Fall Book Reccomendations

As the sunny scenes of summer fade into the crisp and cozy days of autumn we’ve all been waiting for, what could be more fitting than curling up with a good book? From spooky tales like Frankenstein and The Haunting of Hill House to the light-hearted series My Favorite Color is the Golden Hour, this article is full of recommendations for different tastes. These recommendations come from Champaign Central students and their favorite fall reads for any and all readers!

For those in the mood for a spooky fall read, Central junior Sky Engelhart recommends the classic 1818 gothic novel Frankenstein. They recommend the novel by acclaimed author Mary Shelley because it displays the familiar spooky elements of Halloween, and because it’s a noteworthy read overall. In an interview, they state, “Frankenstein’s monster is a very classic Halloween character, so that obviously fits the theme…It’s kind of witty and melodramatic in a way that sort of fits the season”. They add to their description of the book’s mood, stating that, “most of it is just Frankenstein’s monster being really moody about everything”. Beyond its gothic themes of the supernatural, mystery, and fear present throughout the tale, the characters of both Frankenstein and his monster are both intriguing and haunting. Frankenstein is a captivating work that remains timeless, and will make a perfect addition to your fall reading bookshelf!

If you’re looking for a heartwarming, cozy tale, one anonymous Central junior recommends My Favorite Color is the Golden Hour by Eva Austin. The 2024 novel draws you in with its charming, cheerful fall elements while setting the stage for a sweet romance between the bookish main character Emma and her ex-childhood best friend Bryson. The student shares that “the author is not very well known, but the book is really good” and that it has “fall aspects in the setting of Carlton Landing, where the author actually visited”. This book is a sequel to Austin’s first book in the “My Favorite Color” trilogy, My Favorite Color is Your Something Blue, which takes place in summertime. With its inviting autumn atmosphere, its themes of forgiveness and its endearing characters, this clean, cheerful rom-com novel would definitely be a great read on a brisk autumn afternoon for readers of all ages.

For readers who prefer a more realistic, raw reading experience, Central junior Kai Marshall suggests A List of Things That Didn’t Kill Me by Jason Schmidt. This memoir details Schmidt’s difficult childhood and complex relationship with his single father, Mark, and how he comes to terms with Mark’s death. While this book is a lot more intense, and includes themes of poverty and childhood neglect at the hands of a parent (amongst many other dark themes), it’s also encouraging for those facing similar situations, especially kids who feel isolated in their home life. Marshall states that “It’s definitely more of a chilling, ‘woah’ sort of book, which I associate with the weather getting colder in the months of fall”. While this book is both heartbreaking and inspiring, its emotional rawness and authenticity make it a moving read for fall, a season that often evokes feelings of reflection.

Central junior Soorin Park suggests the “Little House” book series, particularly Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This book is perfect for readers searching for a cozy, nostalgic fall read set in nature. This beloved classic, first published in 1932, follows the lives of young Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family in their small log cabin in the woods of Wisconsin. Park describes the tale as being “so cozy and warm…it’s one of my favorites, and it makes me feel safe”. Overall, Wilder’s approachable yet vivid storytelling captures the beauty of rural life, the natural environment, and changing seasons in a way that’s both charming and nostalgic. This book creates a feeling of escape to a simpler time, and it’s ideal for fans of fall nature and life on the American frontier.

One of my personal go-to fall favorites is the gothic novel “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson. This gripping tale from 1959 centers on a supernatural investigator and three people whom he invites to the sinister old manor. The story chiefly follows Eleanor, her friend-turned enemy Theodora, the eccentric Dr. Montague, and Luke Sanderson, the young heir to Hill House. While there are not many direct scares, Jackson weaves in psychological horror throughout the book, focusing on paranoia and a sense of isolation within this strange house as the lines between reality and the supernatural start to blur, particularly for the main character, Eleanor. Jackson’s unique writing style establishes a dark atmosphere with emotional depth, tying in real-life themes of mental illness, family, and loss. I have recommended this book to others in the past because it’s a shorter haunted-house story that’s rich with psychological horror.

Whether you’re looking for a chilling gothic tale, a heartwarming rom-com, or something in between, these student recommendations prove there’s an autumnal story for anyone. So curl up with a blanket, settle in, and enjoy a pumpkin-flavored drink with one of these compelling fall-themed books!