Shorter days and cooler nights make fall the coziest reading season of the year. Whether your fall reading list leans toward cozy mysteries and small-town romances or ghost stories and witchy reads, a comfortable reading nook makes every chapter better. Here's how to set one up.
1. Pick your spot
You don't need a spare room. A chair by a window, a corner of the couch or your own bed can all work. Choose a place where you can sit comfortably for an hour and that's away from the TV and other distractions.
2. Layer soft textures
A throw blanket, a couple of pillows and a pair of warm socks turn any seat into a reading nook. On chilly evenings, keep the blanket where you can grab it without getting up.
3. Get the lighting right
As the sun sets earlier, good lighting matters more. A warm lamp sets the mood for the room, and a rechargeable book light lights your page for late-night reading without keeping anyone else awake. A light with an amber setting is especially nice for reading right before bed. See our book light buying guide for tips.
4. Build your fall reading list
Many readers build a seasonal to-be-read list each fall. Popular picks usually fall into two moods:
- Cozy: cozy mysteries, small-town romance, bookshop and café stories, and comforting rereads
- Spooky: ghost stories, gothic novels, witchy fantasy and horror for October
Mixing the two keeps your reading list fresh all season.
5. Keep a warm drink nearby, and protect your books
Tea, cider and hot cocoa are part of the fall reading ritual, but spills happen. Keep your mug on a side table rather than the arm of your chair, and carry books in a water-resistant zip book sleeve when you take them out of the house. For more tips, read how to protect books while traveling.
6. Keep your reading tools in one place
A small basket or tray for your book light, bookmarks and page holder means everything is ready when you sit down. No more searching for a bookmark as you're falling asleep.
7. Take reading outside on crisp days
Fall afternoons are perfect for reading on a porch, at a park or in a coffee shop. Pack your book in a sleeve so the corners and cover stay in good shape.
A cozy gift for fall readers
Know someone who's building their fall reading nook? The Night Reader Kit bundles a book light, a zip book sleeve and a page holder. For smaller gifts, browse gifts under $25 or our full collection of gifts for book lovers.