Read With Jenna Book Club Picks That Give Ultimate Fall Vibes

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Jenna Bush Hager seems to have a penchant for beach reads, spotlighting lots of summery titles for her Read With Jenna book club over the years. But while she might have a favorite when it comes to seasonal reading, that doesn't mean the former first daughter is completely immune to the cozy habits of fall. "There's nothing better than a cat nap with a book," the talk show host said on Instagram, adding that her favorite reading buddy is her feline companion Hollywood Hager. 

The celebrity reading group has some great recommendations that are worth cuddling up with during autumn. From pumpkin patches and spiced lattes to sweater weather and color-changing leaves, the distinct vibes of autumn can manifest in several bookish forms. While some readers prefer to stick with cozy fiction picks to get in the mood for fall, the Read With Jenna catalogue offers some nail-biting mysteries and eerie lit-fic perfectly suited to the Halloween season. We've curated a list of Bush Hager-approved books that give the best fall vibes of the bunch. 

This article contains spoilers for "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Given that fall is synonymous with the back-to-school season, it makes sense that dark academia titles set at secretive colleges and elite academies work well as autumn reads. And "The Secret History" lands among the best dark academia titles for book club reading. Accordingly, the novel's exclusive university setting and moody atmosphere make the 1992 release a staple of fall TBRs. 

The modern classic centers around a group of elite students studying Greek literature at a New England college, with newcomer and narrator Richard Papen joining the tight-knit group despite his difference in background. Led by their enigmatic professor, the six students begin constructing a new way of thinking that catalyzes their dark descent into evil. 

Jenna Bush Hager had nothing but praise for the title, sharing with "Today" that she's been recommending the December 2022 book club pick for several decades. "'The Secret History,' to me, is almost as close to perfect as a book gets," Bush Hager said. Reviews are similarly positive, with the novel having an average rating of 4.16 stars on Goodreads. Beyond this, the Tartt title continues to be spotlighted as a must-read for autumn, appearing on recommendation lists from bookish content creators like Plant Based Bride. Readers should note that "The Secret History" contains topics that could be triggering, so individual discretion is advised. 

This article contains spoilers for "The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett

"The Dutch House" is another Read With Jenna pick to add to your autumn reading list. The historical literary fiction title has a reflective, melancholy vibe that fits well with the transitional season. The story centers around siblings Danny and Maeve and their connection to their childhood home the Dutch House, a Pennsylvania estate purchased by their father at the end of World War II. When their stepmother casts them out, thrusting them back into the poverty their father sought to escape, the siblings must rely on one another to survive while being haunted by the past.

"'The Dutch House' is a beautiful, dark fairy tale," Jenna Bush Hager told "Today" about the October 2019 book club pick. "I thought it was a beautiful story of a relationship between brother and sister." Boasting a 4.1 rating on Goodreads, the book interweaves the past and present to deftly explore themes of nostalgia, regret, legacy, and family ties. Reviewers also recommended checking out the audiobook, which is narrated by Hollywood legend Tom Hanks. Lastly, the looming figure of the Dutch House harkens back to gothic literature and haunted house tales that similarly personify locations, making the fairytale-inspired story right at home in a fall TBR.

This article contains spoilers for "All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker

This mystery novel ranks among the best mystery and thriller picks from the Read With Jenna book club — and suspenseful titles are great for the fall months, especially for readers who want to tap into nail-biting territory without committing to a full-on horror novel. Whitaker's genre-bending book "All the Colors of the Dark" is a decade-spanning tale that is catalyzed by an unlikely heroism from Patch, a one-eyed, 13-year-old boy who saves a wealthy girl from being abducted in his small Missouri town. His story intertwines with that of his dedicated and determined best friend, Saint.

Jenna Bush Hager highlighted the duo's misfit qualities alongside the story's small-town setting when talking to "Today." "It is so beautiful," she said. "It is fast-paced, I know it looks kind of big, but I read it in a weekend — one weekend." In addition to having a 4.27 star rating on Goodreads, the platform also recommended "All the Colors of the Dark" as an autumn-ready read in its mystery and thriller round-up. The emotional and character-driven elements combined with the novel's melancholic tone make it a Read With Jenna pick worth reaching for this autumn. Like many books from the mystery and thriller genre, this novel does contain dark topics and themes, so reader discretion is encouraged.

This article contains spoilers for "Black Candle Women" by Diane Marie Brown

"Black Candle Women" rounds out our list of fall-ready Read With Jenna picks. The intergenerational drama has a fantastical edge that makes it great for the season, with Jenna Bush Hager comparing it to autumn staple "Practical Magic." When Nickie Montrose unexpectedly introduces her new boyfriend to the family, the quiet-living Montrose women must confront the family curse that stretches back to 1950s New Orleans. "The men that fall in love with them will die," Bush Hager explained for "Today." "It's about love, it's about mothers and daughters, and it will bring you so much joy."

The past and present are interwoven in "Black Candle Women," as the characters uncover family truths. Love, dysfunction, and miscommunication are at the heart of the novel. The March 2023 book club selection has an average rating of 3.42 stars on Goodreads, with reviewers highlighting the lush, warm atmosphere, strong female characters, and intriguing depiction of Voodoo and hoodoo as standout elements. Overall, these are promising vibes to bring into fall: nothing beats a warm tale about magic and family.

To create this list, we identified Read With Jenna book club selections that fall into genres or feature elements often associated with autumn. While dark academia novels and edge-of-your-seat mysteries provide intriguing plots and an immersive atmosphere, components like looming houses and magical families similarly channel the cozy-meets-creepy vibes of the season. Since the celebrity reading group doesn't typically highlight cozy fiction titles, we focused on books with a dark and moody feel that go hand-in-hand with Halloween. We consulted fall-centered recommendation lists on YouTube, Goodreads, and blogs to help cement our choices, using commentary from reviewers and book club founder Jenna Bush Hager to tailor our suggestions.