Autumn Reading List
- Rachael Matilda
- Oct 6, 2019
- 4 min read
Tis' the season for more reading options!
Hey everyone, hope you're as excited for the fall season as I am! Cozy nights, late-night walks, warm apple cider, bonfires... I'd definitely say it's my favorite season. You know what else this season is perfect for? You guessed it... BOOKS. Lot's and lot's of books.
Now, you could argue that reading is for EVERY season, and you'd be right. But let's get real. What's more comforting than cozying up with a good book with the crisp autumn leaves falling right outside your window? So grab some fuzzy socks and your favorite cardigan. I'm about to give you some reading material for the fall!
1.) Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha
This is my current read and it fits in perfectly with the season! The first part of the book is a written version of the popular Halloween movie Hocus Pocus. I was worried that it would be the movie script word for word, but the author is able to keep the major scenes and lines from the movie as well as adding their own personal touches. Not to mention an unexpected storyline developing underneath the original story. The second part of the book is the sequel that takes place 25 years later regarding Max and Allison's daughter Poppy. Poppy must face the Sanderson sisters again with the help of her friends on Halloween night. Needless to say, this book is a must-read for all the Hocus Pocus lovers out there!
2.) The Shining by Stephen King
For me, autumn season = spooky season. What better way to break in the weather change than a Stephen King novel? This King novel is actual the first I've read of his work and it did not disappoint. The story follows Jack Torrence, a struggling writer, who gets a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel during the hotel's "off season". The area gets massive amounts of snow each year which prevents anyone from arriving or leaving. Jack, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny move into the hotel and are provided with plenty of supplies to last them through the winter. Countless rooms, an unsettling atmosphere, possibly some ghosts, and no way out. What could go wrong?
3.) Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
This happens to be my FAVORITE novel of all time. It's actually a sequel to King's The Shining which not a lot of people know. This story follows Dan Torrence all grown up, still struggling with the horrors of the Overlook Hotel as well as alcoholism. After settling into a place he believes he can call home, Dan begins having a connection (via his abilities) to a young girl named Abra with a powerful "shine" like him. He discovers this cult called the True Knot is after her and eager to feed on her "shine" in order to continue their immortality.
Filled with suspense, action, and the bonds of family and friendship, this novel truly has everything to make a great story. In fact, the movie (staring Ewan McGregor) is actually being released November 8th. I can't wait!
4.) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
I actually just received this in an OwlCrate subscription and can't wait to crack it open. The Haunting of Hill House was renewed for season 2 on Netflix and I've only heard positive reviews about the show. The characters deal with ghosts from their pasts as well as ghosts in Hill House itself. If you're in for a battle of wits and unpredictable plot points, or if you're in love with the Netflix series, this is the book for you.
5.) The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
This was another September OwlCrate item I received in my subscription. I'm very excited to dive into it because it's a combination of horror and fairytale. I mean, come on. The main character, Ryn, is a gravedigger as well as her siblings. The dead rise at unexpected times (referred to as "bone houses") and a mysterious newcomer named Ellis causes the bone houses to stir up more than ever. Intrigued yet? I AM. Guess what else? There's curses and the existence of the fae (a type of fairy). This is definitely on my list for the autumn season.
6.) Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
These books were a strong part of my childhood. There's three total and they're basically a collection of short, creepy stories with very detailed (not to mention unsettling) illustrations. I remember reading these back and forth at slumber parties with my best friends and trying to scare the crap out of each other. I remember reading some of these to my mom and freaking myself out instead of her. These stories make me glad I never babysat and serve as a cautious reminder to always check the back seat of your car before you get in. Want some spooky, occasionally funny, and downright outlandish stories? These are the books for you.
It may be cliche, but I absolutely love Edgar Allen Poe. A very under-appreciated storyteller and poet of his time, but nonetheless talented. If stories like "The Black Cat" and "The Cask of Amontillado" don't send chills down your spine, I don't know what will. I have every volume of his works and am slowly moving through them. I'm sure you can even find some of his work online for free. They're strange and spooky, even a little psychotic here and there, but it's okay, Edgar. We still love you.
So there you have it! Those are my top autumn-style picks for 2019. I hope I helped spark your seasonal reader-interest or at least gave you some inspiration for fall! It's a time for change, new beginnings, and definitely more adventures. Get lost in a story or maybe even create your own. I can't wait for you all to read "1971". It's definitely fit for the spooky season ahead.
Here's a fun fact about "1971":
I was really nervous to write a story that took place in the 70s. Especially considering I was born over TWO DECADES LATER. But I've been having so much fun researching and talking to people who experienced the 70s. I truly feel like I've immersed myself into this decade and have a whole new appreciation for it.
"1971" will be released on October 25th @ 2pm CST.
Talk to you soon!
~Rach
Dream. Wake Up. Pursue. Inspire.
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