Honestly, most classics, you could argue are best read in fall. For me, autumn is the season for reading classics. Something about the changing of the leaves and cooler weather and rainy days just feels perfect to cozy up with a pot of tea and read about far away times and classics who have stood the test of time.

Jane Eyre by Charolette Bronte

“There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.” —Charolette Brontë, Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is one of those books that scream AUTUMN to me. This is a gothic novel which I think is perfect for the changing of the leaves and cooler season. The opening chapter it is raining, muddy, and moody and is the perfect read on a cold, rainy, and foggy day.

Gothic novels are stories that blends horror, mystery, and a gloomy, eerie atmosphere to tell a story with a setting of decaying castles, dark manors, hidden dungeons, or lonely moors with elements of family secrets, murder, madness, and the supernatural. Basically the spooky fall aesthetic.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

This is Jane Austen’s most well known book and has some of the most beloved adaptions including the cinematic 2005 Pride and Prejudice film and the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice tv show. Let’s just say that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet’s love story is a classic for a reason and is a wonderful family drama and clean romance to read.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” —J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

In my opinion The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings should be read in the autumn and winter months. The aesthetics and cozy feel with the adventures, beautiful descriptions, poetry, music, and so much about this story is so amazing and I think is perfect for fall.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” ―Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

This is Jane Austen’s gothic parody (essentially her making fun of the moody drama of gothic fiction). I also love how Jane discusses being a reader and how the books we read can affect us and sometimes not for good when we can start inventing stories and things that are not true. It is a warning and also funny.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

"I am old now and have not much to fear from the anger of gods." —C.S. Lewis

This is C.S. Lewis’ retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche told through the eyes of one of her “ugly” sisters in this mash up of greek myth x cinderella x paganism x christian love.

It does have more adult themes and violence but the end of the story and the themes are worth it!

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