Slide into your squishy slippers, drape yourself in that oversized sweater grandma made you, and become immersed in our third season’s offerings of harvest and balance this equinox, as you melt into that cosy fall feeling.
In Ontario this week, ‘melt’ was the keyword since yesterday we had a humidex of almost 30 Celsius instead of the more seasonal 21 of previous years. I am not complaining, though, because if the alternative is shovelling my driveway, I am not into it and will appreciate basking in the heat.
For many years September was when I would jump back into reading after taking a summer hiatus. The chilly air pulled me towards hibernation, the cocoon of a blanket, and the comfort of an autumn-themed tale. A recharged passion for the pastime would overcome, and I would tear through the books as fast as the leaves would fall.
Not to worry, I’ll get into the spirit of my favourite season by relying on the taste of pumpkin, the smell of cinnamon, and the stories from this list. I can think of worse things!

Ever since learning that Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight Series, was loosely based on it, I have avoided reading Wuthering Heights. The neediness of the characters and the contrived desperation of the ‘plot’ in Meyer’s first book, repulsed me and I struggled to finish it, never mind reading the rest.
On the other hand, some trusted readers have said they adored this atmospheric mid-1800s classic about the forbidden yet eternal love of Catherine and Heathcliffe. They praise this gothic tale that they insist will leave you breathless with its backdrop of dark imagery in the fall on the Yorkshire Moors.
Have you read this romantic classic; what did you think?

This YA gem comes highly recommended as a feel-good novel to keep one bright and energised for the transition into darker months.
Squashed is an early-90s novel about sixteen-year-old Ellie Morgan’s attempt to grow the heaviest pumpkin for a weigh-in competition in rural Iowa, whilst simultaneously trying to shrink herself to impress a boy she likes.
The premise could be both relatable and validating for some modern teens and offensive and triggering to others. I am curious to see if the author will address weight control without pathologising Ellie and her choices, and I wonder how the story will translate in the current climate.

I am a fangirl of J.K. Rowling’s without ever having read Harry Potter. The Casual Vacancy was outstanding, and I have completed and tremendously enjoyed the first half of the CB Strike series under her pen name, but have not read a word of her uber-popular children’s books.
HP was on the list of books that I had saved to read for the first time with my children. It turns out I was living a fairytale, as fast-forward to 2021, and my eight-year-old wants nothing to do with them. He says he doesn’t like magic. I think he is being contrary because he knows how long I have been excitedly awaiting the series. I made the mistake of talking them up too much, which had Mr. Independence saying ‘no way.’
Ah well, I will have to read this mega-hit about a wizarding orphan and his adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, all by my lonesome.

Although I recall tepidly enjoying the movie with Tobey Maguire many years ago, I have never read The Cider House Rules. A decade ago I read The World According to Garp, which I highly recommend, so I am aware of John Irving’s talent. I have had a hankering to take on another from his catalogue for too long.
It appears to be a salient time to dive into this autumn-set piece of American historical fiction. Irving manages to address the polarising issue of abortion, and adoption, sensitively. Dr. Wilbur Larch delivers unwanted babies and performs illegal abortions at an orphanage in rural Maine. We follow one orphan as he grows up to assist the doctor in delivering those babies.
Having not read the book in full yet, I cannot be sure what my end take will be, but I have heard others assert that Irving’s story is not interested in having you pick a side, so much as it asks you to practice the lost art of looking at an issue from another’s perspective.

Ali Smith’s first book in her Seasonal series: Autumn, takes high praise for its beautiful writing. We observe the friendship between an art history lecturer and her one-time neighbour as she visits him in a nursing home, with the politics surrounding the Brexit vote serving as a backdrop.
This short yet thought-provoking work of contemporary British fiction confronts immigration, racism, and other prevailing themes. The complexity of this layered tale should be the perfect distraction from my countries local politics of the day, and I will be sure to line up the three remaining titles to see the series through.
Do you have a fall-themed read that you reach for at this time of year? What are some seasonal books that you have enjoyed, I’d love to add them to my list for 2022.
I’m definitely all about some fall-themed reading right now. Wuthering Heights is definitely a fitting gothic read. The characters are so twisted, though, and many find it impossible to find anything redeeming in them.
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I have heard that they are detestable. 😆 But I do want to read it for the feel and the atmosphere, so I’m going to take the plunge.
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I’ve read both Eclipse and Wuthering Heights. While I didn’t love Wuthering Heights, I can also say it definitely didn’t remind me at all of any of the Twilight books! Haha so I wouldn’t let that stop you from reading it! 😊
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Good to know! I’m not likely to love it either, but I will still tackle it and see how it goes. 😄
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Wuthering Heights is good in parts, but could have done with a major edit! I don’t know if you listen to audiobooks, but I recently listened to Patricia Routledge narrating it and she does a wonderful job – one of the best narrations of all time, I suspect. It helped me to get through some of the more… boring… bits. And tell your son it’s not about magic – it’s about an exciting sport called Quidditch and Harry is the star of the team… 😉
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Thanks for the recommendation on the audiobook, that might be just the ticket for me to be able to make it through the whole thing.
And I will gladly try to reframe HP as you’ve suggested, I’m desperate for something to work at this point. 😂
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Looks like a great selection for the autumn. I mean to get to the Ali Smith quartet at some point as well, but not sure it will be this year. You like Rowling without having read HP? That is unusual (I do like the Strike books as well, but they are not HP). If you enjoy audiobooks the series (narrated by Stephen Fry) is perfect on audio. The narrator adds a lot to the story.
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I have heard that he does an amazing job with the reading. I look forward to enjoying it one day also.
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These books look amazing! I haven’t read Wuthering Heights in 20 years. My Grandma gave me that book a long, long time ago! Thanks for sharing!
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I love John Irving’s writings. Have you heard of Owen Meany? That was good read. The Cider House and The World according to Garp are equally good even the movie productions. These are the books worth re-reading.
This fall I signed a group of reading 100 days with Dante to commemorate his 700th year anniversary. I briefly took a crash course and bought a book long time ago of Dante Alighieri The Divine Comedy translated by Lawrence Grant White bonus illustrations by Gustave Dore.
We are now in Canto 5. Really enjoying the journey with Dante.
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What a wonderful idea, reverent and enriching!
I have not read anything else other than Garp by Irving as of yet, but I do have Owen Meany on my shelf, along with another, the title of which escapes me at the moment. I am excited about Owen Meany now, thanks to your recommendation. 😊
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And also, it was exciting that John Irving is now a resident and citizen of Canada.
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