4 Book Recommendations to Embrace the Fall Vibes

By: Siya Khatri

As an avid reader, fall is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. Here are a few of my top picks for the season, with something for every reader!

1. Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Read this if you like: sci-fi/fantasy, paranormal, thriller, morally grey characters

This fast-paced, dark story will leave you questioning the characters’ actions and beliefs. Victor and Eli—best friends or foes? The story alternates between their past and present, keeping you guessing and connecting the dots. It also dives into their deeply ingrained flaws, exploring themes of anti-heroes, toxic masculinity, ambition, obsession, and the grey area between good and evil. This quickly became a new favorite of mine because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The story is bone-chilling, and the eerie settings make it the perfect read for spooky season. Be sure to check content warnings before diving in.

“I want to believe that there's more. That we could be more. Hell, we could be heroes.”

2. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Read this if you like: dark academia, mystery, thriller, contemporary fiction, Shakespeare

This is a gripping tale of obsession, betrayal, and the blurred lines between performance and reality, set against the backdrop of an elite arts college. It follows seven theater students in their fourth year as they perform some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, delving into the complexities of anger, resentment, motive, and unease within their tight-knit group, while secrets and rivalries unfold. Another new favorite of mine, M.L. Rio’s imagery beautifully captures both the gloomy and sunny aspects of the fall season. Please look up content warnings before reading.

“For us, everything was a performance.” …“Everything poetic.”

3. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Read this if you like: fantasy, romance, magic, witchy stories, found family, cozy mystery

This is a heartwarming, magical story about found family, growth, and embracing one’s identity. Mika Moon, a lonely witch, is invited to a mysterious house to teach three young witches how to control their powers. What she discovers is an untraditional yet fiercely loving family that protects and cares for each other. This whimsical story combines magic, mystery, romance, and wholesome characters from diverse backgrounds and identities, all brought to life through lush prose and a captivating writing style.

“Danger came most often in the form of nice people whose niceness only went so deep, who saved their niceness for people exactly like them, who believed they were more deserving of power and respect than anyone who was a little bit different.”

4. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Read this if you like: Japanese literature, magical realism, time travel

This is a Japanese translated fiction novel that invites readers into a cozy café in Tokyo, where its patrons can time travel under specific conditions. The story follows four people seeking to revisit key moments in their life—whether to reconnect with a lost loved one or find closure for something left unsaid. Through its exploration of regret, love, and acceptance, this short but impactful read is perfect for cozying up with this season. Kawaguchi’s understated yet poignant writing effectively captures these emotional journeys, highlighting the importance of human connection.

“Sometimes life is stranger than fiction, but sometimes it's incomparable in other ways. Sometimes it's heaven that the false fire of imagination could never capture.”

Happy reading!