You know that feeling when that crisp air hits just right? When suddenly every corner begs for a reading nook and every shadow holds a story? Yeah, we're deep in our feelings about fall reading season, and honestly? We're not sorry about it.
We practically pounced when the brilliant Summer England agreed to share her autumn reading picks with us. This woman has a sixth sense for books that'll make you cancel weekend plans just to stay curled up with fictional characters who feel more real than your actual friends. Summer’s selections are a love letter to the season itself—full of folklore, mystery, sweet romance, and atmospheric magic. Each book promises to pull you into a world as cozy and captivating as your favorite sweater. Her reading nooks are legendary, and her book recommendations? Always spot-on.
So grab your chunkiest sweater and that mug that's seen better days—we're diving into five books that'll make this season absolutely unforgettable. (And yes, we're pairing each with the perfect Poplight because ambiance isn't optional, people.)
1. Slewfoot by Brom
Summer's vibe check: "Horror adjacent/very atmospheric"
A dark, atmospheric tale of vengeance and wilderness.
If your ideal fall vibe leans toward the hauntingly beautiful and the eerily sublime, this is your must-read. Slewfoot is a historical horror fantasy that feels like uncovering a dark, forgotten folktale. It follows a young woman named Abatha who, after a devastating loss, forms a pact with a mysterious forest spirit. It’s visceral, gorgeously illustrated by the author, and utterly unputdownable—perfect for a stormy October night.
Best pair with our Sage Green Poplight—because nothing says "woodland folklore that might steal your soul" quite like earthy, mysterious vibes.
2. Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
Summer's take: "Folklore/Baba Yaga"
A sprawling, modern fairytale inspired by Baba Yaga, where a house with chicken legs arrives in America.
This novel is pure, enchanting storytelling magic. Thistlefoot follows the Yaga siblings as they inherit a sentient, mobile house and embark on a cross-country tour, all while being pursued by a sinister shadow. It’s a profound and lyrical story about memory, legacy, and the ghosts of our past, all woven together with breathtaking prose. It’s weird, wonderful, and deeply moving.
Fair warning: you might ugly cry. In the best possible way.
Light up our Marigold Poplight for this one—warm as old stories told by firelight, mysterious as the shadows they cast.
3. Where The Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
Summer's wisdom: "Polish folklore/demons/magical"
Gothic fantasy meets Polish folklore, and honestly? We're obsessed. Liska's got dangerous magic she desperately wants gone, so naturally she makes a deal with the literal Lord of the Wood. (We know, we know—never make deals with mysterious supernatural beings, but where's the fun in that?)
What follows is pure atmospheric perfection: a haunted manor, gardens that definitely have opinions, and a romance that builds so slowly and perfectly you'll forget how to breathe. It's YA that doesn't talk down to you, with folklore that feels ancient and alive.
Our Blue Poplight was made for this—deep, enchanting, with just enough mystery to match those demon-filled woods.
4. A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Summer's perfect summary: "A sweet romantasy with witchy vibes."
A heartwarming romantasy about a lonely witch who finds belonging, love, and chaos in a mysterious household.
This book is like a warm hug. It’s the coziest, most charming story on this list, following Mika Moon, a witch who pretends her powers are all an act for her online followers. She’s recruited to teach three young witches how to control their magic and finds herself in a chaotic, loving, and utterly perfect found family. It’s sweet, funny, and brimming with witchy vibes.
It's the book equivalent of that first perfect autumn day when you can wear a sweater without sweating to death.
Break out the Dusty Rose Poplight—soft, nurturing, and exactly as comforting as tea shared with people who actually get you.
5. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
Summer nailed it: "Perfect for lovers of Gilmore Girls/autumnal/Hallmark-like romance vibes."
A sweet, small-town romance that is the literal embodiment of everything we love about fall.
For the lovers of Gilmore Girls, Hallmark movies, and all things autumnal, this is your book. The story of Jeanie, who moves to a quaint town to take over a café, and her grumpy next-door neighbor, Logan, is as comforting as a slice of pumpkin pie. It’s low-stakes, full of charming side characters, and will leave you yearning for a fall festival and a hot latte.
Pure autumn comfort food in book form, complete with small-town charm and the kind of low-stakes drama that won't give you anxiety dreams.
Our Mushroom Poplight is literally perfect here—all those cozy café vibes, falling leaves, and "maybe I should move to a small town and start over" fantasies.
The Real Question Is...
Which one's making it to your bedside table first? Because honestly, we're already planning our weekend around at least three of these, and our to-be-read pile is getting judgmental looks from our actual responsibilities.
We’re so grateful to Summer for sharing these incredible picks with us. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the season than by settling into our favorite nook, pairing it with the perfect cozy vibe from Poplight, and losing ourselves in a magical story.
What's your autumn reading vibe? Are you team atmospheric horror or cozy witch vibes? Tell us in the comments—we're always looking for our next bookish obsession.
For more inspiring recommendations, be sure to follow Summer England on Instagram!
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