Hey all!
Looking for suggestions for a book that (to the best of my limited vocabulary) has an autumny vibe, maybe even a spooky feel? Kinda like The Legend of Sleepy Hallow, where it kinda has both, but more for adults.
Even if its just a spooky kind of book, my shelves have a bit too much romance on them right now.
Thanks!
by MoonlitCrafts
17 Comments
*We Have Always Lived In The Castle* by Shirley Jackson
Duma Key – Stephen King
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. Once you catch up, read one chapter each night.
To Be Devoured by Sara Tantlinger has excellent haunted autumn vibes — it’s short enough to read in a sitting but also really memorable imo, plus there’s a fun spooky cocktrail/mocktail recipe at the back
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories are a good go-to for Halloweeny vibes.
*Usher’s Passing* by Robert McCammon also scratched this itch for me really well recently. It has homages to Poe, plus a family curse, a monster in the woods, creepy mountain people and witches, and a haunted manor. Basically the ultimate buffet of fall spooky vibes.
Recently finished Juniper & Thorn, and while I didn’t love it, I think it would work for you based on what you’ve written here. There’s some romance (and some spice) but for the most part it’s about a family of 3 witches and their father, I’d say it gives dilapidated manor vibes. I’d go as far as calling it whimsical, but in a darker tone. It’s very atmospheric.
Just to clarify, the reason I didn’t love it, is not a general complaint or a reason other people wouldn’t like it. I was just not into the romance portion, I had issues with the male love interest and how he was being portrayed (he’s a ballet dancer, I’m a ballet dancer, so that aspect took me out of the story almost entirely) but if you don’t know anything about ballet, you won’t notice.
I don’t know if “spooky” is quite the right word, but Among Others by Jo Walton is kind of witchy/ autumn vibes in a really fun and subtle way. Takes place in Wales too! It’s a good time.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. I know it’s only a poem and not a book, but I can’t read it and not think about The Simpsons’ version in treehouse of horror.
“The cottage on punkin and vine”: Kate Angell best seller. It’s time for the annual Halloween costume party at the cottage.But local legends whispers that it’s also a place we’re wishes have a strange way of coming true.For three unsuspecting revelers,it’s going to be enchanted weekend of candy corn kisses and midnight black kittens,along with some real Halloween surprises__ the kind that make your heart skip a beat__for many more celebrations to come!
Coraline by Neil Gaiman was a phenomenal and spooky read. If you want something a tad more adult The Ocean at the End of the Lane (also by Gaiman) was phenomenal as well.
Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon is I think exactly what you’re looking for.
I’m about halfway through and it has spooky fall vibes. Really pleased to have it be my first pick for October.
“It was almost as if time had not touched the village of Cornwall Coombe. The quiet, peaceful place was straight out of a bygone era, with well-cared-for Colonial houses, a white-steepled church fronting a broad Common. Ned and Beth Constantine chanced upon the hamlet and immediately fell in love with it. This was exactly the haven they dream of. Or so they thought.
For Ned and his family, Cornwall Coombe was to become a place of ultimate horror.”
Another I highly recommend is Slewfoot by Brom
Public land: warrior in the woods by Matthew Rudolph
Jonathan strange and Mr norrell
Slade House by David Mitchell is fantastic. All of his books are, but this one is a great haunted house story.
Alice Feeney: Daisy Darker or Rock Paper Scissors. Both so so good!
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie