Reading may not be the chosen hobby of everyone, but I am a firm believer that if you don’t like reading, then you just haven’t found the right book yet. That said, if you’re missing your horror movie premieres and haunted houses this year with the pandemic, then the perfect spooky fix is a good and eerie book. Here are some recommendations, from the book lover herself.
- Ninth House
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Ninth House is a phenomenal new adult book by Leigh Bardugo about a young girl who enrolls at Yale. With Yale as the perfect gothic setting, this book explores a girl who can see ghosts and is sought out by one of Yale’s secret societies. If you’re interested in a little bit of fantasy and maybe some secret societies and cults, then this is the perfect book for you.
- I’m Thinking of Ending Things
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I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Ian Reid is essentially a trippy A24 horror film but in book form. The book now has a Netflix film as well, so when you’re done reading, you can go ahead and watch it too. The book follows a girl and her boyfriend who are going to his family’s farm. The problem is, this girl is thinking of ending things with her boyfriend, but y’know… going to meet the parents can get in the way. I’ll leave you to figure out the rest.
- Bunny
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Bunny by Mona Awad is yet another book that will creep you out a bit. The book is set at an elite New England university and is said to have some Heathers vibes and even some Frankenstein similarities. So if that sounds interesting to you, I would definitely check it out. Some words to describe this book are bizarre, and even bonkers, so do with that what you will.
- The Secret History
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The Secret History by Donna Tart definitely gives off more dark academia vibes than spooky vibes, but it’s still the perfect Halloween read. This book screams autumn. This is by no means a new book, and a lot of people probably already have it on their shelves, but if you don’t, go pick it up. The book is so full of morally grey characters and mysteries, you’ll be hooked in the first chapter. Even if you miss Halloween with this one, it’s still the perfect autumnal read.
- Cemetery Boys
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Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas is a new young adult novel and is definitely an easier and lighter read than the rest of the books on this list, so if you’re looking for something fun but still spooky, this is perfect. Cemetery boys follows a transgender boy working with his traditional Latinx family to accept his gender, and then he summons a ghost. The book is full of great representation and wonderful characters that readers will love. Check it out!
- Literally Anything by Stephen King
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At first I was just going to recommend It, but just pick up anything by him honestly.
Even if reading isn’t your thing, go check one of these out from your library or buy a copy from your cutest local bookstore. Maybe you’ll enjoy it!