The once-green leaves on the trees around campus have begun to, slowly but surely, turn golden. Like a metaphorical sun setting on the beautiful months of summer, these orange leaves serve as a signal that autumn is here, whether we are ready for it or not.
Personally, I am someone who loves fall. Crisp weather perfect for comfy sweaters, stunning shades of orange covering the flora of campus, fall-inspired food, and comforting television shows: this is what comes to mind when someone mentions the word “autumn.” With that said, I am beginning to recall the fact that fall doesn’t just mean cozy clothing and Gilmore Girls – fall also means that school is getting serious.
Unlike the subtle, yet apparent process of leaves changing colors, the intensity of the quarter system often comes out of nowhere. While I will certainly be spending the majority of my time studying during these next few weeks, I have found that in order to avoid burnout – a state of mental and physical exhaustion that can occur after ongoing stress – I also have to make time for self-care and other interests.
One of these other interests that I specifically try to emphasize is reading. Not only does recreational reading help me truly romanticize the autumn aesthetic of this time period, but it also helps cleanse and refocus my mind when I am tired of studying. In that sense, I thought I’d share some of my fall book recommendations, along with what I hope to be reading this fall.
THE secret history
“A glorious achievement…The Secret History is a grand read – an artful blend of intelligence, entertainment, and suspense that quickens the pulse.” – The Virginian-Pilot
This novel begins with a murder and, over a span of about 500 pages, tells the twisted and haunting story of why it happened, how it was done, and what the implications of such an act can be. Driven by the thoughts and actions of the cult-like group of classics students involved with the murder, The Secret History grapples with some of life’s biggest questions regarding mortality, affection, corruption, and evil.
I would consider this book a genuine work of art. Despite being longer than many of the books I read for fun, Donna Tartt’s masterful composition and genius storylines kept me enthralled page after page after page. With the premise of a psychological thriller and layers upon layers of literary knowledge and allusions, this book is more than an intriguing read – it is a modern classic.
If you are looking for something academic, dark, and entirely mesmerizing, The Secret History by Donna Tartt may be the perfect fit for your next read.
A Separate peace
“A quietly vital and cleanly written novel that moves, page by page, toward a most interesting target.” – Truman Capote, Author of In Cold Blood
The next title on my list of recommendations is – without question – my favorite book I’ve ever read. I stumbled upon this book unknowingly when browsing through Barnes & Noble a few years ago, as I found myself simply intrigued by the cover art and the title. Little did I know that a story about two boys at a boarding school during World War II would speak to me so greatly.
Though it is set during World War II, John Knowles’ classic novel is, at its core, about the innocence of friendship, and – more importantly – the loss of this innocence. As David Levithan writes in his afterword for the novel, “Even when the war is not being talked about, it’s being talked about. And often when the war is being talked about, the baser human nature that causes wars and fights between friends is also being talked about.”
To put it simply, this story follows me everywhere. Even years after reading it, I still find moments in my life or in my studies that remind me of a certain line or a specific character. A beautifully tragic coming-of-age story, A Separate Peace is a novel that I believe everyone should read at least once in their life. Why not read it now?
The ballad of songbirds and snakes
My final book recommendation for this fall season is Suzanne Collins’ prequel to the beloved Hunger Games series: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
As written on the Hunger Games movie website, the novel centers around a young Coriolanus Snow, who is “the last hope for his fading lineage” and tasked with mentoring the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird. Then, “uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.”
Though I have not yet finished this book, it has been an amazing read so far. My goal is to finish it before the movie adaptation comes out in theaters on November 17, which – based on the trailers – looks incredible.
I hope you have enjoyed learning about my book recommendations for this fall season. If you are like me and need a little escape from academic stress and endless studying, perhaps one of these books could serve as your perfect escape.
Happy fall everyone, good luck with your classes, and happy reading!