For the northern hemisphere, summer has ended and the next exciting holiday is months away, but fear not! Here’s a list of autumn book recommendations, from soon-to-be-on-screens to lesser-known novels, this post brings together some book recommendations to see you through the next quarter:
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published last year, Malibu Rising went on to become a New York Times bestseller and was quickly picked up by streaming giant Hulu who will produce a miniseries based on the novel. The tome is Reid’s sixth and follows the life of fictional celebrity surfer Nina Riva whose annual summer party ends in a raging fire. The narrative jumps in time and from character to character, all weaving around the big Riva party, which brings several plot lines to a head.
Set in 1950s and 1980s Malibu, the story follows the Riva family; a quartet of surf aficionados whose tumultuous childhood in humble origins, is transformed by Nina Riva’s rise to fame as a surfer and model. The story revolves around the Riva children, how they came to be, their journeys and their relationship with their father; international superstar Mick Riva. All set in Malibu, from its backwater hippy origins to the slick moneyed neighbourhood it has since become.
The book is an easy read, perfect for holidays, with a multitude of characters and plots to follow. If one isn’t to your liking, there’s another to follow right away. Though there are mysteries and twists in the novel, the story is mainly focused on the journey of Nina Riva, from birth to rebirth and beyond. The book was awarded the GoodReads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction of 2021.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Only his second novel, The Maidens, by Alex Michaelides was published last year to much fanfare, particularly in the New York Times were it placed second on its bestseller chart. While his first novel, The Silent Patient, is being adapted into a movie by Brad Pitt’s production company, it is the second novel that has picked up something of a cult following for #DarkAcademia aficionados. Set in the University of Cambridge, Michaelides’ alma mater, the ‘psychological detective story’, follows a psychotherapist who is convinced of a professor’s guilt in a recent spate of murders at the university.
Mariana Andros is the flawed lead character, who rushes off to her alma mater when her niece calls for support after the shocking murder of her friend. Andros discovers a web of secrets and a disturbing all-female secret society; The Maidens, who follow the teaching of the suspicious Edward Fosca, a professor in Greek Tragedy.
Interwoven with the myths of Persephone and to a backdrop of gothic spires and ancient stairwells, the story has frequently been compared to the modern classic The Secret History by the venerable Donna Tartt. The writing, however, is light with a simple-to-follow plot line, making for an easy read and a quick page-turner. The book was a Best Mystery & Thriller finalist for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards.
Other Recommendations:
Find more bookish inspiration by taking a look at some of our favourite libraries in this previous post, or view posts on bibliophilic residences such as Elizabeth Gaskell’s House or Bronte Country in Haworth.
Feature image by Radu Marcusu on Unsplash