Autumn reading list

As the summer breeze swaps for a cooler and crisper autumn one, the time to pick up a book and a hot drink has arrived. Compiled here are five different books that are on my autumn reading list. The list before you today offers a wide array of narratives and writing styles, meaning there is something for everyone. 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
by Yuval Noah Harari

For anyone interested in humanity, Sapiens is a must-read. Delving far back into the life of Humans as hunter-gatherers, to the development leading up to now. This book is masterful in the way that it educates on the biological elements of our existence, the myths that we have created, the impact our species has had on the environment around us, and much more. There is definitely a reason why this is such a cult favourite.

The Picture of Dorian Gray
By Oscar Wilde

The sole novel written by Oscar Wilde is deemed to be a classic, and there is logic behind that. Everything from the narrative to the writing is beautifully executed. It follows the story of a beautiful man who never ages, and never faces repercussions for his terrible deeds, until he must, in mythological terms, weigh his heart against a feather. Each sentence is a masterpiece, and it definitely is a book that is hard to put down once picked up. 

A Ballet of Lepers

 
By Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen was, and continues to be, world-renowned mainly for his poetry and moody voice that accompanies it. Releasing on October 11th of this year is a deeper look into the haunting lyrics and voice of Leonard Cohen. Cohen was a poet first and foremost and sought to gain recognition for his writing, now posthumously A Ballet of Lepers is being released this Autumn. His songs already encompass the melancholic feeling of a rainy Autumn day: beautiful and chilling. This book gives a different medium to experience those same feelings. 

The Secret History
By Donna Tartt

I conducted a poll with my friends to see what their recommendations were for Autumn books. Almost all of the responses came back with The Secret History. Although I read it in the spring, I would most definitely re-read it for the Autumn season. The Secret History is a work that fully encompasses the meaning of Autumn and dark academia. It is set in New England and follows a group of students who study classics. It has everything to do with what happens when endless time and wealth are combined. At first, you’re given the impression that the narrator has just been plunged into the midst of an exclusive group of snobby kids, who spend their parents’ money on lavish activities, but the novel takes a dark twist and plunges into a world of uncertainty. Donna Tart has previously impressed readers with crowd favourites such as The Goldfinch and she did it again with The Secret History; there is a reason why it’s so popular. 

Pachinko
By Min Jin Lee

This next one follows a bit of a different storyline. Pachinko, by novelist Min Jin Lee is a family saga with history and dynamics between Korea and Japan being put on full display. Four generations of a Korean family are at the front row of witnessing Japanese colonisation of Korea, the division of their country into two separate ones, and the unfamiliarity that came with this. Alongside to the political turmoil, is the family’s story of immigrating from Korea to Japan, and the navigation of these family bonds in uncertain territory.