  

Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois.  And it will destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early.

A calliope’s shrill siren song beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. Two boys will discover its secret. And soon they will know all too well the heavy cost of wishes. 

Read the Trigger Warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 3.74

Unpopular opinion - I love reading books with adaptations. Don't get me wrong, some of the adaptations are terrible. But I enjoy reading the book and watching the movie afterwards. 

If you're also a fan of a book with an adaptation, then Practical Magic is the fall book for you. 

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town.

 Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. All Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape.

One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic... 

Read the Trigger Warnings here

Good Reads Rating: 3.94

You can't go wrong with a classic haunted house story. 

Everyone knows about Ashburn House. They whisper its old owner went mad, and restless ghosts still walk the halls. But when Adrienne―desperate and in need of a place to stay―inherits the crumbling old mansion, she only sees it as a lifeline... until darkness falls.

Strange messages are etched into the walls. Furniture moves when she leaves the room. There's something here―something powerful, angry, and hell-bent on shaking things up. Worse, a grave hidden in the depths of the forest hints at a terrible, unforgivable secret.

 Eventually Adrienne can't ignore that a twisted thing lives in the house, its hungry eyes ever-watchful. Chasing the threads of a decades-old mystery, it isn't long before she realizes she's become prey to something deeply unnatural and intensely resentful.

Good Reads Rating: 4.00

I saw this book recommended on Riley Marie’s Youtube Channel. And I’m so glad she recommended it.

This book follows a forest guardian. He is tasked to look after the forest. A man moves into the house in the forest. And they fall in love.

From the very start, the writing was beautiful. And the imagery in the forest is whimsical and enchanting.

If you like the cottagecore aesthetic you’ll probably really enjoy this book. I listened to the audiobook. And the duology is only 5 hours so it’s a really quick listen.

Good Reads Rating: 3.42

I’m not ashamed to admit that this was a complete cover buy. I saw Darling Desi mention this book. And I instantly had to buy it! 

It’s set in a bakeshop at Halloween. Three residents are looking for love and they find out how magical romance can suddenly be.

This isn’t going to be the most groundbreaking plot or read. But it’s an adorable fall read filled with autumnal imagery. It will make you seriously hungry because the food imagery is incredible.

Good Reads Rating: 3.42

Thursday Murder Club follows four unlikely friends living in a luxury retirement village. Every Thursday, they meet to discuss unsolved crimes. They call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.

But when a murder takes place on their doorstep, they suddenly find themselves in the middle of a live case.

The quirky cast of lovable characters made me laugh out loud on several occasions. And the dialogue was also hilarious.

The residents in the retirement home were constantly underestimated. And it led to some really funny moments in the plot.

Good Reads Rating: 3.81

Books with food and baking are so cosy. If a book features a baker, it instantly reminds me of Autumn. This is the perfect lighthearted romance for Autumn. 

It follows Olivia Rawlings -a pastry chef for an exclusive Boston dinner club.  But when she accidentally sets the entire building alight she escapes to the idyllic town of Guthrie, Vermont. Home of her best friend Hannah.

But the getaway turns into something more lasting when Margaret Hurley, the cantankerous, sweater-set-wearing owner of the Sugar Maple Inn, offers Livvy a job.

Broke and knowing that her days at the club are numbered, Livvy accepts.

Livvy moves into a sugarhouse on the inn’s property. And begins creating her mouth watering desserts for the residents of Guthrie. She soon uncovers the real reason she has been hired—to help Margaret reclaim the inn’s blue ribbon status at the annual county fair apple pie contest.

Good Reads Rating: 3.88

Wuthering Heights is a classic romance. And the imagery of the Yorkshire moors makes it the perfect Autumnal Read. 

Wuthering Heights is a wild, passionate story of the intense love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff.

Heathcliff is adopted by Catherine's father. After Mr Earnshaw's death, Heathcliff is bullied and humiliated by Catherine's brother Hindley. 

Wrongly believing that his love for Catherine is not reciprocated,  Heathcliff leaves Wuthering Heights, only to return years later as a wealthy and polished man.

 He proceeds to exact a terrible revenge for his former miseries. 

Good Reads Rating: 4.02

October fans will love this book. It features witches, vampires and a mystery. All with some dark academia vibes. 

It follows Diana Bishop, a young scholar. In the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library she calls up a ewitched alchemical manuscript

Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery.  After a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. 

But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library.

Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Good Reads Rating: 3.52

The Ex Hex was hyped up so much on its release. And I'm not surprised. This adorable romance is the perfect autumnal read. 

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend.

Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way.  But she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless.

Good Reads Rating: 4.17

Another book for October lovers. This cute fantasy book features the found family trope and witches. 

It follows Mika Moon. As one of few witches in Britain, she has to hide her magic. 

 And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she's used to being alone. And she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account. 

Here, she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in their lives.

Good Reads Rating: 4.17

f you're looking for a dark academia read, a secret society of a smart group of friends then you should check out If We Were Villains. 

It follows Oliver Marks. He's just served ten years in jail - for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day he’s released, he’s greeted by the man who put him in prison. 

 Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know what happened a decade ago.

As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off. But the casting changes and the secondary characters usurp the stars. 

The play spills dangerously over into life and one of them is found dead.

Fan of Dark Academia books? Check out my article on Dark Academia books here.

Good Reads Rating: 3.98

A feel good paranormal romance. The Dead Romantics is perfect for Halloween. 

It follows Florence Day. Florence is a ghostwriter for a prolific romance author. The problem is, after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead.

When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father.

For ten years, she’s run from the town that never understood her, and she can’t bring herself to stay.

Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door.

Good Reads Rating: 4.28

The Hobbit is another absolute classic. If you're looking to read more adult fantasy books then this is a great place to start. I recommend this as a great starting point over the Lord of the Rings. It's a fantasy standalone novel with a simple but engaging storyline. And a well paced plot. 

The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins. He is A Hobbit who lives in The Shire. One day he meets Gandalf and goes on an adventure.

The Hobbit the most charming adventure story. Also, the imagery in the hobbit – particularly around food is lovely. I want to be able to eat seven meals a day much like a hobbit.

The Hobbit is such a cosy, comforting book. It's not as long and drawn out as Lord of the Rings. And it's a really light-hearted read.

Good Reads Rating: 4.26

Stephen King was constantly recommended when  I was searching for fall books to read. It, Sleeping Beauties and The Girl who Loved Tom Gordon. But the Shining stood out. 

This classic horror story is perfect for fans of a haunted house.

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing.

 But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister.

Good Reads Rating: 4.41

If you're looking for a low stakes, cozy fantasy book then you need to read this. 

The House Witch is set in a medieval world where witches can command a different form of elemental magic - fire, air, water or earth.  We follow Finlay who is a mutant - he's a House Witch. And he becomes Royal Cook in a castle. And his magic means he can cook the most incredible meals. 

This is the most perfect cosy read.

It's filled with beautiful food imagery, courtly intrigue and magical hijinks. Likewise,  it features an adorable kitten companion.

This is also quite light on the romance and fantasy elements. But the beautiful, cosy food imagery more than made up for it. And reading a fantasy book with a male protagonist is refreshing.

Good Reads Rating: 4.23

Legends & Lattes is the cosiest, low stakes, slice of life fantasy book. And it also features an adorable wlw romance.

Legends & Lattes follows Viv - an orc barbarian.  She leaves her life as a warrior and opens the first coffee shop in Thune. 

Cosy imagery, a wlw romance and the found family trope. Everything I love in a book. And as if that's not enough, Legends and Latte's has a compelling mystery to solve. 

Legends and Lattes is bookish equivalent of a steaming hot mug of coffee. The perfect book to curl up on the sofa with in Autumn or Winter.

Good Reads Rating: 3.88

The Appeal is unlike any other mystery thriller I have read. And the unique format will appeal to crime fiction fans.

It gives you the chance to turn investigator. There is a tragic death in an amateur dramatics group. A member of the drama group is in prison for the crime. But they suspect they are innocent.

Roderick Tanner QC, of Tanner and Dewey LLP, gives law students a bundle of emails, documents and messages to read through. The real killer can be found in the bundle of papers. And the reader has the chance to identify the killer too.

The narrative is made up of email conversations and papers. The epistolary format lends itself perfectly to the mystery-thriller genre. And there are many unexpected twists and turns.

Good Reads Rating: 3.83

The Guest List is a fast paced, twisty thriller. Full of suspense and slow building tension, mystery fans will love this thriller. 

The Guest List is set on an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one.

But then someone turns up dead.

Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

Lucy Foley's writing style is excellent. I normally dislike too many POVS, but it works in The Guest List. This will definitely be a book you’ll want to binge read.

Good Reads Rating: 3.71

A Halloween classic. There are countless movie versions of this classic novel but I highly recommend reading the original. 

Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher, came to Tarry Town in the glen of Sleepy Hollow to ply his trade in educating young minds.

 He was a gullible and excitable fellow, often so terrified by locals' stories of ghosts that he would hurry through the woods on his way home.

 Until late one night, he finds that maybe they're not just stories. What is that dark, menacing figure riding behind him on a horse? And what does it have in its hands? 

Good Reads Rating: 4.02

If you're looking for a fantasy with magic in a city setting then this is a great option for you.

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there when yesterday it was not. But it’s only open at night.

And behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway between two rival magicians -Celia and Marco. 

They have trained since childhood purely for this purpose. But unknown to them, only one will be left standing. The circus is set for an incredible battle of imagination.

The problem is, despite themselves Celia and Marco fall in love. But, true love or not, the game must play out.

Good Reads Rating: 3.67

Sawkill island has never been safe for young girls. There is a local legend about a paranormal beast who hunts young girls.

We are introduced to three girls: Zoey, Val and Marion. They have the power to save the island. If they are willing to come together and try.

Sawkill Girls is a really dark fantasy book. And it’s definitely not for everyone. The world-building is dark, moody and atmospheric. But I love the idea of sapphic girls coming together and using magical powers to conquer evil.

Good Reads Rating: 4.11

Coraline is a classic. And it really delivers on creepiness. Neil Gaiman writes the most atmospheric books. And they always have autumnal vibes.

Coraline is fed up with the lack of attention from her parents. She discovers a family from a parallel universe. And they give her everything she wants.

But is everything as it seems?

The sassy cat is the best. Especially when Coraline tries to befriend the cat. And it responds with “We COULD be rare specimens of an exotic breed of dancing African elephants, but we’re not. At least, I’M not.

Good Reads Rating: 3.73

It’s a YA Fantasy book about witches featuring a f/f romance. Plus it’s set in Salem. 

These Witches Don’t Burn follows Hannah. She is a witch living in Salem.

A dark blood ritual interrupts her end of school bonfire. And so, she investigates with her ex-girlfriend Veronica.

She also meets Morgan. But trying to date in the middle of a supernatural crisis is not easy. And it will test Hannah’s limits.

This is one of my favourite duologies! The magical, fantastical elements are developed really well. And pacing of the plot will keep you hooked.

Good Reads Rating: 4.30

 A magical YA Contemporary with LGBTQ+ Main characters. 

Cemetery Boys follows Yadriel whose traditional Latinx family has problems accepting his true gender.

To prove himself, he performs a ritual. And sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin.

How perfect is that plot for Halloween? The cover, the plot and the intrigue all scream autumnal Halloween vibes.

Good Reads Rating: 4.06

There is something very atmospheric about audiobooks. In particular, the Sadie audiobook is incredible. It features a fall cast of narrators and sound effects. It truly sounds like you’re listening to a true-crime podcast. And it brings the story to life.

Sadie tells the story of a missing girl on a mission for revenge. It also features a podcast that tracks down the clues she’s left behind.

Wow! This will take you on a roller coaster journey of emotions. If you love thrillers or revenge plots then you have to read this one.

Good Reads Rating: 4.05

Each year in the churchyard, Blue watches her psychic mother see those who are going to die that year. Blue never actually sees them herself. Until this year. When she speaks directly to a boy.

He is called Gansey and is a student at Aglionby school. The students there are known locally as Raven Boys.

I had so many recommendations to read this and for good reason. The characters and the relationships are what make this one of the best fantasy books.

Good Reads Rating: 3.65

An Enchantment of Ravens is a recent discovery of mine. And it would also be a great pick for Sarah J Maas fans.

It follows Isobel who is a painter. And she creates stunning portraits for the dangerous fair folk. She paints a portrait of the Autumn Prince. But she paints humanity in his eyes. And that’s a deadly mistake.

The imagery in this book is stunning. The world is incredibly beautifully described with whimsical imagery. 

This book is full of forest imagery which is really beautiful. And because it follows the Autumn Prince – it’s full of autumnal imagery in the writing.

Good Reads Rating: 4.03

Serpent and Dove is an excellent pick for anyone looking for books similar to A Court of Thorns and Roses. It features a slow burn enemies to lovers romance between a witch and a witch hunter. 

Serpent and Dove follows Louise - a witch.  She lives in Cesarine where witches are hunted and burned. Reid is a witch hunter who has always lived by the same principle - thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

But Lou pulls a stunt and it forces them into an impossible scenario - holy matrimony.

This has so many tropes that I enjoy - enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience and  morally grey characters. And it's topped off with an well developed magic system and easy to read writing. 

This is the perfect books to read in fall. The witchy imagery and gritty city setting are excellent.

Good Reads Rating: 4.03

 A Lesson in Vengeance in a LGBTQ+ Dark Academia Fantasy and Thriller.

It follows Felicity Morrrow and is set at Dalloway School. Dalloway School was her home until the tragic death of her girlfriend. 

But after a year away, she's returned to graduate. And she even has her old room back in Godwin House. An exclusive dormitory rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of five Dalloway students rumoured to be witches.  The Dalloway Five all died mysteriously on Godwin Grounds.

Looking for LGBTQ+ Fantasy Books for Halloween? Check out my article on LGBTQ+ books for Halloween here.

Good Reads Rating: 4.22

Ace of Spades is a thrilling YA Mystery. It's fast-paced and filled with plot twists. It's a dark academia book that deals with institutionalized racism. Plus it has a badass female lead. 

Ace of Spades it set at  Niveus Private Academy. Here money paves the hallways. And students are never less than perfect. 

Until now. 

An anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students' dark secrets to light.

Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehearsals.  But he can't escape the spotlight when his private photos go public. Head girl Chiamaka isn't afraid to get what she wants. But soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power.

Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces. And they're planning much more than a high-school game...

Good Reads Rating: 3.83

Mooncakes is a  cozy YA fantasy romance about a witch and a non-binary werewolf.

It follows teen witch Nova. She works at her Nana's magical bookshop. And she helps them loan out spell books. But she also investigates supernatural occurrences in her local town.

One day, she is tasked to investigate reports of a white wolf in a nearby forest. She then discovers her childhood best friend,  Tam, fighting a demon werewolf.  

This is such a comfort read. The artwork is insanely beautiful. I really loved the illustrations of the magic and magical creatures living in the forest. The romance is also really adorable.

I love a cozy fantasy book in Autumn. If you're after queer cozy fantasy books, I have tons of recommendations. Check out my article on queer cozy fantasy books here

Good Reads Rating: 3.83

This has a magical story concept and whimsical worldbuilding. While it doesn't have the food imagery of Legends and Lattes, it has the same cozy fantasy vibe.  It features a friendly witch and beautiful forest imagery.  

Every year the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope to keep her from terrorizing the town.

But the witch Xan is kind. She rescues the abandoned children. And delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest.

Fyrian the dragon is adorable. He's small and cute. The humour made me smile and laugh many times.

Good Reads Rating: 3.67

Ghostwood Song is a spooky tale with Southern Forest imagery. It features an intriguing mystery and a bisexual main character.

Ghostwood song follows Shady Groves. She’s inherited her father’s ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle. And she knows the tunes bring nothing but trouble. But her brother is accused of murder. And to clear his name she’s going to have to make the ghosts sing.

I listened to the audiobook version of this which I highly recommend. The narrator has the most charming Southern USA accent. This book is super atmospheric and full of creepy forest scenes.

It strikes a balance of home comforts and creepy scenes while also exploring the impact of loss on a family.

Good Reads Rating: 4.05

If you’re looking for books with bad-ass, disabled characters then you should read a curse so Dark and Lonely. 

A Curse So Dark And Lonely is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Prince Rhen is the Heir of Emberfall.

Emberfall is under a curse and the kingdom is enchanted into an everlasting winter. Prince Rhen needs to make a girl fall in love with him to break the curse.

Harper has cerebral palsy. And she struggles to look after her dying mother. She tries to save a stranger and is pulled into the world of Emberfall.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely is an excellent retelling. It puts a modern spin on the original fairytale. Despite Harper’s disability – she’s not a character in need of sympathy. She’s the perfect fantasy heroine – strong and with a good head on her shoulders. But also flawed enough to feel realistic.

Good Reads Rating: 4.43

Legendborn follows Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. So, she joins a residential program for gifted high school students.

But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. A flying demon feeding on human energy. A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.

Legendborn is a brilliant debut novel. It was a fast-paced story full of twists and turns. And it kept me absolutely hooked. In fact, I stayed up to about 2am finishing it.

Tracy Deonn also included commentary on racism and slavery. They were woven perfectly into the storyline. 

Good Reads Rating: 3.95

If you need a ya mystery thriller with dark academia vibes then this is the book got you. 

Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”

Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.

True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. 

Good Reads Rating: 4.19

Books with food imagery are so cozy. And they automatically remind me of Autumn. You can taste the vibrant food imagery through the pages of this ya fall book. 

It follows Emoni Santiago. Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, her  life has been about making the tough decisions.

The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen. Where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.

Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. 

Good Reads Rating: 4.34

A gripping and twisty YA mystery novel. This book was a bestseller, hyped up online. But for good reason. 

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure.

When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

Good Reads Rating: 4.03

Six of Crows is a  fast-paced ya fantasy duology with a chaotic and diverse friendship group. 

Six of Crows follows six teenagers living in Ketterdam. Kaz Brekker, a criminal prodigy, is one of the teens. He is offered a deadly heist for a huge payout.

But it’s an impossible heist. And Kaz will need all the help he can get to pull it off. So, he assembles five other teens to help him.

There is so much to love about Six of Crows – magic found family and super sassy banter. 

Good Reads Rating: 3.68

The Grimrose Girls is a modern take on classic fairytales such as The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. But with a darkly magical twist.

The heroines of the stories are re-imagined as friends attending an elite boarding school. After their friend dies, the police rule the death as suicide. But they decide to investigate to find out what really happened.

Grimrose Girls is a unique concept and fantasy retelling. The mystery was really gripping and well-paced. And the story kept mentioning tantalizing details that kept me engaged.

The story also uses the darker versions of the fairytales. And this added to the dark academia, mysterious tone of the book.

Good Reads Rating: 3.49

This is yet another seriously underrated lgbt book. I don't see this recommended nearly enough online. Ruinsong is an ya lesbian book set in a dystopian world. It has lush world-building, a twisty plot and feisty main characters.

In this world, singers have magic powers when they sing certain songs. And they are able to heal, cause pain and heat people.

Cadence is an incredibly strong mage. She was born in poverty in an orphanage and rises to success. But she works for the evil Queen Elene. And Elene forces Cadence to use her power to torture others.

  But when she is reunited with her childhood friend she must make a choice. Does she take a stand or follow the queen.

This book is like a dystopian and queer phantom of the opera. Full of  strong willed women wearing beautiful ball gowns taking down evil.