15 Books for Halloween

lapetitepritt

Oct 7

Hello, bookworms!

Happy Friday, how are you? I am having a very tiring week, I can't wait for Sunday to come, when I'll finally have some time to rest. As with the Dark Academia Reading List I posted earlier this week, this is going to be an easier article, in which I will recommend 15 books that in my opinion are perfect spooky reads for Halloween.

Since I wanted to recommend as many different genres as possible, some of the books on this list are still on my TBR, so I am not sure whether they are any good. However, I plan on reading them as soon as possible, let's hope I'm gonna love them.

Since the DA article was way too long, I am not going to give you synopsis this time, but I am going to tell you why I liked them, if I've read them, or why I want to read them, if I still have to get to them. I hope you find something good to read this Halloween.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (urban fantasy)
This is one of my all times favourite books. It's just the right amount of spooky, but it's not scary and I think if you liked Coco, you'll love this one. Latinx culture is everywhere in the magic system and I think both the Latinx and the trans rep are very well done!

The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles (historical fantasy romance)
If you need a bit of romance in your life even during spooky season, this book is perfect for you. I love this series so much and I think that Victorian London always gives a spooky vibe. Add wizards and magic to the mix, and you have your perfect Halloween read.

Witcha Gonna Do? by Avery Flynn (fantasy romance)
I haven't read this book yet, and apparently it comes out in December (weird marketing choice, if you ask me), but you can request it on Netgalley and cross your fingers. It sounds like a really sweet and funny witchy romance and it's the first in a series.

The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass (paranormal horror)
I don't usually read horror with ghosts unless it's middle grade, but this was a nice read. Be sure to check out the TWs for this especially — but do check them in general — since it deals with some difficult topics and the true horror is the real one, for me.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (sci-fi)
While I didn't enjoy Harrow the Ninth and I don't plan on continuing this series anytime soon, I really liked the first book and I think the necromancy themes are perfect for Halloween. If you are a sci-fi and competition fan, this is a must read for you.

They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera (light sci-fi contemporary)
I don't care what people say, this book is one of my favourites ever and I'll stand by that. I think the whole Deathcast thing is really suitable for the spooky season and if you need a good cry, here you go. Also, the prequel just came out, so you can double the tears.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (mystery)
Can it be a La Petite Pritt article if I don't mention this series at least once? Clearly not, but trust me, if you want something to binge read this month, I highly recommend this murder mystery series. The main trilogy is just what you'll want to read in October.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (social horror)
I have been interested in reading this author for a long time now, and my first pick is probably going to be this one. I am very curious to see how the Indigenous culture of the author is going to be included in here. I really like horror inspired by culture I know less.

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo (thriller)
I have been thinking about this book ever since Vitt and I read it last November. If you like good for her stories and you want to read about shitty men dying at the hands of a female serial killer I've got you covered. You won't regret reading this book, I assure you.

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw (paranormal horror)
I haven't read this one yet, but since it's a novella, I think it can be read in one sitting on the very night of Halloween. It is inspired by Japanese folklore — if you know anything about it, you'll know how gruesome it can be — and there's a haunted house plot in here!

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (literary fiction)
I personally didn't love this one, but I promised a variety of genres, so I am here for all of y'all litfic gays, gals and non-binary pals. If you haven't read this one yet, I don't know what you've been doing, but it's a must read for every literary fiction fans, I think.

Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson (historical fantasy)
Another book I have yet to read, but this sounds so so good. I think I am going to read it next year, but not during spooky season, because I cannot wait that long. However, if you like witches and their history, I have been told this book is really amazing.

Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega (paranormal fantasy)
Could I leave my fellow middle grade readers without any recommendations? Of course not. Ghost Squad, as you can tell by the title, is a cutesy ghost story for children, which will hug you and make you want to chase ghosts with your friends. Highly recommended.

Pumpkinheads by Faith Erin Hicks and Rainbow Rowell (contemporary)
I am not the biggest fan of this graphic novel, and I would have recommended reading the Peanuts comics stripes instead, but I wanted to include at least a graphic novel. My main rec is an Italian one called Menta, but this is a close second for the Halloween and fall vibes.

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson (horror retelling)
I have only read Monday's Not Coming by this author — loved it — but this is on my high priority TBR for this year. It's a Carrie retelling and I can't wait to see how the author has chosen to retell the story. I think it deals with racism and I am very curious to read it.

This is going to be all for today! I'll talk to you on Sunday (if I survive Romics) with a review of a very interesting genre-bending ARC the publisher sent me via Netgalley.

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