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15 Cozy Autumn Reads BookTok & Goodreads Can’t Stop Talking About

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Time to read 11 min

A cozy autumn scene with a person in a beige sweater holding a warm orange mug of tea. An open book rests on their lap, topped with a dried autumn leaf, and a mustard-yellow blanket adds to the warm fall atmosphere.

Heads up, bestie: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you snag a book or e-reader through them, I earn a tiny commission (at no extra cost to you!). Thanks for helping me keep the coffee hot and the books flowing.

Skip Ahead, If You'd Like:

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Love’s a Witch by Lucy Gilmore The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller The Secret Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Your Gilmore-Girls-coded guide to fall reads

Picture this: you’re curled up in a big sweater, a cup of pumpkin spice latte warming your hands, Gilmore Girls reruns humming in the background, and a book so autumn-coded it practically smells like apple cider. That’s the vibe we’re chasing with this list.


I’ve pulled together 15 cozy autumn reads that are trending on BookTok, Bookstagram, and Goodreads—each with 3.8+ star ratings and over 10,000 reviews (aka the internet has confirmed these are actually good). From witchy small towns to pumpkin patch romances, these books deliver the ultimate “fall aesthetic” straight to your TBR.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Book cover of Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. The cover shows a woman with blonde hair sitting with her back turned in a lush green garden surrounded by apples, vines, and purple flowers. A New York Times bestseller badge is on the right.
A cozy moodboard inspired by Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. The collage includes images of apples, herbs, handwritten spell notes, women laughing together, candlelit gatherings, and the book’s cover. It evokes themes of magical realism, sisterhood, and a whimsical autumn garden atmosphere.
Collage by Nicole Diaz

“You are who you are, whether you like it or not, so why not like it?”

Sarah Addison Allen, Garden Spells

Vibe check: 

  • magical realism
  • small-town charm
  • family secrets

Step into Bascom, North Carolina, where the Waverley women have always been a little… peculiar. With a magical apple tree that reveals the future and enchanted dishes that stir up emotions, this novel is like biting into the coziest caramel apple. Family drama + romance + magic = autumn perfection.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Cover of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. The design shows a whimsical illustration of a woman on a broomstick flying above a house with a winding path, yellow car, and man holding papers. Stars and a crescent moon shine in the blue night sky, with the tagline ‘A warm and witchy hug of a book.’
A cozy witchy collage for The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna, featuring potion jars, herbs, a golden retriever, a yellow car, a full moon, and illustrations of witches dancing. The book cover is centered among autumnal and magical imagery, giving warm cottagecore and found-family vibes.
Collage by Jennifer Bishop

“It’s not always enough to go looking for the place we belong. Sometimes we need to make that place.”

Sangu Mandanna, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Vibe check: 

  • cozy witchy vibes
  • found family
  • tea.

Mika Moon, a solitary witch, takes on tutoring magical children and stumbles into the warmest, quirkiest chosen family. It’s witchcraft-meets-rom-com with a dash of autumn leaves and soft lighting. Perfect if you want the feel of Practical Magic but with extra heart.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Book cover of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. The design resembles a vintage chalkboard café sign, framed in wood, with ornate flourishes. At the top is a shield with a steaming coffee cup, and below, bold lettering reads: Legends & Lattes. The tagline underneath says: High Fantasy. Low Stakes. Good Company.
A cozy, whimsical collage inspired by Legends & Lattes. It includes a latte with foam art, frosted cinnamon rolls, croissants, an ornate espresso machine, coffee beans spilling from a mug, a handwritten café-style menu, and a mouse reading in a cozy café setting. Warm candlelight, rustic wooden interiors, and baked goods evoke the book’s “cozy fantasy coffee shop” atmosphere.
Collage by Lindsay Martin

“Well, shit. Milky bean water. I'll be damned.”

Travis Baldree, Legends & Lattes

Vibe check: 

  • cozy fantasy
  • coffee shop vibes
  • slow-burn sweetness.

A battle-weary orc hangs up her sword to open… a coffee shop. That’s it. That’s the story. And yet it’s one of the most comforting, heartwarming fantasy novels you’ll ever read. Imagine D&D characters running a Starbucks and becoming besties—it’s fall in a mug.

Every cozy fantasy deserves a cozy drink.

The Café in Autumn, inspired by Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, captures the warmth of pumpkin spice, dark espresso, and vanilla foam. It’s part of our upcoming Creepy vs. Cozy Collection, officially launching on August 19th.


Can’t wait to smell it? Snag our Scent Sampler Pack today, explore all six competing fragrances, and get an $8 credit to put toward your favorite scent when the collection goes live.


Sip, sniff, and find out if you're Team Creepy or Team Cozy:

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

The cover of The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. The design features the title in black script on a large yellow label, set against the backdrop of a green-painted bookstore window filled with colorful books and cozy details.
A cozy autumn collage inspired by The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. The moodboard includes misty Scottish landscapes, people in autumn coats with books and tea, warm cups of coffee and baked goods, vintage book spines, and countryside village scenes with orange foliage and cozy interiors.
Collage by Reneecfr

“Because every day with a book is slightly better than one without, and I wish you nothing but the happiest of days.”

Jenny Colgan, The Bookshop on the Corner

Vibe check: 

  • bookmobile
  • Scottish small town
  • fresh starts.

When Nina loses her job as a librarian, she buys a van and turns it into a traveling bookshop. Set against the cozy backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, this is all about fresh beginnings, bookish joy, and the healing power of stories.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Book cover of Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks. Illustrated art of two teens, Deja and Josiah, lying among pumpkin vines in flannel shirts and overalls. The title text is bold in yellow, with a playful fall aesthetic.
A cozy autumn collage inspired by Pumpkinheads, featuring pumpkins in a misty graveyard, ghostly white candles, cartoon cats, bats, spiderwebs, and Halloween imagery. Includes a vintage postcard, the phrase “you’re my person,” and a pumpkin-headed figure, capturing whimsical fall and spooky vibes.
Collage by blueweek3nd

“Like every autumn smell all at once.”

Faith Erin Hicks, Pumpkinheads

Vibe check: 

  • pumpkin patch rom-com
  • graphic novel sweetness

It’s Deja and Josiah’s last night working the pumpkin patch before college. Cue snacks, nostalgia, and one epic night of teenage adventure. Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks, this graphic novel is short, sweet, and the ultimate fall comfort read.

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

Book cover of Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman. The design features intricate lilac and lavender floral scrollwork against a dark background, with the title in bold white serif font. The tagline reads: “Every story has its beginning. Every rule has its purpose.”
A witchy aesthetic collage inspired by Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman. The mood board includes bundles of drying herbs, apothecary bottles, glowing candles, and spell books. A black cat sits in the center, surrounded by images of women practicing magic, handwritten pages, and mystical illustrations. Warm oranges, purples, and browns create a cozy, autumnal, magical vibe.
Collage by Vivica Morgan

“Drink chamomile tea to calm the spirit. Feed a cold and starve a fever. Read as many books as you can. Always choose courage. Never watch another woman burn. Know that love is the only answer.”

Alice Hoffman, Magic Lessons

Vibe check: 

  • witchy origin story
  • lush atmosphere
  • sisterhood.

The prequel to Practical Magic, this book follows the Owens women in the 1600s as they shape their magical legacy. Full of herbs, potions, and gothic autumn imagery, it’s basically “cottagecore witch” in novel form.

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

Book cover of The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore, featuring a cozy autumn storefront decorated with pumpkins, corn stalks, and fall wreaths. A pink sign with bold lettering hangs above the café, while a white cat peeks out from the doorway. Warm autumn colors and falling leaves set the scene.
Autumn-inspired moodboard for The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore, featuring cozy fall vibes: pumpkins stacked outside a café, mugs of hot cocoa with cinnamon sticks, a couple holding hands and sharing a kiss, a fluffy white cat, plaid flannels, falling leaves, and cozy street scenes. Central characters Logan and Jeanie are highlighted among the collage of pumpkin spice and romance aesthetics.
Collage by Taylor Castrovinci

“I asked you here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Graeme Simsion, The Rosie Project

Vibe check: 

  • small-town café
  • cinnamon romance
  • Hallmark vibes

Set in Dream Harbor, this is the ultimate fall rom-com: a woman inherits a café, a grumpy local man becomes her reluctant ally, and romance brews faster than pumpkin spice lattes. Warm, sweet, and perfect for fans of small-town romance.

The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore

Book cover of The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore, showing a whimsical storefront with green trim, autumn leaves, a cart full of books, and a white cat standing in the doorway. A cake is displayed in the window, and the subtitle reads, “All it takes is a little bit of sugar and spice.”
A cozy autumn moodboard for The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore featuring a warm-toned bookshop interior with shelves full of books, freshly baked cinnamon buns in a tray, string lights hanging in a rustic pub-like space, handwritten letters, fall leaves scattered throughout, and a wooden sign reading “The Cinnamon Bun Book Store — All it takes is a little bit of sugar and spice.”
Collage by vnlamb97

“I was prepared to read every damn book in that bookstore just to spend more time with you.”

Laurie Gilmore, The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

Vibe check: 

  • bakery romance
  • cozy tropes
  • Dream Harbor sequel.

A companion novel to The Pumpkin Spice Café, this one swaps lattes for pastries but keeps the small-town charm. It’s lighthearted, fluffy, and as sweet as the baked goods it describes.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Cover of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. A woman in a deep red off-the-shoulder gown sits against a patterned green wallpaper, holding a small bouquet of yellow flowers. The design feels moody, elegant, and gothic.
A gothic-inspired collage for Mexican Gothic. The book cover is centered among eerie imagery: mushrooms, butterflies, skulls, candles, old libraries, a Victorian mansion, and a suitcase. Quotes and floral accents add to the moody, dark academia aesthetic.
Collage by Arely Acuna

“...she was trapped between competing desires, a desire for a more meaningful connection and the desire to never change. She wished for eternal youth and endless merriment.”

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic

Vibe check: 

  • gothic mansion
  • eerie atmosphere
  • fall chills

Not cozy in the pumpkin-spice sense, but perfect for crisp nights. When glamorous Noemí Taboada is summoned to a decaying Mexican estate, she finds moldy walls, ghostly whispers, and terrifying family secrets. Gothic horror with lush prose and autumnal vibes.

We invite you into The Manor.

The Manor, inspired by Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, is a lush, intoxicating blend of bruleéd vanilla, Italian amaretto, spiced rum, and cigar smoke. Equal parts glamour and decay, it’s part of our Creepy vs. Cozy Collection dropping on August 19th.


Want a first taste of the darkness? Snag our Scent Sampler Pack now, explore all six competing fragrances, and get an $8 credit to put toward your favorite full-size candle when the collection goes live.


👉 Find out if your Team Creepy or Team Cozy and let the story linger in smoke and velvet

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Cover of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. The design features a deep blue background scattered with stars and alchemical symbols connected by glowing lines, giving it a mystical, celestial feel. The title is bold and white, standing out in the center, with the author’s name below.
A moody aesthetic collage inspired by A Discovery of Witches. Images include old leather-bound books, alchemical drawings, candlelight, Oxford architecture shrouded in mist, magical glowing hands, a rowing scene under a stone bridge, and romantic moments. The book cover is centered within the collage, tying together themes of academia, witchcraft, and dark romance.
Collage by Erica Ashby

“It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches.”

Deborah Harkness, A Discovery of Witches

Vibe check: 

  • academia
  • alchemy
  • forbidden romance

Diana Bishop, a scholar and reluctant witch, discovers a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Enter Matthew, a centuries-old vampire. This is academia-meets-magic with strong autumn vibes, perfect for fans of dark academia romances.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Book cover of The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It shows a whimsical, illustrated cliffside above the sea, with a crooked house perched at the top, glowing in warm light against a teal sky.
A cozy aesthetic collage inspired by The House in the Cerulean Sea. Images include a black cat in the forest, vintage classrooms, people sitting together in the grass, handwritten notes, a butterfly, a typewriter, tree swings, and warm, nostalgic tones with a magical, cottagecore vibe.
Collage by xbluecastle

“'I may have lost my mind,' he told her. 'Isn't it wonderful?'”

T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea

Vibe check: 

  • whimsical magic
  • found family
  • heartfelt joy

Linus Baker is sent to oversee an orphanage for magical children and finds a home, a family, and unexpected love. Cozy, hopeful, and guaranteed to make you cry happy tears—it’s like wrapping up in a soft blanket.

Love’s a Witch by Lucy Gilmore

Cover of Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley, featuring an illustrated man in a kilt and a red-haired woman sitting together in a cozy room with bookshelves, coffee, and magical sparkles swirling around them.
A cozy autumn aesthetic collage featuring books, coffee cups, handwritten letters, rainy cobblestone streets, pastries, and warm candlelight. The overall vibe is romantic, bookish, and perfect for curling up with a story on a rainy night.
Collage by Christine Hamilton

Vibe check: 

  • witchy rom-com
  • small-town charm
  • family chaos

A heartwarming paranormal romance about a witch trying to keep her powers under wraps while navigating small-town drama and unexpected love. With quirky family antics, a dash of magic, and plenty of autumn atmosphere, this one reads like a Hallmark movie—if Hallmark movies had spell books.

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller

Cover of The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller. The illustration shows a red truck with crates of apples in the back, parked in a green orchard. A couple stands by the truck with a dog, while a winding road leads toward a distant city skyline.
Collage moodboard inspired by The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living. Cozy autumn vibes with apples in a basket, a woman in a sweater, croissants and lattes, fall foliage, candles, stacks of books, and a Gilmore Girls screen capture—evoking small-town charm and bookish coziness.
Collage by MainCharacterCurations

“There is no better compliment you can pay a baker than to tell her she has made you gain weight.”

Louise Miller, The City Baker's Guide to Country Living

Vibe check: 

  • cozy bakery
  • New England autumn
  • found family

When Olivia Rawlings flees Boston after a baking mishap, she lands in Vermont at a rustic inn. Cue apple pies, small-town bonds, and cozy romance. Pure autumn vibes in book form.

The Secret Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams

Cover of “The Secret, Book & Scone Society” by Ellery Adams. A warmly lit bookstore scene with an open book, a steaming cup of coffee, and a plate of jam-filled scones on a wooden table, set against bookshelves in the background.
A cozy bookish collage inspired by “The Secret, Book & Scone Society.” Images include women reading together, a small-town bookshop entrance, croissants and coffee at a café table, mystery clue boards with maps and red string, and a single rose resting on an old book — evoking friendship, comfort, and intrigue.
Collage by Marta Caldeiro

“… Becoming a reader is a change for the better. Trust me. No one has ever lost by becoming addicted to stories – to the lessons learned by those who possess enough courage to put pen to paper.”

Ellery Adams, The Secret, Book & Scone Society

Vibe check: 

  • cozy mystery
  • bibliotherapy
  • friendship

In Miracle Springs, North Carolina, a group of women bond over books and scones while solving a local mystery. It’s warm, comforting, and a little bit thrilling—perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who also love bookish settings.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Cover of Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, 25th Anniversary Edition. The artwork features a black boot sprouting vines and plants against a golden-yellow background with stars and sparkles, evoking a mystical, witchy atmosphere.
Collage inspired by Practical Magic featuring scenes from the movie and book: the Owens sisters (played by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman), their aunts, and iconic moments like spellwork, potion-making, and their white Victorian house. Surrounded by witchy imagery including a black cat, broomstick, crystals, herbs, candles, and the quote
Collage by Grace111Beth

“My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."

Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

Vibe check: 

  • witchy classic
  • sisterhood
  • autumnal gothic

The Owens sisters are cursed in love and bound by magic. Equal parts romance, gothic, and family saga, Practical Magic is the witchy autumn read that’s inspired generations of readers (and one iconic movie).

There’s a little witch in all of us.

The Coven, inspired by Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, is a spellbinding blend of salted citrus, spiced apple, amber, and cedarwood. Equal parts cozy and enchanting, it’s part of our Creepy vs. Cozy Collection, launching August 19th.


Can’t resist the magic? Snag our Scent Sampler Pack today, explore all six competing fragrances, and get an $8 credit to put toward your favorite full-size candle when the collection officially drops.

Stir up your cauldron and see if you are part of Coven Creepy or Coven Cozy:

Final Chapter: Build Your Cozy Autumn Stack

There you have it— 15 cozy autumn reads that pair perfectly with pumpkin spice and a flannel blanket. From witchy romances to bookshop escapism, these are the books that BookTok, Goodreads, and book lovers everywhere can’t stop recommending for sweater weather.


We’ve shared our favorite cozy autumn reads, but the magic of fall is that everyone’s TBR looks a little different. 


Now it’s your turn—

  • What’s your go-to fall comfort read?
  • Which book pairs best with a blanket, a candle, and your favorite warm drink?
  • Do you have a must-read you return to every autumn?

Drop your answers in the comments or tag us on Bookstagram/BookTok with your picks—we’re always looking to add to our fall shelves. Let’s build the ultimate cozy autumn reading list together. 🍁


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Quick Recap: 15 Cozy Autumn Reads BookTok & Goodreads Can’t Stop Talking About

This list is packed with cozy, atmospheric reads perfect for autumn — think warm drinks, falling leaves, and stories that feel like a hug (with a little magic sprinkled in).

Every book included has 3.8+ star ratings and 10K+ reviewers on BookTok, Bookstagram, or Goodreads — so they’re well-loved and tried-and-true favorites.

Genres span from magical realism and fantasy (Garden Spells, A Discovery of Witches) to rom-com cozy vibes (The Pumpkin Spice Café, The Bookshop on the Corner) to gentle fantasy adventures (Legends & Lattes, The House in the Cerulean Sea)

Expect witchy aesthetics, found family themes, enchanting small towns, and comforting bookshop/café settings throughout the list.

Whether you’re in the mood for a magical witch’s garden, a pumpkin-spiced love story, or an orc opening a coffee shop, this roundup has something that fits your Gilmore Girls in the fall reading mood.

Bonus: Each book has been paired with moodboard visuals to bring the cozy autumn vibe straight into your feed.

FAQs

I barely have time to read… are these books super long?

Nope! A lot of these cozy autumn reads lean under 400 pages, and some (Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree) are even graphic novels or low-stakes fantasy that you can fly through in a weekend.

Are these books more “pumpkin spice latte cute” or “dark academia brooding in the library”?

Honestly? Both. You’ll get whimsical, feel-good vibes (The Pumpkin Spice Café, The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore) and also darker, witchy atmospheres (A Discovery of Witches, Mexican Gothic). It’s a choose-your-own-cozy-adventure situation.

Do I need to be into fantasy to enjoy these?

Not at all! While some (The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Magic Lessons) lean magical, others are grounded in contemporary, small-town charm (The Bookshop on the Corner) or slice-of-life comfort (Legends & Lattes). There’s a balance between realism and whimsical escapism.

Which one should I pick if I can only squeeze in ONE book this season?

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It’s like a warm hug in book form—found family, cottage vibes, and the kind of hopeful story that’ll leave you glowing (and yes, maybe crying a little).

Will these books actually give me cozy vibes or just stress me out more?

Promise—they’re built for comfort first. Even the slightly darker ones (Mexican Gothic, Magic Lessons) are atmospheric, not panic-inducing. You’ll feel like you’re curling up in a blanket with a candle flickering nearby.

Would You Rather Read Something Spooky?

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Meet the Writer of This Blog Post

Soleil Hagan, a woman with dark curly hair, tan skin, a wide smile, brown eyes and clear glasses wearing a jean jacket against a colorful background.

Soleil Hagan

Soleil Hagan is the founder of Thrifted Shelf™, an indie bookshop and bookish lifestyle brand dedicated to curating stories that feel like home. With a heart for cozy autumn vibes, endless cups of coffee, and stacks of comfort reads, Soleil celebrates the magic of books that turn crisp evenings into unforgettable escapes. When she’s not wrapped in a blanket with a seasonal read, she’s crafting book-inspired candles, recording podcast episodes, and building a community where every reader can find their next cozy favorite.

This post contains affiliate links. Read our full disclosure here.

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