☕ dark and cozy fall books you haven't heard of yet 🍂🕯️ (autumn book recommendations)

[@addisonmiddleton1816]

Ah I’m so ready for autumn!! 🍁 🍁🍁 ✨sweater weather✨ ✨books✨ ✨pretty colors✨ ✨some rain✨ ✨hot cocoa or coffee✨ ✨cats✨ ✨all together snuggled up in a blanket✨ Is all perfect ☕️ 🍁

[@Erika-pq7ip]

PERIODTT

[@TheHammy1987]

Exactly my thoughts! Can't wait for actual fall to come, have been compiling my fall-TBR for weeks :D (here in Germany, it's been very sunny and warm these past few days :/)

[@charliebeans3202]

AMEN

[@DieterRahm1845]

The opposite here, we're at the beginning of Spring time... after such a mild winter😥😥😥😥

[@dammifalestina9097]

@@DieterRahm1845 Where??

[@sinonimouz]

🍂 🍁 T I M E S T A M P S 🍁 🍂 🍁 read cause the movie's coming out 3:43 - Dune 🍁 books that everyone always recommends for fall 4:38 - Uprooted 5:14 - The Invisible Life of Addie Larue 6:01 - The Night Circus 6:31 - If We Were Villains 7:19 - Ninth House 7:47 - Mexican Gothic 🍁 more books you should read 8:39 - The Yellow Wallpaper 11:27 - The Girl and the Ghost 12:41 - The Remains of the Day 12:56 - Klara and the Sun 13:22 - Never Let Me Go 13:49 - Wilder Girls 14:59 - Girls with Sharp Sticks 15:58 - The Book of Lost Things happy reading!

[@nozomisouffle]

Thanks, that's useful for copy and paste on goodreads

[@alexc9752]

Books recommended: Pt 1 Dune Uprooted The invisible life of Addie Larue The Night Circus If We Were Villains Ninth House Mexican Gothic Pt 2 The yellow Wallpaper (short story) The Girl and The Ghost Kazuo Ishiguro (All his books) - The Remains of the Day - Klara and the Sun - Never Let Me Go Wilder Girls Girls with Sharp Sticks The Book of Lost Things

[@sofia-eq7mj]

Thanks bestie

[@whistletoe]

Thank uu

[@torijohnston8540]

Thank you

[@rxea545]

our queen leonie coming to make the best season of the year even better with her recommendations

[@JP-ku5hw]

It seems that you're head over heels in love with her.

[@shivashahhoseini2563]

I think you're the rightest person to recommend fall books. You have a very nice autumn vibes in all your videos:>🍁

[@valentinabunnell1862]

I’m currently reading Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and the atmosphere is perfect for fall: unsettling, suspenseful and gorgeous writing. It’s a classic but I find it easy to read!

[@aimun5255]

Yess easily one of my fav classics, the new movie really doesn't do it justice

[@redbloodbluemoon1423]

You can read her Jamaica Inn too. It's just as brilliant

[@NannersandBeans]

I am also reading Rebecca right now and I completely agree!

[@tinimoon]

You need to read also my cousin Rachel, by the same writer , it's so good!!

[@Lena-ks5ni]

@@tinimoon Yes, it's also her darkest one, and movie with Rachel Weiss...just big yes! Though I prefer Rebecca...it's timeless!

[@megjshark]

last fall i read: we have always lived in the castle by shirley jackson, the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde, the secret history by donna tartt, housekeeping by marilynne robinson, and rebecca by daphne du maurier, and the snowy autumnal vibes could not have been more immaculate

[@livi6041]

Your taste is immaculate

[@annaascott]

There's a reason The Yellow Wallpaper is still taught at universities. Such a great story, I've read it 20+ times.

[@aisling8308]

I read Rebecca last autumn and I thought it was the perfect time of year to read it

[@marta.melnyk]

for me, Neil Gaiman is perfect for autumn: Coraline, Neverwhere, Ocean at the End of the Lane...

[@ava165]

the graveyard book

[@marta.melnyk]

@@ava165 exactly. I just finished reading it a few days ago :D

[@ReiyukaE]

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a book I always return to in autumn. It fits the vibes perfectly and is just a great fantastical realistic story.

[@skyhideaway]

Some autumnal books I would recommend are: Diddakoi by Rumer Godden - It's a children's story of a half-Romany girl who suffers from bullying at school while there's also a blossoming romance between these two people who agreed to take care of her, Admiral Twiss and Olivia Brooke. Despite being a "children's book", Diddakoi has very mature and serious themes. Has very cozy chapters of the traveller culture, how Kizzy (the little girl) teaches Olivia the old ways of lighting a bonfire and having tea there, how her wagon looks, etc. Coraline by Neil Gaiman - Horror children's book, you probably know the movie but the book is a lot more dark and kinda sadder than the movie. For those who don't know, it's about a girl called Coraline who discovers a little door in her new house which leads to this amazing world where an Other Mother and Father live. Turns out the Other Mother is an entity that feeds on children and Coraline has to escape her. The Secret Of Chimneys by Agatha Christie - My favourite book of all time, this is a crime thriller that involves both modern culture as well as royalty. Very intriguing and action-packed with the classic Agatha Christie twist. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne - Fantasy, dark academia story about a boy who is generally referred to as Cat, and his sister Gwendolyn, who lose their parents and are thus taken in by this man in a high position called Chrestomanci. Gwendolyn turns out to be an evil someone who craves for attention and fame, and Cat learns more about Chrestomanci as well as his sister and himself. 10/10 would recommend. The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens - Classic novel about a young girl named Nell and her grandfather who have been suffering from poverty and debt for years until they decide to run away from their house and "live in the streets". It's cozy but also really sad in a lot of parts, especially since Nell has to handle all the responsibility of taking care of her grandfather.

[@sanne3288]

I read The Woman in Black by Susan Hill every autumn! It does not have the book version of jump scares, but it is so eerie throughout the entire book that you will be kept on your toes! With a ghost that transcends both space and time (unlike the usual ghost stuck in the house), you never know what awaits!

[@miaoliver5327]

No autumn here in the Philippines , but will definitely check out your recos as usual. 🥰🤍🤍

[@Elle-oz7zn]

true hahaha

[@leathehatless]

Same in Portugal, autumn is just a second summer with crazy humidity, sun and heat. Can't wait for the late heatwaves

[@StarGaleSky7]

No Autumn in Phoenix, Arizona either. :( We're trapped at 110°. So videos like this help.

[@shanemarinarvaez2225]

fr we only get super sunny or super rainy 😂

[@garlicninja1257]

The Secret History by Donna Tart for those DA vibes!

[@Natalieanyaa]

I definitely recommend The thirteenth tale by Diane Setterfield. It's a gothic mystery book about old family secrets! It's SO GOOD and it has huge autumn vibes!

[@musarat365]

I feel like The Book Thief would be great to read during autumn

[@Thechroniclesofnari]

Hey Leonie!!! Absolutely love your channel and your book recommendations are so good. Just a little suggestion - could you put up time stamps or at least the names of the books in the description box . I’ve saved a couple of your videos but find it a little difficult if I want to come back at a later time to know about a particular book you talked about as I’ll have to watch the entire video again 😅 Anyways, adore you so much. Love from India 💕✨🌌

[@pedrOfsilveira]

autumn is such a vibey season, I love it so much, can't wait for halloween te read some cozy spooky stuff

[@allisonl1081]

“You wanna kick off the seasonal depression in the right way” LOL that was great

[@Tiffs-bookshelf]

the yellow wallpaper was so good and very dark.

[@muskaan1129]

The yellow wallpaper is one of my favourite short story. I read it earlier this year and LOVED it! Great video as always!!! And you need to do a room tour please:)

[@Sky-bu1jj]

_The Child Thief_ is a retelling of Peter Pan from the perspective of one of the lost children. It's sort of a YA psychological horror that I wouldn't recommend to people under, like, 14? Though I ironically read it at 13. It's one of my favorite books of all time, and has a very definite autumn/hallowe'en vibe.

[@ShaniFox]

I recommend Wakenhyrst! It’s gothic, spooky, and has that sweet sweet descent into madness *chef’s kiss*

[@Alyssa-nb7lo]

I really enjoyed An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson. It's an atmospheric fantasy, perfect for autumn 🍁🍂

[@emipopescu3257]

Ya, that book is awesome! 👍 Such a delight. It immediately made me order the other book of the same author

[@msellenandrea]

The beginning of this cracked me up xD I need to pick up Ninth House I think! I have some recs too, and I think some of these are quite hidden gems! -nightfall gardens - a discovery of witches - The witches of new york - Practical Magic - the Atlas Six - Black Rabbit hall - the once and future witches - Rebecca - The Hoarder - The Darkling Bride

[@Maria-lb5uq]

My favorite Autumn book (and the one I read every year around this time) is Jane Eyre, it has the mistery, the romance and the windy moors

[@sarahoriordan8093]

THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS and Ive NEVER seen anyone recommend it in booktube videos, thank you so much for the wonderful video!

[@GamenRead]

I read The Yellow Wallpaper for a class in college and absolutely loved it!

[@TheBookLeo]

so good!

[@lightlawliet3526]

and for dune, i'll watch movie first. eats popcorn. my recommendations would be; - these violent delights by micah nemerever - the cemetery boys - the girl who drank the moon - the starless sea - howl's moving castle - elatsoe also i'm currently reading raven boys which might or might not be a fall read.

[@jeneralkenobi]

yessss, these violent delights is a great dark fall book. such good dark academia vibes

[@alexsteel6034]

Oh! I got confused with These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. I haven't read this but its very popular.

[@lightlawliet3526]

@@alexsteel6034 that's why i wrote the author's name. haha. and the one i mentioned is dark academia themed and not ya.

[@kyeoptawerk93ah]

I just finished elatsoe! Wasn't expecting it to be supernatural focused but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it and would also def recommend to anyone especially during spoopy season

[@chrysoula5226]

Loved this so much your videos always make me feel super happy and calm.🥰 *My recommendations:* *classic:Wuthering heights* (ultimate dark fall book in my opinion) *children's: The last black cat by Eugene Trivizas* (A dark story by a classic kids' author here in greece I loved immensely as a child. It is about how everyone is trying to kill black cats, how it started and what the protagonists are doing to survive. Was really shocking to me as a child. Haven't read in 10 years and still remember most of the plot). *historical fiction: Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden* (In this one we follow the life of a girl who is sold to a house and gets trained to become a Geisha. It has really beautiful descriptions of life in Japan at that tine as well as the Geisha traditions. The language used is beautifully poetic yet at the same time super accessible. It really immerses you into a different world). *mystery/thriller: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena* (a super fast paced mystery story that you can't stop reading, keeps you on the edge and is very character based) And a *movie recommendation* especially for you Leoni. Watch The Prestige. It's a mystery Christopher Nolan movie about two magician showmans turned into vicious rivals (hehe) and their lives as competitors trying to outperform each other. It's really intense and you get to play detective to figure out what's going on. Super enthralling and perfect for fall!!

[@marinadeffner582]

Still traumatized from The Last Black Cat and I read it many years ago as well! Especially the grandma with the needle... need I say more.

[@chrysoula5226]

@@marinadeffner582 phffff ah I know

[@Desilou18]

Rebecca is my choice this fall. Hopefully I can finished it before autumn ends with all this school work 😝

[@amybuchler8874]

If you like Rebecca, highly recommend "Mistress of Mellyn" by Victoria Holt. Most of Victoria Holt's books are Gothic Romantic Suspense themed..

[@lauraevans6285]

Very specific reccomendation but the book Annihilation feels like the perfect book for the turning point between summer and autumn, just as you start to notice things getting colder 🍂

[@nicoledreibelbeis2192]

The Book of Lost things is SO good and I never see anyone talk about it! I think The Thirteenth Tale is a great fall book!

[@alanal3768]

If you want a horror recommendation, try House of Salt and Sorrow! It leans a little more fantasy since it’s a Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling, but it’s very spooky and has gothic elements. If you’ve watched Inception, it’s kind of like that! It follows Annaleigh Thaumus, who lives in a remote manor by the sea with her father, stepmother and nine sisters. There were twelve sisters originally, but tragedy strikes the Thaumus household time and time again as sisters die one by one and Annaleigh doesn’t think it’s a coincidence, so she teams up with a mysterious stranger to investigate. Highly recommend it, it’s very good

[@veroniquebotha4341]

I remember reading Never Let Me Go and The Book of Lost Things in high school and I loved both. The Book of Lost Things made me realize how much I loved fairy tale retellings. Such good books✨

[@krishnat5384]

i read the night circus earlier this year and yes it is perfect for this season if you wanna bring a hint of magic and love to your day ✨✨

[@Ashmont27]

I've been reading La Reina de las Chicharras and loving it! It's a horror book about a Mexican folklore tale and has lots of commentary about how we treat Mexican workers in the US. It's definitely spooky, but not TOO spooky.

[@Ashmont27]

I feel like I should come back to this comment to say that I finished the book and it was very mediocre lol

[@Hillary429]

The Yellow Wallpaper is giving me My Year of Rest and Relaxation ✨vibes✨

[@TheBookLeo]

ohhh interesting comparison, i can see where you're coming from!

[@isabellarae9904]

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury has immaculate autumnal vibes and is very atmospheric🍂

[@bobinagebobinage2052]

Are you cleaning the house today? What did you have for dinner today?🍂

[@zoehowsare9696]

This a massive horror book but I have not heard anyone recommend Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky yet!! and I think it deserves a big spooky recommendation. Literally the best horror I've ever read and I know you have only read three horror books so I just wanted to throw out my absolute favorite haha

This one sounds good! And I can't believe it's by the same author of the perks of being a wallflower XD

[@vlcice5]

Gabbyreads does recommend this often. Check her out if you didn't already.

[@JulEnglefaris]

Oh man... I DNFed Imaginary Friend like 10 pages from the end because I just couldn't take it anymore. It was like the author did a pound of crack and then wrote that book.

[@lorena.v2252]

@@JulEnglefaris it was that bad? can you explain why/how without spoiling?

[@JulEnglefaris]

@@lorena.v2252 Sure. The beginning was interesting, but after a few chapters it was VERY repetitive. Like the same lines and situations happening over and over. The villain was really confusing and motives weren't clear at all. I don't think they ever were. There was a few different storylines going on and from what I could see they didn't have anything to do with each other. The situations were so weird it was literally like a fever dream where nothing made sense. I just don't like stories like that. Like I said... I was like a chapter from the end and I realized I just did Not care and was so sick of the book. (It's like 750+ pages long). Probably my most hated book of all time. Some people liked it but it wasn't for me.

[@miablazekovic1125]

"The Sun Down Motel" has some great spooky vibes 👻😇

[@shiningyoonie]

The Yellow Wallpaper is GREAT! One of the best horror classics.

[@HarvestLockwood]

Can confirm, The Yellow Wallpaper is AMAZING.

[@jessicam1580]

The description of The Book of Lost Things made me think of The Hazel Wood series by Melissa Albert. It's a similar thing, but more fantasy and a little creepy and weird but not actual horror. I totally recommend it for an autumn read

[@livi24]

One fall-ish series that I'd recommend is The Cassidy Blake series by V.E. Schwab. It follows a girl whose parents are filming a documentary about all of the most haunted cities in the world. The girl, Cassidy Blake, can see and interact with ghosts, and also has a best friend who is a ghost. She learns that her job is to send ghosts on into the Beyond. As the books go on, one of her biggest fears is that her ghost friend, Jacob, is getting way stronger than he should be, and she's worried that she'll have to send him on. Like some of the books on this list, it's more a middle-grade book series, so it's not that scary, but still a really great fall book. (Also, I'm pretty sure the series isn't finished yet.) The first book is called City of Ghosts if you wanna check it out.

[@valeriag9443]

If you’re going to read Dune I really recommend just stopping at the first one. It has a good ending that leaves you satisfied, TRUST ME you do NOT want more.

[@Arkya_Sengupta]

Dude im still gonna power through the rest... No metter how disastrous it becomes. I have seen some inklings that suggest that shit hits the fan super hard but still im gonna go read coz i am invested

[@spira-virgo5746]

I would say Dune is not for everyone but it is entertaining

[@IshaanGupta00]

@@Arkya_Sengupta Oh boy, if Dune didn’t already hint that chosen ones are dangerous, then Dune Messiah drives that point home.

[@valeriag9443]

@@IshaanGupta00 Dune messiah really blew my mind because it ruined Dune but in the best way. It’s a cautionary tale and a great one at that

[@IshaanGupta00]

@@valeriag9443 I wholeheartedly agree. Messiah destroyed me emotionally; and it still hurts knowing where Paul, the once naive lad from Caladan, ended up.

[@_kd..]

Small favors by Erin a Craig! It was so good, kinda creepy, there’s a mystery, the atmosphere was great. Defiantly a good fall read!

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

If you are looking for a more cozy, autumnal tv show (you know instead of a book) the Over the Garden Wall is something you should look into. It is set during late fall, and you follow these two brothers and their pet frog who keeps obtaining new names as they travel through these wacky woods. It is whimsical and an absolute delight and yeah, there are some dark parts too.

[@r4.v3n]

Second this! I love OTGW!

[@TheBookLeo]

i LOVE otgw and i'm so glad to hear other people talking about it! i plan on a rewatch this year

[@mattkean1128]

BOOM! So ready for autumn and Halloween 🎃. Maybe I'll finally read The Night Circus. Already on my TBR are Blackwater, a southern gothic family saga by Michael McDowell, who helped write Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice. Then Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, which I've only heard great things about. Some Robert Aickman spooky short stories. And maybe the Picnic at Hanging Rock book. The movie version is really great. Maybe not technically a horror movie, but it has a lot of the same elements.

[@andreadaga]

Thanks for all the recommendations! My fave dark academia is The Secret History, I think you'd love it too ☺️🖤

[@TheBookLeo]

it's high on my to be read list!

[@DestinedForDystopia]

I’ve been trying to find hidden gem autumn books, and you helped me find many that I’ve never heard of! Thank you for the recommendations! LOVE the autumn aesthetic in this video ✨

[@anxious_apparition]

Rosemary's Baby and The Thirteenth Tale are some of my fav. autumn reads. I also like really bleak books like Burial Rites this time of year.

[@cunningba]

For another book from the perspective of the woman in the attic, there’s always Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys. I’m thinking I first read it in the fall of 1979.

[@Tardigrade2024]

Annihilation is also based on the first book in a trilogy by Jeff Vandermeer! I couldn’t put it down.

[@yelenskareads]

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden is one book I would recommend! Its a very well-written middle-grade I read in one sitting.

[@humeyrasanler9867]

the fact that I read the yellow paper just this morning, wonderful video btw

[@Gwenyfith]

My family and I used to watch the 80s version of Dune a lot as a kid. Still love it. When I was in high school my dad gave it to me to read. I'm a slow reader but it was worth the time.

[@very_tiny_birb]

I will always recommend the Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, it has murder ponies, moody characters/weather, and Pride and Prejudice-esque longing romance. 10/10 recommend.

[@Someonestolemyaccount]

I'm reading this currently! I saw it recommended by another channel and as soon as the murder ponies were mentioned, I knew. I knew.

[@vikaziza1506]

So little time, so many book i haven't read/want to read. And i finally know three books Leonie was recommending

[@martasgreatlibrary]

the yellow wallpaper is superior it deserves the same hype the other spooky classics have (the turn of the screw and all of those short and sweet horror classics i love too but are written by MEN)

[@dani-ev6qz]

That sponsorship moment was entertaining 😂 Love you Leonie, thanks for the book recommendations🌟

[@katiec1249]

finally the yellow wallpaper getting the recognition it deserves!!!

[@josellinefelix7716]

Wow! I have never seen anyone recommending the book of lost things, it’s my favorite book from high school. And it also has the original tales at the end. 🤩🤩 now I want to reread it.

[@aishwaryajaipuriar9038]

I paused the video the moment the yellow wallpaper was mentioned because it was available for free. Looked it up, downloaded it and finished it and now I'm back! The book is so good at capturing the POV of the supposed crazy lady in the attic.

[@TheBookLeo]

ahh i'm so glad you read it so quickly and loved it!

[@lalil5287]

Thank you for thinking of us southerners, spring is coming girlies

[@TheBookLeo]

i already miss the sun here haha

[@noemagonzales9911]

I HIGHLY recommend the 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton it’s a mystery and kind of just strange but I love it

[@Someonestolemyaccount]

I'm here in central California (where everything is on fire), waiting and hoping fall isn't completely skipped over. It really feels like it's just summer here year round.

[@katscozycorner]

I had heard of The Yellow Wallpaper before (and put on my TBR), but now you’ve given me soooo many more interesting and inspiring dark/gothic/moody/creepy stories to read and (hopefully) get lost in! Thank you 🙏💜

[@TheBookLeo]

it's so quick to read also so not intimidating at all!

[@GutsyGirlReads]

It’s so awesome you are recommending older books so I can check my shelves!

[@emilynewcomb123]

Plain Bad Heroines is a great atmospheric book for fall.

[@AmaraJordanMusic]

I fell and re-broke my tailbone a week ago, and I'm going to have to stay in bed on a heating pad until mid-November, when I have surgery and will need two weeks of care and 2-4 more weeks of recovery. So. I've been.... going through some books, lol. I"m really happy to get these recs. I've almost bought Uprooted over 10 times and this made me pull the trigger. I'm loving the look of most of this list, so I and my broken butt THANK YOU! Also, I try to add my own couple of stories to the table when commenting on these videos, in different genres. Each paragraph should be a new genre, methinks. Fantasy, horror, biography (okay that got two paragraphs because I use quotes on there), and historical fiction that's a bit racier than what I'm used to (but I kind of seek out the more sexually bland kind, so perhaps it's not really that racy, just to me!). With fantasy, I'm sure more will hit me later, but off the top of my head, a book I read at least every five years is Daughter of the Forest by Juliette Marillier. It's a retelling (before they were such a trend and their own mini-genre) of The Six Swans, a story wherein the heroine's brothers are transformed into swans by an evil witch and she can only save them by remaining mute for seven years as she painstakingly handmakes magical shirts for each of them. Juliet does such a good job of fleshing out the relationship of the siblings before stuff goes down, and you see a lot of sides of the difficulty of not speaking, especially at a time when many couldn't read or write. It *does* rely on some genre tropes, but it's so engrossingly written that I can forgive that, this time, lol. There is, however, a trigger warning for... a violent unwanted sexual act that is pretty devestating to experience through the protagonist. Still, it's a classic for me and always makes me think of fall. If you like compilations, I've enjoyed The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest (containing The Fairie Reel poem by Neil Gaiman among other poems and stories) is my favorite fantasy compilation for fall that isn't something strictly Robin Hood related. It may be my favorite book of its kind, ever. Also, Strange Practice is a somewhat lighthearted story about a doctor for, well, monsters. What does a vampire do with a toothache? A baby werewolf with a bad reactio from running through poisonous plants? There's a family who treats them, on the down low, of course. It's a bit creepy, a bit cooky, and an entertaining if rather light read. For horror, Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage is creepy as HELL and my fiance kept asking, "WHAT are you READING!?" when I'd shudder, he'd ask, and I'd read him a several paragraph snippet; it has a dual perspective that adds to the tension, because you're always wondering what's up in either the mother or daughter's mind, and want to get back to that thread to understand, keeping you on your toes. There's also a ton of compilations of short stories for horror; at Books-A-Million I've found Haunted House Horror, Dying Planet Horror, and similar other horror collections that are great for "sipping on" between books, or when I need a break from a long slog. For biography, Stray by Tanya Arquenot *feels* like a fall book to me, despite me usually rocking bios in the winter. It's a little wild, as the writer and protagonist were. It speaks to a life surviving violence, witnessing and going through abuse, and though at times she is as the title portrays, she does avoid *overt* unwanted sexual contact from others, though it becomes a spectre here and there in the story. It's a very rough and raw coming of age story that has some of the most beautiful turns of phrase. "He repeated [my name] back to me, louder and more definitive. 'Tanya.' It was like he was naming me." (I think a lot of young girls with crushes would have moments like this). "The silence was a kind of bond, one that we all made with one another; a pact to stick together, to be witnesses to each other's vast abnormalities without judgement, to accept each other's inconsistencies without demanding any change in behavior. We understood. Each of us was maneuvering, surviving." There's smaller phrasings I love, "a protective gesture, like a bird with a broken wing hiding in a cave," or "...I might have understood that loneliness masquerades as anger." It's an introspective coming of age story that's pretty blunt about the events, but great prose. But if anyone likes historical fiction, what about a book about the life of a woman, nay, a queen, scorned for almost half a millenia for being duplicitous, traitorous, and ready to poison anyone who gets in her way? One who only rose to power after fleeing for her life and watching her rightful kindgom be presented to someone she couldn't quarrel with? Someone made to be a political pawn, from an infamous family, who rose beyond that calling to become a force to be reckoned with? One who, in spooky fashion, was known to meet with the famous seer (some would say prophet) Nostradamus (who himself is fascinating; his wife and children died of plague, but he didn't, and he healed many people of it and was never reinfected despite what had to be multiple mutations), hosted many astrologers in her court, and some say used the stars to her advantage to time the slaughter of her enemies? I present the life of Catherine de Medici (either day-med-ee-chee or deh-med-itch-ee, depending). The book I most recently read was The Devil's Queen, by Jeanne Kalogridis. I usually prefer my historical fiction to have less sexual intrigue in it, and a few scenes made me very uncomfortable, but if you take in stride with the rest of the story and view it through Catherine's perspective and goals, that takes some of the shock factor (at least for me; I'm just not used to reading anything with much in the way of sexual or intimate moments) away. A lot of people know of the name, or her family's influence on Italy, or focus on her as an adversary to Mary, Queen of Scots mother-in-law for a time (and protector during Mary's childhood for much longer), or they see her as this plain woman who had to sit by while her husband absolutely humiliated her with his open love and devotion for a woman 20 years older than him, who I think probably took advantage of a motheresque role in his life to gain influence. He wore her colors, he had her initials intertwined with his even on marble tiling and columns, (as was the fashion of the day, hence Henry VIII's and Anne Boleyn's HA HAs everywhere during their time; this author also has a book discussing Anne's life and inner life, if you like her writing), and he gave her the crown jewels that the queen should have had by RIGHTS, off to the side while she was the one celebrated and lauded during official occasions. Between all of that, a suspicous amount of illness in her children, her penchant for the occult, and the absolute bloodbath that has gone down in French history as being a brutal attack between Catholics and French Protestants (Huegenots) during a time of celebration (the basis for The Red Wedding--- those who know will know)... the creepy twists and turns in the book are not very farfetched. Also, there's some crazy true astrology stuff that went down before the massacre, IRL. The worst and most malevolent star in the sky, regarded in many civilizations as an omen of significant strife and bloodshed, was in a contradictory "aspect" with Mars (the war and bloodshed planet if ever there was one) and was at this exact transit point less than an HOUR before the bloodshed at the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre started. Like, the assailants were leaving their roosts and getting on their WAY to the kills when it was coming into what would be its full power. You add in Catherine's own natal star chart, that was supposed to have predicted a lot of areas in her life, well.. she had just about the worst one you can get, and it didn't spell a good or easy life in just about any "house," or aspect of her life. Take all that, add in some literary creative license, you've got a hell of a book that is FULL of dread. I'm here sitting on a broken BONE, and when I picked up the book it was like, "Yeah, I can deal with this, what is Catherine going to DO about this!?" It can be diverting to read about someone's troubles when you yourself are in some difficulty, and this book really does that superbly. I couldn't read it near bedtime because my sleep meds would come and go and I'd still be awake, reading. If you want other historical fiction that may have less scandal in it, I totally understand, but you might just empathize with Catherine (who's usually painted as such a villain) enough to move past that to find out how things turn out in this version of the story. There aren't many historical fiction books that scream Halloween or autumn to me, so that is my offering! Sorry this has become a bit of a TedTalk of recommendations, but when you love something (even if the story itself made you feel conflicted, but the writing is amazin), it's hard to just keep it in! As I'm still bedbound, any recs anyone wiishes to give me would be more than welcome. I do usually do historical fiction and sci-fi right now, but I'd be feeling fantasy, maybe one classic, and I'd love something spooky, a good ghost story that makes you wonder and prompts you to look up if the cat happens to creak the door open, because you've been so engrossed you've lost track of your surroundings, and are half afraid the spector may be in the room at hat very moment! *EEeeeekkkk!!!* Now it's time to go curl up with Uprooted. 😅 I wish anyone who read this far luck on their reading journeys, the captains of each of their own little literary boats. I hope they take you where you wish to go. 😊

[@aneya1517]

The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness!!! 🔥✨ Wicthes, vampires, and daemons initially set in present day Oxford. I’m rereading this Fall 🤗

[@juliabessa8019]

idk if its your vibe but house of hollow is an amazing horror book! very descriptive and grotesque in the details but very very good! thanks for all the recommendations

[@becausereadingis]

Ace of Spades! Back to school situation in dark academia setting. So amazing!!!

[@sarahkendall5714]

I cannot wait for autumn to start, though typically they just announced that some parts of the UK is going to have a heat wave so not brilliant start to the autumnal vibes! I do have some recommendations which I haven't seen anyone else mention: 1. The Haunting of Henry Twist - (beautiful cover, set in 1920s London) 2. The Binding - (soft fantasy with beautiful settings and intriguing magic system) 3. The Canterville Ghost - (a short, sweet spooky little tale by Oscar Wilde, I found it a fun read done in an afternoon) 4. The Rules of Magic - (about three siblings who have magical abilities and a family curse, reading the descriptions alone are just deliciously autumnal!) 5. Anything by Natasha Pulley!

[@itscharliebee2307]

Fall is the best time of year! Last year I really enjoyed reading Horrid during the fall. It’s more of a thriller very very mild horror I guess. It’s just the right amount of spoopy. May even reread it this fall.

[@leelyj.]

*me taking notes as I live in Brazil and spring is just around the corner*

[@Tessy31]

Lol same! But I'm in Uruguay.

[@r4.v3n]

E enquanto nosso clima aqui tá uma bagunça hahaha

[@leelyj.]

@@r4.v3n hahahha nem me fale! anotando as indicações de outono enquanto todas as estações aqui acontecem em *apenas um dia*

Fall is my favorite time of the year, so I'll definitely have to check out the books you recommended!

[@caoimhecreed265]

The Book of Lost Things is my FAVOURITE book! So glad you read it!

[@alexsteel6034]

Leonie's video for the rescue. Your videos are so warm. When I watch these videos I feel like I am talking to a real person and that I have a company. So, even if You recommend same books again and again, I am up for it. It makes me feel the need to checkout your channel every week. Lots of love

[@unusualconjurer]

Loved this video! I have almost all of the initially mentioned books on my TBR... I loveeeed The Night Circus! Definitely one of my all time favourites ❤️ I'd highly recommend House of Hollow, Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour and We were Liars 🥰

[@lilydelacour]

“We are all going inside again. it’s probably raining…” Summer wasn’t even here and it feels like spring went into fall around August. 😂 JK, But I’m still looking forward to fall bc it’s the best season 😀🍁🍂

[@noodleyourcaboodle2145]

I just realized another book tuber spoiled never let me go within the first couple of minutes of their video. They did it so causally that I didn’t even realize it was spoiler

[@uchizc]

"read a book about water starved desserts" best Dune description?

[@AnanasAbanaan]

I just finished Cemetery Boys for the magical readathon. It didn't surprise me in any way, but I had a lot of fun reading it, so I definitely recommend it! Not very spooky, more a cosy vibe

[@TheBookLeo]

i heard a lot of great things about that one!

[@elisessiguess]

I think Lovely War by Julie Berry would be a cool autumn book. It’s historical fiction told by Greek gods and goddesses, and for some reason it just feels very fall/wintery to me📚

[@Celise]

Your plants look beautiful! The Yellow Wallpaper sounds like the perfect book to curl up with on the first cold day.

[@HeavyInYourArms12]

Thanks for the recommendations! I started reading Mexican Gothic to get me in the Halloween mood. Also one of my favorite fall books is the silent companions by Laura Purcell. If you like gothic haunted mansions and an eerie atmosphere is the right book for you.

[@brynnd.marker8898]

If we were villains is by far the best dark academia vibe book that I have read en my entire life 💜 great season to re read it

[@meadowrae1491]

I've had Mexican Gothic on my shelf for a while. Planning to read it in October. The Maidens was an excellent dark academia read.

[@lina5699]

I'm squeamish and scared I'll definitely be reading the girl and ghost. Perhaps the yellow wallpaper because it's sounds interesting. Thanks for the recs

[@georgiaparis9276]

I took a gothic genre class and we read the yellow wallpaper, it was super interesting

[@astronomical.tuesdays]

Yes! You literally posted this right when I was looking for some autumn recs!!!

[@chibishoyo8416]

I remember reading The Yellow Wallpaper on new year's night and oh my lord it gave me the creeps. I can never stare at a patterned yellow wallpaper the same way again. 🤧

[@nahalsarpoulaki7172]

this recommendation video was awesome. I took notes on several books I'd like to read including the yellow wallpaper which sounds amazing. nice vibe through the whole video.

[@MaryAmongStories]

the intro 😂 I'm the same - love horror movies, almost never read horror books for some reason! loved this as always 🍁🤎

[@lovemustdie]

special plug for both the riddles of epsilon and the hunt for the seventh by christine morton-shaw as well as endymion spring by matthew skelton

[@elisazouza]

yes yes just what I needed ! I’ve been getting into reading again cos of ur channel

[@meganantoinette2542]

I actually just finished reading the third book in the Girls With Sharp Sticks series, Girls with rebel souls, like 30 mins ago 😂 I did really enjoy the series but there are parts of it that feel like they're intended for younger audiences because of the simplicity of its language. I'm 22 btw ☺️