// autumn reads //
Hello, friends!
In honor of the autumn that is well underway (at least in name, if not in weather) for most of us (not you, Gabby, I know ;D), I thought I might compile a list of books that seem to be especially appropriate to read in the fall. (Of course, some of these books are just always perfect; any place, any time. But y'know. :-P)
Some of these are ones that I've personally been reading/re-reading recently (or am planning to soon), and others are ones that I may not get to for years, if ever, but that seem like good autumnal choices. :)
(I don't necessarily love/enthusiastically recommend all of these books, just so y'all know.)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Lord of the Rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
ALWAYS AND FOREVER LEGIT ONE OF THE (IF NOT THE) MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK(S) EVER.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been slooooooowly re-reading these off and on for the past couple months, and ALL THE PERFECTION IS PERFECT. That's about all's I can say at the moment.
Peter Pan in Scarlet
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Well, duh. The original Peter Pan seems more of a spring read to me, if I had to assign a season to it (pssh, I read it all the time, anytime), but PPiS is actually about autumn coming to Neverland, so. ;)
I actually wasn't wild about this one, but it did have some lovely, cute, nostalgic parts in it, and I liked some of the plot devices she implemented. :)
The Thief Lord
by Cornelia Funke
I haven't read all of this yet, but it's set in autumn (in Venice ;)), so . . . it seemed relevant.
Rebecca
by Daphne du Maurier
I have not read this whole thing, so I'm not really qualified to say, but from what I've heard about it and the very little bit that I've read so far, it seems like it could lend itself to being a nice creepy tale with which to curl up on a rainy day. Y'know, if you like that sort of thing. :-P
The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh
by A.A. Milne
Autumn is a perfect time for a visit to the Hundred Acre Wood, don't you think?
(ALSO. Y'all, have you found out about this yet?! GUUUUYYYYYYS. <3 <3 <3)
The Scarlet Pimpernel
by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Again, one of those anytime-is-a-good-time-to-read-this books, TSP is a fantabulous tale of buckling swashes (thanks, whoever first coined that spin-off) and derring-do that is every bit as wonderful as you've heard. READ IT POSTHASTE. (I'm in dire need of a re-read, myself.)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
by James Hilton
Such a sweet, gentle book with an aura of nostalgia and dusty regret that I loved. So simple, so sweet, and very moving. <3
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
by Victor Hugo
Now, y'all, I know I've raved about the Disney version of THoND ("SANCTUARRYYYYYYY!!!!!!") before, so those of you who've read the book might be a bit confused as to why I would like the original book, but I actually did really enjoy it when I read it last school year. It's very different, of course (#spoilers, it's really sad), but actually quite good.
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
I haven't read this yet (I've started it a couple of times, but it hasn't grabbed me yet and so far I've lacked the motivation to stick it out until it does), but it looks like a good, sweet, albeit rather depressing story.
One Hundred and One Dalmations
by Dodie Smith
This miiiight actually be more of a winter read, I'm not sure; but again, it's one of those that's good anytime. :)
I LOVE this adorable little book SO. STINKING. MUCH. <333333
The Woman in White
by Wilkie Collins
I have this on my shelf, but I don't know if I'll ever actually read it, because I have such an extremely low tolerance (read: no tolerance) for anything remotely resembling a horror (or even just a scary) story, even such old, "mild" stuff as this. But, as with Rebecca, it seems -- from my very cursory overview -- that it'd be a good chilly/rainy day read.
the Redwall series
by Brian Jacques
MY CHILDHOOD FEELINGS. *hugs the books*
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Yet another good-all-the-time book! This one is great, too (albeit has slightly more content than I was expecting). You can read my Goodreads review for more thoughts on this one.
anything Jeeves and Wooster
by P.G. Wodehouse
Because my guess is you could use a solid dose of Wodehouse right about now (couldn't we all?), so get thee gone to read some J&W.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I think that's all for now! :)
What are some of your favorite books with which to cosy up on a chilly autumn day?
I was literally drinking water while reading the introduction to your post and choked on it in a laugh when you added "(not you, Gabby, I know ;D)"!
ReplyDeleteOHH I HADN'T HEARD OF GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN!!! IT'S SO CUUUTE!!!!! <3 <3 <3
Haha, I've had some friends (early 20's) read Woman in White and say it was scary and don't read it at night. :P (Whenever someone tells me that, I always have an immediate desire to try reading it at night. ;P)
Ah, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society! That's a great book. (Though, yeah, sadly a bit of content.) I like quirk and that book has bucket loads of it.
Looks like a lovely list! :D I don't have a specific spring reading list. My goal is just "read as many books as possible!" so whatever falls into that pile, I guess, haha. ;)
Haha! I'm glad you enjoyed that! ;D
DeleteDOESN'T IT LOOK ADORABLE?!?! I must watch!!!
Haha, you rebel, you. ;-P Me, I'd be like, "Okay, nope."
"I like quirk and that book has bucket loads of it." << That's such a fantastic way to describe TGLAPPPS; love it!
Heehee, that's an admirable goal, too! I do hope you read loads of fun ones. :) And tell me about 'em! ;)
Peter Pan In Scarlet was always my go-to fall book.
ReplyDeleteAND WINNIE THE POOH IS MY GO-TO BOOKS ALWAYS. No matter the season. <3
For some reason, Inkheart has always had a fall/winter vibe to me, so I guess that would be another go-to fall book. :)
I think I shall have to re-read it one of these days. C.S. Lewis said that we should always reread an old book before we allow ourselves a new one, and I used to follow that rule religiously, but lately I've been disregarding it right and left.
DeleteYES GIRL, YES. <3 I agree.
Inkheart! I was considering putting that down here, but then I thought that I guess it sort of gives me more of a spring/summer vibe when I read it? Which makes no sense, because the setting is definitely more fall/winter, I think??
Oh my goodness! You're loading me up with nostalgia. I've felt a Redwall re-read has been long overdue and now I'm almost determined to pick the books up!
ReplyDeleteAnd I had no idea they were coming out with that Goodbye Christopher Robin movie but I loved the trailer!!!
Lois, LET'S DO IT TOGETHER! ;D I'm sorta-kinda trying to re-read them, but I've taken a break after the second one and have had trouble motivating myself to continue the re-read. Oh, dear. :-P
DeleteIsn't it fantastic?!?!
I don’t think that I’ve read any of these books... you’re making me feel really bad about it now! I love nostalgic books, especially those that remind me of certain seasons. Oh one of the most nostalgic novels is Anne of Green Gables. She’s famous for her October quote! I loooove those books so much. I think I’ll reread that book this year... haven’t read it in a while. :)
ReplyDeleteJazzy ~ http://thrivinghope.blogspot.com
Jazzy, awww! Haha, don't feel bad! *Jedi Master voice* You have time, youngling.
DeleteAhhh, yes, Anne!! I guess I haven't read the book itself enough to remember what season it makes me think of? But yes, I love that famous October quote. :D I need to re-read those books, too!
Oh, and thank you for stopping by, Jazzy! <3
DeleteI *want* to take credit for "buckling swashes" but it's probable that someone else also came up with it too, so... I'd better not. But I know I made it up for my own use. Heehee.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there WAS a book for 101 Dalmatians! Now I want to check that out! And Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet has been sitting on my shelf wanting to be read since I scooped it up at a used-book sale a YEAR ago... sigh....
Miss Dashwood, haha! I'm sure your blog was one of the first places I heard it. :D
DeleteOh, yes! The book for 101 Dalmatians is ADORABLE, oh my word. I was never the biggest fan of the Disney movies, but the original book is one of my very favorite books. :) Ahh, you too?! I have a habit of impulse-buying books at thrift stores/other discounted-price sales and then leaving them to languish for EVER . . . ;D
Thank you so much for commenting; I really appreciate it!
oohhhh I like this idea a lot ;)
ReplyDeleteMy top pick is Sherlock Holmes, for sure. Any of those stories are the best kind of curl-up-and-read-in-fall kind of stories.
The Silver Chair is also a good fall one. And The Hobbit I think? It's kind of a fall thing to me.
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL YESSS THAT IS SO FALL!!!!!!!
Abigail, yay! ;D
DeleteAhhhh, I bet they are! I have yet to read a Sherlock Holmes, myself (just not big on mysteries). "Are you shocked?" ;)
Yes, a few people have mentioned TSC as a fall read! I guess the Chronicles in general give me more of a spring vibe, but TSC is definitely set in fall, so y'all are right, I suppose. :D And The Hobbit! I need to re-read it, but I think I came to the conclusion that that also gives me more of a spring vibe?
YAAASSSSS I know right?!?!
The Lord of the Rings
ReplyDeleteI’m not really a LoftR fan anymore. I’ve grown out of it. I’m not an into epics much.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
My sisters’ opinions on this have not inspired me to read this. And I’ve never managed to find the interest or motivation to start or complete any of Hugo’s other works, although I’ve skimmed some.
The Woman in White
Rebecca isn’t horror. I don’t do horror. I don’t do much scary, but horror to me is beyond the pale for anyone. I have Wilkie Collins on the list, but if its horror, NOPE.
I hoping to get bunch of mysteries towards the end of October, beginning of December, but I’m dragging my feet on a lot of what I have now from the library. I'm not to happy with spooky (I had a ghost story book on a book challenge, and managed one Poe short story, and I've skipped Dracula and Frankenstein. I'm just not willingly be disturbed to fulfill a classic or challenge checkbox). I think mysteries are a good compromise (although they can be scary).
Livia Rachelle, oh dear! We shall have to agree to disagree on LotR. ;)
DeleteI was really surprised by how much I enjoyed THoND. I have SUCH mixed feelings on the book Les Mis that I was expecting to have much the same reaction to THoND, but I didn't. You might enjoy the Disney film, though, if you like Disney at all? It's different from the book, like I said, but still one of the darker, more "mature" Disney movies.
Haha, I'm really not qualified to say whether Rebecca OR TWiW are horror; that's just the vibe I got from the cover/general consensus on TWiW. But I'm with you; I don't really do scary at all. Just noppity nope.
I've avoided Dracula so far, too, but a friend read it recently and enjoyed it, so maybe I'll try it. I read Frankenstein for school two years ago and didn't find it that scary. But I HATED Victor Frankenstein himself. He was terrible. :-P Honestly, even mysteries are often too much for me, to be honest!!
LORD OF THE RINGS FOREVER AND ALWAYS
ReplyDeleteAhem.
Ooh, the Thief Lord! That was one of my absolute favorite books as a kid, and one of my go-to books if I need a comfort book or familiar reading in an unfamiliar place. I didn't know it was set in autumn? I thought it was early winter? *shrugs*
And Redwall!
Totally off the topic of fall books, but is that Dimitri and Anastasia in your banner?
Maybe because the the Thief Lord put me in a nostalgic mood, but at the moment it's probably A Murder for Her Majesty. It's probably more of a winter book, but it's such a good curl up on a chilly day one.
BRIANNA YAAASSSS. LOTR FOREVER AND ALWAYS AND AMEN.
DeleteAwww, cool!! I shall definitely have to try to read it. I thiiink it's autumn? At least, I thought that was what the first page said? But I could be wrong. *shrugs with you*
EEEE! Girl, you know Redwall?!?! I always get SO excited when I meet people who know (and love) Redwall, too. :)
YOU BET IT IS. <3
Cool! I've never heard of AMfHM!
I love this post <3 Actually, I love your whole blog look . . . it is COZY and makes me think of cinnamon and wood smoke and other autumn-y things :-)
ReplyDeleteBooks to curl up with on a chilly fall day? Hmmmmmmmm. "The Silver Chair," definitely. It's very dark and a little grim, but also hopeful and bracing and lovely. Also "Shadows on the Rock" because of the beautiful fall colors; and "A Distant Trumpet" because GLORIOUS EPICNESS.
Aw. You know why I love Winnie-the-Pooh <3 Happy dad-daughter memories . . . And yesssssssssssssssssss. I so want to see that movie. I really, really hope it's good.
Daaawww, THANKS, GIRL. <3
DeleteAs I told Abigail, I've apparently missed the mark on feeling autumn from TSC! I mean, it SAYS it's set in autumn (at least in the beginning), so I don't know what it is with me. But I guess the whole Chronicles just remind me so much of spring that I find it difficult to distinguish between each book in this regard. TSC is your favorite Narnia book, though, isn't it? :) It's so good! I NEED TO READ A DISTANT TRUMPET POSTHASTE IMMEDIATELY NOW THANKS.
Yes I do. <3 <3 Eeeek, same here.
It is my favorite of the Narnia books, yes <3 YOU WILL LOVE "A DISTANT TRUMPET." READ IT. DO.
Delete:-)
Thought so. :) EEEE YES I MUST.
DeleteLord of the Rings FOREVER. It is the ultimate fall read. Seriouslyyy though. <3
ReplyDeleteAwww, A. A. Milne and Winnie the Pooh is the cutest.
Okay, I've been meaning to do it long enough. I hereby resolve to read Jeeves and Wooster this fall. You may be my witness. ;)
Hmmm...I always see Agatha Christie as a fall-ish sort of author for some reason. But I think you have all the other essentials covered. ;D This was a great list!
You know it. ;) <3
DeleteThey really are!!
Eeek, I would be thrilled to be your witness! You simply MUST try them, Meredith -- they are, if I may be excused the expression, the bomb.com. Seriously, I love them so much and I need to re-read them myself. :D
I can totally see that! I have yet to read any of her books -- *ducks* -- but I could definitely get autumnal vibes from her books. :D
Ahhh love this list. LOTR is the ultimate autumnal fiction (okay, okay, it's the ultimate fiction PERIOD) and I agree with so many of your other choices. Like The Scarlet Pimpernel. I too need to re-read that one. I was actually thinking of doing it this fall, but here is 'tis October and I have yet to do it....
ReplyDeleteI've been re-reading Narnia instead though, so that makes everything okay. xD
WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT NARNIA IS LIKE A MILLION TIMES MORE AMAZING THAN I REMEMBER IT BEING AND I STILL LIKED THEM A WHOLE LOT THE FIRST I READ THEM! Sorry. That was a bit incoherent.
I've read Rebecca and I agree; it's definitely the rainy day kind of book. I think I personally am more inclined to think of it as a springtime read, but autumn would work well, too.
THAT WINNIE THE POOH TRAILER WAS AMAZING YES LET'S SQUEAL ABOUT IT.
Lovely, lovely post. :)
Haha, you so right: It's the ultimate fiction PERIOD. Haha, I feel you -- I've been meaning to re-read TSP for a long time, too.
DeleteOKAY BUT YES LIKE FOR REALS LET US FANGIRL ABOUT IT FOR A MINUTE!!!!! I've been "getting back into them" over the past several months and GAHH THEY ARE AMAZING AND EVERYTHING. (Never apologize for incoherence, my dear -- I share any such tendencies. :D)
Gotcha. I really ought to read it someday.
I KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW, RIGHT?! Like what how. I feel like I'mma cry just from the happy nostalgia of it all, not necessarily because it'll be sad ('cause I don't think it will?). Anyway.
Aww, thanks, m'dear! :)
Alas! I am ashamed: but I must confess. I have only read two out of all the books you mentioned. But that does mean I shall have more to look forward to read! I will be adding some on my list for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post! It is interesting when a certain movie or book makes you think of Fall.
Also, I'm sorry I'm late in commenting.
Have a great Fall! :D
Tsk, tsk, tsk -- Amaris, for shame. ;) Haha, totally kidding! I haven't read all of the ones on this list, myself! Which two of the books have you read, though? Oh, good! I hope you'll enjoy them! :)
DeleteI'm so glad you liked it! And nonsense, never apologize for a "late" comment -- I'm dreadfully behind on commenting/replying to comments, and besides, I love comments on old posts! They make me really happy, actually. :D
You too, friend! <3
Wonderful "autumn" choices!! Especially love Lord of the Rings and The Scarlet Pimpernel on there! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Faith!! YUSSS, LotR and TSP for the win! :D Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHow did I not see this until now!!??
ReplyDeleteLotR forever!
I just read Peter Pan, I should try that one!
That Goodbye Christopher Robin sounds ssssssooooooo good!!
ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME FOR DOGS. 101 forever!!
I am actually going to read TLaGPPS this year. Did you hear that they might make it a movie?
Talk to you later, Olivia! <3
Oh, you're fine, MC! I'm still (always :-P) behind on blog reading, so, you know. :-P
DeleteYES GIRL. <3
Eeeeppp! What did you think of Peter Pan?
DOESN'T IT, THOUGH?! A friend showed me the trailer at work and I was like AAAAGGHHHHH. ;)
Ack, have you read the original?! Isn't it adorable?! I love it so much. :D
Oh, awesome! I hope you like it! You'll have to tell me what you think of it when you finish it. :) Ooh, no, I hadn't heard! That would be so cool, though!
You too, love; thanks for the comment! :D <3
:D
Delete<3
What did I think of Peter Pan? Well, it was okay... ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE BOOKS EVER!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I don't see it in the theater I am getting it as soon a it comes out on DVD!!!!!
Yes, I read the original last year. So much better then any of the movies made. It IS so adorable!!! :D
I will be sure to tell you! (You will be tired of me by then XD)
Sure thing! :D <3
AAAAAHHH!! It became a new favorite?!?! That makes me so happy!!! *dances*
DeleteSAME, GIRL. My theaters didn't have it! *pouts*
Eeek, isn't it, though?! ;D
Thank you! (UM EXCUSE YOU, NO, THAT'LL NEVER HAPPEN. :D)
I am so excited for Goodbye Christopher Robin! Please do a review on that! :D
ReplyDeleteVictoria, ME TOOOOO!!! Oh, you're right, I should!! If only it'd hurry up and come to Redbox . . . my theaters didn't show it, if you can believe that!
Delete