As the temperature and leaves start to drop, we all know autumn is near. When I think of the perfect autumn day, I envision myself in my favorite flannel with a mug full of hot apple cider while sitting in a hammock with my favorite book while the only noise surrounding me is the leaves flying in the wind. 

When I think of my ideal book, I usually lean towards a book that will leave me rethinking my life and a runny nose because of how emotional and powerful the reading was. So, as the fall season approaches us within the next few weeks, here are my top suggestions for a story that will leave you with a new way to look at life and a good healthy cry.

“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom

When someone asks me what my favorite book is, I immediately toss this book a recommendation. This book is about the author, Mitch Albom, and his old beloved college professor, Morrie.

While in college, Morrie and Albom spent every Tuesday together going over everything in their lives. When Mitch graduated, he lost connection with Morrie for a number of years until Album finds himself in a rut in his professional life and finds out Morrie is very ill.

The book is filled with important life lessons from Morrie that range from career, love and self care. In only 224 pages and the countless times I’ve read this book, I find myself inspired, full of hope and covered in tears every time I put this book back on my shelf.

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

While working my summer job that allowed reading if we were slow, I finished this book in two shifts. Every time someone walked past my station, they’d either say “That is one of the greatest books I have ever read” or “Is that book good? It’s next on my list, and I have only heard good things.”

This story is about a young journalist, Monique, wanting to move up in her career. One day, the magazine agency she works for receives a call from the famous actress Evelyn Hugo to write a story on her closet. The catch? Evelyn only wants Monique.

When Monique meets Evelyn, the request was changed. Evelyn tells Monique that she is ready to expose her life to the world, and wants Monique to write her ‘scandalous’ story about her upcoming in the movie industry and her seven husbands. 

This book left me crying and thinking about my loved ones for hours. While not based on a true story, I still feel a personal connection with the main character. The amount of unpredictable turns this book took was incredible and heartbreaking. 

If you’re looking for a break about love and heartbreak and back to love, go grab The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and a box of tissues. Main advice, don’t finish the book in public, I was a mess.

“The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig

As I was traveling abroad this summer and had a layover in Frankfurt, this book caught my eye because someone once told me it was a great read. Even though I definitely overpaid for this book, I do not regret this purchase. 

The book is about a girl named Nora who has been fighting for her life and continues to struggle. After her last day on earth, Nora is transported to a library that is filled with her life story and different outcomes of how her life could have gone. This book raises a very important question, “If you could redo your actions, would you do it?”

While I am only about halfway through this book, I already know this story will destroy me and point me in the right direction at the same time. 

At the end of the day, even though these books are extremely sad, they have all taught me a valuable lesson that I cherish every day. 

Here are some other reads that bring me the same combination of joy and sadness that are a great read for this coming fall:

• “The 5 People You Meet in Heaven“ by Mitch Albom

• “For One More Day” by Mitch Albom
• “Normal People” by Sally Rooney
• “Before The Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Heunisch can be reached at [email protected]