7 Must-Read (Backlist) Books for Autumn
What’s on my TBR?
Fall is close enough to feel. School has restarted, the temperature has begun to cool down in some areas, and the nights are becoming shorter.
I’ve been longing for cooler (non-90 degree) days where I can read outside for hours, but I’m also just as happy to curl up with a blanket, a cup of coffee and a good book.
There is a mixed bag of 7 that I want to read this season, all backlist (2022 or prior). The reason I wanted to share some backlist titles is that they are often easier to find and less expensive.
Plus, I feel that often these books don’t get the love they deserve. Most of the blogs that I read want to share what the new books for the season are. I wanted to revisit a few that I have yet to read.
The first five are books that are new to me, and the last two are standbys that I have read and loved before.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Suzanne Clark
I found this book while doing a reading marathon and have wanted to read it for almost a year.
If you’ve never heard of a readathon, it’s like a reading marathon. People gather together either on YouTube or discord to try and read as much as possible in a span of time, usually between two weeks and a month.
At over 800 pages, it’s a chunker. I often prefer books that are around 300–350 pages. Although the world building is often wonderful in longer ones, it’s a trade-off in being able to finish two or three books in the span of one. I think this one will be worth the investment.
I think fall is the perfect time to read this because of the sense of magic that comes with the fall air. It’s about magicians and some of the things that happen, singing statues, melting warships, are perfect for any fan of the Halloween season.
Synopsis:
Set in 1806 in England, a time where practical magicians haven’t been seen in centuries, until one is found among the people. After performing powerful feats of magic like making statues sing, raising a girl from the dead, and sending ghost ships to terrify the French, he becomes well-known throughout the country. Until another magician shows up: Jonathan Strange. Two will do battle, but what trouble will come out of this dabbling in the dark arts?
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (series) by Holly Jackson
I started this series last June and loved the first book, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. I just never continued with the series.
Every fall, I crave a good mystery. Whether that falls in the category of missing person, murder mystery or just a fun cozy mystery. I want to know who did it, when and why.
I’ve started reading the second book, Good Girl, Bad Blood recently- where Pip is wrapping up the podcast she did in light of her findings. When Jamie Reynolds goes missing, she is quick to start a new season. I love Jackson’s writing and the use of multi-media throughout the books.
Multimedia is the use of other sources — photos, illustrations, podcast transcripts, detective notes — within a book’s text. I love this kind of storytelling as it allows me to visualize action in the plot better.
Series Synopsis:
Everyone believes that the case of high school sweethearts Sal and Andie are a murder-suicide. Case closed. Until Pip has to do research for a school project. She doesn’t believe that Sal murdered Andie and killed himself after. What lengths will she go to in order to make sure that justice is done? Will she find a way to cover the trials? What will the fallout from her involvement include?
The Return by Rachel Harrison
A few months ago, I practically inhaled Harrison’s book Such Sharp Teeth which was a werewolf love story. I’m drawn to the characters she creates, the realistic reactions to unrealistic situations and her style of storytelling. When I realized that she had written another book, with a possibility of vampires, I wanted to dive in!
Synopsis:
After two years, Julie comes back into Elise’s life. Julie has been missing and has no memory of her time away, where she’s been or what happened to her. Regardless, Elise, Julie and two of their friends from college decide to book a weekend at a remote inn to reconnect. As the weekend unfolds, it’s becoming harder and harder to consider the Julie that returned as the Julie she once was- especially with sallow skin and odd appetites. The question becomes, who is Julie?
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
The reason I want to read this book in the fall is more personal. I met my husband in October of 2019 while at work.
I wanted him to train me to get me ready to be certified to handle complaints. On the other hand, he didn’t want to train and had a knee-jerk “oh come on” reaction.
So, a romance book about resistant co-workers? Sign me up.
Also…
Lately, I’ve really been enjoying romances. I recently read Solomon’s Weather Girl and fell in love. I’ve always noticed this title in the library, I just haven’t taken it out yet. I’m excited to see if this delivers as well as the last book I read.
Synopsis:
Start with a concept for a live radio show where two exs give relationship advice live on the air. Add in a personal rivalry between broadcast co-workers who hate each other as the hosts. Stir in fact that the show just keeps getting more popular and the deception just gets larger. Is this the perfect enemies to lovers romance?
Lisey’s Story by Stephen King
Fall is a time of letting go of celebrating the impact that people and things had in our lives.
I’m intrigued by this story because of the elements of loss and wanting to know what a loved one went through. As Lisey Debusher gets ready to go through her husband’s papers to decide where they go, I’m eager to know what she experiences.
I’ve been a huge fan of Mr. King’s for 2/3 of my life and I can’t believe I haven’t read this one yet. It’s my “want to read King book” of 2023.
Synopsis:
Two years ago, Lisey Debusher Landon lost her husband of 25 years. Her husband was an award-winning novelist.
Lisey is going through the process of healing after loss when academic facilities start to call regarding the collections he left behind. She realizes that she has to go through his office and papers.
She also remembers that there is a place that he went for healing but it also terrified him. Now it’s her turn to experience the place, fight his demons for the last time and attempt to come out stronger.
My Favorite Repeats
As the calendar flips over to September, I want two things. Just two. A cozy 100% cotton hoodie and these books! I love the fall vibes that I get from both of these books and I read them both for the first time in September or October.
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern
In every reading group that I’ve been in, The Night Circus is labeled as polarizing. Either you really hate it or you really love it. Obviously, I’m in the second camp.
Revisiting Marco and Cecilia is like revisiting your favorite couple. They’re written in such a way that they feel real. Cecilia is strong and brave while Marco is cunning and observant.
Reading about the competitive construction of attractions lets you escape into their minds and creativity. Every fall I want to come back and visit them and hear their story all over again.
Synopsis:
Two magicians have been at war with each other, personally and professionally for the bulk of their careers. They select people to use as pawns, put them in an arena of sorts and see who wins out. But, what they fail to realize is that sometimes things are more important than competition or being the best.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Blame this one on nostalgia. The first time I read it was in Dr. B’s Introduction to Gothic Literature class as a sophomore in college.
This was also the first book I read that was epistolary and I fell in love with the style. Epistolary writing is when a story is told through letters and newspaper clippings. Think of books like Carrie by Stephen King.
Every September, I reach back out for it. It stirs pleasant memories of that course. It’s also spooky enough to create the thrills I want to experience in preparation for heading into Halloween.
Synopsis:
An English proprietor gets more than he bargained for in this classic tale. When Jonathan Harker goes to finalize a sale with Count Dracula, he gets trapped in the castle and terrified by what he finds there. Once home, Harker finds Dracula stalking the streets of his home. A group forms to hunt and kill Dracula, but will they be successful?
Also of interest to fans of Dracula’s story… I recently read Dracula My Love by Syrie James. It is a retelling of the classic. I really enjoyed this as it tells more of Dracula’s side of the story, as well as including a romance between Mina Harker and the Count.
Wrap-Up and Over to You
These are the seven books on my TBR for the next few months (September- November).
Many of these are fairly new to my TBR (within the past year). I plan to read these either as physical copies or audiobooks. Within the span of a month, I usually read 20–30 books, so I’m confident I can get these read.
I’m excited to cover new territory in the realms of historical fiction, romance, horror and mystery.
What’s on your “need to read” list for fall 2023? I’d love to know.
