I used to read constantly as a kid. I used to lie to my mom and tell her I was assigned 15 minutes of reading as homework by my teacher just so I could read instead of doing my actual homework. Then I got a degree in English Literature, which was a lot of reading, and I didn't do it as much for leisure anymore. But, in the last year-ish, I've started reading for fun again and I have some recommendations that just happen to fit the *~spooky vibes~* this month. Enjoy, and let me know in the comments if you've read any of these/will be adding them to your reading list!

Oh and FYI, I am a chicken. These suggestions are not actually "can't sleep" type of terrifying. Just spooky vibes.

1. In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of the Black Widow of La Porte by Camilla Bruce

I loved this book! Just the right amount of eeriness and very well-told through the perspective of Belle Gunness, a (real-life) serial killer in the early 1900s. It also tells some parts through the viewpoint of her sister which provided a great contrast to Belle's disturbing, disdainful point of view.

2. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

This book is definitely a similar story to that told in The Secret History by Donna Tartt (which is one of my favourite books), and tbh I objectively liked The Secret History better. But If We Were Villains is much shorter and quicker-paced, and well, spookier, because it is accented by the dramatic lens of various Shakespearean tragedies. This book follows the senior year of seven students in an intense, close-knit drama program and starts out with the narrator leaving prison ten years after its events. Someone dies. And it is unclear who the real villain is...read it for some fun spookiness. Or pick up The Secret History if you like a slower burn.

3. Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline

I liked this book a lot a lot. I gave it 5 stars. It focuses on the broken-hearted Joan, who has been left wondering for almost a year since the love of her life suddenly disappeared after an argument. But then she finds him. Or she thinks it's him, but he doesn't seem to know her...

Inspired by the traditional Métis story of the Rogarou, this novel has the perfect amount of "creature feature" and has really wonderful storytelling in the relationships between its characters. And by a Canadian author! We love it.

4. My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

This one was so unexpected in the best way. I read this a couple years ago now but I still think about it, which I feel is enough justification to be recommending it to you now. What would you do if your sister needed your help to clean up a dead body? What if it happened more than once? This book kept me on the edge of my seat and had such interesting, layered characters. Highly recommend.

5. Bunny by Mona Awad

This book left me confused in the best way. It's got some of the vibes from If We Were Villains because it takes place at a university where a group of mean girls-esque students called the "Bunnies" operate. It's like a classic popularity tale but also with the dark arts? It was one of those books where I wasn't sure if what I was reading was literal or metaphorical, and tbh I think that's part of the fun. Definitely spooky and a bit of gore in this one (not too much though you'll be fine). And heyyy another Canadian author hehe.

So there's five spooky books I think you should read, and then we can talk about them together. If you like getting reading recommendations or are just curious about what I'm reading in general, check out my storygraph where I've started documenting and reviewing my reads. It's really fun to see how the books I've read break down into different categorizations. Not an ad, but if you make an account to follow me, let me know and I'll follow you back! I'd love to have more friends on there. Happy reading, and happy October!