Baked Goods + Cozy Books = Fall Heaven

Fall boasts some of the year’s best fruits, like ripe and juicy apples and pears. Plus, peaches and stone fruits are still in season, too. All these fruits are tasty by the bite, but they also lend themselves well to baking. And while they pair deliciously with a warm mug of coffee, tea or cider, a book also makes an apt accompaniment. We’ve included our reading suggestions here to help you turn a new page on this fresh season. So, after you’ve baked one of these sweet recipes, snuggle up in your favorite chair, grab a soft blanket, open a book and enjoy.

French Apple Tart

This classic tart looks sophisticated, but it’s surprisingly simple to make. Using frozen puff pastry means this pretty dessert comes together quickly.

Feel-Good Fall

Cozy reads for Nora Ephron fans and anyone who basks in that first sip of a pumpkin-spiced latte.

• The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This novel set at a New England bookshop proves it’s never too late to find love. Check out the movie version of the book for all the fall foliage and vibes.

• Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

Nora Hamilton lives a quiet life in her upstate New York farmhouse churning out formulaic movie scripts for a romance channel. But when her home serves as a movie set, things take a turn for the exciting.

Pear Ginger Crisp

Pears and ginger are so darn good together. Feel free to swap out the pecans for walnuts or almonds, if you’d like.

Scary Stories

Novels for those who scout out haunted houses and delight in goosebump-worthy tales.

• Dracula by Bram Stoker

Don’t let this book’s 1897 publication date scare you away! The story of Count Dracula and Professor Van Helsing is a timeless tale sure to thrill you.

• My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

Perfect for fans of Stranger Things, this book is set during the 1980s and is about teenage friendship and demonic possession. Hendrix has been praised for the outrageous originality of his books, and this one is no exception.

Stone Fruit Galette

Use any combination of peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots for this open-faced tart. It’s rustic, so you can skip peeling.

Marvelously Magical

Whimsical books for everyone waiting on an owl to deliver their Hogwarts acceptance letter.

• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Have you ever found yourself ruminating over past decisions or wondering if you had made a different choice or taken another path? Haig uses a lovable heroine and her childhood librarian to explore this topic in the most beautiful, brilliant way.

• The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

A fall festival, a charming Georgia town and a hilarious cast of characters all make this a page turner. The fact that the protagonist is a witch is just icing on the cake.