Fall is almost upon us (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere) and there is nothing I love to do more when autumn blows in than curl up with a blanket, a mug of hot cocoa, and a good book. I have chosen five books that I consider to be “must-reads” for fall, and here they are:
Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson
This book, people. This. Book! Ms. Anderson weaves words together to create a stunning tapestry of sensory delight. The story is creative and rich, and the characters are intriguing, fractured, and multi-layered. I was surprised where the plot went and desperate for it to continue. Also, adoranerd boy alert. Let yourself get lost in this book, you’ll be so, so glad you did.
Ultraviolet is available now.
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
This is one of the scariest books I’ve read recently, and not just because there are zombies running around trying to eat everyone. The premise of this book is so frighteningly possible, you’ll start thinking about what you’d do in the same situation and realize how woefully ill-prepared you are. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish and worth every drop of fear-sweat. Read this book and then hit me up for a chat. I’ve been obsessed with it ever since I finished and need the next book desperately.
Ashes is available today!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Laini Taylor has this way with words that doesn’t seem quite natural or human. Her ability to transport you to unbelievable worlds is so outstanding, that I have to believe that she’s made some sort of pact with a supernatural being; she’s just that good. I’m reading this now and am blown away. Let yourself get swept-away in the fantasy, adventure, and mystery of this fantastic story. You’ll reread passages time and time again because they are just so gorgeously written.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone will be released on September 27th.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
I’m doing a full review of this book on Friday, so I won’t go into too much detail now, but it had to go on my must-read list. It’s straight up horror and so, so, so good. It’s tied with Ashes for scariest read but for entirely different reasons. The ghosts in this book do a little more than go bump in the night, and luckily for the living Cas Lowood is around to get rid of them. I’m stopping now, because I want to tell you all the things, but you have to wait until Friday.
Anna Dressed in Blood is available now.
My fifth recommendation is the one I’d choose to have you read if you could only read one book this fall. You have no idea how hard it is to say that because I want you to read all of them. Some of you might not be into the darker stuff, and that’s okay, but I have to assume everyone will want to read:
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
I loved this book. Loved. Swooned. Felt all the feelings! It’s just wonderful and Lola is such a great character. Not perfect, pretty flawed actually, but just such an interesting girl to build a story around. I can say with 100% certainty that I liked it better than Anna and the French Kiss (Stephanie’s debut and companion novel to Lola), and that is saying a lot because I loved Anna. There are so many scenes where your heart will just explode and melt, and you’ll read it over and over again. I’m asking Santa for a Cricket of my own. It’s okay, my husband will find somewhere else to live. Really, it’ll be fine. READ THIS BOOK!
Lola and the Boy Next Door will be available on September 29th.