As we’ve already established with the Halloween Movie Extravaganza, this is my favourite time of year, and that extends to all aspects of life not just the top tier fall films. Besides the movies and the obligatory autumn baking (which has made regular appearances on my other social media accounts) recently, reading the right seasonal books is key to setting the tone for all of autumn, and Halloween specifically.
The ‘right’ books can mean a lot of different things, and my fall book recommendations this year definitely range in length, genre, and overall vibe. Some are outright horror, some are dark academia, and some just have the feeling that Rory Gilmore would have read them while hanging out in Stars Hollow where it somehow feels like it is perpetually early October. (I am currently several seasons deep into my current Gilmore Girls rewatch, and I am as annoyed with the characters’ decisions as ever.)
I have been reading more in September and the first half of October than for the previous eight months of the year, and it has helped to keep me grounded while I’ve been busy and had a lot of uncertainty. In the past month I have finished five books which, while nothing much by most of bookstagram or booktok standards, is a lot for the average reader. And some of the books that have made this list will be in my TBR for the remainder of the month which gives me something to look forward to as well.
Book Recs + Brief Details
Some of the books on this list are probably self explanatory because they are pretty commonly associated with autumn, but for others I’ve included a few descriptive notes on why I’ve included them here or what they are about…
The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Was anyone really expecting this not to be included though? Classic dark academia that grows more popular each year, IMO deservedly so.
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. Really any Stephen King will do, I think, but I’m choosing to highlight Salem’s Lot right now because vampire stories are classic Halloween content and because it was recently re-adapted into a film that was released on HBO Max. (Unfortunately I am unable to watch this because, in a vicious and calculated attack, HBO Max is now blocking VPNs. It’s hard out here.)
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio. Has often been compared to The Secret History, though I personally feel that this does neither any favours since they are each good in their own right but have pretty different plots when you actually think about it. Former theatre kids/drama students may enjoy.
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio. In addition to her previous novel, If We Were Villains, her new novella (which has a distinctly Halloween-y title and theme) is the perfect quick addition to this list. I haven’t had a chance to pick this up yet, but it’s definitely on my TBR.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. This one is not necessarily only a fall read, but I think that anything witchy usually counts. Witch and vampire love story with layers of drama, plus the book’s Oxford setting and focus on academia is a little bit funny at times for anyone who has lived it.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. This is both dark academia AND a vampire story. What more could a girl want? A very complex story that is detail heavy; this one requires a little bit more focus, but is an enjoyable read if you’ve got time for it.
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie. My most recently finished book, and a solid introduction for someone who has never read Agatha Christie before. IMO it’s pretty obvious from very early on who is guilty and what their motive is, but its small-English-town-in-autumn setting is cute and strangely comforting for a murder mystery.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. One of my all time favourite books; I don’t feel like I need to elaborate on this one too much! Shirley Jackson is another author where really I would recommend any of her works for autumn as all of them are pretty haunting, but this is one of her most famous and a good place to start.
Pay the Piper by George Romero and Daniel Kraus. If you just read the name George Romero and got excited, me too. This novel was partially completed by the legendary horror director before his death and was finished and released just last month by co-author Daniel Kraus. Its Louisiana bayou setting seems perfectly spooky for Halloween, and it features a murderous creature forcing characters to reckon with the sins of their past. This is next up on my TBR and the perfect way to finish off a Halloween reading list.
