During the autumnal season—or as it is in Tucson, a warm 90 degrees—there’s nothing better than cozying up with a good book. Whether it’s a spooky thriller, a comforting read, or something that reminds you of fall, these books are perfect for the season.

1. If We Were Villians – M. L. Rio (2017): If We Were Villians is a literary fiction thriller. The novel follows several students’ intertwined past and present lives at a prestigious art college specializing in Shakespearean drama. The book opens with Oliver, the novel’s main character, in prison. Throughout reading, the audience figures out how he got there. Set against a dark academic backdrop, the narrative blends elements of mystery, making it a fitting read for the fall season. With twists, turns, illicit romances, and murder, If We Were Villains explores complex themes such as guilt and betrayal, revealing the layered identities of its characters.
2. The Housemaid – Frieda McFaden (2022): An easy-to-read mystery thriller with jaw-dropping plot twists and turns. Millie, the main character in The Housemaid, is a young and attractive woman applying for a job as a housekeeper and nanny for a wealthy couple, the Winchesters. Things take a turn for the worse as Nina Winchester’s behavior becomes more erratic and unsettling. Millie is soon offered a room in the attic where the door only locks from the outside. In this quick-paced thriller, Millie will quickly discover what kind of people she works for. This book is perfect for the season because it combines suspense, psychological tension, and an eerie atmosphere, making it an ideal pick for those looking to be kept on edge during fall.
3. Carmilla – Sheridan Le Fanu (1872): Sitting at only 160 pages, Carmilla is a gothic novella and is one of the earliest works of vampire fiction, predating Dracula by twenty-five years. After Laura’s family welcomes an unexpected visitor into their home, she finds herself befriending and soon falling in love with a vampire. An unsettling energy due to the moody castles, shadowy forests, and mysterious characters makes it a great choice for October. The relationship and bond between Laura and Carmilla are intense, complicated, and groundbreaking at the time of their release. Although short, the novella is impactful and immerses readers in the gothic setting without a huge time commitment.
4. Bones and All – Camille DeAngelis (2015): A coming-of-age story with a cannibalistic twist. Maren, the story’s protagonist, has a bad habit of devouring people she’s close to. When her mother leaves her because she can’t cope with her daughter’s unusual lifestyle, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery—and a search for someone from her past. Along the way, she meets people who will leave a lasting impact on her life. Bones and All is a disturbing yet beautiful look into the mind of a young cannibal. It’s a book that lingers in your mind even when you’ve finished it.
5. The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern (2011): The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a whimsical and enchanting fantasy novel centered around a mysterious, magical circus that appears without warning, known as Le Cirque des Rêves (The Circus of Dreams.) The book follows Celia and Marco who have been bound together by a magical competition orchestrated by their mentors where they’re both unaware of what they are truly a part of. A young boy named Bailey becomes intertwined with the fate of the circus, drawn in by its magic and mystery in ways he never expected. The Night Circus is a romantic and magical novel tackling forbidden love, illusion, time, and the fight between fate and free will.