Let’s face it- it can be nice to have a laundry list of books we want to read all year, but for the mood reader? Driven by the changes in season, we read whatever feels right at the moment. This article is your guide to spooky reads this Fall 2021—they might not be brand new, but these reads are classic atmospheric tales for this October.
*Included in this article are some fantastic bookstagram accounts to check out for future reading ideas!
- Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley- 1818
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This classic novel has been turned into something unrecognizable within popular media; however, the original story is much creepier than it is often represented, as it looks inside the twisted mind of a young Victor Frankenstein. With murder and toxic ambition- this story is sure to fit your mood on a rainy October day.
- Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy Edited by Ameriie- 2017
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This anthology contains thirteen short stories written by today’s most notorious young adult authors that make you think about the real difference between good and evil. But, of course, everyone loves a good villain, and, collaborating with some of the most popular booktubers, these authors present thrilling, exciting, and plain remarkable stories of the morally ambiguous.
- Unnatural Creatures: Stories Selected by Neil Gaiman– 2013
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The second anthology on this list is another collection of short stories compiled by renowned author Neil Gaiman. As the author of the best-selling book and popular movie Coraline, Gaiman truly has an eye for the unnatural. Each author’s story is incredibly written in its own right, and the monsters will keep your imagination running wild for hours.
- The Castor Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl- 2009-2012
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You may have heard of this series when the movie Beautiful Creatures (the title of the first book in the series) came out in 2013. The writing style is beautifully atmospheric, and the magic system brings you right into the world of witches, good and evil, and so much more.
- The Diviners by Libba Bray-2012
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Last but certainly not least, The Diviners is a personal favorite of mine I reread every year. Set in 1920s America, a group of young adults with unique abilities finds their paths crossed as they confront the supernatural. Not only does this book encapsulate the atmosphere of fall, but all the spookiness of Halloween.
Enjoy this spooky season and have fun reading!