It’s that time of year again. The time when readers turn towards books of a spookier, creepier nature. At least if you’re not only a Horror reader... or maybe them, too? Anyway, I’ve got some reading recs for y’all that fall along the spooky/creepy spectrum. Bear in mine, I am a fraidy-cat, so I can’t deal with intense horror. But the spooky and creepy books with an air of mystery about them? Yeah, that’s my jam, and these are all titles I’ve read. So let’s get to the recs!
Adult and YA Titles:
The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry (Really, you could check out Henry’s roster of titles if you’re not into the specters of a haunted town. She’s got plenty of other titles to select from, but I read this one in 2 days.)
White Shark (AKA Creature) by Peter Benchley (This was the title Benchley wrote after he saw that Jaws resulted in seriously over-fishing of sharks out of fear. It’s a fascinating creature feature book that has ties to WWII, though that was totally changed with the TV mini-series.)
Full Moon City by Multiple Authors and edited by Darrell Schweitzer and Martin H. Greenberg (My closer friends know why there has to be at least one werewolf rec on this list. This anthology will allow readers to dip in and out to test the waters with new authors and see some perhaps unknown stories by favored authors. Btw, Holly Black’s story is close to my heart since it takes place in Houston.)
And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich (Hoo boy, I couldn’t read this one after sundown until I reached the climax of the story. It was a very gradually developed creeptastic read, and the atmosphere was on point. Kurtagich has other YA Horror novels under her belt, so if you’ve read this one, try another.)
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (Another creature feature and it leans on the younger side of YA, but that doesn’t take away from the creep factor especially when the creatures show up. This is also the first in a quartet, so if you like this one, check out the others in the series.)
Graphic Novels:
Sing No Evil by JP Ahonen & KP Alare (Imagine finding a song that was so entrancing, it would compel you to do something against your nature. This graphic novel explores that and comes recommended from both the husbeau and me.)
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll (This collection of short stories in this graphic novel are just right for the spooky season. Carroll’s art style really brings out the creep factor, and I’m eager to see what else she’ll bring out. She also did the graphic novel version of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson which I also recommend just not on this list.)
The Crossroads at Midnight by Abby Howard (Another collection of short stories in a graphic novel, and the artwork is chilling and skin-crawling at times in the stories. With five different stories that result in a wide range of endings, this graphic novel is sure to entertain.)
And that’s my reading recommends for this October! Are there any titles you think are great to read this time of year? Feel free to add to the list!
Rumour has it you work in a book shop? 🤔 seeing as Uni is over for me for a couple of months (🙌🏻🙌🏻) I need recommendations please🙏🏻 last book I read was Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult (which if you haven't read, you need to do so immediately) Thank you 😃😃
Well hello there, random stranger who just happened across my inbox! You heard right, whoever told you that much. Buckle in, I’ve got LOADS for you! (I apologise in advance if I have some you have already read, I can’t remember what you’ve told me you’ve read).
Gonna start off with E. Lockhart, because you haven’t read her. (Why are we friends?) You need to read We Were Liars and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landu-Banks.
All The Rage by Courtney Summers. It’s similar to Aking For It, it’s brilliant.
The Hate List by Jennifer Brown, just because of how much you liked 13 Reasons Why.
What We Left Behind and The Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley.
One by Sarah Crossan was such an easy read, I read it in like, under two hours. It was lovely <3
Wonder!!!! You need to read this ASAP so I can talk to you about it.
See How They Lie by Sue Wallman, Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian and Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow are ones I read recently and really liked.
The Art of Being Normal and All About Mia by Lisa Williamson were amazing <333
If you want dystopian stuff, please read Sarah J. Maas. Start with the Throne of Glass series, and if you like that go onto a Court of Thorns and Roses. Then if you liked them read Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor.
To finish it off, if I don’t mention these I’ll be in trouble. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. There are four in the series, I read them in about a week. They were so, so, so good. And they’re gay! If that doesn’t convince you, nothing will. (also, going to her signing in dublin tomorrow, I’ll let you know how that goes!)