One of the best ways to get in the mood for fall weather is to pick up a great book full of lush detail, sweeping romance, strong characters, and tender moments. Each of these books remind me of fall in one way or another, whether it’s the setting, the characters, or the overall tone of the language. Additionally, each of these books is written by a female author! Girl power!
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – There’s a reason this book is a classic. From the passionate love story of Heathcliff and Catherine, to the tumultuous landscape of the moors, to the distinct and separation of social classes and the lives lived within them, this book is a masterpiece on many levels. Once you get into the story and get to know the characters, you’ll find yourself invested in an emotional journey that crosses generations and social boundaries.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton – If you’ve never read this book, read it now! Although commonly assigned in middle school classes, I read this book for the first time while I was in college, and I absolutely loved it. The language is simple, but the characters have a complexity that you’ll connect with immediately. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you won’t be able to put this book down.
Sonnets from the Portuguese and Other Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning – I’ll admit that poetry and I have a love-hate relationship. It can be incredibly frustrating and confusing, or it can be enlightening, inspiring, and beautiful. Browning’s sonnets are definitely of the beautiful variety, filled with wonderful language and emotion. I find that I enjoy poetry much more when I allow myself the time and freedom to read it sporadically, not for hours on end, cover to cover. Keep this collection on your nightstand for a quick, romantic bedtime poem.
A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman by Margaret Drabble – This collection of short stories brilliantly provides snapshots of everyday life and the lives of women. Drabble portrays women honestly and unashamed, giving each female character a complexity that allows room for contradiction and irony. Reading this collection is like flipping through a stranger’s photo album – everything is bit distant, but the universal emotions and experiences provide a connection and understanding.
What books make you think of fall? What’s on your to-read or to-reread list this fall?
XOXO
