Hello, October. You’re my favorite!
I’ve always loved the fall. But October is my favorite month. I’m honestly not that into Halloween itself, at least in terms of all the candy and decorations. But I love Spooky Season in terms of the vibe.
And by vibe, I mean the cooler weather, bonfires, pumpkin patches, changing leaves, darker nights. And of course, the spooky books to enjoy curled up with a cup of hot apple cider.
There are A TON of books that fit the Spooky Season criteria. Whether there are monsters or mysterious creatures, ghosts, or tales of revenge, spooky books are a great way to indulge in the season.
In order to curate this list, I’m sharing only a few of my favorites that I’ve read over the years. The blend of classic stories and some more modern ones cover a variety of eras and genres.
Let’s read!
FRANKENSTEIN (Mary Shelley)
The perfect Spooky Season read! Most know the basic story of Victor Frankenstein bringing his creature to life. But there’s so much depth to this book. The dark setting and themes of life and death, ethics, and nature vs. nurture give readers chills. And as the story goes, Mary Shelley created the original version of her haunting classic as part of a storytelling contest while passing a night with friends.
REBECCA (Daphne du Marier)
A haunting tale of ghosts and revenge. When a wealthy widower brings his new wife home to his Manderlay estate, she receives a less than cordial welcome by the staff, particularly Mrs. Danvers. As the Second Mrs. de Winter settles into her new life, she finds herself surrounded by reminders of her husband’s deceased wife. The gothic estate is filled with rumors and mystery behind every door.
LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW (Washington Irving)
In this well-known short story, Ichabod Crane, the new schoolmaster, arrives in Sleepy Hollow to discover the hamlet filled with stories of ghostly apparitions terrorizing townspeople who dare to enter the woods. The Headless Horseman has become a classic figure of Halloween folklore and popular culture.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Agatha Christie)
I first read this book in middle school and have been drawn to the mystery genre ever since. One of Christie’s most-read books, a group of strangers, who are seemingly unconnected, arrive for a weekend at a secluded manor by the sea. But as guests begin to die, it becomes clear the person who invited them had different intentions than a pleasant weekend trip. The fact that any of the guests could be the next victim, or the killer, makes for an intriguing who-done-it.
INFERNO (Dante)
In the first episode of The Divine Comedy, the poet follows Virgil into the nine circles of hell. While the story actually takes place during the holy days centered around Easter, the imagery of hell and judgment lend themselves to the Halloween season as well.
THE TIME MACHINE (H.G. Wells)
An unconventional Spooky Season book, but I feel it still fits. In Wells’ sci-fi take, he predicts what the future might look like for the 1800s main character. Sitting in the time machine, he watches the years roll forward through fashion changes, new buildings. war, and eventually, the seeming utopia inhabited by a new race of humans called the Eloi. But their world is controlled by the monsters below the surface of the earth. In addition to these monsters, the very nature of time travel lends itself to mystery and danger around every corner.
THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (Robert Louis Stevenson)
The internal struggle between good and evil sets the background for this classic. Dr. Jekyll explores the notion that even the best people have a dark side. He unleashes Mr. Hyde on London after experimenting with a concoction of his own making. But as people in the area are found dead, Dr. Jekyll must reckon with his own dark side.
COMPLETE WORKS OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
You can’t go wrong with any of Poe’s stories, but a personal favorite is THE TELL-TALE HEART. While many of Poe’s stories and poems do include a murder or some other crime the thing I love about his work is the focus on how the human psyche is involved in such crimes. Poe utilizes psychological stress to make his characters so much more sinister.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (Sir Arthur Conon Doyle)
In this edition of the Sherlock Holms stories, beasts and mystery reign. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead of an apparent heart attack, stories of the family curse arise. Sherlock Holmes is called upon to investigate the claim that others in the family are being killed by demonic hounds.
HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS (Erin A. Craig)
One of my favorite books in recent years. This ghostly tale is a retelling of “The 12 Dancing Princesses.” After some of her sisters die tragically, Annaleigh begins to wonder if the villagers’ theory that her family is cursed might be true. But when she learns her remaining sisters have been sneaking out to attend glamorous balls, Annaleigh must unravel the truth behind her family’s curse and unmask the handsome stranger she meets in the village. A blend of ghost story with mythology and fairy tales.
THE SHINING (Stephen King)
Any Stephen King books fit the Spooky Season criteria. But I picked The Shining because it was the first book of his that I read, and the first book to truly scare me when I read it. Many are familiar with the Jack Nicholson movie (that is totally creepy), but the book adds depth to the family’s descent into the supernatural influence of the hotel.
MISS PEREGRINE’S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILLDREN (Ransom Riggs)
In the Miss Peregrine series, teenager Jacob tries to unravel his grandfather’s secret life. In the process, he is sucked into a time loop. Along with the peculiar children he meets, Jacob discovers his own role in their world.
THE GHOST BRIDE (Yangzse Choo)
A truly unique ghost story set in colonial Malaya, this story relies on Chinese and Malaysian folklore. When her family finds themselves in financial difficulty, Li Lan is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Or of death. She is offered the chance to be a ghost bride. According to this custom, Li will marry the recently deceased heir of a wealthy family in the village to help placate his spirit. As she considers the offer, Li Lan is drawn into the afterlife, a world of spirits, ghost cities, and a guardian she’s not sure if she can trust.
**What are your favorite Fall or Spooky reads? Are there any new ones on your To Read List for this Fall?
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This is a great list, I shared it around. Happy reading.
Thanks for checking it out, Shirley! Appreciate the feedback.