I haven’t really celebrated Halloween in the past, but this year I’m ready to get into the spooky fall spirit. I love to read, so I thought it would be fun to read more horror and mystery novels to mix things up and read some books outside my comfort zone. Here are four books on my to-read list for this fall.
1) Reprieve by James Han Mattson
The premise of Reprieve is that four people attempt to get through a notorious haunted house to win a cash prize, but then one of them ends up dead. It’s supposed to blend horror, psychological thriller, and social commentary, which sounds like a perfect combination to me! Also, I know that an eye-catching cover is not a good reason to buy a book. Still, the cover is seriously amazing and gives the creepy haunted house vibes I’m looking for.
2) Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Several people have recommended this book to me lately, so I’m looking forward to seeing what all of the hype is about. Her Body and Other Parties is a female-centered book of short stories from a variety of genres. I don’t usually read short story collections, but as a busy college student, I like that I can read a story or two and then put the book down for a while.
3) Classic Stories by Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe is basically the father of creepy stories, so would it really be a spooky reading list if his work wasn’t included? I remember reading his stories in a high school English class and thinking that they were really well-written and enjoyable to read. I love how he builds suspense and creates a creepy atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to reading more by him.
4) Your Favorite Murder Mystery!
There’s something special about reading a mystery novel during the fall. I just finished reading As Good as Dead, the final book in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. I’d recommend the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Truly Devious series to anyone who likes young adult mysteries with Nancy Drew-like teenage detectives. These two series do a good job dealing with the dark parts of crime-solving while also being fun, suspenseful reads.
If you’re looking for a standalone novel, I really enjoyed Eight Perfect Murders, which has many plot twists. For my murder mystery this fall, I’m going to read The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda, which is about a young woman whose friend goes missing in a small town. When she becomes a suspect, she has to solve the mystery.
After the last year and a half, I think we all need to have some fun and celebrate fall. So, whether you read a creepy book, go apple picking, visit a haunted house, or drink a pumpkin spice latte (bonus points if you do all of the above), I hope you have a happy Halloween and a great fall!
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