Hey hi hello friends, and welcome back to my blog!
Fall is upon us, and you know what that means...it's time for another seasonal recommendations post! I've done these posts for both Spring and Summer, so if you want more seasonal book recs, feel free to check those out as well.
As I'm sure many of you know, Autumn is my favorite season. It's a time when things slow down, when it isn't excruciating to walk outside, and you can actually start drinking hot chocolate, and eating soup, and wearing sweaters and fuzzy socks. It's the season of pumpkin spice, of Hocus Pocus, and cable-knit cardigans.
When I think of a Fall read, I think of a book that is highly atmospheric: spooky, or eerie, or unsettling. Usually it has great food descriptions, and storms blowing through. If it has some sort of monster or witchcraft element, that's a bonus.
Today I have ten books to recommend to you. Each of these ten books have one or more of the elements/themes I described above. They range all over in genre, age range, and format. I've got some classics, and some new releases. I hope this list gives you at least one book to pick up this Autumn!
Alright, let's get into it, shall we?
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1. Small Favors by Erin A. Craig
This is probably the least Autumn-esque novel on this list, but I still recommend it for this time of year because it's so atmospheric. And it definitely has a slow, almost cozy horror feel. I say it's the least Fall-like because it takes place through an entire year, and the "Autumn" chapters are rather short. But I say it definitely falls under the proper aesthetic. A large, looming forest that seems to creep toward a small, isolated town; strangers arriving and spreading rumor and discord; something in the trees that's killing off villagers in violent ways...it has it all! Not to mention a child with an "imaginary" friend, and we all know that's the scariest thing on this list.
2. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Gotta love these classic Gothic tales, right? I've read two books by Shirley Jackson this year (this one, and
The Haunting of Hill House) and both would fit on this list, but I decided to go with
We Have Always Lived in the Castle because it's lesser known than
Hill House. Not that it isn't famous in its own right, of course. If you enjoy reading books with unreliable narrators, then look no further. There is no narrator more unreliable than Mary Katherine Blackwood. While this is a murder mystery rather than a paranormal story, it manages that eerie, unsettling atmosphere that most ghost stories come equipped with.
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Another classic, but this time one with a supernatural twist.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is an example of the "Deal with the Devil" trope, and quite possibly the best executed I've ever read. Dorian Gray is a fascinating character, charming and suave on the outside and hideous and corrupt on in the inside. It's captivating to follow how his two sides interact and collide with each other as the novel goes on. I would recommend reading the uncensored version, as it is much queerer and explicit than the abridged version of the book. Also, if you're interested, I highly recommend reading up on Oscar Wilde and his trial, because it's really fascinating stuff.
4. All These Bodies by Kendare Blake
If you want a no-fuss vampire novel that isn't
Dracula, then I suggest
All These Bodies by Kendare Blake. This is a historical fiction set in the late 1950s, and it's partly in interview format, as an aspiring journalist tries to unravel the story of the biggest serial killer case of the country. His only source is a young girl who was found in the house of the latest victims, uninjured but drenched in blood. And she won't talk to anyone, either. This is a YA novel, so it isn't as explicit in the imagery as some of the other books on this list, perfect for teenagers that want a little scare this October.
5. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
This is the only slasher-like horror novel on this list. I don't typically like slashers that much, for the same reason I don't like horror movies: the visuals are too much for me. I'm not one to enjoy blood and gore. But I will make an exception for Stephen Graham Jones, because his writing is just so good. I've read three books by him (The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw, and After the People Lights Have Gone Off) and every one employs some literary device or trope that I don't like, and yet I've never given one of his books less than four stars. His writing is gross and will make you squirm, but it will also scare you and make you sleep with the lights on. Plus, his books usually all have Indigenous MCs, and touch on important and controversial topics like racism, police brutality, and unlawful claiming of Indigenous land.
6. Gallant by V.E. Schwab
This is V.E. Schwab's newest release, a middle-grade gothic retelling of The Secret Garden. In classic V.E. Schwab style, it's atmospheric and full of beautiful prose, and has a strong female character at the heart of the story. The MC is also mute, and uses sign language and writing to communicate. I love the eeriness of the story, the way the huge mansion is described, as well as the specters that haunt it. There are also a lot of visual elements to the story, illustrations and journal pages throughout the novel. It's perfect for all ages, and short enough to read in a single day. Say, Halloween?
7. Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
I would say this is the slowest book on this list, but also the most mysterious. It's more of a character study than anything, and there's nothing paranormal or supernatural about it. However, there is an overarching mystery, and it's very intense. There are definitely moments you'll be on the edge of your seat, frantically turning the page to see what happens next. Above all, it's a love letter to books, and how a story can completely transform your life. This is also the first in a series, so if you love what you read, you can keep going in this world.
8. Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle
There were a handful of graphic novels I could have included on this list, but I wanted to go with my most recent read that fit this season. The art style reminds me a lot of classic comic strips, like Archie Comics or Wilbur. With a supernatural twist, that is. Squad follows a group of high school girls who have a lupine secret, if you know what I mean. It's that very classic trope seen in Heathers and Mean Girls, where a new girl is inducted into the popular group and things spiral from there. Oh, and did I mention there's a sapphic relationship? Because there's a sapphic relationship.
9. Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
We love quintessential ghost stories on this blog. If you're familiar with the concept of corpse roads, or ley lines, then you'll want to pick this up.
Rules for Vanishing is all about in between worlds, and how much one is willing to sacrifice in order to save something or someone they love. It has a classic ghost story at the heart of it: at a certain time, on a certain day, in a certain location, you'll see an apparition that only appears then and there, and if you're able to follow it, you can ask for a favor - something like that, anyway. I'm sure there are a billion and one stories out there in the world that are reminiscent of this. I found this sufficiently scary, enough where I was uncomfortable reading at night, so make of that what you will.
10. In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Last but not least, I have a memoir for you guys! This memoir deals entirely with an abusive relationship, including verbal, psychological, and emotional abuse, so please look up the entire list of trigger warnings before you pick it up. What's cool about this memoir is that it is written entirely through subverted literary tropes. The chapters are more like vignettes, so you don't get the entire story from beginning to end, but rather bits and pieces that you can string together. For example, you would see a chapter titled "Dream House As...Haunted House" and then the following vignette will incorporate that trope/literary device into the overarching exploration of Carmen's life and this relationship she dealt with. It's wonderfully written and I would recommend this if you're new to nonfiction/memoirs and are trying to figure out where to start.
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Alright, there you have it! I hope you found some books to add to your Fall TBR.
What's a book you think I would liked, based on these recommendations? Let me know in the comments, or tweet at me @AllyEmReads.
Until next time, spooky friends!
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