Happy October! This month I’m celebrating my favorite holiday with all the creepy reads and Halloween-themed posts. I’ve made an effort over the last few years to pick up spooky reads during the month of October and I’ve ended up reading some really great picks (and a few duds if I’m honest). For this post, I’m listing ten of my favorite reads from Octobers past. Covers are linked to Goodreads.
1. The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle – If I could read one book every October, it would be this one. It’s atmospheric and eerie and you spend the majority of the book not quite sure what to make of it. It also takes place during the month of October which is just perfect.
2. Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, Edited by April Genevieve Tucholke – I don’t read anthologies often, but if there were more horror ones featuring my favorite authors, I’d be more likely to check them out. I really liked this collection and it got me curious about several authors I wasn’t familiar with.
3. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, Illustrated by Stephen Gammell – I picked this one up and its sequel one year for nostalgic purposes. This used to be one of my favorite books as a kid and those illustrations are beyond haunting. I can’t believe we are finally getting an adaptation. Someone pinch me.
4. Bad Blood by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – It took me a while to finally pick up the conclusion to this thriller series and I’m going to miss this ensemble a lot. I’d really like to see more mysteries in YA like this one, with smart characters and terrifying villains.
5. Penpal by Dathan Auerbach – I bought the ebook of this one on a whim and I’m so glad I did. It’s one of the few reads that has actually given me the chills. Also, I now think penpals are a terrible idea.
6. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll – I’m still a graphic novel reading newbie. I just discovered the horror and graphic novel combination and I think this is my sweet spot. The illustrations in this one are fantastic and the stories just eerie enough to make you sit up.
7. The Hollow Girl by Hillary Monahan – I wasn’t sure what we would get with this one as it’s about witches and a rape survivor, but I thought it was incredibly empowering and Gran will forever be one of the fieriest characters I’ve read.
8. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis – I remember reading this when I was going through a slump, but it still managed to really impress me. I loved how dark this one was and I am still in search of a novel like it.
9. Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Manscalco – I’m so glad I picked this one up during October. The setting and mystery really fit the bill. Audrey Rose and Thomas remain one of my favorite duos.
10. The Merciless II: The Exorcism of Sofia Flores by Danielle Vega – This sequel really surprised me as I just thought the first novel was just okay. This one was ten times more horrifying and why oh why don’t we have more horror novels in YA? I feel like there’s an untapped market for it.
Do you read horror novels during the month of October? Do you have any favorites you’ve picked up over the years? Let’s talk in the comments.
Yass, I LOVE Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark! That was one of my favorite spooky books growing up, the illustrations were terrifying! I read Slasher Girls and Monster Boys for the first time last week as one of my spooky October reads and really enjoyed it overall. I definitely need to check out some of these other books on your list!
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I still think about some of those illustrations. So chilling. Yay, I’m glad you enjoyed Slasher Girls and Monster Boys too. I’m not a big anthology reader, but some of those stories were great.
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No! I am too chicken LOL Maybe Hunting prince Dracula would be my cup of tea but the others … LOL
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I think the Stalking Jack the Ripper series would be perfect for you. It’s more of a thriller/mystery as opposed to a horror novel.
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I so need to read Hunting Prince Dracula (and Stalking Jack the Ripper too)- those books sounds so so good!
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I love those books so much. It’s got great characters, romance, and mystery.
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Those Scary Stories books totally did their job! Those pictures especially!!
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Yes, they were the best part. I remember some of those illustrations so vividly.
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I still need to get around to reading Through the Woods!!
Great list!
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I really enjoyed the graphic novel and I’m sure you will too. Thanks!
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Ack — I dislike truly scary stories. I just don’t have the stomach for them. However, I love mystery and suspense. Some minor horror squeezed in is okay, but not when it’s the focus of the book. I tend to save my spooky reads for fall, and I always re-read Harry Potter around this time! I hope you enjoy all of the books on your list! May they terrify you and have wonderful stories, too.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
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If you love mystery and suspense, you should check out the Stalking Jack the Ripper series is you haven’t already. HP is always before for this time of year and also Christmas. Thanks!
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I’m on the fence about Merciless II because the first one was sooo gory. And I still need to pick up A Madness So Discreet.
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The second Merciless is even gorier just to warn you. I love A Madness So Discreet and would love to reread it.
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I love the illustrations in Through the Woods, and I plan on reading The Accident Season very soon!
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Oh, you have such a treat ahead of you. The Accident Season is one of my favorites.
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I read Slasher Girls last year and have to agree, I wasn’t really familiar with anthologies before but it made me want to seek out other books like it. And also check some of the brilliant authors within it.
I am particularly intrigued by A Madness So Discreet. I wasn’t a fan of Stalking Prince Dracula, though, which is a shame because it had such a cool premise!
Great post, Alicia 🙂
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Yes, some of those stories in the anthology were so good. So sad you didn’t enjoy that one, but crossing my fingers that A Madness So Discreet is more your speed. Thanks!
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You know me – horror all year round. But I am enjoying seeing everyone’s reviews and tags – such a fun month for bloggers. I really need to get my hand on Hollow Girl. I keep forgetting about it and I’ve been curious ever since it was first released.
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Yes, all horror, all the time. The Hollow Girl was such a fantastic read. Everyone I know who’s read it, loves it. Problem is, not many people have.
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I love these type of books all the time, but reading them in October is kind of a magical time to do so. I love Hunting Prince Dracula and Through the Woods! I still need to read Slasher Girls & Monster Boys, so hopefully soon. Thanks for all these ideas!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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Yes, I completely agree. October is just the perfect time to indulge in these kind of books. Slasher Girls is such a good anthology. Hopefully we get some more creepy ones soon. Thanks for stopping by!
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OH MY GOD I HAVE THREE PEN PALS WHAT RED FLAGS SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR AND ARE THEY GOING TO KILL ME SOON OR ARE THEY SO HEARTLESS THAT IT WILL BE CLOSER TO CHRISTMAS????
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If a letter shows up in your mailbox without a return address and postal marking, I’m sorry, you are already being watched and it may be too late.
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………okay, I’m safe.
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…for now.
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😲
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I really loved The Hollow Girl! I still need to read A Madness So Discreet and The Accident Season. I’ve owned those for awhile and haven’t gotten around to them yet. Penpal sounds really interesting. I may have to check this one out soon.
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Yes, I’m so glad. I wish more people have picked up The Hollow Girl. Both The Accident Season and A Madness So Discreet are favorites of mine. Penpal was so unnerving. I might have to reread that one.
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I am so tempted to buy Penpal right now. It’s only $4.99 for the e-book, which is pretty cheap.
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Let me know if you do!
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i ended up buying it! i’m going to see if i can fit in before the month is over.
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Let me know what you think.
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The Accident Season was so darn good – one of the most atmospheric novels I’ve ever read. Slasher Girls & Monster Boys was amazing too, definitely one of the best short story collections, though there were a couple in there that I didn’t like. I adored The Naturals series – my favorite book was All In, but Bad Blood is a close second – the stakes got SO HIGH by that point. And yes, I too wish there were more books like this series. A Madness So Discreet is one of my all time favorite books – it’s so much more than a mystery or thriller novel, and I loved every moment of it. Fantastic post!
Veronika @ The Regal Critiques
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I’m so glad you’re a fan of The Accident Season. I loved the atmospheric feel so much. We have so many favorites in common!
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