A few months ago I did a reading list for an imaginary reading retreat and had a good time picking out books to read for an imaginary weekend where I do nothing but read. There's always the chance I might make it a reality so I need to be prepared! Now that it is fall I feel the need for a fall themed reading retreat with a mix of spooky and cozy books. In my vision I have a cabin out in the woods with blankets, plenty of tea and good snacks, and cozy indoor and outdoor reading areas
1. The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves - This is the first in the Vera Stanhope series which I've heard has a bit of a cozy British mystery feel mixed in with a solid mystery. It's been on my TBR for ages and seems like a good place to start.
2. Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker - A ghost hunting HGTV-type renovation show sounds fun and fast paced.
3. Return to Wlydcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman - This is described as a cross between Jane Eyre and The Thirteenth Tale and involves a reclusive writer. This will be the perfect read for when I'm ready for something a bit more atmospheric.
4. A Fatal Feast at Bramsfield Manor by Darci Hall - After the heavy atmospheric read I need a cozy mystery in a haunted manor house.
5. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst - After a few books of murder and mayhem it's time for some witchy coziness and this looks like it will have lots of both.
6. Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea - I'll take a break from the cozy and go with a nice police procedural. I've read one book by this author and loved the fast paced investigation.
7. Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett - And a turn back to cozy and non-murdery. I've read another book by this author which I absolutely adored and this sounds just as wonderful.
8. We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida - Another cozy sounding book and it makes me think that I need to bring my cat to my cozy cabin reading retreat.
9. An Inquiry Into Love and Death by Simone St James - Is a fall reading retreat complete without some Gothic-y Simone St. James?
10. The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin - After the coziness and the Gothicness I think I'll end on another police procedural. I love the sound of this one since the main character is a forensic genealogist.
What is your idea of a perfect fall reading retreat? What are some of the books you'd bring with you?
I love the photo at the top and also the idea of an imaginary reading retreat. Count me in! I started with The Crow trap and am now on the wait list for the latest in the Vera Stanhope series. I just loved Joe as her second in command.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few on this list I've read Donlea, Fawcett, Griffin, and most of the others I want to read. Great choices.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Good choices for any bookish retreat! I enjoyed both of the Emily Wilde books, and I want to read that Charles Donlea. Also The Spellshop and We'll Prescribe You a Cat sound wonderful. :D
ReplyDeleteA reading retreat sounds absolutely lovely, especially if it takes place in a cozy cabin! I've read both RETURN TO WYLDCLIFFE HEIGHTS and AN INQUIRY INTO LOVE AND DEATH this year. I enjoyed them both. I hope you do too.
ReplyDeleteThese look good. I already read the A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor and really liked it.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a book retreat. All unknown to me although I do have a Heather Fawcett book because you liked it a lot. I saw this one on NetGalley but I didn't go for it as I haven't tested the waters yet!
ReplyDeleteI would love to join you in a fall reading retreat. New England is my perfect imaginary setting.
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