12 Books To Cuddle Up To This Autumn
Books are undoubtedly the best way to spend an autumn weekend or afternoon, where all you want is just to cuddle under the blankets with a hot cup of tea and a good book by your side. There are so many anticipated good literary works coming out this season and so many classics that you can read while enjoying exactly that cosy feeling! Here are 12 recommendations of books you can cuddle up to this coming season!
1. The Testament by Margaret Atwood
The long-awaited sequel to Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel The Handmaid’s Tale is soon to be here as it is expected on the 10th of September! The novel will take place 15 years after Offred’s final scene in the original novel and it will have three female narrators.
If you have been a fan of Atwood’s work or have been binging the TV show like everybody else, it is by far the perfect way to spend an autumn weekend reading this book!
2. Grand Union: Stories by Zadie Smith
Zadie Smith’s first collection of short stories is as perfect as you would expect it to be! Sad, funny and finely written, these stories have already been published in The Paris Review and The New Yorker, touching on subjects such as migration and homeplace, active and passive racism, parenthood, being an artist etc.
It comes out on the 8th of October, so if you’re looking for colourful and exciting stories, this collection is perfect!
3. Red At The Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
Red at the Bone takes readers on a great journey of the history of a family. This story is told from five points of view over three generations and it talks about how race and class and family bonds determine essentially destinies.
The poetic phrases of Woodson make ner hoves feel epic even though they are usually relevantly short. This is definitely one of the good reads you would love to cuddle up to this autumn. It comes out on September 17th so get excited!
4. In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
The author of the famous genre-bending story collection Her Body and Other Parties is coming out with a memoir of her life. Each chapter is structured using different narrative tropes and methods of storytelling and talks about her experiences of living through an emotionally abusive relationship.
In the Dream House is innovative, will keep you nervous and will take you on a journey of the author’s life. It is certainly worth the read and it is coming out on the 5th of November so keep your eyes open for this amazing release!
5. Find Me by Andre Aciman
The author revisits the characters of the famous novel Call Me By Your Name two decades after they have first met, in the sequel titled Find Me. Elio now an accomplished pianist has moved to Paris and has a life-changing affair, while Oliver, who is now a professor in New England, with a family, contemplates travelling back to Europe.
If you are familiar with the first book by Aciman or are just looking for one of the best books to read this autumn, definitely check this one out! The novel will be released on the 29th of October!
6. Little Women and Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott
This book classic is probably something most people are familiar with from their childhood, or at least from the story of 1994 starring Winona Ryder as the most beloved Jo. This winter the remake starring Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet is coming out, making us want to feel all of the cosy feelings again!
If you are looking for a classic book or just that feeling of warmth and homeliness, turn to Little Women again. No matter if you have read it countless times or you have never done so, the story of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy is still one of the best we have known and it is such a great book for you to read and recommend to literally everyone you know! Also great for reminding yourself of the story prior to the release of the film.
7. The ABC Murders by Agatha Cristie
Continuing forward with the classic book theme, an Agatha Cristie mystery is certain to give you all the cosy feels, as surprising as this may seem. Cuddling up to this book or any other of her books, for that matter, is the ideal way to spend an autumn afternoon on the sofa, reading, drinking a hot beverage, while the weather outside gets colder and colder.
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is also one of those really cosy, really memorable, feel-good, classic books that you need to read at least once in your life (although let’s face it you will be re-reading it again and again).
We all know the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy like no other, so why do we keep coming back to it again and again? Because it gives us all of the warm feelings we need on those chilly autumn days. Make yourself that cup of tea and cuddle up to this equivalent-to-a-hug kind of book.
9. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Although quite heavy and hefty-looking, people do not realise how incredibly readable and fast-paced Anna Karenina is! Love stories, drama, tragedy, gloomy Russian aesthetic… it is the perfect read to cuddle up to and it is certainly well-worth reading.
Especially on those stormy autumn days where you just want to lose yourself in a good tragic story, it is the ideal classic read for anyone!
10. Selected Poems by Sylvia Plath
Another classic read but this one is for the poetry lovers who love to cuddle up to some good poems and a cup of coffee as well. Sylvia Plath’s poetry, despite being quite heavy with the topics she chooses, is really good with creating that cosy feeling of comfort within discomfort. Pick out some of her own poetry collections or ones curated by somebody else, and you will definitely enjoy that atmosphere.
11. I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
I’ll Give You The Sun is a perfect read for the young adult fiction lovers, who are looking for an easy but quite moving read. It’s a must-read and perfect for reading in bed, tightly covered in blankets. The story is exciting and full of twists and turns, and it is sure to make you weep by the end.
Definitely go for this one if you are looking for a good light-hearted cry!
12. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
If you have yet not discovered the brilliance of an author that E. Lockhart is, this is the perfect book to start from. Even though it came out in 2014 and most of you have probably stumbled upon it, this book is just as exciting reading it the 20th time as well as the 1st. It keeps you excited, on edge, confused, joyful, sad… It is such an emotional rollercoaster that you would be happy to experience it over and over.
Light up some of your favourite candles, get as many pillows as you can and get cosy because you will not want to get up until you have finished the book!
