Autumn has finally arrived, which means it’s finally time to pack up my summer novels and, instead, get cozy with my fall reading list. From psychological thrillers to paranormal romances, below are five books that give spooky or fall vibes to celebrate the arrival of autumn.
CrAVE BY TRACY WOLFF
Vampires and romance? Count me in. After seeing mixed reviews on BookTok, I finally decided it was time to take the challenge of reading this novel myself. Crave is a novel that follows a 17 year old girl named Grace who is obligated to attend her uncle’s boarding school in Alaska after her parent’s tragic death. It turns out that this unsettling school is not normal and she also finds an attraction to a particular vampire named Jaxon Vega. Talks of thrilling adventures with a side of romance immediately tempted me to add the book to my fall TBR. It’s important to note that if you had a Twilight phase or love paranormal romances, you should definitely consider giving it a read this fall.
THE KIND WORTH KILLING BY PETER SWANSON
In this chilling novel, Ted Severson meets a captivating and mysterious stranger named Lily Kintner. As they get cozy with each other during a night flight from London to Boston, Ted reveals details about how his wife, Miranda, may be cheating on him and jokingly reveals his desire to kill his wife. The book takes a turn when Lily sparks an interest in helping Ted carry out this desire. Lily and Ted grow closer as they develop a plan to kill Miranda; however, there’s still a lot Ted does not know about Lily and her experience with murder. If you happen to be a fan of the book, Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, you’ll likely enjoy this book as well.
Harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone by j.k rowling
As a dedicated Potterhead, I’ve read this book countless times, but trust me, it’s a perfect fall read! In this novel, we meet Harry Potter, a young orphan who lives with his neglectful aunt and uncle. One day, Harry learns that he’s actually a wizard and is invited to attend a boarding school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Through Harry’s first year, we learn about a new world of magic and take on an adventure with his two new friends, Hermione and Ron.
White smoke by tiffany d. jackson
This novel is centered around Marigold, a 17 year old that is haunted by phantoms of her past life. With Marigold’s family moving to the city of Cedarville, she hopes this could be a fresh start for her. However, with household items disappearing left and right, unknown voices echoing around the house, and shadows walking among her home, Cedarville could be home to its own secrets too. Not only is it a thrilling psychological thriller, but it also includes important conversations including drug addiction and racism that the reader can experience and absorb through Marigold.
Carrie by Stephen king
What would be a fall TBR, without the king of horror himself? Carrie is Stephen King’s first published novel that follows 16 year old Carrie who is a known outcast at school. She finally has enough and uses her secret telekinetic powers to take revenge on her tormentors. She ends up creating the worst disaster the town has seen. If you’ve enjoyed the film Carrie as well as other Stephen King films and novels, you’ll for sure enjoy this horrific and thrilling story.
Whether you’re an avid reader or looking to pass the time, I hope at least one of these books sparked your interest and made it into your fall TBR. If so, I recommend grabbing a copy from your local library or independent bookstore. It’s a great way to keep your brain active while taking breaks from a busy semester. Happy reading!