Mammoths Read: Fall Book Recommendations

Though the summer air is still lingering in the atmosphere, the undeniable presence of fall is slowly approaching. The morning dew collects in cold droplets on the grass, fog will keep the sunrise company, and soon, nothing will be more comforting than sitting in bed and reading a good book while drinking a hot cup of coffee. Let us help you prepare for these cozy moments and offer some of our favorite fall book recommendations!

Managing A&L Editor Mila Massaki Gomes ’27’s recommendations:

“Autumn” by Ali Smith

“Beautiful, subtle … Brimming with humanity and bending, despite everything, toward hope” — this is the quote on the back cover of “Autumn” from the New York Times Book Review. For the first time in a while, I find the blurb in the book to perfectly encapsulate the essence of the work within. “Autumn” is part of a seasonal literary quartet (“Autumn”, “Winter”, “Spring”, and “Summer”) by Ali Smith, and is, by far, my favorite from the collection.

The best way to put Autumn in any category is by perhaps understanding it as a collection of thoughts and observations that weave together to form a thoughtful and sweet contemplation on death, rebirth, hope, love, and life. It tells the story of Daniel and Elisabeth, who are completely mesmerizing characters in their own separate ways. Friends from different generations — Daniel being way older than Elizabeth — meet at a time of uncertainty: England is leaving the European Union, a migratory movement has just begun, and these two friends are learning and helping each other understand what it means to be alive.

Bountiful, warm, and filled with reflections, this is a perfect read for the season of slow decay, beautiful colors, and appreciation for life.

“Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu

Before there was the old and scary Dracula, the famous literary image of a vampire was Carmilla, a woman of beauty beyond compare, with long dark locks, red lipstick, and a female lover. Yes, before the image of a vampire was a slimy old man, the most iconic vampire of the literary world was a hot lesbian!

If, like me, your favorite holiday is Halloween and you are a fan of the macabre, “Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu might be just your cup of tea. A gothic novella from 1872 (25 years before “Dracula”), Le Fanu’s work is told from the perspective of Laura, a wealthy and rather lonely girl who lives alone in a castle with her father until the arrival of a mysterious guest: Carmilla. The two girls become easily and intensely infatuated with each other — the lines of their relationship constantly weaving between amicable and romantic — but outside the castle walls, a strange plague appears to be troubling the young girls of the village, and Laura seems to be next in line to knock on death’s door. A hunt ensues to find the monster who brought chaos to the quiet mountain town.

A quick, but delightful read, “Carmilla” is sure to set you into the mood for spookiness and romance, while also making you ponder why, of all things, we choose to fear love.

Managing A&L Editor Jayda Ma ’28’s recommendations:

“Then She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell

There are some books that keep you turning the pages late into the night, and then there are books that completely consume you, to the point where you’re half-horrified, half addicted, and wholly unable to look away. Lisa Jewell’s “Then She Was Gone” is firmly in the second category.

At its core, this thriller tells the story of Ellie Mack, a bright and beloved 15-year-old girl who vanishes seemingly without a trace. What begins as a mother’s grief-stricken search for answers quickly unfolds into a dark, multi-perspective narrative where everyone, including Ellie herself, holds a piece of the puzzle.

If you like short, punchy chapters that keep you hooked, this novel will surely deliver. The pacing makes it nearly impossible to put down, yet the content is heavy enough to sit with you long after you close the book. Certain passages are chilling to the point of stomach-turning, especially when Jewell delves into the psychology of obsession and control.

Overall, “Then She Was Gone” is a haunting and beautifully written novel that amplifies suspense with heartbreak. It will leave you both disturbed and grateful, which is the perfect companion for the dark mood of fall!

“One True Loves” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Imagine that your dead husband showed up years later when you’re already engaged to a man you deeply love, who would you choose?

If you like love stories that make you scream, cry, and smile all at once, if you like books that make you question what you’d do in an impossible situation, if you like stories like “The Summer I Turned Pretty” that twist heartbreak with hope, then “One True Loves” is the book for you.

Taylor Jenkins Reid captures complex emotions so well in this work that you feel them deeply, even if you’ve never lived through anything remotely similar. Through Emma’s impossible situation, you learn that love doesn’t have to last forever to be real, and that grief can coexist with new beginnings.

Every character is fully fleshed out, the pacing is flawless, and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish. Set in Massachusetts, the story is both devastating and life-affirming. I’m usually not a fan of love triangles, but this is how you do one right. (Take notes, Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah!)

This book is the perfect example of why I enjoy reading. I bawled my eyes out, laughed, screamed, and sat on the edge of my seat, unable to put it down. Honestly, I couldn’t even decide who I wanted Emma to end up with because no matter what, I knew I’d be happy for her, but still grieving for the other. That is exactly what makes the story unforgettable.

The story was everything I wanted and more. Give this devastatingly beautiful, heartfelt story a read, and it will leave you wrecked in the best way.

Assistant A&L Editor Amber Lee ’28’s recommendations:

“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt

While published over two decades ago, there’s a reason why Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” still climbs its way up on readers’ lists. Set in a small, prestigious college in New England (sounds familiar?), Richard Papen finds himself a part of a group of curious misfits, mentored by an eccentric yet charming professor. However, just from the prologue of the novel, we quickly learn that the group members find themselves in a predicament after having murdered their classmate, Bunny, and now must deal with the consequences. 

For mystery, classics, and dark academia fans, “The Secret History” is a good pick for this fall, especially if you enjoy drama and unusual group dynamics. As you settle into classes this semester, you can follow Richard’s journey figuring out the weird conventions of his new college, and meet even more peculiar characters. If the Goodreads post from reviewer lisa (fc hollywood’s version) stating, “every single character belongs in a mental asylum (affectionate),” doesn’t convince you to read the book already, then the first line of the book should: “The snow in the mountains was melting, and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.” 

Although lengthy, “The Secret History” is a fast-paced mystery thriller that will keep you on your toes with an unreliable narrator and make you think more carefully about the people you become friends with. 

“The One” by John Marrs

Delete your Tinder and uninstall Hinge. In “The One” by John Marrs, you can now find your soulmate with a quick swab of your mouth. Yet, after being notified that they have been matched to their perfect partner by the company, Match Your DNA, five characters must navigate their relationships and make difficult decisions to be with the one they “love.”

With themes of science fiction, dystopia, and suspense, viewers of “Black Mirror” might enjoy this novel that challenges the way we think of love, relationships, and romance. Do you stay with your long-term partner and continue to create a life for yourselves, or do you risk it for a stranger who is biologically a better fit for you? As cuffing season approaches, reading “The One” this fall semester might help you reevaluate your perspective on dating … for better or for worse.

So, continue filling out your Marriage Pact and meeting people on a Saturday night at the Triangle. Or maybe wait until a company can match you to your perfect partner. Either way, John Marrs can at least warn you of the dangers of trying to find your “soulmate.”