Nothing gets me into the autumnal spirit quite like the incomparable combination of a pumpkin spice latte and a good book. I have been on the hunt all summer for the best reads so you don’t have to (you’re welcome). As someone with an affection for a wide range of genres, hopefully, there will be something for everyone on this list. Whether you are looking for something to help you romanticize the return to academia or to give you a laugh in between midterms, I recommend giving these novels a chance.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
This was truly one of the best novels I have read in a long time, and not just because of my longtime obsession with Greek mythology. There’s no wonder it topped the NYT Best Seller list. Miller’s refreshing take on Homer’s Iliad with a focus on Achilles is captivating, romantic, and impossible to put down. If you are like me and could barely get through the Iliad, this is the perfect alternative. Buy on amazon.com here.
- Yearbook by Seth Rogan
I am probably one of Seth Rogan’s biggest fans, but when I learned that he wrote a book during quarantine (nevertheless an NYT Best Seller) I’ll admit I was a little shocked. I had to know what he could have possibly written a novel about. In true Rogan fashion, the book is a collection of his most hilarious stories of making movies, going to parties, and having wild interactions with Hollywood’s elite. It is lighthearted, intriguing, and the only book to ever make me laugh out loud. Buy on amazon.com here.
- Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I almost didn’t include Malibu Rising on this list, simply because it will make you so nostalgic for summer that you might abandon your life to pursue a surfing career in California. However, I am putting it on here because it made me fall in love with reading again after a long hiatus. This story of a famous family and the summer bash that changed their lives forever has something everyone can relate to. Buy on amazon.com here.
- Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
I have a complicated love-hate relationship with Vonnegut. His complex novels are celebrated classics for a reason. They are complicated, intricate, and take a brilliant satirical approach to life’s biggest questions. However, they are nearly impossible to completely understand. Cat’s Cradle is my favorite because it satires human belief systems, such as religion and government and puts everything you know about society into question. Buy on amazon.com here.
These novels re-ignited my love for reading and reminded me why I need to make time for it. I am also a strong believer that fall is the best time to pick up a book and enjoy it while the leaves change and the air turns cold. If you are looking for something different or just a good page-turner, I recommend checking out these unique and impossible-to-put down reads.
