The Literature Empire

Autumn is my most favourite part of the year. It gets colder and I can make my way through my jumper collection. The leaves start to change colours and fall when the wind blows. And sunny autumn days? Those are the best. You can enjoy the sunshine without boiling.

Rainy autumn days, on the other hand, call for all things cosy. Stay at home, wrap yourself in a blanket, light up some candles and read a good book. The days get shorter and it gets dark sooner. And that calls for a sad book.

So, if you’re feeling melancholic or simply want to read a story that will tug at your heartstrings, you might enjoy some of my recommendations.

Maggie O’Farrell – Hamnet

I normally don’t read historical fiction. But when I’ve read the reviews for Hamnet, I couldn’t resist. Hamnet takes you back to the 16th century. And as you might have already guessed, it follows the story of William Shakespeare and his family.

What makes the story so charming is that O’Farrell never mentions the famous playwright by name. That allows you to truly focus on the main character of the book – his son Hamnet. Even the themes of death and adultery make the narrative heartbreaking, it’s overall a cosy story that’s ideal for those blue autumn days.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi – Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a charming collection of stories. However, they are connected and you meet some of the characters in more than one story. The plot is set in a cafe where you can travel in time. However, it comes with a set of strict rules you can’t break to make your trip successful.

The overall atmosphere of the book calls for you to curl up with a cup of coffee. Get comfortable and immerse yourself in the unique stories of those who are brave enough to set up on the journey in time. Some are sad and some will fill your heart with warmth, but what they have is common is that they’ll hook you in and you’ll want to keep reading.

Max Porter – Grief Is the Thing With the Feathers

In Grief Is the Thing With the Feathers, we follow a father and his children after they lost their mother. Of course, all of them need to face a heavy load of difficult emotions and learn how to keep going even without her. And that’s when a raven joins the family and teaches them how to get through grief – even though it can often be ugly.

I have to admit that out of the books on this list, this one was my least favourite. But to be honest, I’m not the target audience for the book. If you’re dealing with grief, no matter how old, it can be an incredibly powerful story. Through his writing, the author truly put the essence of grief into words. So, if you want to reach out for a book that will fill you with melancholy, this one might be for you.

What’s On Your To-Read List?

I know, all of these books are quite sad – but that’s what I’ve been mostly reading during the past few months.

So, I want to know. Are there any happy books that you’ve read or are planning to read this autumn?