Hey friends!

IT’S OCTOBER!

The month we have all been waiting for! (Well, maybe not everyone but definitely me.)

As a “Pro-Autumn” girly, I have been amassing a stupid amount of books for my October TBR that I know I won’t be able to read in the 31 days I’ve been allotted. But, if you are of the TBR, mood reading variety, that s**t’s a challenge!

Do you want a ghost story? A gothic haunted house story? A witch story? A vampire or werewolf story? Cozy? Terrifying? Somewhere between?

For those of you who have been overwhelmed by the plethora of book options for the Halloween season, don’t worry. I got you!

Check out the best books for Fall that will get you hyped for the coziness that is the best season.

If You Love Haunted House Stories…

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

If you are looking for a fast paced thriller that includes supernatural elements and a good, old haunted house story, you’ll enjoy this. It’s about a woman who has to go back to the home that she and her parents fled in the middle of the night after strange things began to occur. Her father wrote a book about the events, but the main character isn’t sure whether or not what her father wrote is real. So, after he dies and leaves the house to her, she returns to find out if what he wrote is the truth, or if there’s something else entirely. It’s a really quick read. There’s dual perspectives with the main character in real time and chapters from the father’s book. And the novel is super atmospheric if you’re looking for an immersive setting.

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books ever. Set in 1800s Mexico, the story is about a young woman who marries a rich man, moves into his home, and soon finds that the house is haunted. The setting. The atmosphere. The thrills. Chef’s kiss. There was the perfect amount of supernatural and magical elements. Paired with a rainy night and a creepy YouTube playlist, just perfect.

Haunted House…but Make it a Hotel…

The Shining by Stephen King

There is a reason why this book got put in the freezer on that one episode of Friends. It’s terrifying. Down on his luck (and alcoholic writer) Jack Torrance, takes a job as the off season caretaker of a hotel in a remote mountain town. However, the hotel’s ghosts aren’t going to make life easy for Jack and his family. A winter setting, isolation, paranormal activity, and a descent into madness, this is a classic horror story, perfect for spooky season.

If You’re Looking for a Good Witch Tale…

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

For lovers of small town vibes with magic and a bit of horror, this is the jam. A woman moves to upstate New York after a break-up and befriends a woman who turns out to be the town witch. It’s really a story of finding one’s self. But the atmosphere of the novel is so perfect. Even though there are elements of horror, the setting and writing style is quite cozy. Also, Harrison is so good at writing dialogue. The writing is fast paced. Really enjoyable read for a Sunday afternoon with a tea and an apple pie scented candle.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Another quick read with great vibes, but you will definitely want to check trigger warnings as there are mentions of sexual assault and domestic abuse. The story is told from three different generations of women from the same bloodline, all of whom have some connection to magic, spanning 1600’s to 1940’s to 2019. I loved all three POVs in this book and was rooting for each woman to find her way. A great novel about the far reaching affects of generational trauma and breaking the cycle.

Witches…but make it Puritan

Slewfoot by Brom

I wish I could read this book again for the first time. So. F**king. Good. The story is about Abatha, who makes a pact with the devil to save her farm from her awful brother-in-law after her husband dies. For this one, I’d say get a physical copy of the book because the illustrations are fabulously the stuff of nightmares. I loved that the setting was so rich and atmospheric (are you sensing a trend here…) and that the illustrations make the story come even more to life. A perfect story for October.

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

I went into this one uncertain and came out an absolute fan. If you are looking for atmosphere heavy, witch trials, Puritan vibes, this is the book. It’s about a woman, married to an abusive husband, who is accused of making a pact with the devil. A sort of did she or didn’t she vibe. Even though the book is long (over four hundred pages) and a bit of a slow burn, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the season as the days get shorter and the nights get longer.

If You’re Looking for a Good Werewolf Story…

Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison

If you couldn’t tell, this is a Rachel Harrison/Isabel Canas fan account (more on the Isabel Canas fandom later). But a great book if you like campy, werewolf stories with a dash of romance and body horror is Such Sharp Teeth. The story is about a woman who returns to the town where she grew up to help her sister through her pregnancy after her boyfriend leaves her. She gets bitten by a werewolf and starts to become one. All of Rachel Harrison’s books are about overcoming trauma and finding one’s self, which is a topic I love. Again, the story is witty and fun and is a super fast read.

If You’re Looking for a Good Vampire Book…

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas

Romance! Magic! Vampires! This book has it all. Set in 1800s Mexico, the story is about a girl who survives a “vampire” attack (she’s not really sure what bit her), who’s love is banished from her father’s hacienda, only to return during the war to help her father fight. Again, great atmosphere. Lots of suspense. A beautiful love story. What more could you ask for?

If You Love Agatha Christie…

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

This is a contemporary retelling of And Then There Were None. A reclusive author invites her family over for her final birthday on Halloween. When people start dying, the main character must find out who is doing the killing. Atmosphere heavy. Isolated mansion on the edge of a cliff. HALLOWEEN! It’s an easy read you will finish in a day.

That’s it for now friends!

Please let me know in the comments what you’re reading if this spooky season and if there’s any books I should add to my TBR!

Feel free to share this with anyone who is looking for a good book.

Until next time! HAPPY READING!