As something wicked this way comes, there’s no better time to curl up with a book that sends shivers down your spine. Light a candle and pour yourself a hot drink – just make sure your doors are locked before you surrender your imagination to the night…
Whether you have read the book or know loosely of its plot, Mary Shelley’s 1818 Frankenstein is an unrivalled classic. The novel has cemented itself as a staple of the Gothic genre and is the perfect way to lean into the Halloween feels. With a distinctive narrative and iconic figures like The Monster, I am always drawn back to Frankenstein and its tale of ambition and revenge during the colder months
CJ Tudor’s graphic novel The Chalk Man is a must-read this autumn, but be warned, as this unsettling story is not for the faint of heart. Following two interweaving timelines, protagonist Eddie and his group of friends are unable to escape the past when drawings of a chalk man – a previous secret code for their group – begin to reappear as a dark chain of secrets rears its ugly head. A twisted and gory tale of murder, The Chalk Man is a perfect stomach-turner to be spooked by this autumn.
Writing under a pseudonym, McFadden has mastered the art of twisty crime novels that keep you on the edge of your seat, desperate to know what happens next. The Inmate is the perfect book to keep you guessing this autumn, as prison nurse Brooke discovers her high school sweetheart behind bars due to a testimony that she made against him. We follow Brooke as she slowly realises the truth about her ex-lover, and just as it all makes sense, a new twist is thrown her way.
Words by: Erin O’Brien
Mona Awad’s deliciously grotesque dark comedy novel Bunny follows Samantha, a postgrad at Warren University as she is sucked down the rabbit hole of college cliques – in short, she’s made to work alongside a group of cultish twee girls. Whether you’re into horror or chick flicks, Bunny‘sblend of witty one-liners, unsettlingly saccharine aesthetics and scenes of sacrificing bunnies concocts the perfect Halloween read. One scene includes a character wrapping bloody guts in a glittery pink ribbon; the stark contrast of genres lures you into this uncanny novel, making this an unsettlingly camp story perfect for your October TBR.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Another novel that exposes the twisted underbelly of the college world is Donna Tartt’s The Secret History – a staple in the dark academia genre and highly acclaimed for its hauntingly sullen and poignant style. Our narrator Richard begins his studies at a college in Vermont, where he and four others eventually become murderers. Despite the morally grey and flawed nature of the characters, Tartt explores the consequences of murder in a sombrely human way, with interwoven allusions to Greek tragedy. I finished this book in a trance; it was the most unique and haunting reading experience I’ve ever had. The solemn yet comforting nature of this novel mirrors the transition to foggy November days and coffee by candlelight – a perfect Autumn read.
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
A piece that I will always recommend is the much older yet equally chilling Carmilla, a homoerotic vampire tale that actually predates Stoker’s Dracula by 26 years. Written by J. Sheridan Le Fanu, this gothic novella is one of the first known works of vampire fiction. With 108 pages, its short length makes it an easily digestible classic to read in the lead-up to Halloween. In this story, a girl befriends a mysterious stranger who comes knocking at her door; this trope has gone on to inspire countless web-series and novels, so why not indulge in the original?
Words by: Maddie Hobbs
Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
As autumn arrives and you start to yearn for the warmth of a hot chocolate, the comfort of your bed and the pile of blankets that are no longer just decorative, you know it’s time to reach for a good book. A book that transforms the cold breeze into lyrical whispers and intoxicating secrets. Fantasy books expose you to a whole new world, allowing you to forget your own. Some of my favourite reads took me to places I long to return to. I find them at the bottom of my chai latte, in the whispers of the trees and caught in the folds of my wrapped scarf. Let me introduce you to my favourite duology: Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo.
Six of Crows follows six dangerous outcasts as they embark on a deadly heist in the pursuit of inconceivable riches. With heartbreak and conflict, friends and foes, the story tackles each individual’s struggles and what drew them to this desperate hunt. It exposes not only the team’s strengths but more importantly their flaws, that we as the reader grow to love as if we are a member of this disjointed team ourselves. Crooked Kingdom concludes the heist. The crew, after preparing to go their separate ways, find themselves fighting for their lives once again. Although weakened, low on resources and hope, they have no choice but to reunite and go to war with their city. Loyalties and limits within the team are tested as the battle rages on in this twisted novel. This duology is thrilling, full of suspense and laced with a comfort like no other.
Words by: Jayda Cole
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