I woke up this morning to a chilly wind coming in through the window that I had left open. First, I noticed that I had no extra blankets so I might as well get up and start my day. Second, that officially marked the beginning of Fall, therefore, I feel that it is now appropriate to recommend Spooky books.
This type of weather is lovely; fresh air rustling the browning leaves as I walk home, a cup of coffee while I work from my office, looking out the window into the early sunset. And what better time to look at the section of my bookshelf that houses my favorite books to read this time of the year.
Before we begin, I'd like to mention that while some of these books are not my favorites, I know that reviews are subjective. If you see something that catches your eye, I encourage you to check out that book and give it a try.
First, I'd like to recommend Breathe in Bleed Out, by Brian McAuley. It is a slasher that follows a woman who has been having nightmares that make her re-live a trip gone wrong. When she takes up her friend's offer to go out into the desert for a wellness retreat, things take a turn for the worst. Check the CW/TW for this one.
Next, I think this book by Johanna van Veen deserves more attention. It is Blood on Her Tongue, a gothic horror novel that follows the tensions of two identical twins whose lives couldn't be more different. When one becomes obsessed, and maybe possessed by something from the swamplands, they must decide who is trustworthy and who is a foe if they want to survive and save each other. Check the CW/TW for this one.
This one is a very short story that was a little challenging but I read it because I'd heard wonders about it. "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner. A woman's husband disappears from the eye of society, only for his wife to become a recluse and an enigma for their neighbors. What goes on behind the closed doors of their home?
Some people hate Riley Sager's writing, some people love it. Me? I think I fall in between. I don't hate it, I couldn't. He knows how to tell a story that keeps me at the edge of my seat and flipping those pages. I think that his novel, Middle of the Night is a good fit to October, even though it takes place during the summertime. The darkness of the books fits the darkening days of Fall best, in my opinion.
If you like visceral horror, with splatter and strong yuck factors, you might enjoy A Lonely Broadcast and the rest of the books in the series, by Kel Byron. It takes place in an isolated town by the woods, where a radio station must play 24/7 as protection otherwise... the creatures that hunt in the forest come out with a thirst for blood. Absolutely check the TW for this one!
The book There's Someone Inside Your House, by Stephanie Perkins kept me up all night reading. And funnily enough, it takes place around the Halloween season! What could hunt high schoolers in a sleepy small town? The worst part is that they were supposed to be safe at their own homes. This one was not my cup of tea, but if you enjoy slashers, high school settings, and Halloween fun, try this one out.
If you enjoy reading graphic novels, I think that Fly by Night by Sarah O'Connor is the perfect fit for October. It's also set in a sleepy town, where a teenage girl returns to find out what has happened to her sister. Everyone seems to be hiding something, if only she could find out before she becomes the next target.
With a mix of spookiness and a bit of spice, I have A Grave so Cold by C.M. Tillman in my list of recommendations. During a Halloween hangout with other teens from her school, the protagonist is taken into what seems like another dimension. There, she becomes aware of her origins, and realizes that the life she had been living may have been a lie.
Lastly, I'd like to recommend a cozy mystery for fans of witchy characters and cozy town settings. Blackwork by Monica Ferris is part of the Needlework Mysteries, that follows Betsy, an amateur sleuth who owns a crafting shop. In this book, some rumors begin to spread about a woman being a witch and she's at the verge of being framed for a crime, as if it were the 1700s. Trying to restore the peace and help out her friend, Betsy hops in to discover what is actually going on, sure she'll unmask more than a superficial plot of witch craft.
That's it! These are the books that I recommend this month, hopefully you get to read at least one while drinking a warm beverage and relaxing at a cozy spot. If you have read any of these books, let me know!
