My Favorite Autumn Reads: A List to Get You Out of Your Reading Slump

I've had lots of friends ask me for autumn-themed book recommendations the past few weeks. While I don't read a lot of fall-themed books, I do have a few favorites that fall into that genre. I will be sharing these today in this short, bookish post. I hope you enjoy!

Books featured in this post:

• The Witch of Blackbird Pond

• A Study of Shattered Spells

• The Mage Pocket: Apprentice Alliance

• A Place to Hang the Moon

• The Giver

• Anne of the Island

• A Letter, A Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat

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The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Author: Elizabeth George Speare

Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1687. Alone and desperate, she has never been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit's friendship with Hannah Tupper, believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined and ultimately forces Kit to choose between her heart and her duty.

I don't know what it is about this book, but this one always screams autumn for me. I absolutely adore this book, and will always recommend it!

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A Study of Shattered Spells - Josiah DeGraaf

Author: Josiah DeGraaf

Only Teachers Know What Really Happens at a Magic School... Chintor Academy is celebrated as the place where the best music mages are forged. But beneath the surface, bullies rule with cruelty, teachers scheme against each other, and the student destined to save their nation is far from ready. Kalina didn’t know what she was getting into when she agreed to teach at Chintor. Now, as a first-year teacher, she’s tasked with finishing the training of this prophesied violinist. Their nation’s sworn enemies are nearing victory, and she has mere months to prepare him before their country collapses. When Kalina uncovers the abuse of a vulnerable student, she’s thrust into a dangerous dilemma. Exposing the school’s underbelly means she’ll be fired and unable to prepare their hero. Keeping quiet means her students will suffer. The fate of the nation—and her soul—hangs in the balance.

I read this last year, and it definitely has autumn vibes! I would recommend for 16+, just for content and themes (side note: there's nothing inappropriate in ASoSS, but it does deal with more mature content).

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The Mage Pocket: Apprentice Alliance - Millie Florence

Author: Millie Florence

Sorrel is the unruly daughter of the heads of the Mage Council, protectors of the secret realm of the Mage Pocket, where libraries float through the sky, cats turn invisible, and sunlight is magic. Theo is the reluctant apprentice of the Dark Mage, the terror of the Mage Pocket, waiting in the shadows for her chance to act. When her parents die in a house fire, Sorrel refuses to believe it's an accident. Theo knows it's not, because he saw his mentor do it. He helped his mentor do it. He's still haunted by the smell of smoke. Sorrel is bent on finding answers, but that will require learning some complex magic. Theo is trying to break his magical apprenticeship contract, but that will require a lot of research. Together, they form an unlikely alliance—Theo will teach Sorrel to Cast, Sorrel will help him research. But both are keeping secrets, and neither one knows the other's true identity. As their friendship grows, so do the consequences of discovering the truth.

Millie's books NEVER fail to disapoint me! This is a sweet, endevouring tale that is threaded with autumn whimsy. It will always have a place of honor on my bookshelf! Recommended for ages 10/11+ (and, yes, for you adults out there! Just because middle grade is targeted towards kids doesn't mean adults can't enjoy them as well! 🧡).

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A Place to Hang the Moon

Author: Kate Albus

A heartwarming story about three siblings, evacuated from London to live in the countryside, looking for a permanent home--and a new meaning for family. It is 1940 and William, 12, Edmund, 11, and Anna, 9, aren't terribly upset by the death of the not-so-grandmotherly grandmother who has taken care of them since their parents died. But the children do need a guardian, and in the dark days of World War II London, those are in short supply, especially if they hope to stay together. Could the mass wartime evacuation of children from London to the countryside be the answer? It's a preposterous plan, but off they go-- keeping their predicament a secret, and hoping to be placed in a temporary home that ends up lasting forever. Moving from one billet to another, the children suffer the cruel trickery of foster brothers, the cold realities of outdoor toilets and the hollowness of empty stomachs. But at least they find comfort in the village lending library-- a cozy shelter from the harshness of everyday life, filled with favorite stories and the quiet company of Nora Müller, the kind librarian. The children wonder if Nora could be the family they've been searching for. . . . But the shadow of the war, and the unknown whereaouts of Nora's German husband complicate matters.

While A Place to Hang the Moon definitely has more winter vibes than autumn, it's a cozy middle-grade read that will have you in tears by the end! Enjoyable for the whole family.

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The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Life in the community where Jonas lives is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce newchildren, who are assigned to appropriate family units. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs. No one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. Everyone is the same. Except Jonas. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. Gradually Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test—when he must try to save someone he loves—he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?

The Giver has more winter vibes than autumn, but I always like to enjoy it as a late autumn read. (ESPECIALLY with a mug of warm cinnamon tea hehe.)

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Anne of the Island

Author: L. M. Montgomery

A new adventure awaits as Anne Shirley packs her bags, says goodbye to childhood, and heads off to Redmond College. With memories of her beloved Avonlea close to her heart, Anne dives into life in the bustling city of Kingsport. Surrounded by new and old friends, she embraces this exciting chapter. From navigating tricky romances and celebrating her first successes as a writer, to facing the tough lessons of growing up and dealing with quirky cottages and their ornery black cats, Anne is determined to live life to the fullest—and on her own terms. But maybe she hasn’t left all of her past behind, especially when the charming Gilbert Blythe seems to have plans for her heart. Now, older and a bit wiser, Anne must decide if she’s ready for love and everything that comes with it.

This is one where I would definitely recommend reading the previous books in the Anne of Green Gables series before picking up this one. Mainly because it shows Anne going into adulthood, and it's always nice having her other stories in mind for context!

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A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat

Author: Millie Florence

Ally Litchen is a Lighthouse Witch, caring for the light sprites that steer ships to safety in Vista Cove. Her only companion is a ghost cat, Flicker, and she'd prefer to keep it that way. She doesn't need anyone else. Not anymore. When an unexpected letter arrives from her former best friend, Ally is called on a journey through the Tanglewood where shadow nymphs and bindweed goblins lurk in the undergrowth. As she travels back to her childhood home, Ally confronts memories that haunt her far more than any cat. And after unwillingly gaining a traveling companion-a girl her age named Madge-she must come to terms with her past, broken friendship and how it is still affecting her present. A delightfully autumnal, fully illustrated novella from Millie Florence, exploring the complexities of growing up and changing friendships.

While I haven't yet had the pleasure to read Millie's newest book (it actually hasn't been released yet so keep that in mind lol) it has all the autumnn vibes and looks so cozy and inviting! Plus, absolute stunner of a cover - go search it up on Amazon! It will not disappoint.

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That's it for today! I'm working on building my fall TBR, so if any of you have any fall-themed book recommendations, I would love to hear them in the comments below! Also, what's your favorite flavor of tea? I've been trying to get back into the tea mood lately but fear I have over-drank my favorite flavors and that's why I've been burnt out on tea lately . . . lol.

Also, my apologies for disapearing over the summer! It was never intended, and yet summer decided to take over. I am planning on getting the blog back into full-swing for the autumn (and hopefully continuesly from now) so stay tuned! I have some fun autumn-themed posts planned for the next few weeks. 🤭🍂

Until next time,