If you’re anything like me, the darker, cooler evenings mean you find yourself scouring the bookshelves for something to read while tucked under a cosy blanket with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Here are a few of my autumn reads, from old favourites to new releases. 

Outlander 
By Diana Gabaldon
From £3.80 (pre-loved)

Outlander (originally titled Cross Stitch in the UK), Diana Gabaldon’s debut novel, was first published in 1991. An intriguing blend of fantasy and historical fiction, the story begins in post-war Scotland in 1946, with ex-army nurse Claire and her history professor husband Frank Randall rekindling their relationship on a second honeymoon after several years of wartime separation. 

While in Scotland, Frank is also researching his family tree, with the help of his friend and fellow history buff, the Reverend Wakefield, but Claire finds her own interests being more drawn to local flora and fauna, and Scotland’s myths and legends. 

An unexpected brush with a magical stone circle (yes, I do know how that sounds, but just run with it), Claire finds herself in the wilds of Scotland in 1743, caught between the English redcoats and Highland clans. 

With each side thinking she’s a spy for the other, she finds herself under the protection of Jamie Fraser, a loyal and dependable Highlander. Claire gradually forms a bond with her protector that sees her torn between escaping to find her way back to her own time and the deepening passion the pair shares. 

It’s a thoroughly engaging story that’s well written and keeps you engrossed with every turn of the page. I’ve just finished reading it for the second time, having devoured the other eight books currently in the series, too. The premise might be a step too far for some readers, but it’s definitely one of my favourite autumn reads, even if I was a quarter of a century late to the party…

Time to Fly 
By Lyn Asquith
£9.99

If you’ve ever fantasised about winning big on the lottery, then this is a book you’ll probably find easy to relate to. Lyn Asquith’s first novel follows Helen, a twenty-something temp who discovers she’s won the largest lottery jackpot to date. Having had her world turned upside down overnight, Helen has a whole new set of challenges to navigate that she could never have even dreamed of.

The pace of the narrative is rather slow, which is initially down to Asquith setting the scene – Helen’s relationship with her best friend Ana who is losing her battle with cancer, the loss of her parents, and her rather uninspiring temp job – but the relatable nature of the characters and the life she describes kept me turning the pages. 

Time to Fly is a story that so many of us wish was our own (who wouldn’t want a crack at £18 million?), and is an easy read, but it does lack a little in descriptive colour and flow. 

Autumn reads open book

Seville 
By Paul A. Mendelson
£9.99

Seville is a novel that was initially written as a radio play by BAFTA-nominated screenwriter and author Paul A. Mendelson. The story focuses on a middle-aged couple who, after 30 years of marriage, find their relationship is at breaking point. The couple’s daughter sends them back to Seville for a second honeymoon to celebrate their anniversary, unaware that the trip, once much anticipated, is now more dread than dream, at least for William. 

This well-written and imaginative story plays with the concept of time, as the older, disillusioned couple see their younger selves from 30 years earlier, who only have eyes for each other. A little Holy Week magic sees them reflecting on life, love, loss and the passage of time, as they re-live their past and re-evaluate their future. 

It’s a great book to curl up with and lose yourself in, so make it one of your autumn reads. There are beautiful moments of both humour and sadness, as William follows a path of self-discovery and realisation that leaves him reeling. If there was ever a book to leave you pondering the ripple effect of a single action, this is it. 

Reset Your Home: Unpack your emotions and your clutter, step by step
By Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen
£15.29

If you’re looking for something more practical and less fiction and you need some home decluttering inspiration, Reset Your Home will set you on the right path. 

Spellman and Jansen are award-winning podcasters on the subject of decluttering and have a combined experience of 30 years as professional organisers. They put this wealth of knowledge to good use, breaking down what can feel like insurmountable tasks into manageable portions. 

Not only do they take you through the process one small piece at a time, but they also explore the emotional attachment to things more deeply, helping the reader to potentially avoid finding themselves overwhelmed by stuff and things in the future. 

The book is helpfully broken down into well-labelled sections, so if you don’t feel able or willing to read the whole book before you get started, you can focus on certain problem areas in your house and work through them at your own pace. 

Packed with helpful hints and tips, as well as self-care elements for anyone finding their decluttering journey stressful and emotional, Reset Your Home offers a deeper understanding as to why some of us have the need to hold on to things, while gently encouraging us to let go of what is ultimately holding us back. 

An interesting one to add to your list of autumn reads, full of insight and wisdom, but definitely one to dip in and out of, rather than read from cover to cover.

Sam Huff
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