Classic novels to read this autumn

More than just a love story, this novel is a fierce and unforgettable exploration of society, class, and religion through the eyes of one of literature's most enduring and unique heroines. Orphaned and considered 'plain', Jane's inner strength and sharp wit shine through as she navigates a harsh world and a rigid social order. The stage is set for a truly iconic romance when she becomes the governess at Thornfield Hall for the mysterious and brooding Mr. Rochester. . . Descriptions of the dreary, stormy English countryside and the eerie, mysterious halls of the estate invite a cosy experience well-suited for autumn reading.

Far From the Madding Crowd holds a surprisingly modern sensibility, both celebrating and challenging traditional country life. The novel introduces us to the spirited and beautiful Bathsheba Everdene, who finds herself with three very different suitors: the steadfast Gabriel Oak, the dashing Sergeant Troy, and the respectable Farmer Boldwood. As Bathsheba navigates this tangle of hearts, she learns a harsh lesson about the terrible consequences of being fickle in love. Hardy's interplay between the pastoral setting and the melodramatic human emotions makes for a compelling read that feels right for the season.

Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey is a a witty satire of the Gothic novels popular during her time, a genre closely associated with spooky, atmospheric settings and themes perfect for the Halloween season. This book tells the story of Catherine Morland, a young woman whose love for dramatic Gothic novels has blurred the line between fiction and reality. When she moves to Bath, she starts seeing mystery and intrigue everywhere. Her overactive imagination reaches its peak when she visits the grand Northanger Abbey, the home of General Tilney and his handsome son, Henry. Catherine begins to suspect a sinister crime has occurred, but are her fears a true reflection of the world around her or simply the product of her Gothic-fueled daydreams?

If you're looking for a book that brilliantly captures the polished surface and murky depths of Victorian society, then Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray is a perfect choice. Dorian Gray is a young man who is devastatingly handsome but also incredibly arrogant. Confronted by his own beauty in a newly painted portrait, Dorian makes a chilling wish: that the painting would age and corrupt in his place, leaving him forever youthful and untouched. His wish is granted, setting him on a path of hedonism, vice, and even murder, all while his face remains unblemished. But as Dorian descends deeper into depravity, the portrait hidden in his attic becomes a horrifying reflection of his true soul.

Some classics thrill from the very first page, and Wilkie Collins's The Woman in White is the perfect example of a suspenseful mystery read for autumn. Often regarded as one of the first great detective novels, this is a book that will have you on the edge of your seat. The story begins with a chilling encounter on a moonlit London road, where art teacher Walter Hartright meets a beautiful, terrified woman dressed entirely in white. Compelled to help her, Walter is soon drawn into a sinister world of secrets and deception, a world connected to the beautiful Laura Fairlie and the menacing, eccentric Count Fosco. As the mystery unfolds, he and the brilliantly clever Marian Halcombe must navigate a web of intrigue, murder, and madness to uncover the truth. 

The perfect autumn read includes a brooding atmosphere and a devastating revenge arcm, so look no further than Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. Set on the wild, snowy Yorkshire moors, this book tells the tragic romance of the headstrong Cathy and the orphan Heathcliff. Though they are desperately in love, Cathy rejects Heathcliff in favor of a wealthier suitor, setting off a lust for revenge that will consume Heathcliff's life. This haunting tale of passion and greed is unsurpassed in its depiction of destructive love.