A Bibliophile’s Guide to Fall: Cozy, Creepy, and Everything In Between
- Caity Garvey
- Nov 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Confession time: I’m a bibliophile. Books are my Netflix, my therapy, my escape. Once fall has fallen, bookstore-and-coffee-shop season officially begins. There’s just something about autumn that radiates coziness and renewal—equal parts hibernation and enchantment. Think witchy and spooky, sultry and woodsmoky; the scent of campfires and soup simmering on the stove; steaming mugs of coffee, bourbon or red wine, and squares of dark chocolate. It’s a time for self-reflection, for journals and pens, for cats curled beside you. For long, winding trails through the woods and stories that feel just as mysterious and thrilling.
And while I haven’t managed to read nearly as much as I usually do (I average about 50 books a year), I’ve devoured enough over time to curate a list of my favorite fall reads—broken into categories: Nonfiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Mystery/Thriller, and Horror.
I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest romance reader, so those titles tend to blur into my fantasy picks—but they’re still deeply romantic at heart.
Almost all of these are personal favorites, the kind I’ll return to again and again. So grab one, pour a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, find a cozy nook, and settle in.
Happy reading—and feel free to share some of your favorite fall reads!
—Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for supporting Field Guide to Living and helping keep the coffee (and book habit) flowing.—
Nonfiction
A loving gut-check on relationships and self-worth—equal parts wisdom, truth, and tough love that sticks.
A fiery manifesto for anyone tired of playing small; it’s confidence, rebellion, and creative freedom wrapped in a swear word.
A timeless reminder that purpose can rise even from despair—quiet, devastating, and deeply human.
A balm for chaos and change; equal parts grounding and awakening, like a warm cup of clarity.
Witty, raw, and profoundly empathetic—a mirror into both therapy and the messy miracle of being human.
Fantasy
A sweeping desert adventure with a fierce heroine and a world that feels like ancient myth made real. (A childhood favorite and the book I point to that first sparked my obsession with reading).
Darkly whimsical and quietly feminist—a fairy tale stitched together with bone dust, humor, and heart.
A necromancer’s coming-of-age that blends eerie beauty with courage in the face of death. (Another childhood favorite and a must-read).
Frosty forests, folklore, and a fierce girl caught between gods and ghosts—a modern Russian fairy tale that shimmers with magic.
Lesbian necromancers in space—irreverent, sharp-tongued, and unlike anything you’ve ever read.
Fiction
Sharp satire and river-soaked Americana that still hums with questions of freedom and conscience.
Epic, immersive, and intoxicating—politics, honor, and forbidden love set in feudal Japan.
Old Hollywood glamour meets heartbreak; a dazzling portrait of ambition, love, and reinvention.
Darkly funny, oddly comforting—a slow spiral into detachment that somehow feels like self-care gone rogue.
An enduring story of courage, justice, and compassion told through the clear eyes of childhood.
Romance
A timeless dance of wit, pride, and longing—still the gold standard for slow-burn chemistry.
A lush, addictive fantasy that’s equal parts fairy tale, survival story, and smolder.
Sharp, seductive, and treacherously addictive—faerie politics with a dark romantic edge.
A tender, atmospheric retelling that reminds us love can be both gentle and transformative.
Charming, clever, and cozy-magical—the literary equivalent of tea by candlelight with mischievous fae nearby.
Mystery / Thriller
A gothic masterpiece of passion and independence cloaked in stormy moors and secrets.
Hauntingly atmospheric—love, jealousy, and obsession wrapped in the fog of Manderley.
A mind-bending, eerie puzzle that will have you doubting every page and your own sanity.
Dark fairy tale meets psychological thriller—beautiful, strange, and deliciously unsettling.
Heart-stopping and beautifully written—a crime story that cuts deep into love, loss, and redemption.
Horror
Southern gothic perfection—floods, family curses, and slow-burn dread dripping from every page.
Claustrophobic and brutal—a descent into psychological horror that lingers long after lights out.
Elegant, eerie, and timeless—a haunted house story that’s really about the ghosts inside us.
Menopause meets malevolent possession—a sharp, subversive horror full of feminist fury.
Creepy, cinematic, and full of urban-legend dread—the perfect read for a dark October night.
While this list is short (IMHO), there are so many other books I absolutely love. And of course, please let me know some of your own! I’m absolutely always looking for more books to add to my TBR list!
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