Shelter from the storm this weekend with our autumnal book recommendations
With heavy rain and storms due across most of the UK this weekend, that can only mean one thing: a great excuse to hunker down indoors, with blankets, snacks and a cosy autumn book.
If you're struggling to find a book that sparks your interest, let us help you find one. From small-town romance to epic tales, these five books are perfect for reading while you wait for the wet weather to subside.
1. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
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Having been praised across BookTok and beyond, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is a must-read this autumn. Meet Sayuri Komachi, the librarian who has the uncanny knack for recommending just the book you need (even if you don't know it yourself yet).
Following the stories of five visitors to the library, this book explores love, hope and the power of a good book.
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2. The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden
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Hunker down with The Bear and The Nightingale on a cold autumnal evening, and let Katherine Arden's wintery storytelling capture your imagination. The first book in the Winter Tales trilogy, this novel tells the story of Vasilisa, a brave little girl who must go to great lengths to protect her family from the monsters that lurk beyond.
Magic, fear and impossibly high stakes, this novel is a gripping read and should definitely be added to your autumn/winter recommendation list.
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The Bear and the Nightingale is set in Medieval Russia and it's heavily influenced by Russian folklore and traditions. The setting is really atmospheric and wintry, which is perfect for dark autumn evenings.
It's beautifully written with strong characters and a gripping plot. It's an ideal cosy read when the days are starting to turn colder. I re-read it every year! I'd recommend this for lovers of fantasy and folklore.
Sarah Orme
3. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore
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The Dream Harbour series by Laurie Gilmore is a viral hit, with readers falling in love with her cosy town that's full of colourful characters and never-ending romance. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is the first book in the series and follows Jeanie, a woman seeking a fresh start in a new city.
Set in the autumn, this read embodies all things sugar and spice (thanks to some steamy romance) and is the perfect book to cosy up with this weekend. If you love this read, be sure to check out The Pumpkin Spice Cafe colouring book too!
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Need a TV series to binge?
4. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
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There's nothing quite like cosying up with a murder mystery novel in the autumn, but the star of this novel isn't quite who you'd expect. 60-year-old Vera Wong loves nothing more than her beloved teashop and sipping a hot cup of Wulong. But when she finds a man dead in the middle of her shop, she decides it's time for amateur sleuthing.
Fans of The Thursday Murder Club will love this funny and heart-warming tale of mystery. Add this novel to your TBR list!
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5. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
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Transport yourself to a galaxy far, far away this autumn with Becky Chambers' Sci-Fi series. Originally published back in 2012, the Wayfarers series contains four books, beginning with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
This feel-good story is set on a patched-up spaceship named the Wayfarer. Rosemary Harper joins the Wayfarer's crew, where she's hoping to find some peace and quiet. But when a job opportunity arises for the crew to build a hyperspace tunnel to a distant planet, things begin to unravel...
Readers looking for an easy, accessible way into the sci-fi genre will love this book. It's quickly become one of our favourites!
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From the pages to the silver screen...
Watching an autumnal film is another one of our favourite rainy day activities. Here's 7 cosy autumn films you HAVE to watch this weekend...
