Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Give Off Autumn Vibes

And it’s time for a Top Ten Tuesday post again! I skipped two weeks – Books I’d Give Different Titles To because I had no idea what to write, Halloween Freebie because I was simply too busy, but I’m back and hopefully able to do it more often.

I really like the idea of this week’s prompt, even if it proved harder than I thought it would be – I know lots of summer books and lots of winter books but few autumn ones.

As usual, listed as I remembered them, in no specific order.

1. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

– goodreads –

This is the first book – or shall I say cover – I think of when someone mentions autumn. The leaves speak for themselves and I think the framing story takes place in autumn as well.

2. The Vine Witch by Luanne G. Smith

– goodreads –

Perhaps the most seasonal book I have ever read, in both cover and content. In a valley in France, witches take care of vinyards, resulting in excellent wine. At the start of the book, Elena has just shaken off a curse that made her spend 7 years in the form of a toad and is out for revenge. Unfortunately, the plot isn’t nearly as good as the concept promises it would be, with stupid choices, too many convenient coincidences, and generally poorly written moments. But if you’re desperate for something with an autumnal atmosphere, it may still be worth a try.

3. The Los Nefilim series by T. Frohock

– goodreads –

This is not really a traditional choice. It’s not horror, the cover doesn’t feature leaves, I’m not even sure what season does it take place in. But I think the dark atmosphere makes the series a perfect autumn read. Besides, it’s really fucking good – if you want established gay couples (with a kid!), angels and demons, and urban fantasy that doesn’t feel like most urban fantasy, you should definitely read it.

4. An Autumn War by Daniel Abraham

– goodreads –

Obviously. The title, the cover, the everything – can’t get more autumn than this. I haven’t read it yet (and it’s been long enough since I read the first book that I’d have to reread it), but the series is definitely on my radar.

5. The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox

– goodreads –

The second book taking a place in a French vinyard (how many of those are out there?) – this one is a slow, quiet story following the life of a man who falls in love with an angel he sees once every year. And unlike The Vine Witch, I enjoyed it very much.

6. The Healers’ Road by S.E. Robertson

– goodreads –

Another thing I associate with autumn are comfort reads – books perfect for reading on a rainy day curled under a blanket, with a steaming mug of tea beside you. And what better for that than a chill, sweet, slice of life story about two healers who have to learn to work together and slowly grow from dislike and misunderstanding to being the closest of friends.

7. The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

– goodreads –

The Library at Mount Char is a book that defies categories. It’s some sort of fantasy, but that’s as far as it gets. After reading, it left me with a single thought: the fuck did I just read? Even if I read it after I started reviewing, I doubt I could have put anything more coherent together. It’s disturbing and profoundly strange and the horror elements make it a good Halloween read (and that’s why it fits the autumn theme!).

8. In the Forests of Serre by Patricia McKillip

– goodreads –

Again an association that’s based mostly on the cover 🙂 And hell, there’s a witch and an enchanted forest somewhere in there too. Close enough.

9. Vita Nostra by Sergey & Maria Dyachenko

– goodreads –

Another thing that makes me think of autumn are school settings, so Vita Nostra immediately came to mind as a candidate for the list. Especially as a darker, more adult take on the old trope, with strange and incomprehensible magic.

10. The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirähk

– goodreads –

Second item from the depths of my TBR. I’m not sure what gives me the impression this would be a good autumn read – perhaps because I’ve heard it’s a sad story of an inevitable decline, perhaps the cover. But I’m getting autumn vibes off it for sure.

What are your autumn books?