Happy October!

I want to kick off my favorite month of the year by giving you all some spookily good book recommendations! I’ve read most of the books on this list, but also included a few I have my eye on. There’s murder mysteries, supernatural thrillers, wizards and witches, vampires, time traveling, and a few book that are just too much fun to pass up!

Let the spooky reading recommendations begin:

Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey – I think of this book as a grown up Harry Potter set in a much darker world. Two identical twins lead very different lives – one, a human, struggles as a private investigator with a drinking problem while her sister, a witch gifted with magical abilities, excels teaching at a private school for witches and warlocks. However, when a fellow teacher is found murdered, their two worlds collide in the most unlikely of ways!

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – I CANNOT recommend this book enough! Probably one of my favorite novels I’ve read in a while – once I started I couldn’t put it down! It’s a perfect combination of mystery, murder, and intrigue mixed with the supernatural. The first few chapters can be a bit confusing, as you discover you’re placed in the body of a host who can’t remember who he is, and keeps waking up in different bodies as he races against the clock to solve the murder of a wealthy socialite. It’s unlike anything I’ve every read before!!

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman – for anyone that loved the 90s film Practical Magic (or the book version), this prequel book tells the stories of the eccentric witch aunts and what made them the way they are. A beautiful story of family, love, loss, magic, and nostalgia that is a great fall read.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – fans of suspense, gothic dramas, and historic homes with secrets will be enthralled with this novel. A wealthy socialite receives a disturbing letter from her beloved cousin claiming her life is in danger, but when she visits to check on her, the whole strange family acts as though she’s gone mad! For fans of classics like Rebecca, this is a must-read.

The New Hercule Poirot: The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah – I’m a huge Agatha Christie fan and loved Hannah’s last Hercule Poirot novel. She masterfully capture’s Christie’s wit, suspense, and elaborate plot filled with colorful characters and memorable twists!

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer – Twilight written from the perspective of Edwarrd Cullen. Do I need to say more??

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix – This one kept getting recommended to me and seems like a fun read! Basically if Buffy met Desperate Housewives – I can’t wait to dive in!

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – This classic novel is one of my favorites! The tale of a young newlywed wife living in the shadow of her predecessor’s home, mansion, and eerily loyal staff. This is always a page-turner, no matter how many times I read it!

Will my Cat Eat my Eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty – a hilarious take on death and what happens afterwards written by a mortician who answers children’s questions. It’s incredibly insightful and I learned so much, but could also be a fun read with curious kids!

A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow – what if murdered children were able to come back and get a chance at enacting revenge on their killers? A cold case detective gets wrapped up in unsolved murders that take a disturbingly dark turn in the present day.

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik – a mystery that takes place at a magical school – I love a good back-to-school book for fall and this one keeps popping up on my radar!

The Guest List by Lucy Foley – this one was recommended to me by a friend and I’m quite intrigued! A blissful wedding turns into a whodunnit murder, Agatha Christie-style!

The Shadows by Alex North – another recommendation, this haunting thriller involves a 25-year-old cold case unearthed once a copycat starts killing new victims.

And if you’re really looking to dive into a bunch of books this season, here are my top recommendations for series to keep you delighted and satisfied:

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – author issues aside, this series brings back all of the best of childhood nostalgia, magic, and whimsy.

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare – a personal favorite, this series also has a ton of prequels and sequels to last you the rest of the year! Clare does an incredible job creating delightful characters and building a truly magical world. I highly recommend starting with City of Bones.

The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer – because who doesn’t want to re-read the series and then binge-watch the movies on Netflix? Sounds like my ideal fall weekend tbh.

I hope these fun, thrilling, and hauntingly good novels help you set the tone for the season! Happy reading!

XOXO

Parisa