October is the month when fall appears in full force. People are wearing sweaters, drinking pumpkin spice beverages, and thinking about jumping into piles of crunchy fall leaves. While there are many fun activities to take part in during fall, the season can also be one of immense stress due to school as well as college applications for seniors. During this time it is important to take care of your mental health by practicing self care, and one way to do so is by reading. I have compiled the perfect list of fall-related books for this season. Read on to discover your new favorite fall read!

For those who want to feel nostalgic for their childhood, I recommend reading or rereading the Harry Potter series. Each book begins around September and continues through fall and winter. This also makes it an excellent choice for the start of the school year as you can journey alongside Harry and his friends throughout their school year. The cozy descriptions of Hogwarts and the blazing fireplace of the Griffyndor common room are quite comforting. In addition, witches, wizards, and magic are highly associated with autumn and Halloween, adding a spooky and fantastical element to the story. 

Another option for fans of witchy fall stories is The Worst Witch and its corresponding series. While it may seem a bit simplistic (and is definitely meant for a younger audience), this series is similar to Harry Potter due to its sweet protagonist who was raised among humans and its villainous potions teacher. In fact, The Worst Witch is rumored to have inspired Harry Potter, but J. K. Rowling has not confirmed this. The book series has even been adapted into a television series, which can be viewed on Netflix. In fact, check out this article for more movie and TV show recommendations for the fall season. 

One of the most quintessentially fall books to release in recent years is Pumpkinheads, written by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks. This graphic novel shares the story of teens Josiah and Deja over the course of their last day working together at a pumpkin patch, which happens to be Halloween night. Many fall-related activities are featured in the book, and the art style and colors are vibrant, making for a wonderful seasonal read. 

My final recommendation is The Fall of Whit Rivera, a newly-released YA novel by Crystal Maldonado. Whit Rivera is a teenage girl who is forced to plan her school’s fall formal with the help of her ex-boyfriend, Zay. Whit is a character who loves the fall aesthetic, which will appeal to similarly-inclined readers. More information about the book can be found here. 

All of the books mentioned in this article are available at Wake County public libraries. Don’t forget to tell us what books you’re reading this season by tagging us on Instagram @apexhslegacy. Have a wonderful fall season!