As a creative writing major, I am pretty sure that I eat, sleep, breathe and live stories. At any given point during the semester, I am probably juggling three different novels and a couple of different short stories, plus whatever I am writing for fun. Don’t get me wrong, I am totally in love with stories, though, which is why I’m basically an expert on the best stories to get you into your fall feelings. Whether it’s somewhat of a spooky fantasy to prep you Halloween, or a cute romance to give you all the warm and fuzzies, I’ve got you covered.
- The Ocean at the end of the Lane (Neil Gaiman)
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I’ll be completely honest, I didn’t read this one but I did listen to the audiobook for it, and let me tell you that is FANTASTIC. The whole book feels like this slightly twisted fairytale in the best way possible. In this story, we follow the journey of our main character as he reminisces on a magical run in with his friend Lettie Hempstock. This somewhat coming-of-age story will take all of your expectations and flip them upside down in the best way possible.
- Four Weddings and a Funeral
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This classic rom-com has quickly become one of my favorites. I just watched the movie for the first time a couple of days ago, and then I binge watched Hulu show in maybe three sittings, and it was wonderful. In the movie version, Hugh Grant stars as the lovesick bachelor who falls in love with the wrong girl at the wrong time, and then romantic chaos ensues. The TV show, which just came out on hulu, tells the same story but with all-new characters. Both versions are sure to give you all the wonderful smiley feelings you should get from a romantic comedy.
- The Raven Boys (Maggie Stiefvater)
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This story guys. I love this story and I will talk about it until the day I die (sorry in advance to all of my friends who have to listen to me). This amazing adventure story follows our main character, Blue, who has been told from the day she was born that her kiss will kill her true love. Mix that dynamic with a quest to find a dead Scottish King and ask him for one favor, and you’ve got a recipe for an amazing story.
- Handmaid’s Tale
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This one might be old news to many of you, but I cannot tell people enough just how amazing it is. And I fully believe that this story is perfect for the fall because of how realistically spooky it is. You can’t tell me that the Handmaid’s Tale isn’t scary because it has this eerily realistic feeling to it. The show also has some of the best cinematography and symbolism that I’ve experienced in a TV show in a very long time.
- Looking for Alaska (John Green)
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When I read Looking for Alaska for the first time in the eighth grade, it was immediately cemented as one of my favorite books. Now, hear me out. I know that the main character, Alaska, is far from perfect and she has many many flaws, but she’s not what I love so much about the story. In fact, I had kind of forgotten what I loved about it until the TV show came out about two weeks ago, but it’s the very heart of the story that makes it so special. Looking for Alaska follows the main character, Miles, as he journeys to boarding school in search of his great perhaps, and he meets some great friends along the way. Whether you read the book or watch the limited series on Hulu, Looking for Alaska is sure to pull on each and every one of your heartstrings.
- November 9 (Colleen Hoover)
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Now, if any of my fellow readers out there have not experienced Colleen Hoover before, then you are seriously missing out. November 9th might just be my favorite book by Colleen, and it should be yours too. November 9th follows our two main characters, Fallon and Ben, who meet by accident and have a magical day together on November 9th. From that day on, Ben and Fallon vow to see each other on the 9th of November every single year, no exceptions. This book is like the story version of a romcom. Colleen Hoover is a romantic mastermind, and November 9th will not disappoint.
- The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Michelle Hodkin)
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Now, this final recommendation might just be my absolute favorite. It’s definitely the spookiest of all of these stories, but there’s just something about it that is completely magnetizing. Once you start this story you won’t be able to put it down. Our main character, Mara, went exploring in a long abandoned asylum with her best friend, mortal enemy and boyfriend. Everything is going fine, until the asylum collapses. After the accident, Mara begins to experience PTSD (like any sane person would), but then things get weird. As everyone around her starts to believe that she is going insane, Mara has to fight tooth and nail to prove that she’s fine (at least, as fine as she can be). The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is the perfect Halloween read, and I hope you’ll think so too.
All in all, these stories are sure to put you in the perfect fall mood. From spooky to sappy, this list should have you covered.