3 Cozy Fall Reads (Plus the Best Spots to Read Them in BHAM!)
Fall is the perfect time to cozy up with a good book. Check out three of our favorite fiction reads, along with the perfect local spots to enjoy them. Image: iStock
Finding a good book is wonderful, but finding the right spot to curl up with a vanilla latte and enjoy it? Even better! We’ve rounded up three of the best fall reads and paired each with the perfect local spot to settle in and lose yourself in the story.
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Whistler by Ann Patchett
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Where to Read: Cala Coffee | Downtown Birmingham
Whistler by Ann Patchett is a flashback story told from the perspective of the main character, Daphne, as fate reunites her with her ex-stepfather, Eddie. The novel follows their past and present in parallel as the reader learns what brought them together and ultimately drove them apart. Ann Patchett is an exceptional author who has a gift for weaving characters together in a way that makes the reader feel a true connection to their lives.
If you’re looking for a complex family drama without overwhelming sadness or tragedy, you’ll find it here. There isn’t a sudden climax to the story — it’s more of a simmer that bubbles up with beautiful moments of revelation for each character.
Cala Coffee’s downtown location lends itself beautifully to a day spent inside the pages of Whistler. The book is set in and around New York City, so Cala’s industrial feel and bustling atmosphere will help you get into the narrative right away.
Characters in the book regularly pop in and out of city shops and restaurants, so reading the story just steps away from Birmingham’s busy Third Avenue North makes it easy to feel transported into Daphne and Eddie’s world.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Where to Read: Continental Bakery
The first of an ongoing series, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower introduces you to a litany of characters in a fictional London neighborhood, with a heroine who draws you in from the first journal entry (each journal entry serves as a chapter marker).
While many Regency or Victorian novels can feel overdone, the books in this series are short, intimate, and leave the reader with a deepening sense of affection for (most) of the characters living in St. Crispian’s. A truly lovely read.
There is no better spot to enjoy this story than in English Village, of course. Continental Bakery provides a perfect backdrop for Emma’s musings, and the surrounding shops could be mistaken for stops along her city walks with Mr. Pierce or the Duke of Islington. We recommend ordering a London Fog, settling in to watch the passersby, and escaping into this book for a couple of hours.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Where to Read: Daysol Coffee Lab
Our last recommendation is the second book in the Thursday Murder Club Mystery series by Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice. This is a quirky, engaging murder mystery following four senior citizens living in a retirement community who solve crimes (namely, murders) together. Led by Elizabeth, an ex-M15 agent, the group fumbles its way through investigations, undercover operations, and shootouts. It is a fun read, and as lighthearted as a book about murder can get!
For a killer place to enjoy this one, head to the wide-open spaces and hidden corners of Daysol Coffee Lab near Pepper Place. Daysol has an eclectic feel and is somewhat of a maze, with smaller rooms tucked away in the back, accessible through a second bar space from the main coffee roasting and service area.
Grab a cup of coffee, settle into one of the wingback chairs, or sink into a leather sofa and let the mystery unfold. Who knows? You may even convince yourself you see Joyce trying to sell friendship bracelets in the next room.
For more of our faves, check out this list of books, each filled with complex characters, rich settings, and vivid storytelling — then tell us where you go to enjoy them!
Happy reading!
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Erin Slay Wilson
Erin Slay Wilson is the Market Leader for StyleBlueprint Birmingham. She lives in the Crestwood neighborhood with her family and their golden retriever, Butter. When Erin isn't writing and building relationships within the community, she loves to read, go on walks around the city, garden, and scope out treasures at local antique malls.
