When fall comes around, many students find the chilly weather and cozy atmosphere a perfect time for reading. Whether it’s a fantasy, horror or mystery, students’ favorite fall books are sure to set the perfect tone for the upcoming change of season.

Lucy Connor, junior

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

“Chain of Gold always seems like [fall], even though it’s not actually set in fall, The cover has a bunch of autumn leaves all over it,” Connor said. “I always want to read it when fall comes around and it’s a new school year. I’ve read it once per year since I got into it in 2021 because it just feels like a good yearly re-read.”

The book exists within a complex fantasy world, something that keeps Connor hooked on the entire world along with this particular book.

“It’s a part of ‘The Shadowhunter Chronicles’ world and it’s a perfect trilogy, getting to see those interactions between the parents and knowing the past of the story that they reference was amazing,” Connor said. “The world-building [Clare] created in her books is insane. The Shadowhunter world started with ‘The Mortal Instruments.’ Then there’s ‘The Infernal Devices,’ ‘The Last Hours’ and ‘The Dark Artifices.’” 

Ever since Connor first read the series, she was hooked on what sort of stories would come next.

“[The first time I read it] I loved it and I was excited to read the next [book],” Connor said.“I was like, ‘Wait, I need more. Give me more.’ The best thing was, I already had the second book because it was a birthday present. I was intrigued about the whole world and what was going to happen next to these characters.”

The series has since cemented itself into some of Connor’s favorite books of all time by combining everything she values within a book.

“It’s a period drama with a supernatural twist; there’s romance, there’s drama and there’s fighting. Also, women aren’t treated unequally to men in the book; the women in the series are amazing,” Connor said. “Also, it’s queer. Having that many queer people in a book set in 1904–there’s like six different queer characters. Read anything by Cassandra Clare, they’re all good.”

Allison Foor, sophomore

How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

“It’s haunted but with a funny twist. Comedy-horror is fun for the fall because it’s Halloween and even though it’s sort of a ridiculous plot it always ends up being scary but also very interesting,” Foor said. “[Hendrix] does a lot of comedy-horror, so I’ve read some other stuff by him like ‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism,’ ‘The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires’ and ‘Horror Store,’ which is [about] a haunted IKEA.”

The book’s many twists and turns also hooked Foor on the book.

“It has a really good plot even though you get frustrated with the main character and her family,” Foor said. “You wonder why she’s still there and why she isn’t leaving because all these terrible things are happening, and you’re curious to know why they’re happening and how it connects overall.”

In addition to the intriguing plot, the book’s spooky aspect keeps things interesting for Foor.

“I can read [Hendrix’s] book in my own house and feel safe, but in this book, her parents just died, she’s going through her house and her mom made puppets,” Foor said. “The puppets keep moving even though she’s not moving them, which I think is really creepy. Puppets are scary.”

Foor discovered the book only recently but has been thoroughly invested in what will happen as the pages turn ever since she started reading it.

“It was recommended by my sister, [Hendrix] is her favorite author, so I [knew] it’s gonna end up good,” Foor said. “I really like it and I’m excited to see how it turns out.”

Chloe Gallagher, Senior

Blink Once by Cylin Busby

“The theme is gloomy, it’s late into the fall and winter weather is going on,” Gallagher said. “It was super sad and it made me cry because this guy is willing to wait for her, but something bad happens. If you’re looking for a book that’s filled with romance, a little bit of horror and mystery, then it’s definitely a go-to.”

The book initially caught Gallagher’s eye for its interesting cover depicting a ghostly looking girl with her eyes closed, possibly asleep. 

“I’m a library aide, so sometimes when I’m shelving things, I see books and I put them on my list to read,” Gallagher said. “People say, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ but I did judge it by its cover.”

However, after reading it, she found out there was a lot more to the book than first met the eye.

“A boy who likes biking a lot got into an accident and then was in the hospital in a coma, then there’s a girl, and something’s up with her but I didn’t find out until the very end of the book,” Gallagher said. “[The book] was actually really surprising and it’s really crazy because I didn’t expect it to happen at all.”

Sophia Montez, senior

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

“Since fall has a school, academic vibe I really like ‘The Secret History’ because it’s a school setting in rural Vermont which is really pretty in the fall,” Montez said. “I really like the narrative and how the story is written, because even though it’s a long book, you don’t even feel like you’re reading. It’s really addictive.”

Although Montez enjoys the book now, when she first discovered it, she was unsure of her feelings about it.

“The first time I read it was two years ago, but now I’ve read it a couple of times. The last time I read it was a year ago,” Montez explained. “At first I was a little confused about what [Tartt] was trying to say and what the point of the story was.”

However, after delving further into the book, Montez was left with some insightful findings applicable to her own life, making it all the better.

“After I read it a second time and some time has passed I understand more of what [Tartt] was trying to say,” Montez said. “Something she was trying to say was the consequences of prioritizing beauty and aesthetics over real life.”

Shriya Rao, sophomore

The Naturals #1 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

“‘The Naturals’ is a really good book series written by the same author as the ‘Inheritance Games’ so if you enjoyed that it’s honestly great,” Rao said. “It’s about this girl named Cassie who’s a part of this secret department in the FBI. They’re working to solve these murder mysteries and I just think it’s so cool.”

Rao considers this book perfect for fall because of its fit into the true crime genre.

“Now, since we’re getting into spooky season, murder mystery books really fit the vibe,” Rao said. “If you’re looking to read a spooky, mysterious book series I think this is a perfect book for you. It isn’t too scary, it’s manageable for a middle school level. It’s not horror, it’s just kind of a murder mystery so it’s not too bad.”

Even after reading the book only once, Rao knew it would be an immediate hit for years to come.

“I first read this book in 8th grade, so a couple years ago and it was honestly so interesting,” Rao said. “I would say it’s my favorite book series overall and I really enjoyed reading it.”