Fall Recs

Another month has come to a close, and so it is time for yet another TAC group post! Fall is slowly creeping it's way across the land, and the month of spookiness begins tomorrow, so we thought that it would be the perfect time to toss out some of or favorite fall reads! Some are dark and spooky, others are darker and spookier, and others still are simply, undeniably autumnal. They do have one thing in common, though: each and every book one this list is quite exceptional, and you will not be disappointed if you pick them up!

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Bone Houses is a beautifully written story of magic and death and the scars left behind by it all. The fae are long gone in this world, the only thing remaining is their magic and their dislike of humans. The dead rise at night, and they have never wanted anything until a newcomer arrives at the edges of their roaming grounds. Our two main characters go on a journey that leads them to confront their own grief and loneliness, along with that of the dead that rise at night to hunt them. What they find at the end of their journey is a terrible and sad reminder that just because someone is dead, it doesn't mean that you're done with each other. But beyond that, there is healing and a future, and it is up to you to find that, not the dead long buried. Horror and a mysterious, uncontrollable magic are what wrap around and throughout this story, but it is Ryn and Ellis who carry this story with their hearts. -Cat

What the Woods Keep by Katya de Becerra

What The Woods Keep by Katya De Becerra is about Hayden, who has moved back to her home town and started to notice many strange things going on. Following her mother’s mysterious disappearance and her fathers erratic ideals, she moved back into an old spooky house, that seems to have a mind of its own, and starts having strange dreams of epic battles and crows. If you’re a fan of Sci-Fi, Mystery, and Fantasy then this is the perfect book for you. -Mattie

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

Genuine Fraud is a thriller which reminds me of all the excitement that comes in the fall and near Halloween. Though it’s not necessarily “scary” or “spooky” it certainly is heart pounding. -Charlotte VS

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

It is rare to find a book like Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand. It is the sort of book that will keep you up at night, wondering if there really are dark demons lurking in the shadows of our own world. It is the sort of book that will reshape how you see yourself and how you see other people. It is the sort of book that leaves you looking over your shoulder for otherworldly monsters when you’re out walking. In short, it could not be a better fit for this month’s theme. Beware the monsters in the dark, beware the dangerous magics not yet known, but, most of all, beware the power of three young women hell bent on changing the world. -Suzie

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

My fall read is Coraline by Neil Gaiman! Even if it’s meant for younger audiences, I always enjoy rereading this book. A girl finds a secret door leading into her perfect world, and it inevitably goes downhill from there. It’s wonderfully spooky and creepy, but doesn’t exactly count as horror. Plus the movie is SO COOL PLEASE WATCH IT!!! The book is even creepier if possible, so it’s not for the faint of heart but if you love creepy Halloween vibes like me, this book is definitely for you! -Char

Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

When I think of fall, my mind immediately jumps to JRR Tolkein. His world is so immersive, & whenever I go to the mountains during autumn, I think of Frodo and Sam on their own adventures. When I was little, I pretended the woods were Middle Earth, & I, like Bilbo, was “Going on an adventure!” I loved being a hobbit amongst the falling leaves and crisp fall air, and even now the memories bring back a warm feeling.

Aside from my obvious sentimental attachment to the story, Lord of the Rings is such a long series that it’ll keep you company all autumn long. The journey is packed so full of action, suspense, & adventure that by the end you feel as if you’re a part of the story, too. So, find a comfy seat, a hot cup of coffee or tea, & a view of the changing trees to read this series! I hope you can let yourself be swept away to a world where hobbits roam the earth & good always prevails. -Eliza

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

The Bone Witch is a book about a girl who finds herself in a difficult situation when she accidentally brings her dead brother back to life. She’s taken in by other witches to find the full spectrum of her powers. There are only a few witches that have the power to bring a soul back, and they may be the most post powerful of all. She is a bone witch, and she has the task of opening up to her full potential so that she may help her fellow witches. I enjoyed The Bone Witch because while many books create another world of some sort, they have never gone into as much detail as I saw in this book. There are so many little details that make up the story as a whole. It even creates a whole new language within the book; the words are realistic enough to make you think they are part of some ancient language, such as Latin. While many books attempt this, I have rarely seen a world so realistic within a book.

-Grace

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a fantastic read that will transport you into a world where magical competitions lead to amazing creations. It’s a perfect fall read with all of its magic and twists and turns. The detailed descriptions of the circus and the characters in this book make you fall in love with the story. This book just reminds me of fall with the different spooky and fall-ish settings and the hot chocolate served at the circus. -Jessie

Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss is not particularly dark. Mind you, it definitely has some dark moments, but it is not spooky. It is the tale of a boy becoming a man, an arcanist, a master musician, and, above all, a hero. It is epic fantasy to its core, and it is amazing. But that is not why I chose it for this list. No, I chose it because it is a story within a story. To me, framed stories always feel warm and cozy; they are the epitome of everything that autumn should be. And so I recommend that, at some point this fall, you make a mug a tea, curl up in some warm blankets, and read the tale of Kvothe and all his wild adventures. -Suzie

The King in Yellow by R. W. Chambers

Lovecraft before Lovecraft became Lovecraftian. But better! In literally every single way. The King in Yellow is a fictional play in this world that, once discovered, begins to drive the reader mad with terror that the King in Yellow himself has come for them.

“I cannot forget Carcosa where black stars hang in heavens; where men’s thoughts lengthen in the afternoon…” -Cat

A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Bridget Kemmerer is a perfect book for people who want a spook-tastic version of Beauty and The Beast. Harper has been kidnapped from her universe and taken into one of monsters, magic, and tall blonde princes. Forced to help Prince Rhen struggle through his curse, she learns new things about herself. -Mattie

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows. Erie magic and shadowy alleys. This book will send shivers down your spine when each turn of the plot is the wrong turn or a dead end. It will certainly get you in the mood for spooky season. -Charlotte VS