10 Must Read Books This Autumn You’ll Love!
10 Must Read Books This Autumn You’ll Love! Plus a FREE Printable Book Review Card
As the evenings draw in and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite as comforting as curling up with a good book is there?
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Whether you’re looking for spine tingling chills, cosy fantasy worlds, or twisty thrillers that will keep you turning page after page, my list has it all.
I’ve rounded up 10 must read books and series from my personal favourite reads that are perfect for binge reading this autumn.
Oh, and you’ll find a free printable book review card that you can print to keep track of your reads!
So go brew yourself a cuppa, grab a blanket, and let’s dive in shall we?
10 Must Read Books This Autumn
1. The Last Girl – Goldy Moldavsky
First up is one of my absolute favourite reads, The Last Girl by Goldy Moldavsky.
The Last Girl is such a clever YA thriller that plays with horror tropes in the BEST way.
It follows a group of horror obsessed teens who form the “Mary Shelley Club,” and let’s just say things don’t stay harmless for long.
It’s so good.
What I loved most about the book is how well it balances that creepy slasher vibe with sharp twists that keep you guessing.
It’s eerie, fun, and the perfect read for a cosy autumn night when you want a story that gives you chills but doesn’t overdo it.
I won’t spoil too much here, but you can read my full thoughts in my review of The Last Girl by Goldy Moldavsky.
2. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series – Holly Jackson
If you love addictive YA crime stories, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is one of the must read books this autumn.
The series follows Pippa Fitz-Amobi, the main character, as she digs into cold cases, lies, and cover ups in her seemingly quiet town.
It’s smart, fast paced, and just impossible to put down!
I binged these so quickly because I needed more from the characters and the story. And when I had to wait for the 3rd book to come it, it felt like a never ending wait haha.
This series has everything: sharp twists, clever writing, and an addictive pace that makes it perfect for cosy autumn reading.
3. ACOTAR Series – Sarah J. Maas – Must Read Books!
If you’re after pure fantasy indulgence, then the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is the one for you.
We start with Feyre, a mortal who’s dragged into the dangerous world of the fae after an unexpected encounter.
What follows is a sweeping saga full of fae courts, brutal challenges, curses, betrayals, and a romance that builds deliciously slow.
Oh and there’s *spicey content* if you know what I mean…
Each book raises the stakes and pulls you deeper into the magic, the danger, and the unforgettable characters that keep you hooked.
It’s dramatic, lush, and completely binge worthy which is perfect for cosy autumn nights when you just want to escape somewhere magical.
I’ll be sharing my full reviews soon with all my thoughts, including favourite characters and moments, so keep a lookout.
4. The House of Hollow – Krystal Sutherland
One night I was looking for a fairly quick read because I knew I wouldn’t have enough time to dive into another five book series.
So, I picked The House of Hollow off my shelf and became engrossed instantly.
This dark, modern fairytale follows the three Hollow sisters, who seem marked by something otherworldly and are shrouded in mystery.
It’s eerie, atmospheric, and just gorgeously written! Honestly, one of the must read books for autumn if you love a touch of horror fantasy.
You can expect twisted beauty, unsettling secrets, and a story that hits all the right spots without feeling overwhelming.
What I really loved though was the pacing and the way events were described. It was graphic enough to unsettle, but perfectly balanced.
5. The Good Lie – A.R. Torre – Must Read Book
If you want a sharp and chilling thriller, The Good Lie deserves a spot on your must read books list this autumn.
The story follows a criminal psychologist pulled into the hunt for a serial killer, but nothing is quite as it seems.
It’s tense, full of twists, and so addictive you’ll want to read it in a single weekend!!
I’ll leave the details for my full review, but trust me, this one will keep you hooked.
The Good Lie Book Review | My Full Thoughts & Feelings
6. The Housewife’s Secret – Anna-Lou Weatherley
If you enjoy twisty domestic thrillers, The Housewife’s Secret by Anna-Lou Weatherley deserves a top spot on your must read books list.
I originally added it to my Audible library and finally pressed play one night when baby bear was having a rough evening.
At first, I thought it would just be background noise, but within minutes I was completely hooked on the story.
The book peels back the polished surface of suburban life to reveal some shocking secrets, tangled lies, and betrayals that change everything.
It’s gripping, addictive, and just the type of audiobook that makes chores or late night listening fly past without even noticing.
The narration really impressed me too with this one. It brought each character to life and added so much tension to the twists.
This is fast paced domestic noir at its finest and one of those thrillers you can devour in a single weekend.
My full review will be coming soon with all my thoughts, so definitely watch this space.
Ps. If you have an Audible subscription already, you can listen without spending a credit!
7. The Empyrean Series – Rebecca Yarros – Must Read Books
If you’re looking for a fantasy obsession this autumn, this next pick is a perfect choice, The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros.
Starting with the first book in the series, Fourth Wing, we dive into Basgiath War College. A brutal place where only the strongest survive and dragon riders are forged in fire.
Then came the second book, Iron Flame, which completely pushed the story to new heights with even more tension, betrayals, and breathtaking action.
Most recently, Onyx Storm hit the shelves, and I decided to try the audiobook using my free Audible trial.
I ended up loving it so much that I actually kept my subscription going! The narration added soooo much to the experience.
Between the dragons, the romance, and the life or death challenges, this series delivers everything you really want from a binge worthy fantasy book.
It’s gripping, emotional, and the perfect read, or listen, for cosy autumn nights when you just want to disappear into another world.
I’ll be sharing my full reviews soon with all my detailed thoughts, so definitely keep an eye out for that.
8. Twilight – Stephenie Meyer – Must Read Books
Sometimes autumn just calls for a comforting throwback, doesn’t it? And Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the ultimate nostalgic read.
The story follows Bella Swan as she moves to Forks and falls for Edward Cullen, a mysterious vampire hiding big secrets.
It’s moody, dramatic, and filled with that addictive blend of forbidden romance and supernatural danger that made it a worldwide phenomenon.
What I particularly love is how it captures the atmosphere of rainy days, forests, and small-town secrets which is perfect for autumn vibes.
Whether you’re revisiting the series or reading it for the first time, it’s surprisingly fun to get swept up in again.
This is one of those must read book series if you want something dramatic, romantic, and a little bit nostalgic this season.
Pst. You can listen to it on the Down to Sleep Extra YouTube Channel. I’m a patreon member and it’s SO worth it.
9. Dracula – Bram Stoker
Next up is another vampire based story, but one that went on to inspire a whole genre of horror!
If you’re craving some gothic chills, then the Dracula audiobook is an amazing way to experience this classic in a whole new way.
Told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper clippings, the story follows Jonathan Harker, Mina Murray/Harker, and Van Helsing facing the legendary Count Dracula.
The audiobook format brings the characters to life so beautifully, with atmospheric narration that makes it feel even more immersive.
I really loved how it captured the eerie, gothic atmosphere of it all while still keeping the tension high throughout the whole experience.
It’s unsettling, dramatic, and just the right level of spooky for the dark autumn nights curled up with headphones on.
This version makes Dracula one of the must read books for anyone who loves audiobooks and classic gothic storytelling.
It really has been a beautiful audiobook to listen to. I experienced it while it was free to listen to for a select period of time on Audible and I fell in love.
So much so that I used my monthly credit to purchase it on the 15th Sept and its been my favourite buy to date.
10/10 recommend listening.
10. The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman
Last but by no means least is The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.
If you prefer cosy crime, this is a delightful autumn read filled with charm.
The story follows four unlikely friends in a retirement village who spend their spare time investigating cold cases.
But when a local murder suddenly takes place, they find themselves caught in a mystery far bigger than they expected.
I don’t want to say too much here as you can check out my full review here – The Thursday Murder Club Full Book Review.
Listening on Audible This Autumn
If your schedule is packed but you still want to enjoy these incredible stories, Audible is a complete game changer.
You can easily listen while on the go whether that be:
- While Cooking
- Walking the dog
- Commuting to work
- Whilst going to sleep (there’s a handy timer feature!)
- At the gym
- Working
And so much more, the opportunity’s to listen are endless, turning even mundane moments into heavenly escapes.
Many of these titles, including Dracula, The Housewife’s Secret, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, have fantastic audiobook versions with immersive narration that pulls you into the story.
Plus, the thrillers feel extra intense when told through audio, and fantasy worlds feel even more magical!
It really is a fabulous way to get through your TBR pile without having to sacrifice your cosy evenings. Although, pairing both the audiobook and the physical copy for those especially atmospheric reads is the ultimate treat!
I recently done that with The House of Hollow on my second read through and it was SO GOOD.
Free Printable Book Review Card
I’ve made a free printable book review card that’s perfect for tracking your reading list and favourite books!
It works beautifully in bullet journals, reading planners, or even as a simple way to build your own review notebook.
This printable helps you keep notes, star ratings, and reading reflections all in one place so you never forget the little details that made a book so enticing.
Download your free book review card here:
Final Thoughts on Must Read Books
And there you have it, 10 incredible books that will make autumn evenings feel even more magical and cosy.
Whether you love the twisty thrillers, haunting gothic tales, or binge worthy fantasy worlds, there’s truly something here for every mood.
I’ll be sharing my full reviews on many of these books soon, so keep an eye out if you want even more juicy details.
Until then, I hope this list inspires you to brew a cuppa, grab a blanket, and lose yourself in one of these must read books for Autumn.
Happy reading!
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These are great reading suggestions. I’ve only read A Court of Thorns and Roses from the book series, does it get better? It never hooked me as much as I had hoped with all the hype. I did however adore Fourth Wing, I’ve just bought Onyx Storm so I’m excited to know more, I hope its as good as the others 🤞