With its cozy autumn atmosphere and spooky, enchanting Halloween spirit, October is one of the most atmospheric months of the year. Along with fall-themed drinks and pumpkin decorating, reading is another exciting activity to celebrate the year’s best season. From classics to graphic novels, here are four books that are perfect reads for the Halloween season.
- “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë
“Wuthering Heights” occurs on a stormy, unpleasant day in the Northern England Moors. The novel begins with the narrator, Mr. Lockwood, who finds himself trapped in an estate named Wuthering Heights. Encountering a ghost from the vengeful owner’s past, Lockwood and the reader are pulled into a romantic whirlwind between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. Brontë builds complex characters possessing questionable morals, luring readers into the narrative. This novel is a perfect example of gothic literature, with a haunted estate and supernatural elements. Reading Brontë’s descriptive, lyrical writing style elicits chills down one’s spine. One aspect of the novel that is lacking is the variety in each character’s dialogue, stripping individuality from each character. Overall, this complex, gothic classic is the perfect book to challenge yourself and experience this season’s sorrowful, haunting ambiance.
- “Pumpkinheads” by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
“Pumpkinheads” is a short graphic novel about two teenagers who work in a pumpkin patch, spending their very last night in their hometown before heading to college. This lighthearted story shows the nostalgic journey of protagonists Deja and Josiah, cherishing their final moments in their hometown. Their differences become more apparent as they explore the entire pumpkin patch together. The strength of their bond is also seen in the sacrifices they make for each other. The book’s illustrations are drawn with a fall color scheme, making it an enjoyable and visually pleasing read for fall.
- “City of Ghosts” by V.E. Schwab
“City of Ghosts” is a middle-grade paranormal story following Cassidy Blake, a girl who can see ghosts. When her parents, famous ghost hunters named the “Inspecters,” head to Scotland to make a documentary, Cassidy moves with them and experiences many misadventures. Schwab’s writing style is simple and concise, making the book quick and fun. She adds a personal touch by adding photographs from her own experience in the central locations of the story. The mysterious small-town atmosphere makes the book an ideal choice for fans of “Stranger Things” (2016), but it is not as scary because it is intended for a younger audience. However, this book does not shy away from its spooky nature that captures the Halloween Spirit and undoubtedly makes readers shiver.
- “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens
“A Christmas Carol” is a short yet wildly popular holiday classic by Charles Dickens. Set in the mid-19th century, the story begins on Christmas Eve and, unlike Dickens’ other pieces, shows the perspective of a wealthy business owner instead of those who suffer from poverty. The story has a gloomy tone but slowly shifts into a warmer mood, mirroring the shift of the mindset of Scrooge, the main character. One of the most striking aspects of this story is Scrooge’s character development, which, despite happening overnight, is portrayed realistically. While “A Christmas Carol” is known for being a holiday story, its spooky aspect makes it a perfect choice to conclude your October reading voyage.
