“Seasonal reading” is the act of reading certain types/genres of books during certain seasons. For example, reading a cozy murder mystery in the fall and a light-hearted romcom in the summer. It’s when you match the tone of the book to the tone of the season you’re in, bridging the gap between your novel and reality.
Studies have already proven that changes in the seasons contribute to changes in our moods, and there’s no surprise that changes in our moods affect the type of content we consume. While not every book you read will be a “seasonal” read, you might notice some changes in what you gravitate to during the colder months versus the warmer months.
The rise of BookTok and Bookstagram have also contributed to the growth of the idea of seasonal reading. In the same way makeup influencers have categorized different lip colors for each season, book influencers have curated their recommendations to match the vibes of each season. If you scroll through social media during September and October, you’ll see everyone talking about “fall reads” and recommending things like mysteries and books about witches. Many people have even started creating TBR lists (to-be-read lists) for different seasons. Authors also release holiday-themed books, such as Stephanie Garber’s recent holiday Caraval novella Spectacular.
I’ve always been a big seasonal reader, and I tend to associate certain genres with certain seasons. To me, Victorian-era historical fiction is the epitome of November-January. I reread The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare every year around this time because the colder weather and cloudy skies remind me of the dreary London setting of the story. On the other hand, I almost exclusively read romcoms in the summer. I’m all about light-hearted stories about love that will make me laugh when it’s a sunny day in July. I don’t exclusively follow the idea of seasonal reading, as I’m sure very few people do, but I find it fun to read a book that matches the season’s aesthetic.
If you’ve never thought about seasonal reading, I recommend giving it a try. You don’t have to force yourself to read books you don’t feel like reading in that moment, but try to pick up a mystery the next time you’re inside on a rainy day. It can be fun and enriching to channel the vibes of the outside world into the books you read!
Below, I’ve put together a list of my favorite genres/books to read in each season for anyone looking for some seasonal reading inspiration in 2025.
Winter – Mysteries, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Winter is for the books you cozy up with, preferably while drinking tea or hot coffee. I tend to gravitate towards mysteries like The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Victorian-era historical fiction like The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, or gritty fantasy series like Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I read the Throne of Glass series for the first time in January, and the cold, cloudy weather perfectly embodied the series to me. I’ve noticed that I tend to read more serious books in winter and fall.
Spring – Historical Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romcoms, Light Fantasy
In spring, I bring out my romcoms and light fantasy novels, as well as Regency-era historical fiction. In my opinion, Lynn Painter’s books like The Do-Over were made for spring and summer. Spring is also the perfect time of the year to read the Once Upon a Broken Heart series by Stephanie Garber. While Caraval is a winter fantasy series, the bright, fairytale aesthetic of Once Upon a Broken Heart makes it the perfect fantasy series for spring.
Summer – Romcoms, Fantasy
I almost exclusively read romcoms in summer. After spending the majority of the year stressing over classes and work, it’s nice to relax and read books that I know will cause me minimal stress. I’m all about Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter and books by Kasie West and Emma Lord. However, I also love fantasy, and occasionally during the summer I will pick up a fantasy series instead of a romcom. Summer is when I read more urban fantasy series like Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan or Legendborn by Tracy Deonn.
Fall – Mysteries, Historical Fiction, Witchy Fiction/Fantasy, Fantasy
Fall is arguably the ultimate reading season. The murder mysteries, the witches and vampires, and the supernatural aesthetics that come with Halloween make the best reading material. Gothic murder mysteries like Stalking Jack the Ripper and Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco are perfect for the spooky season. Vampire novels like A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya and books with witches like Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin are my favorites to read during fall too.
I hope you find a few books to match each season as you’re looking to build your 2025 TBR! Matching the books you read to the overall aesthetic of the season is a great way to enrich your reading experience and find the perfect books for your mood.
Sam Yanis, Pine Reads Review Lead Writer