🍂 Sweater weather is officially here—which means it’s prime curl‑up‑with‑a‑book season.
Whether you’re nesting with a mug, opens a new window of tea, walking through leaf‑crunch paths, or chasing candlelit, blanket‑fort vibes, our staff have you covered with books perfect for fall—from cozy comfort reads to stories steeped in autumn settings.
Scroll through, borrow and place holds, and share your fall favourites in the comments!
Note: Titles are listed below in book format, but many are also available digitally as e‑books or audiobooks through our OverDrive collection, opens a new window.
Anna’s Touch of Dark‑Academia
Set at the start of a new school year, Katabasis is the perfect fall read for anyone who loves a touch of dark academia. The story follows two graduate students as they venture through the layers of hell to rescue their teacher, who died in a magical accident. Eerie—but definitely not scary—Katabasis is a perfect pick for a crisp autumn evening.
Axel’s Pumpkin‑Patch Pick
A short and sweet read about two high schoolers making the most of their last day working at the pumpkin patch. It's cozy, charming, and features atmospheric illustrations by Canadian artist Faith Erin Hicks.
Brenna’s Caramel‑Apple Ghost Story
A ghost story that feels like the first bite of a caramel apple on Halloween night. Sweet, crisp, and just a little bit eerie.
Catherine’s Campus‑in‑the‑Fall Classic
A modern classic, Donna Tartt’s first novel will keep you on the edge of your seat with just the right amount of suspense and a vivid New England college backdrop.
Colleen’s Fall Favourites
I read this collection of short stories by popular YA authors this summer, and it definitely would fare well as a fall selection! Quirky, romantic, and smile-inducing = cute and cozy.
I suggest this one with caution: It is not a crispy, cuddly fall read—but it is set primarily in the woods. Written by the author of The Bear: A Novel, this Memoir is the author's deeper journey into a deadly 1991 black bear attack in Algonquin National Park; storied alongside her own health struggles and identity discovery. Beautifully written and unlike any memoir I've read before.
Erin’s Out‑of‑This‑World Selection
The Mimicking of Known Successes
An atmospheric murder mystery set against an academic backdrop. Full of literary references, sapphic pining, and lots of cups of tea. Oh, and did I mention its set on Jupiter?
Laurel’s Survival Story Pick
In 1531, on an expedition to New France, Marguerite was abandoned on an inhospitable island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Is it historical fiction, survival fiction or a love story? Regardless of how you categorize it, this title is best enjoyed as the days get shorter and the temperature dips, so you can imagine our heroine's fight for survival.
Sara’s Close‑to‑Home Tale
Local author, Julianne Maclean, has written a fantastic family saga that is the perfect blend of historical fiction with a touch of romance. I couldn’t put this one down. The story, set on Sable Island, drew me in and kept me guessing. The perfect local setting for a fascinating fall read.
Have a fall favourite we should add to the pile? Drop it in the comments—your recommendation might appear in a future roundup.
Happy fall reading from all of us at Halifax Public Libraries!
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