Starting University can be daunting, and sometimes you just want to escape into a good book. Here are a few Autumn must-reads to get you in the mood for cosy, spooky season by Emma from Brig. Most of these books are psychological thriller and romance coded!
1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
It’s a classic book and I would 100 per cent recommend you read or re-read it this Autumn. It’s so memorable for having so many unpredictable plot twists and strongly written characters. I read this for the first time at sixteen and I seriously hated Nick with a passion and don’t feel sorry for him at all. The movie adaption is also available on Netflix if you don’t feel like reading.
2. Pumpkin Spice Café and Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore
The Pumpkin Spice Café and The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore alongside the other cosy books in the Dream Harbor series are really popular. They’re quick reads with neat, feel-good romance endings. Yes, they’re cringey and overhyped. Yes, you should try to support lesser known authors. But seriously, the front cover is so cute! It’s also perfect to display on shelves in your new student accommodation. Gilmore also released a new series called Maple Hollow this year featuring Big Bad Wolf which is a red-flag toxic romance read.
3. The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
This book has Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic vibes by exploring the themes of heartbreak and witchcraft. You should drink something pumpkin or maple hazelnut flavoured whilst you read this at night time to fully immerse yourself into the book.
4. Verity by Colleen Hoover
Controversial author perhaps, but I loved reading this book when I was younger. You can also watch the movie adaption of this psychological-romance-thriller in cinemas from October 2. Trust me, the book is WAY better than the movie and contains way more plot twists. In the book you get to read letters written by the character called Verity, a comatose author, providing a really strong first person narrative from her which the movie was sadly unable to capture.
5. Trust Fall by Lynn Painter
Obviously Trust Fall is set in Autumn. This is a brand new publication released on September 29, so you would be supporting a new unestablished author. It’s a young adult opposites-attract romance. Moreso, the book is set in a New York boarding school and millionaires are involved, who doesn’t love a cliché trope every now and again?
6. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden is a remarkable physician specialising in brain disorders who writes books in her free time. Many of her books are described as quickly digestible airport reads which are ideal if you want a shorter novel. The Housemaid is about a young lady becoming a live-in housemaid for a rich family where she realises that things in the house seem a bit off throughout the book. Definitely a spooky, psychological thriller to read this Autumn. (Yes, there’s also a movie of this to watch if you don’t want to read it).
7. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazlewood
This book isn’t Autumnal, but I thought I’d mention it because not only does this book promote women in STEM, but it’s also a super cute romance novel representing female scientists in a positive light. Amazon prime released the movie adaption of this book on September 29 if you don’t feel like reading.
Money Saving Hacks
Students trying to save money should try reseller book websites like WOB before paying full price. Alternatively, check The Works bookshop, big Tesco or Asda who sell bestselling books for more affordable prices. There is absolutely no need to spend more than 10 pounds on a single paperback. Especially popular books claiming to be “New York Bestsellers” (seriously, they can’t all be bestsellers right?)
Audible are also offering a 30 day free trial which allows you to download a book which you can keep forever. Listening to books whilst commuting to university makes the journey a lot more bearable and whimsical.
Featured Image Credit: Emma Forbes Walker
Fourth Year English and Journalism Student
