Minnie's Fiction Addiction

There’s something about autumn that calls for a good book — the crisp air, the crunch of leaves, and the perfect excuse to curl up with a blanket, a hot drink, and a story that fits the season. This week’s What to Read Wednesday is all about Autumnal Escapes — books that capture the atmosphere of fall, whether that’s through gothic chills, cozy magic, or that irresistible sense of change in the air.

🍁 The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Set in an alternative 1893 where suffragists are witches, this book oozes autumnal vibes with magic, folklore, and sisterhood. Perfect for readers who want their seasonal escape tinged with spells, shadows, and whispers of history.

🔮 The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

A gothic mystery about a reclusive author and her hidden past, this one is drenched in atmosphere: crumbling mansions, family secrets, and candlelit nights. It’s a classic for good reason, and ideal for long evenings as the nights draw in.

🦉 The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Dark academia and autumn go hand in hand. This is the quintessential campus novel: murder, obsession, and a group of classics students whose lives spiral out of control. Tartt’s lush prose practically smells of old books and fallen leaves.

🔥 Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

For those who prefer a lighter, cozier touch, Hoffman’s beloved novel about the Owens sisters is a staple autumn read. Love, magic, and family drama — with that bittersweet edge that makes it perfect for the season.

🕯️ Small Angels by Lauren Owen

Set in a haunted wood where folklore and ghost stories come to life, this modern gothic novel captures that in-between feeling of autumn: beautiful but eerie. It’s lyrical, immersive, and slightly spooky, just right for September evenings.

Hidden Gems & Indie Escapes 🍂

🌲 The Wild Hunt by Emma Seckel

Post-WWII Scotland, autumn fog, and folklore collide in this haunting novel about a small island plagued by visions of the mythical Wild Hunt. Atmospheric and chilling, it’s the kind of book that feels like walking into mist.

🕯️ A Lesson in Darkness by Emma Denny

A gothic queer historical romance filled with towers, forbidden magic, and flickering candlelight. Perfect if you want your autumn reads dark, dramatic, and tinged with romance.

🍂 The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

A feminist gothic YA retelling that explores the untold story of Dracula’s brides. Full of forests, folklore, and sisterhood, it’s moody and made for October nights.

🦉 Ghost Lake by Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler

A collection of interconnected Indigenous horror stories set around a fictional lake. Rooted in Anishinaabe traditions, it’s eerie, original, and a refreshing departure from the usual gothic canon.

🐺 Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

A novella that flips the Sleeping Beauty tale on its head — whimsical, eerie, and deeply atmospheric. At under 150 pages, it’s the perfect one-sitting autumnal escape.

Why These Books?

They’re atmospheric, immersive, and seasonal. Some lean toward the spooky, others the cozy, but all are perfect companions for this time of year. Autumn is about transition, and these stories let you step into worlds where change is at the heart — whether that’s magical awakenings, secrets uncovered, or lives reshaped.

✨ That’s it for this week’s What to Read Wednesday! Tell me — what’s your favourite autumnal read? Do you prefer your fall books cozy and comforting, or eerie and gothic?