It’s officially the season of pumpkin scented candles, crunching leaves on the ground, and the perfect weather to curl up on a chilly day with a warm drink and a nice book. As requested, our staff has compiled a list of our favorite books to read this fall. In the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month, we have decided to include some books that showcase Hispanic authors and culture.

Kids:

The Witches by Roald Dahl 

Dahl’s well-praised children’s chapter book is the perfect read for the upcoming Halloween season. The fantasy book is set in northern Europe in a world of child-hating societies where witches secretly exist in every country. A young boy and his former witch-hunting grandma must try everything in their power to stop the all-powerful Grand High Witch to defeat the witches once and for all. Dahl’s mesmerizing tale takes young readers on a captivating journey with many unexpected twists and turns. The Witches won the Whitbread Book Award and have been loved by many generations throughout the years.

Día de los Muertos by Roseanne Thong

Día de los Muertos is a great introduction to the Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. This holiday is a celebration of the lives of those who have passed away and is celebrated the day after Halloween. This rhyming book filled with colorful language and beautiful illustrations introduces the traditions of the holiday with Spanish words sprinkled throughout. It’s the perfect book to read with your child to help them grasp the idea of other cultures, languages, and understand the influence of Hispanic authors.

Teens:

The Go-Between by Veronica Chambers

This fiction read is about a teenage daughter of wealthy telenovela stars in Mexico City. When her family uproots their lives to Los Angeles, their posh life is turned upside-down and Cammi is stereotyped as a “scholarship kid” at her elite private school. She wonders if it’s better to simply play into the stereotypes to assimilate better. Chamber’s novel captures the daily struggles of immigrants and offers a distinct perspective regarding the current issue of immigration into the United States.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

You may have likely read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is a retelling of the tale but focused on the perspective of Elizabeth Lavenza, Frankenstein’s fiancée who was rescued from a terrible home. However, as the years pass by Lavenza is haunted by her past and worries about her future with Frankenstein. At her core, she is a survivor and knows she must be determined to stay alive at any cost. White’s dark novel offers a unique perspective to the classic Frankenstein and is the perfect complement to a dreary and ominous day.

Adults:

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

This highly praised book has been #1 on The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Boston Globe Bestseller List. Westover’s story has also been one of the ten best books of the year by The New York Times book review amongst many other prestigious awards and lists. Her captivating tale of growing up in a family off the grid and never receiving any formal education will take you on an emotional journey as she faces adversity and finds her way towards the path of education leading her to BYU and then to Harvard and Cambridge University. Her incredible story is the perfect read for a slower day with a lot of free time because you won’t want to put it down.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Though you may have read this book before, The Alchemist is a staff favorite and is a story that can definitely be read more than once. Coelho originally wrote The Alchemist in Portuguese and it has since been translated to 80 different languages, holding the Guinness World Record for the most translated book by a living author. The spiritual tale features Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd in search of treasure. His quest for treasure takes him across the continent of Africa, meeting important and influential characters along the way. As you follow Santiago’s journey you may find a piece of yourself within him, as he navigates the path towards following his dreams.

Parenting in the Age of Perfection by Candice Lapin

By our own founder, Candice Lapin draws on case studies, scientific research, and her own experiences as a successful learning and life coach to showcase patterns that feed into the environment of perfection, along with tools and skills to get children back on track. She takes those troublesome behaviors that frustrate parents and breaks down how to change them. Kids develop all sorts of unhelpful habits and attitudes that can be altered by re-focusing on positive behaviors and routines that all can be done at home. By making micro-shifts in your child’s environments, behaviors and mindsets, she shows parents how to help their tween or teen thrive!