As the leaves start to turn orange and the weather finally cools down in San Jose, there’s nothing quite like cozying up with a good book, a warm cup of coffee from Philz, and a soft blanket.
Whether you’re looking for a spooky mystery, a warm romance, or a moody dark academia classic, these reads are perfect for your autumn afternoons between classes at SJSU.
1. “If We Were Villains” by M.L. Rio
Dark academia at its finest, “If We Were Villains” is the perfect read for those who love mystery, Shakespeare, and morally gray characters. Set at an elite arts conservatory, it follows seven theater students whose friendship unravels after a classmate’s mysterious death.
The story is about obsession, loyalty, and betrayal into something hauntingly beautiful.
As a former theater kid, I loved how M.L. Rio captures the intensity of performance and the blurred line between acting and reality. The writing is lyrical, the suspense addictive, and the ending absolutely unforgettable.
If you want a moody, emotionally charged story to pair with cloudy fall days at SJSU, this one’s for you.
2. “Five Survive” by Holly Jackson
If fall is your season for suspense, buckle up, literally. Holly Jackson, the mastermind behind “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” strikes again with this intense road-trip-gone-wrong thriller.
Six friends set out for spring break in an RV, but when their GPS fails and their tires are shot out, they realize they’re being hunted. What follows is eight hours of tension, secrets, and betrayal as the group tries to survive and uncover which one of them is hiding the truth.
This book delivers the perfect amount of adrenaline to pair with a chilly San Jose night. With twists you won’t see coming and characters that’ll make you question your own friendships, “Five Survive” is a fast-paced, page-turning must-read for thriller lovers.
3. “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer
I know, I know, “Twilight” might feel like a 2000s fever dream, but hear me out: it’s the quintessential fall comfort read. Between the endless rain in Forks, Washington, and the moody high-school drama, it’s practically autumn in book form.
Reading the novel after seeing the movies is a surprisingly refreshing experience. Edward and Bella’s dynamic feels deeper and more intense on the page, especially Edward’s constant internal battle between loving and protecting Bella. It’s messy, dramatic, and totally addictive.
If you want to relive the nostalgia, join Team Edward (again), and get lost in a rainy, vampire-infused love story, grab a cup of hot cocoa and dive back into this iconic saga.
4. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
If your fall aesthetic screams “dark academia,” “The Secret History” is a must. This isn’t your average campus novel; it’s atmospheric, philosophical, and utterly haunting.
Set at an elite Vermont college in the ’90s, the story follows a tight-knit group of classics students who take their obsession with ancient Greek rituals a little too far. After committing an unspeakable crime, their world unravels into guilt, paranoia, and betrayal.
Tartt’s writing is hauntingly immersive, pulling you into a world of obsession and moral decay. Perfect for those craving a moody, thought-provoking fall read that feels straight out of the MLK Library aesthetic.
5. “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
If fall had a vibe, it would be “The Night Circus”. This fantasy novel follows two magicians, Celia and Marco, who are forced to compete against each other in a magical circus that only opens at night. The catch? They end up falling in love.
The writing is so beautiful and detailed that you can literally picture every magic trick and tent in the circus. It’s dreamy, mysterious, and totally enchanting.
With short chapters and a cozy, whimsical feel, this is the perfect book to curl up with when the weather cools down and you just want to escape into something magical.
Whether you’re in the mood for magic, mystery, romance, or moral chaos, these books are the perfect way to embrace the fall season.
So grab a cozy blanket, find your favorite study spot at SJSU, and let yourself escape into these stories.
What are your favorite books to read during autumn? Let us know @HerCampusSJSU we’d love to hear your recs!