Spooky Season Reads

It’s officially fall, and with it’s arrival, what better way to celebrate it than with a whole bunch of books? I was looking at my bookshelf for books to recommend this fall, and surprisingly, I have a lot of books to recommend. With this list, I gravitated toward books that have a more spooky, Halloween vibe to them. After all, October is approaching, and with that Halloween. Here are twelve books that I think will make your fall just a bit more spooky!

1. Good Omens by Terry Pratchet and Neil Gaimen
   First book on the list is one I think is perfect for the Halloween season. Good Omens tells the story of an angel and demon trying to find the antichrist to help stop the inevitable apocalypse. It’s a really funny read, random at times, but oh so good. The TV mini series is just as good!
2. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
   A middle-grade book that packs a punch. Miss Peregrine’s was created when Ransom Riggs found old daguerreotype and vintage photos of strange people and places. These pictures were the inception of the book, and are displayed in many of the pages. The main character of the book, Jacob, uses these photographs to find out his grandfather’s secret. Little does Jacob know that these photographs, and its mysteries, will change his life forever.
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker
   A classic horror if there ever was one. Told through letters, Dracula tells the story of Jonathan Harker travelling to Transylvania. While there, he stays with Dracula in his castle, while trying to help Dracula buy a home in London. You eventually discover what’s wrong with Dracula, and what he really intends to do in London. If you like stories about vampires, why not try this classic?
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
   Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein started an entire genre; there’s not many books that can claim that. Frankenstein is the first novel to be considered science fiction, and is truly a great combination of sci-fi and horror. Frankenstein is about a scientist, with the same name, who discovers a way to bring back the dead. Although, it is through very questionable ways. He then creates his monster. The novel deals with morality, and mortality in a very profound way.
5. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
   You probably weren’t expecting to see Shakespeare on this list, but it’s hard to ignore his spooky material. A lot of Shakespeare plays deal with the fantastical, ghosts, curses, etc. Although there are many plays that have this, I feel like Hamlet is the best one for this season. Full of ghosts, murder, delusions, and drama, what else do you need for a Halloween read?
6. The Witches of New York by Amy McKay
   The Witches of New York is a story about two witches in the city who own a tea shop that help people with their ailments. After a while, a woman named Beatrice comes along looking for work. From there, the witches, Adelaide and Eleanor, try to figure out what to do with Beatrice’s seeming abilities. If you like historical fiction, but want something a little different, I think The Witches of New York is your perfect spooky read.
7. Carrie by Stephen King
   Although this is the only Stephen King novel I have read, I just had to recommend this one. Carrie is about a teenage girl, with the same name, who has special telepathic powers and a overbearing religious mother. She goes through similar ups and downs of many high schoolers, however, that changes once she goes to prom. If you like books about people with special powers, and like a bit of horror, but not too much, this book is just for you!
8. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
   I read Rebecca at the beginning of the year, and it has become one of my favourite novels of all time. It’s a fantastic gothic novel, with feelings of terror throughout the novel. It centres around an unnamed heroine who falls in love with Maxim de Winter. She is then swept away to his estate, Manderly. However, her time at Manderly is in the constant shadow of Maxim’s dead wife, Rebecca. This book has one of my favourite plot twists ever, so it’s a great read to pick up this fall, especially with the movie adaptation coming out through Netflix.
9. The Troop by Nick Cutter
   A camping trip gone wrong is the best way to describe The Troop. A group of boys, with their camp leader, go to the Canadian wilderness for a camping trip. However, an intruder appears at their campsite, and a lot of strange and grotesque things being to happen. This novel is full or horror, gore, and terrifying times. Definitely pick this book up if you aren’t squeamish!
10. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
    Another gothic novel, and one that I’m hoping to reread this fall. Wuthering Heights tells the love story of Heathcliff and Catherine. A story that has influenced many, it is a book that many people love to read with how it weaves together gothic elements and ghost stories.
11. The Widow by Fiona Barton
    Finally a thriller on this list! The Widow is a mystery thriller dealing with a murder, accusations, and the aftermath of an investigation. It’s told through the perspective of the wife, now widow, of the accused. Many secrets were kept, and many are revealed in this novel.
12. Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
    I just finished this book this week, but I thought it was worth adding it to the list. If you’re a lover of YA/New Adult fiction, this is a great spooky read for the fall. It revolves around witches, the church, love, and of course magic. I typically don’t go for YA reads, but I enjoyed this one!

Advertisement