Happy Autumn, everyone!

It’s officially the start of the best time of the year: crisp air, falling leaves, rainy afternoons, and all the baked goods. For me, autumn is also mood-reading season. When the sweaters come out and blankets pile up on the couch, I crave books that feel like that: warm, comforting, maybe a little mysterious.

This fall, I’m planning to dive into a mix of new releases and some books from last year that I didn’t  get around to and that just feel like perfect autumn reads. My pace will probably be one to two books per month, which means I’ve prepared five books for my autumn reading list, enough to carry me from September through November. Each one captures a different side of the season: some are cozy and whimsical, others a little dark and magical, perfect for curling up with a hot drink and letting the world drift away.

These are not recommendations per se, given that I haven’t read these books yet, but I hope this list gives you a few ideas of your own, or that you’ll share your opinions on them if you already had the chance to read them. I’ll also post reviews for some of these books as I go through them, so keep an eye out if you’d like to see what I thought of them. If you’d like to read something and want my recommendations, you can find my ideas here. 

Without further ado, let’s get to it.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

A cozy fantasy novel first published in 2022, it’s described as “a warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family—and a new love—changes the course of her life.”

Why I’ll be reading it: I’ve heard so many great things about this book, and I expect I’ll love it for its cozy and slightly witchy vibes. I’m also curious about the next installment, so I’m starting with the first book to continue the story.

The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager

The Art of Vanishing is Morgan Pager’s debut novel, released in July 2025. It is described as “a stunningly original love story between a museum employee and the man in a masterpiece hanging on the walls—a breathtaking debut about time, art, and the enduring power of love”.

Why I’ll be reading it: This book came out in the same year as the videogame Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and it seems to have some similarities to it, which is a fun coincidence. While I seem to be the only person in the world who didn’t quite enjoy Expedition 33, I will be reading this book because I do like the premise and I am very curious about the blend of historical fiction and fantasy.

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

Published in 2025, this cozy fantasy is the sequel to The Spellshop and follows the story of the creator of Kaz, the talking spider plant from the first book. It’s described as “funny, kind, and forgiving—a story about giving second chances—to others and to yourself.”

Why I’ll be reading it: I may bump this one up in my schedule because I want to experience the vibes of The Spellshop. The author also did a great job of teasing the character in the previous book, so I’m excited to learn more.

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Set in the same universe as The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this 2025 cozy fantasy is described as “a whimsical and heartwarming novel about a witch who has a second chance to get her magical powers—and her life—back on track.”

Why I’ll be reading it: The witches, the autumn vibes, and the cozy feel of the story.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher

Published in August 2025, this is described as “a dark reimagining of ‘Snow White’ steeped in poison, intrigue, and treason of the most magical kind.”

Why I’ll be reading it: It’s T. Kingfisher. I’m hoping for her signature prose and compelling characters, and the premise sounds absolutely intriguing.

Okay, I lied. There is one more book I hope I’ll get around to:

Katabasis by R.F.Kuang

Another August 2025 release, Katabasis follows “two graduate students who must set aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul, perhaps at the cost of their own.”

Why I’ll be reading it: I had planned to read it during the summer, but some mixed impressions from other readers made me postpone it. I generally try to avoid hearing other people’s opinions before reading a book, but it’s been hard to do with such a highly anticipated release like this. I hope to tackle it in November, but I won’t be pushing for it.

That’s all I have for this autumn! It’s a slightly short list, but I prefer setting achievable reading goals, and I can always add more if I finish these quicker than expected.

I hope this list gives you some inspiration for your own autumn reading. If you decide to pick up any of these books, or if you’ve already read them, drop a comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.