Fall Reading Recommendations From Weather.com’s Book Lovers

Fall has arrived. The leaves are changing, the air is getting crisp and we are finally saying goodbye to summer heat. There’s a mood to fall that makes us think of good cooking, sweaters and murder mysteries. That’s why myself and several of my fellow book nerds on the weather.com staff put together a list of great reads if you're looking to get in the spirit. All books recommended by me unless noted otherwise.

For Fiction Lovers:

"The Secret History" by Donna Tartt is a 1992 psychological thriller that takes place at a prestigious university in New England (hello, autumn leaves, bookshop vibes and sweaters), with a group of eccentric students studying classics under a charismatic professor. Their studies end up isolating the group from the rest of their peers and lead them down a mysterious and chilling path they may never be able to recover from.

"My Sister, The Serial Killer" by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a funny and terrifying tale of a Nigerian woman whose little sister – the beautiful, favorite child – keeps killing her boyfriends. If that’s not enough to pique your interest this fall, I’m not sure what will!

Writer Sarah Netter recommends "Plain Bad Heroines" by Emily M. Danforth. It’s a delicious LGBTQ+ gothic tale that follows a rebellious group of boarding school girls in 1902 as well as the present-day actresses involved in making a movie about deaths at the boarding school. There's suspense, secrets, a creepy orchard and maybe a curse or two.

For Nonfiction Readers:

"Killers Of The Flower Moon" by David Grann is highly recommended by Netter as well. Set in the early 1920s, it blends the traditions of the oil-rich Osage and the investigation into a series of murders in the community. The investigation, led by a young J.Edgar Hoover and another FBI agent, uncovers the sickening conspiracy to steal their inheritance by eliminating the community one by one. A movie version by the same name is set to be released in October.

Chris DeWeese, senior writer and editor of our Morning Brief newsletter, recommends "October, or Autumnal Tints" by Henry David Thoreau. The essay, which Thoreau delivered as a lecture shortly before his death, is an ode to the ripeness and fullness of fall. "October is the month for painted leaves," writes Thoreau. "Their rich glow now flashes round the world. As fruits and leaves and the day itself acquire a bright tint just before they fall, so the year near its setting. October is its sunset sky; November the later twilight."

Weather Geek Corner:

Senior meteorologist Dina Knightly recommends "Eyewall" by H.W. "Buzz" Bernard, formerly of The Weather Channel. This thriller is perfect to read during the meat of hurricane season. It takes place in the small community on St. Simons Island, Georgia, where a Category 5 hurricane that no one predicted is fast approaching. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

L​ooking for a slightly different out-of-season favorite? Look no further:

-​2022 Winter Reads

-​2022 Summer Reads

Senior producer Niki Budnick writes about breaking weather news, pets, lifestyle, health & wellness and more for weather.com.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.