Fall is upon us and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for a few good books to curl up and read after a long day. In the spirit of the season, I’ve compiled a short list of comforting and relaxing books that will absolutely complement a chill fall season.
Funny You Should Ask – Elissa Sussman
Not to be dramatic, but I read this book in about 48 hours. Its wit and charm made it impossible for me to put it down. If you’re like me and you love a bit of gossip and drama, you’ll be happy to know that’s the basis of this whole book. In this novel, Chani Horowitz is given the opportunity to interview and write an article on her celebrity crush, Gabe Parker. What transpires that night changes both of their lives forever, and 10 years later, they reunite for a second interview. The book is written in a then vs. now perspective, which I’m typically skeptical of, but Elissa Sussman masters it as she makes each attention-grabbing chapter wittier than the one before. You’re guaranteed to love it.
Magnolia Parks – Jessa Hastings
This book… I can only compare it to hearing high school gossip from your best friend at 3 a.m. on a school night. It follows the titular character Magnolia Parks in her will-they-won’t-they relationship with her childhood sweetheart, BJ Ballentine. Think Gossip Girl but more diverse, wittier, and way more toxic. This book is set in high-society London, and though most of the characters are shallow and vain, it doesn’t stop them from being dynamic and likeable. Hastings takes romance and turns it on its head, throwing the reader into the middle of the story and having us watch the fallout of BJ and Magnolia’s relationship. I can honestly say this book shocked me—I was looking for a simple and shallow book to read over the weekend, and I got something complicated and surprisingly deep.
Honey & Spice – Bolu Babalola
Last but not least, my favourite novel of the year: Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola. This novel follows Kiki Banjo, a sharp-tongued, Nigerian university student who is also the star of a radio show called Brown Sugar. She has made it her mission to protect and guide the African and Caribbean women of her school away from crappy relationships and heartbreak. This book has humour, wit, relevant pop-culture references, and fake dating—what’s not to love? Genuinely, this book took me through a rollercoaster of emotions in the span of 24 hours, but I’d give anything to read it for the first time again. Do yourself a favour and pick this book up this fall.
If you’re looking for a few books to relax with this fall, add these three books to your TBR!