4 Must-Reads For Your Spooky October TBR
Start writing a post
Entertainment

4 Must-Reads For Your Spooky October TBR

What better month than this to pull out the horror tropes?

16
4 Must-Reads For Your Spooky October TBR

I can't be the only one who organizes my TBR list by vibes and seasons. We do it with candles, and books are no different. This month, I challenged myself to finish a handful of books that are creepy, spooky, and evoke those fall vibes we're all after. You need to get your hands on these, so read on!

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Elizabeth is a young girl in an orphanage, starving and beaten, when she is adopted by the Frankenstein family. She'll be well-cared for and has a shot at happiness and a successful life. But it comes with one condition. They have a young son about the same age, quiet and odd, and his name is Victor. Elizabeth's new life depends upon her ability to calm Victor through his moods, his rage, and to satiate his every whim. Despite the situation, Elizabeth and Victor become inseparable. But as they grow up, Elizabeth finds her world growing darker.

This is not a complete retelling of the classic. I like to think of it more as "Frankenstein"-adjacent. You do not have to have read the enormity of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" to enjoy and understand this book (although I recommend it at some point - because it's fantastic).

The Witch Finder's Sister by Beth Underdown

In the mood for witchy feminist historical fiction? (Honestly, when isn't a good time for this?)

This book is based on IRL witch hunter, Matthew Hopkins. It's 1645, and his recently-widowed sister, Alice, moves home to be closer to him. And when she arrives, there are rumors. Whispers. Her brother has began hunting down witches near their small Essex town, and she struggles to reconcile this.

The book begins at the end. With the names. And with Alice, locked in a room and contemplating all the moves she took that led her there. She picks up a piece of paper and a pen, and begins to write it all down. This is that story.

The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley

Stephen King liked this book. If his opinion is of the utmost importance, then happy reading. But if that's not enough to convince you (as it wasn't for myself), then I'll explain further.

Smith was a young boy when his family took him to an Easter pilgrimage to the Loney, which is a desolate village along the English coastline. They were searching for a miracle to heal Smith's brother's disability. Things went wrong, and the events that followed have haunted Smith his entire life. As an adult, he hears a body has washed up near the Loney, and he finds himself determined to unearth all the dark secrets of the people who reside there.

Think "The Haunting of Hill House" meets "The Woman In Black." It's got English moors and mist and foggy fields, childhood ghosts made adult nightmares, and that prickly feeling of something watching you from the darkest corner of the room.

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

It's mid-October, and fall feels are in full swing. Everywhere I look right now, orange, leafy, pumpkin-y aesthetics are taking over. It's become the natural order of things. This graphic novel is all of those warm, fuzzy feelings we get from apple cider on a foggy day at the pumpkin patch, carving with friends, PSLs, apple picking, reading by the fire, and watching "Hocus Pocus."

Deja and Josiah are best friends, and every year they work through the fall season at the local pumpkin patch. And they love it. Everything about it - the corn maze, the cider and donuts, the crisp air, dungarees and flannels, kettle corn, pumpkins lining the fields - it's their place. You know those rituals you develop with your best friend? Well, Deja and Josiah have rituals, too. And it's also their final day to enjoy it.

Pumpkinheads is about two best friends' last day together in their favorite place in the entire world. They have lots of goodbyes to say, and a lot to do before it's over. Oh, and there's also a little secret between them and not a lot of time to admit to it. It's funny and cute and was just so relaxing to read.

The plot works so seamlessly with the illustrations and colors to make this a fun time. It likely won't take long to finish it since it is a graphic novel, but definitely take the time to really enjoy the artwork! Nostalgic autumnal feels are on the way with this one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59052
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38135
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959623
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

196470
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments