Autumn classics Archives

The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

My then-6th grade son read this book in his English literature class. He wasn't excited about reading "that boring book." His sister said, "I'm glad I don't have to read it." One week later, they were fighting over it. That's all I have to say about that—except you don't have to be a grade schooler to enjoy this one. It's a classic for a reason.

Rebecca

by Daphne du Maurier

This 1930s Gothic classic is an un-put-down-able, curl-up-by-the-fire mystery. Don't be put off by its age: this thrilling novel feels surprisingly current. Suspenseful but not scary, and it holds its tension on a re-reading: a sure sign of a well-crafted thriller.

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Bronte

This groundbreaking classic is a gothic romance, mystery, and psychological thriller all rolled into one; its themes were astonishingly modern for 1847. If you never read it in high school, give it a try now. You’ll be kicking yourself for not reading it decades sooner. Those who have read it will spot its influence everywhere. We follow Jane Eyre from childhood to adulthood as she learns to speak up for herself and makes bold choices.

Northanger Abbey

by Jane Austen

Part coming-of-age classic, part parody, and part social critique, this 1818 novel remains one of Jane Austen’s lesser-read (and underrated) works. Inspired by popular gothic novels Austen read as a girl, this satirical story blends over-the-top drama and Austen’s sharp wit to great effect. The heroine, Catherine Morland, is a 17-year-old girl with an active imagination and a fondness for sensationalist literature. While visiting Bath with her friends, she falls in love with Henry Tilney, an upper class gentleman beyond her reach as a romantic match. Tilney rolls his eyes at Catherine's vivid imaginings as she allows herself to be swept up in gothic fantasies of her own making. Whether you aspire to be an Austen completist or simply love any novel featuring a sprawling gothic estate, this is a novel worth reading. Juliet Stevenson is a fan favorite narrator for all of Austen’s works, of course, but I like Emma Naomi’s youthful voice for this story as well.

The Picture of Dorian Gray

by Oscar Wilde

It's a classic for a reason, and Simon Prebble is fantastic. If you're unsure about dipping your toes into this classic, his narration will make it go down easy.

Beloved

by Toni Morrison

This isn't an easy book to read (and if you struggle through the first half, you're not alone), but persevering readers will be rewarded with one of the most important and beautifully written multicultural historical novels in the American canon. Sethe escaped slavery and fled to Ohio, but her memories stay with her, as does the ghost of her baby. Though she attempts to bury her past, Sethe is thwarted at every turn—most of all when a young woman shows up at her door, bearing the same name as the ghost baby's headstone: Beloved. I can't improve on the publisher's description, which says Beloved is "filled with bitter poetry and suspense as taut as a rope." If you're interested in adding an iconic southern gothic novel to your TBR, look no further.

Frankenstein

by Mary Shelley

From the publisher: "Mary Shelley's timeless gothic novel, an epic battle between man and monster at its greatest literary pitch. In trying to create life, the young student Victor Frankenstein unleashes forces beyond his control, setting into motion a long and tragic chain of events that brings Victor to the very brink of madness. How he tries to destroy his creation, as it destroys everything Victor loves, is a powerful story of love, friendship, scientific hubris, and horror." (Take note: Audible exclusive is read by Dan Stevens.)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

by Alex Haley, MALCOLM X

Fall reading isn’t just for spooky stories; those of us who love that back to school feeling often read to learn this season. That learning needn’t be scholarly or dry: this classic nonfiction book is riveting. In fact, MMD team member Chelsey cites this as THE book that got her into reading nonfiction and calls it “utterly unputdownable.” Malcolm X lived out the phrase “know better, do better” with intense passion and conviction. He learned from his mistakes publicly and openly, sharing them with Alex Haley in real time for this remarkable collaborative memoir. Beginning with his early days as a troubled youth and following his journey from charismatic criminal to dynamic public figure, Malcolm X fills his story with rich historical detail and intimate personal reflection. For a fabulous audiobook experience, download the version narrated by Laurence Fishburne.

Persuasion

by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice should be read in the spring; Emma in the summer. But Persuasion is for fall. This the last novel Austen completed before her death, and it’s darker and more serious in tone than her earlier works. With its themes of love, regret, and fidelity, this is my favorite Austen novel—at least some of the time. But always in autumn.

Emily of New Moon

by L.M. Montgomery

If you come to Montgomery's later, darker series expecting to find a second Anne, you're bound to be disappointed. Luckily, my grade school self had no such preconceived notions. These were the first books that I finished under the covers with a flashlight at 2:00 a.m. because I had to know where Emily's hopes, dreams, and disappointments led her.

Autumn classics