Autumn is a season that seems made for books. As the air grows crisp, the leaves crunch underfoot, and the days shorten into long golden evenings, the call to curl up with a story becomes irresistible. Fall reading is not just about the books themselves—it’s about the atmosphere you create while you read. Think oversized sweaters, warm blankets, a steaming mug of tea, and the flicker of a luxury soy candle filling your space with the scents of pumpkin spice, cedarwood, or crisp apples.
This autumn, we’re bringing together the best of both worlds: the perfect fall reading list for 2025 paired with the enchanting collection of Aarka Origins soy candles that will set the mood for every book. From Gothic classics and dark academia to cozy small-town romances and thrillers, there’s something here for every type of reader—and every type of autumn vibe.
Why Autumn Reading Feels So Magical
There’s something about fall that heightens the reading experience. The shorter days and earlier nights make it easier to lose yourself in a book for hours without distraction. The season is also steeped in nostalgia and mystery—perfect for curling up with both comforting and unsettling stories.
- Atmosphere: Autumn carries a sensory richness—crisp winds, earthy scents, warm colors—that makes it easier to immerse yourself in atmospheric reads.
- Seasonal Traditions:Â Fall means Halloween, harvest festivals, and cozy evenings in. Books that play into these traditions feel even more resonant.
- Aesthetic Harmony: Pairing a book with the right fall-scented candle completes the ritual. A candle like the Autumnal Soy Candle – Fig + Clove + Pumpkin + Cedar creates a fragrant backdrop that harmonizes with stories set in small towns, enchanted forests, or spooky haunted houses.
Cozy Fall Books to Start the Season
1. The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst
A whimsical cozy fantasy about a librarian who flees political unrest and opens a magical jam shop in a small town. It’s quirky, heartwarming, and perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Stars Hollow in Autumn Soy Candle – Apples + Berries + Cinnamon + Cedar. With its warm, fruity, and spiced notes, this candle instantly evokes the small-town coziness of Stars Hollow.
2. Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
A romance that shifts between a college campus in fall and memories of a Blue Ridge Mountains camp. The nostalgia and autumnal setting make this an ideal cozy read.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Autumn Reads Soy Candle – Vanilla + Spices + Flannel. Light it while you read, and you’ll feel as though you’re wrapped in a favorite flannel shirt while walking across a leaf-strewn campus.
3. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
A witchy romance filled with friendship, found family, and warmth. It’s the literary equivalent of a cozy hug.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Cottage Witch Soy Candle – Elderberries + Pear + Cinnamon + Nectar. Its fruity and spicy notes perfectly mirror the magical yet comforting vibes of the novel.
4. The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
A quirky and whimsical fantasy romance that mixes enemies-to-lovers with a pen-pal twist. With undertakers, marshals, and a touch of the macabre, it’s an unusual but cozy fall read.
Perfect Candle Pairing: The Three Witches Soy Candle – Pumpkin Spice + Rosemary + Aged Oak. This blend of spice, herbal notes, and oak enhances the novel’s balance of darkness and warmth.
Dark Academia and Gothic Autumn Reads
Autumn is the season for cloaked mysteries, candlelit libraries, and Gothic shadows. Dark academia and Gothic fiction bring the perfect level of atmosphere for September through November.
5. Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
This enemies-to-lovers romantasy blends dark academia with vampires and morally grey characters. It’s moody, atmospheric, and steeped in academia’s brooding vibes.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Witch’s Journal Soy Candle – Wild Sage + Chamomile + Citrus Magic. With its earthy and mystical scent, it creates the feeling of flipping through arcane books in a candlelit study.
6. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Perhaps the ultimate dark academia classic, this novel set on a New England campus combines intellectual obsession, moral ambiguity, and murder.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Forks, WA Soy Candle – Pine + Mountain Air + Moss + Fog. The mossy, misty notes capture the haunting isolation and cerebral chill of a college campus in autumn.
7. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
A modern Gothic masterpiece filled with family secrets, haunting estates, and atmospheric storytelling. Perfect for a chilly October evening.
Perfect Candle Pairing: The Storyteller Soy Candle – Bergamot + Bourbon + Jasmine + Oak + Cedar. Its deep and layered fragrance mirrors the layered secrets within Setterfield’s tale.
8. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A haunting Gothic romance set in a mansion overshadowed by the memory of a deceased wife. It’s moody, mysterious, and endlessly rereadable in the fall.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Haunted Harvest Soy Candle – Apple + Pumpkin + Caramel Spice. This sweet yet hauntingly spiced fragrance enhances the novel’s balance of romance and unease.
Thrillers and Chilling Reads for October
By mid-October, many readers crave something spookier—stories that make you shiver and pull your blanket tighter.
9. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
An unsettling psychological thriller with shifting perspectives, including an unforgettable cat POV. It’s strange, layered, and deeply atmospheric.
Perfect Candle Pairing: The Cursed Cabin Soy Candle – Pumpkin + Cedar + Spice + Oak. This woodsy-spiced candle amplifies the eerie and unsettling feeling of Ward’s tale.
10. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
A modern haunted house story about a woman returning to her childhood home, infamous for its ghostly reputation.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Sleepy Hollow Soy Candle – Pumpkin + Coffee + Vanilla Spice. With its pumpkin warmth and coffee comfort, it balances the chilling atmosphere of the story.
11. The Whisper Man by Alex North
A chilling thriller about a town haunted by its serial killer past. Atmospheric and haunting, it’s a perfect October pick.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Screams & Chill Soy Candle – Salted Popcorn + Butter. This fun and spooky candle pairs perfectly with a late-night thriller binge.
12. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
A dual-timeline mystery set in a rundown motel with plenty of ghosts—both literal and metaphorical.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Campsite Reads Soy Candle – Pine + Firewood + Cedar + Smoke. The smoky, woodsy scent matches the eerie roadside motel vibes.
Classic Autumn Reads
Some books are simply timeless when it comes to fall reading. They capture the melancholy, mystery, and beauty of the season like nothing else.
13. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
A Gothic classic about two sisters living in isolation after a family tragedy. Strange, eerie, and unforgettable.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Autumn Creatures Soy Candle – Peony + Patchouli + Vanilla + Incense. Its incense-like notes provide the perfect haunting backdrop for Jackson’s novel.
14. The October Country by Ray Bradbury
A short story collection that perfectly embodies October’s eerie beauty. Bradbury’s prose is steeped in nostalgia and unease.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Witches Brew Witching Hour Soy Candle – Cinnamon + Sugar + Amber. The spiced sweetness creates a comforting balance to the unsettling tales.
15. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Set in November during dangerous water horse races, this novel brims with atmosphere, folklore, and danger.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Enchanted Pumpkin Patch Soy Candle – Toasted Pumpkin + Spices + Caramelized Sugar. Its sweet and spiced scent enhances the windswept danger of the story.
16. House of Marionne by J. Elle
This YA fantasy follows a girl who discovers her powerful magical lineage in a dark, Gothic world of dangerous aristocrats.
Perfect Candle Pairing: The Three Witches Soy Candle – Pumpkin Spice + Rosemary + Aged Oak. Its blend of spice and oak matches the brooding world of Marionne.
17. An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
A painter becomes entangled with a fae prince in this autumn-drenched romantic fantasy. Rogerson’s prose feels like a crisp October morning.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Forest Witch Soy Candle – Green Forest + Apple + Cinnamon Bark. It captures the forest magic woven into the story.
18. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
This whimsical tale about Sophie, a cursed girl, and the wizard Howl is pure cozy autumn escapism.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Cottage Witch Soy Candle – Elderberries + Pear + Cinnamon + Nectar. Perfectly whimsical and homely, just like Howl’s castle itself.
19. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Set in a small Virginia town steeped in mystery, ley lines, and friendships, this darkly magical series feels like fall in book form.
Perfect Candle Pairing: Forks, WA Soy Candle – Pine + Mountain Air + Moss + Fog. Its misty forest fragrance mirrors the haunted, mystical vibe of the series.
Beyond Books: Creating an Autumn Sanctuary
Fall reading is not just about what you read, but how you read. To transform your reading time into a true ritual, layer your environment with sensory details.
- Sound:Â Soft jazz, lo-fi beats, or even rainfall sounds on YouTube enhance immersion.
- Taste:Â A spiced chai latte, hot apple cider, or herbal tea brings warmth to your reading nook.
- Touch:Â A knit throw or weighted blanket creates physical comfort.
- Sight & Smell: This is where candles shine. Aarka Origins’ soy wax candles are designed to fill your space with immersive scents without being overpowering, making them ideal companions for reading.
Why Choose Aarka Origins Candles for Fall Reading?
At this point, you may be wondering: why are these candles such a perfect fit for autumn rituals? The answer lies in Aarka Origins’ philosophy.
- 100% Soy Wax:Â Cleaner burn, eco-friendly, and safe for long reading sessions.
- Unique Fragrance Blends: Scents like Forest Witch, Autumn Reads, and The Storyteller are intentionally layered for depth and atmosphere.
- Hand-Poured Quality:Â Each candle is crafted with care, not mass-produced.
When paired with a book, these candles elevate a reading moment into a full sensory journey.
Consultation: Elevating Your Autumn Ritual
If you’re ready to make this autumn your coziest and most atmospheric season yet, Aarka Origins offers more than just candles.
About Aarka Origins
At Aarka Origins, we create hand-poured soy candles that transform everyday moments into meaningful rituals. Our mission is to bring warmth, nostalgia, and inspiration into your life through carefully crafted fragrances. Each candle is designed to tell a story—whether that’s the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice in The Pumpkin Latte Corner or the mystical notes of sage and citrus in Witch’s Journal.
By combining storytelling with scent, Aarka Origins helps you create a sanctuary in your home. Whether you’re a reader, a dreamer, or simply someone who loves fall, our candles are here to guide you through every season.
Conclusion: A Season for Stories and Scents
Autumn is fleeting but magical. The books you read and the candles you burn during this season stay with you, becoming part of your sensory memory for years to come. By pairing the right novel with the right fragrance, you can transform your fall evenings into unforgettable experiences.
So, this year, as the leaves turn gold and the nights grow long, let your autumn reading list be lit—literally—by the glow of an Aarka Origins soy candle.
