Autumn reading: 5 books for calm and warm evenings

What to read on autumn evenings

Autumn evenings, with their gloomy light and silence, seem to be made for reading. When the wind is blowing outside and the sound of rain is heard, it is the perfect time to reflect, relax, and delve into a good book. Here are a few works that match that mood.

Franz Kafka – "The Trial"

A novel about the uncertainty of man, fear, and the absurdity of bureaucracy. The main character, Josef K., is arrested without cause and finds himself in an incomprehensible system. Kafka creates an atmosphere that is simultaneously cold, mysterious, and deep—just like autumn.
This book is not for quick reading, but for contemplation.

Albert Camus – "The Stranger"

In autumn, we often think about the meaning of life, distance, and indifference. Camus's novel is about just that. Meursault, an ordinary man, suddenly finds himself in a situation where he confronts the absurd reality of existence.
A simple yet powerful book for evenings of reflection.

George Orwell – "1984"

Although reading it can sometimes be heavy, in autumn this book takes on a completely different resonance. It is not only about political systems but also about the boundaries of human consciousness, freedom, and truth. Orwell's atmosphere—hazy, oppressive, and cold—resonates well with the lights of autumn.

Ray Bradbury – "The Autumn People"

Masterfully written stories about autumn, darkness, and the human inner world. Bradbury's language is warm, vivid, and slightly nostalgic. If you love the autumn atmosphere, this is the best choice.

Jack London – "The Call of the Wild"

A story about nature and human instincts, set in the cold north. London shows how a man struggles within the laws of the animal world—for strength, survival, and dignity. Although the story is set in the north, it has the same atmosphere as autumn—sharp, acute, and real.

Why these books

All these works have one thing in common—they make you stop and think. Autumn is a time for self-reflection, not to escape, but to understand where you are in your own story.

Kafka, Camus, Orwell, Bradbury, and London pose these questions in different ways, but with the same force.

*The article was also prepared using data from AI․