I feel at such a disadvantage -- I never thought of what to read for a season that is spooky. I do remember being horrified years and years ago when I read "Harvest Home" by Thomas Tryon. I still think about it when I pass a cornfield. Thanks for this question because I'm getting some fun ideas for books to read.
I loved Plain Bad Heroines earlier this year, and I'm currently reading The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, which has been an experience of a novella. I am so excited to read Shutter-- I also am surprised it hasn't gotten more hype.
The haunting of hill house by Shirley Jackson. Read it because a friend asked me too and it was so creepy. Also Mondays not coming or anything by Tiffany D Jackson
This is my first year of Substack and I'm so hyped that all the book newsletters are doing Spooky Season! I just did a post on it too, recommending 4 gothic novels.
My guilty pleasures have to be Bram Stoker's Dracula or The Cask of Amontillado by Poe. If I had to pick something more contemporary, it would be The Last House on Needless Street -- can't recommend it enough!
The more recent favourite creepy books I've read are Gaiman's The Graveyard book, and Riggs' Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children with its creepy vintage photos.
Big fan of dark academia books for spooky month- The Secret History, the World Cannot give, etc.
I feel at such a disadvantage -- I never thought of what to read for a season that is spooky. I do remember being horrified years and years ago when I read "Harvest Home" by Thomas Tryon. I still think about it when I pass a cornfield. Thanks for this question because I'm getting some fun ideas for books to read.
I love 'Frankenstein' by Mary Shelley - not for its unquestionable spookiness, but for its treatment of love and loss. It's a delight.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a great spooky season read.
I loved Plain Bad Heroines earlier this year, and I'm currently reading The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle, which has been an experience of a novella. I am so excited to read Shutter-- I also am surprised it hasn't gotten more hype.
Ooh. Plain Bad Heroines is fantastic. LMK what you think of Shutter.
The haunting of hill house by Shirley Jackson. Read it because a friend asked me too and it was so creepy. Also Mondays not coming or anything by Tiffany D Jackson
I'm on the hold list at the library for Tiffany Jackson's new one!
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson! More psychological suspense than spooky ghosty stuff, but still one I come back to every fall.
For good reason! Very creepy.
I recently enjoyed The Institute and We Ride Upon Sticks for spooky season books. I also can’t wait to read Hester, I’ve heard great things.
I adore We Ride Upon Sticks. So weird and so good.
Eerie books:
Dracula - loving Dracula daily
Plain Bad Heroines - Emily Danforth
Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
Dracula Daily is so fun.
Klinger's annotated Frankenstein is soooo good. Going through it right now.
Oh! I'll have to check that out. I love something that helps me understand a book better (or get more out of it?)
Perhaps a bit cliche, but classic short stories by Poe (e.g., The Tell Tale Heart) always usher in the fall season for me.
Thump thump.
The Domitory by Obinna Tony is spooky indeed, and anything by Poe.
Checking out The Dormitory!
This is my first year of Substack and I'm so hyped that all the book newsletters are doing Spooky Season! I just did a post on it too, recommending 4 gothic novels.
My guilty pleasures have to be Bram Stoker's Dracula or The Cask of Amontillado by Poe. If I had to pick something more contemporary, it would be The Last House on Needless Street -- can't recommend it enough!
I'll check out your gothic novels and thank you for letting me know that all the book newsletters are doing Spooky Season (I'll get on it).
Thank you for your support!!
I loved your picks!
My recommendation is not eerie or scary but it has ghosts.. Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
I was going to recommend Sarah Addison Allen’s first book Garden Spells! Lots of fun “magic”.
And witch balls!
Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury -- something about it.
The more recent favourite creepy books I've read are Gaiman's The Graveyard book, and Riggs' Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children with its creepy vintage photos.