Reading Recommendations: Autumn Reads
A new month means another batch of reading recommendations! September’s theme is Autumn Reads! the books featured on this list make great cozy reads for the season. I hope you enjoy these picks!
The Rise of Issa Igwe
Despite a lifetime of breaking the rules, twelve-year-old Issa Igwe never expected to land in witch prison. At least that’s what she calls The Siren School outside of its hallowed halls. It’s actually the country’s most prestigious boarding school for magically gifted girls, and Issa’s parents insist that she attend . . . even though the school’s creepy history is the stuff of legend.
When a devastating loss overturns Issa’s world, Issa decides to break one of her new school’s biggest rules of all: she’s going to use bitter magic to turn back time. To succeed, she must snatch sleep-inducing feathers from the backs of magical creatures, sneak out while avoiding the Night Children—whoever they are—and even raise the dead. Her nighttime explorations bring the school’s darkest secrets to light, and reveal a new power within Issa herself. It turns out that a rule-breaker might be just what The Siren School needs to undo an ancient evil . . .
This book was a lot of fun and bit a spooky when readers dive into the magical world of The Siren School. It’s a beautiful campus full of interesting classes, eager students, and creepy legends that may be more fact than fiction. Miles’ creates a world to get the readers lost within its pages and you feel as if you are traveling the hollowed halls of the school while also being on edge because there is danger afoot. Because the novel is mainly fantasy, the plot feels very whimsical but it also adds in some horror elements to keep the reader guessing at every turn.
Cursed Cocktails
After twenty years defending the frozen north against some of the most dangerous threats in the nine kingdoms, Rhoren “Bloodbane” has finally earned his retirement. While the blood mage’s service to the realm may have ended, burning veins and aching joints remain, and Rhoren soon learns that a warmer climate offers relief from his chronic pain.
And a chance at a fresh start.
In the warm and relaxing atmosphere of Eastborne, the umbral elf finds a new purpose and a sense of belonging. He may have left the frozen north behind, but he brings with him the skills and strength gained from a lifetime of defending the realm. Along with his most prized possession—a book of drink recipes inherited from his father.
Spilled cocktails may not carry the same weight as spilled blood, but opening a tavern brings a unique brand of challenges. With the right friends and a little bit of luck, he might just have a recipe for success.
Cozy fantasy has become my jam in the last couple of years, so the synopsis of this one has my interest peaked. It reminded me a bit of Legends & Lattes, except replace coffee drinks with high spirits and cocktails. I liked how the story was not only about reinventing yourself, but working in his new tavern gives Rhoren the chance to finally connect with his family ties and also to fulfill his father’s wishes through the recipes. This tale is moderately paced, full of memorable characters, and leaves you with the comfort of a warm hug in the sometimes chilly weather of Autumn.
A Match Made for Thanksgiving
Advertising executive Nick Wong enjoys living in Toronto. He loves late nights partying and taking women back to his penthouse. And so it is with great reluctance that he returns to his boring hometown of Mosquito Bay for Thanksgiving.
This year, however, is even worse than usual. His parents and grandparents, frustrated with the lack of weddings in the family, have invited blind dates for him and his three siblings. Nick’s brother Greg has been set up with Lily Tseng, who just so happens to be Nick’s latest one-night stand, the one he can’t get out of his mind.
Although Nick has never been interested in settling down, Lily has him reconsidering. Perhaps he’s good for more than a single night of sex, dumplings, and bubble tea after all. But first, he has to get through this painful weekend with his family and convince her that she should be with him, not Greg…
I adore Lau’s romance novels and recommend her Holidays With the Wongs series when seeking out seasonal Romance reads. I enjoyed the family dynamics in this novella and thought the romance itself was sweet. It was also interesting to read about Canadian Thanksgiving traditions as I’ve only experienced it growing up in America. This is a quick read for the holiday season that is lighthearted and easy to read.
The Midnight Feast
It’s the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests’ healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the “Manor Mule” cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen.
But under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. Something’s not right with the guests. There’s been a fire. A body’s been discovered.
THE FOUNDER * THE HUSBAND * THE MYSTERY GUEST * THE KITCHEN HELP
It all began with a secret, fifteen years ago. Now the past has crashed the party. And it’ll end in murder at… The Midnight Feast.
Autumn can also mean thrillers, and Foley delivers on this in The Midnight Feast. I read this novel through audiobook (the narration was stellar!) for my local book club and the woodsy setting mixed with mysterious characters set the scene for the reading experience. The story is told from multiple perspectives which bring the drama and lots of unexpected twists! The ending threw me for a loop as well. I appreciated the short chapter format kept the read at a rapid pace since there is so much packed into the story as a whole.
The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice
Witches, goblins, the occasional ghost—they’re all sure to be spotted at the annual Halloween parade, where adults and children alike dress in costume to celebrate Moonbright’s favorite holiday. And no place has more seasonal spirit than Bellaluna’s Bakeshop, a family business steeped in traditional recipes, welcoming warmth—and, legend has it, truly spellbinding, heart-melting treats …
Between good-natured Halloween tricks, frothy pumpkin lattes, and some very special baked goods, for three Moonbright residents looking for love—whether they know it or not—the spookiest thing will be how magical romance can suddenly be …
With pumpkins in the title, readers now they are set in store for an Autumn read! The stories are all set at Halloween with plenty of holiday spirit and seasonal goodness in each one. While I really enjoyed the stories each one reads like a novella, so they move very quickly. Though this novel is a part of the Moonbright Maine series, the books can be read as a standalone like I did and the plot and characters are easy to follow along with. The concept of food and magic mixing together was a fun concept and I like how each author incorporated into their story. This collection is full of mouth-watering recipes!
With The Fire On High
With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.
Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain—and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life—and all the rules everyone expects her to play by—once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.
I loved this novel to pieces and its themes of a coming of age story, culinary class, and family. For it to Elizabeth Acevedo’s first book, I was so amazed that it was debut! She has such a lyrical way with words and has created a strong narrative with Emoni’s story and how food has “magical” powers as well. While I think it can be enjoyed any season, it fits Autumn because of the novel’s heartwarming nature.
That concludes my reading recommendations for Autumn Reads! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below!
