Books set in New England autumn

[HazelnutRaspberryRoulade]

Quite a specific request, but I’m craving some fiction, maybe something set on a college campus, set in the kind of turn-of-the-season, golden gentle autumns you get in New England.

Any suggestions?

Nan Rossiter's books are set in Cape Cod but I've not read any so don't know if she's any good or if any are set in Autumn.

Very old (but amazing) Daddy Long Legs?

The Blue Castle is Canada but v similar autumnal/winter vibes.

Franny and Zooey?

The secret history?

(I also like new englandy maple-leaves-in-the -fall vibes

Nothing useful to add but following because now that's exactly what I want to read too :)

Perhaps something by John Irving?

Agree with A Secret History. Excellent book.

Wow thank you, some great suggestions here!

I think what got me craving something like this was seeing The Art of Fielding on my shelf. No particular interest in baseball but there’s something about the cosiness of autumnal American college life I want to get lost in. I studied in an east coast university for a year of my degree so perhaps I’m feeling nostalgic!

Melanie Lageschulte wrote a series of books set in Iowa (not New England, but seasonal) about a woman who buys a farm in a small town. They’re slight books and nothing of great note happens, but I found them very soothing. If you’re feeling a little fractured, they’re worth a try.

Ooh I would be interested in this setting too! I also love films set in autumnal New England.

Ooh thanks Dance, just had a little look and they do sound soothing, and free on kindle as well so definitely worth a try!

Agree Cosmopolitan, I love films in that setting too.

Have you read any Anne Tyler? She's Baltimore rather than New England but extremely good. I've enjoyed everything I have read by her.

Lovely thread! Haven’t read most of the recommendations.

Not US but Ireland for the soothing / university vibe Maeve Binchy’s Circle of Friends is a lovely story.

Anne Tyler is a great recommendation, thank you. I hadn’t heard of her but she sounds right up my street.

I remember reading a lot of Maeve Binchey when I was about 17, haven’t read anything by her for years! Another one I’ll have to look up again, thank you

Freya North wrote a book called Polly or Sally where a school teacher does a swap with a teacher in New England. (chick lit)

Boarding school rather than college campus, but the brilliant Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld, otherwise fills the brief.

John Irving's the cider house rules should fit the bill. Maybe we were the mulvaneys by joyce Carol oates, although it is a dark read rather than a cosy one.

The bridges of Madison county? I kind of remember that as being autumnal!

@Endlessmizzle

Very old (but amazing) Daddy Long Legs?

The Blue Castle is Canada but v similar autumnal/winter vibes.

Franny and Zooey?

I can’t read Daddy-Long-Legs now without wincing. It’s basically an extended paean to grooming a vulnerable child.

I’d stick with A Secret History. All the characters are horrible, but at least they’re meant to be.

New Hampshire - Peyton Place and Return To PP. Very entertaining books.

Anne Tyler (altho i think more mid state?)
John Irving
Elizabeth Strout
Anita Shreeve

I spent time in New England too and LOVE that type of book!

Not strictly NE but similar vibe...
Carol Shields
Barbara Kingsolver

Oh depends if you can face it, but Jodi Picoult books are often set there..I know she's very marmite...

I can’t read Daddy-Long-Legs now without wincing. It’s basically an extended paean to grooming a vulnerable child.

Is it? She is 18 and heading off to college when they start a correspondance. I wouldn't have called her a vulnerable child at all - in fact I thought that was the point of the whole thing - she was intelligent and outspoken and willing to advocate for and then engage in all the opportunities college gave her. The title is creepy but I honestly don't get any vibe of grooming from the book at all. Just a young woman getting an education and then meeting the man who is funding it (without knowing it) and the two of them falling for each other. He is not that much older than her is he?

I realise I may be overthinking this :) I do like that book though.

Another vote for Prep and The Blue Castle. I think Thomas Cook writes some good stuff too.

Horrified to have to rethink Daddy-long-legs!

That is not how I read it first time. She seemed clever-confident- and in a world of opportunity... but I suppose she was young and in vulnerable situation.

Did he groom her though?

Wasn't it True Love?

Oh no! I hate it if childhood favourites turn out to be creepy 🙁.

no it wasn't creepy or grooming. noooo I re-read it recently it is still a bright sparkling read about an intelligent, funny, courageous young woman.

Yes @Missanneshirley good call on Elizabeth Strout. I love her. I've never heard of Anita Shreeve so I'll look her up.