Book Recommendations #2

My favourite season has finally arrived, and with it comes wool socks, sweater weather, an unhealthy amount of hot beverages, pumpkin pie, cuddles by the fire, and last, but certainly not least, Halloween! There is no better time to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book.

If you’re looking at this list of recommendations and thinking “this list is so random; these books have nothing in common,” allow me a moment to explain. I’ve chosen the books on this list for two reasons: (1) they’re spooky, or (2) they’re cozy. Now, if you are familiar with any of these titles, I’m sure you can determine which is which.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak | This book holds the title of “First Book to Ever Make Me Cry”. And it was one of those ugly, body wracking, blubbery cries. If that doesn’t convince you, then I don’t know what will. I’m kidding. But despite this being a chilling, melancholy story, narrated by Death itself (cool, right?), it was subtly beautiful and surprisingly sweet.

A small fact:
You are going to die….does this worry you?

– The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak

Uprooted by Naomi Novik | This is one of my favourite books of all time, for so many reasons. A passionate, head-strong female protagonist, a charming romance, cool magic, and an evil, spooky forest that kills people? Sounds like a perfect October read to me. If you’re a fan of fantasy, or if you’re looking to pick up more books in the genre, this is a great place to start.

No one went into the Wood and came out again, at least not whole and themselves. Sometimes they came out blind and screaming, sometimes they came out twisted and so misshapen they couldn’t be recognized; and worst of all sometimes they came out with their own faces but murder behind them, something gone dreadfully wrong within.

– Uprooted, by Naomi Novik

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt | A heart-warming, whimsical fairytale about a girl who falls in love with Death. This book is short, but makes for some memorable reading moments that will both make you smile and clutch your chest.

There is no hell, John Temsland. Each man, when he dies, sees the landscape of his own soul.

– Lord Death from Keturah and Lord Death, by Martine Leavitt

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern | Golly, can I be anymore mainstream? This book is iconic. Two powerful magicians competing against each other and falling in love. Rich and beautiful writing. But there’s nothing out there quite like it.

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

– The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern

Do you have any autumn book recommendations? Let me know!