No matter what time of year it is, books provide an escape from reality, taking readers’ minds off of any troubles in their lives. However, in the fall, readers like to dive into the world of dark academia, as well as the cozy fall aesthetic everyone is so fond of. And, with Halloween around the corner, they like to dip their toes in some spooky stories, too! Here are some recommendations that everyone should have on their TBR list this season: 

Starting off with one of my personal favorites, the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo is a fantastical read filled with magic, romance, and eventful heists. Readers will be immersed in a whole new world as they follow six devious characters with unique skills and dark pasts. Together, they should be unstoppable, but when pushed toward a seemingly impossible heist that the fate of the world depends on, will they succeed, or will their pasts come back to fail them? There’s only one way to find out… 

Next up is a book that dark academia lovers will bow down to: The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. It is a mind-bending, magical read– six powerful candidates with the rarest abilities are chosen to compete to become a part of the Alexandrian Society. The candidates go into this competition with little knowledge of the Society, and even less of a liking for each other, but as they uncover secrets and fight battles with each other and themselves, unexpected relationships form, deals are made, and lives are changed, for the better or the worse. 

Dracula by Bram Stoker, published in 1897, is a story of a creature that all are familiar with: vampires. This captivating classic comprises journal entries, letters, and telegrams, written by the main characters. The story begins as a young English lawyer travels to Transylvania. He meets with Count Dracula to finalize a property transaction, a simple task, but all simplicity is swept under the rug as fear unfolds. Readers better get under the covers as they cower through this scary story. 

Honorable Mentions:

• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (a must-read for readers who enjoy Six of Crows!)
• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard 
• November 9th by Colleen Hoover 
• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Shwab

Take the time to get cozy and read some of these recommendations this fall. Everyone deserves a break once in a while, and there’s no better break than escaping into a book!