First, a want to express a special thanks to Shanah at Bionic Book Worm for creating this incredible tag! If you decide to use this tag, please link back to her as the original creator (she also has really cute graphics you can use). Also, please let me know if you do this tag, so I can read your responses, too!
Second, I created a rule for myself that I’d only choose books for this tag that I read in 2019, just to narrow my options a little bit. I figured I would add that caveat, just so you all know where these recommendations are coming from. Also, these are all books that I actually recommend, meaning that I enjoyed each of the books on this list!
And without further ado, keep reading for some books inspired by our favorite fall cozy things.
Crisp Fall Air – A book that felt fresh and new
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
A world where chalk lines and drawings have magical abilities called rithmatism. A boy who isn’t a rithmatist pairs up with girl who is a rithmatist to solve a mystery happening at their school.
Even though the Rithmatist was published in 2013, Sanderson crafts the most unique magic system I’ve ever read, which is why I believe this book warrants the prize. The Rithmatist is about an alternative United States where “rithmatists” can perform magic using special chalk lines and drawings. We follow Joel as he solves the mystery of rithmatist students that go missing from their school. Not only is the magic system unique, but the way the plot is constructed is fresh as well. In my opinion, this book works well for the oft forgotten younger YA audience, which is something else “fresh” about this pick.
Howling Winds – An ending that blew you away
A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne
A morally corrupt author takes advantage of everyone around him.
This book is told in three parts, and at the end of each, I gasped with surprise. Is this a contemporary? A thriller? A literary fiction? All three? This book hits so many marks, and I can’t imagine anyone reading this and not enjoying it.
Comfy Sweaters – A book that gave you warm and fuzzies
Red, White, and Royal Blue
The son of the president of the United States falls in love with a member of the Royal Family in England. An enemies to lovers romance with a dash of politics.
This book has so much hype, but it is so well deserved! I’m not a huge romance reader, so for this book to get the praise that it gave me “warm and fuzzies” and not “heebie jeebies” is a big deal. The banter is smart and fun every second of the way. This is impossible not to like.
Bright Colors – A cover with either red, orange, yellow
Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman
California experiences a “tap out” meaning no taps work in the state due to drought. Everyone fights over water and chaos ensues. We follow multiple perspectives of children trying to survive.
Considering that this book has fire on the cover, I think it fits for the theme. I actually think that the cover of this book is really cool looking. While this book isn’t perfect, it had me wanting to turn the page and invested in the characters. It also made me thirsty (???), which is something I’ve never experienced while reading a book!
Leaf Fight – A book with non-stop action
The Martian by Andy Weir
A man is trapped on Mars when his crew team thinks that he died during a dust storm. We follow Mark Watney through his journal entries as he uses his ingenuity to get off of the planet and back to earth.
The Martian hooks you in, and then it doesn’t stop. This is one of the first “hard” science fiction books that I read, but it was so easy to get through because of the non-stop action. There are sections where our author gets into the weeds about the mechanics and science of what is happening, but it added to the “realism” of what was happening, connecting me to the story even more.
Pumpkin Spice – Your most anticipated read
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
This series is about Morrigan Crow, a girl who was treated terribly in her town because everyone believed her to have a curse that caused their misfortune. She is swept away to a new land where she tries out for the “wunder society” and lives in a magical hotel.
I wanted to choose something that comes out in 2019, but this pick comes out January 28 of 2020, which I figured was close enough. (If I had to choose a 2019 release, I’d choose Starsight by Brandon Sanderson, which comes out on November 26 of this year). The Nevermoor series is the only middle grade fantasy series that has come close to giving me Harry Potter feels, so I’m seriously looking forward to the next part of this series.
What is your favorite fall read? Let me know in the comments below!