Although temperatures have been high in Los Angeles, as we near the end of October and enter November, it’s safe to say that we’re well into the fall season. Despite the heat wave, the occasional rainy day has had me itching to curl up with a warm drink and a good book to get lost in. And what better book to read than a dark academia novel to evoke the perfect dark, mysterious vibe of the season?
Dark academia is often defined as a literary aesthetic that centers on themes such as academics (often obsessively), class, social commentary, privilege, tragedy, the arts, and the romanticization of elite institutions. Spanning from older novels such as The Picture of Dorian Gray to shows like The Queens Gambit and the movie/book The Dead Poet’s Society, it has established itself as a distinct aesthetic that appears throughout entertainment and art.
Think sweeping gothic architecture and tortured artists. It’s a clearly defined aesthetic that I find synonymous with fall. Especially in the midst of midterms and academic stress, sometimes it’s fun to read about other tortured academics who somehow have it even worse.
Here are some of my favorite books, along with a few titles on my reading list that I’m excited to dive into this fall.
- The Secret History by Donna Tart
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Obviously we have to start off with the first book people think of when they hear the words “dark academia.” The Secret History is a perfect staple of the genre and a modern classic that everyone should read.
The story follows six classics students at an elite New England college, including narrator Richard Papen who reflects on the events that led to the death of his classmate and friend. It’s full of mystery, obsession, and murder, and I can’t recommend it enough.
- Babel by R.F Kuang
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I’ve said this many times before, but I truly believe R.F Kuang is one of the most brilliant writers of this generation. Her fourth novel, Babel, is a testament to her genius. Set in a fictionalized fantasy version of 19th century Oxford, Babel re-imagines the British Empire as one whose economic and global power was built through magic powered by language and translation.
Through a fantastical lens and the stories of four new students, it critiques British imperialism and explores themes of capitalism, racism, and academic complicity. Although it’s a dense book with quite a lot to get through, its brilliance makes it well worth the read.
- Ninth House (Alex Stern Series) by Leigh Bardugo
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As one of my favorite book series of all time, it would be difficult to create a list of dark academia books without mentioning Ninth House. Set in a fantasy version of Yale, the story follows Alex Stern, an unlikely student with the power to see ghosts, who becomes responsible for monitoring the rituals and occult activities of Yale’s secret societies.
The series explores themes such as power and privilege through a murder mystery involving the Ivy League elite. It’s something I find myself reaching for every fall. The final book in the series recently came out last month, and I’m currently rereading Ninth House and Hell Bent. I can’t wait to get my hands on the newest release, titled Dead Beat.
- If We Were Villains by M. L Rio
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Often compared to The Secret History, If We Were Villains reaches the same niche. Following seven Shakespeare students in a remote elite arts college, it explores what happens when the roles assigned to the students start to bleed into their everyday lives, eventually culminating in a mysterious death.
Part mystery, part thriller, If We Were Villains is an exciting read from the first page to the last. I would especially recommend it to my fellow theater lovers and anyone with an unhealthy obsession with the arts.
- Katabasis by R.F Kuang
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Of course, I had to come back with another R.F Kuang release — this one incredibly recent. Katabasis is a book that’s been on my TBR list for far too long, and I hope I’ll have time to dive into it soon. This academic fantasy novel follows two Cambridge doctoral candidates and magicians who must descend into hell to rescue their thesis adviser in hopes of securing letters of recommendation.
It has been described as a satire of academia and the toll it takes on students, and it has been compared to the academic atmosphere of Babel. It’s next on my list, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in another fantastic R.F. Kuang novel.
- The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
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Erin Morgenstern is one of my favorite authors, despite only having two novels released. She has a gift for creating lush, beautiful fictional worlds, and The Starless Sea is a fantastic example of her writing prowess. Although not labeled directly as dark academia, the academic nature and subject matter concerning literature and stories makes it perfect to add to this list.
The Starless Sea is a nonlinear story that follows Zachary, a graduate student, who descends into an underground ancient library and magical realm deep within the earth. It’s an impossible book to describe, as it’s full of metaphors, anecdotes, nonsensical writings, and stories within stories. Reading it is an incredible literary adventure that I hope everyone gets to experience.
- Bunny by Mona Awad
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Perfect for English majors, Bunny is one of the most bizarre yet fascinating books I’ve read in my life. Bunny is a dark satire novel that follows Samantha, an MFA student who becomes a part of a cultish clique of girls in her creative writing cohort who all call each other “Bunny.”
While being a disorienting and confusing read at times, it comments on the pretentiousness of arts education and the lengths people go to in order to belong. The unsettling and spooky vibes make it perfect for the Halloween season.
Fall is the perfect time to read something new, and whether you’ve heard of all of these books or just discovered a new novel that piqued your interest, I hope this inspired you to curl up with a book somewhere cozy and enjoy the rest of the season with a good read.