Green leaves fade into oranges, reds and yellows. A chill permeates the air, and I drag my sweaters out of the closet. I drink steaming mugs of tea in place of my usual refreshing, iced drinks while I craft the perfect fall playlist. The official first day of fall is marked on my calendar, and I consult my list of ways to commemorate the change in seasons. At the top of my priorities: curate the perfect fall to-be-read list.
I rarely end up reading even half the books on this list, busy with the beginning of a new school year and all of its commitments, but I always make sure to read a few. Reading allows me to slow down and truly immerse myself in the fall season. Although my fall experience is always warm and cheerful, I tend to gravitate toward reading scarier stories rather than cozy fall tales. There is something about the crisp air and proximity of Halloween that gets me in the mood for horror. Even if this genre isn’t for you, there’s no better time to try it out than during the season of black cats, witches and vampires.
These novels are perfect for the months of October and November, as the leaves fall and dark, looming silhouettes remain in their wake. Losing yourself in these chilling stories will provide you with that same gloomy feeling.
“House of Hunger” by Alexis Henderson
Alexis Henderson’s dark fantasy horror novel follows our protagonist, Marion, in a world where blood is everything. The wealthy nobles of the north live in luxury, drinking the blood of those beneath them. Marion has lived a life in the southern slums, until one day she decides she’s had enough and applies to be a bloodmaid for the House of Hunger. However, as she spends more time there and in the company of the countess, her fellow bloodmaids begin to go missing, and a darkness reveals itself.
While “House of Hunger” is not necessarily a vampire story, the concept of humans as the evil blood-drinkers is even more terrifying. There is an eeriness embedded in the story and an unsettling mystery at the heart of the house, both guaranteed to captivate you. The gothic elements of the novel create the dark mood that is essential to an atmospheric fall read.
“These Violent Delights” by Micah Nemerever
A twisted tale of human desire, “These Violent Delights” explores the atrocities that obsession can lead to. The novel is centered around Paul and Julian, university students in the 1970s, and the bond that they share. What begins as a friendship — forged by their shared disdain for the world around them and Paul’s admiration for Julian — slowly becomes an intense and unhealthy relationship. Their obsession with one another ultimately brings them to commit a terrible act, upending their lives for eternity.
“These Violent Delights” does not technically take place during fall months, but the novel is considered dark academia — a genre often associated with autumn. The descriptions place you directly into the bleak and dreary setting, a reflection of Paul’s mental state. This psychologically thrilling novel will leave you questioning what and who to believe.
“Lapvona” by Ottessa Moshfegh
Set in a medieval fiefdom, the village shepherd’s son, Marek, lives a tormented life with no mother. His father provides him no comfort, and his sole maternal figure is the blind old woman residing in the woods. Often referred to as a witch, the woman has a connection to the natural world and seems to possess secret knowledge of the town happenings. When Marek commits an act of violence, a corrupt lord and governor takes him in, and his life is turned upside down.
The strangeness that is “Lapvona” will leave you unsettled yet intrigued. I wanted to look away, but I also couldn’t bring myself to put the novel down. Although there is nothing particularly autumnal about Moshfegh’s novel, it is a horror story with its unusual characters and grotesque storyline. As the story progresses, readers stop hoping for a decent, likeable person to reveal themself; each character is absurd in their own unique way.
“The Lamb” by Lucy Rose
Margot and Mama live in their secluded cottage, deep in the forest. Every so often, someone will stumble upon their home, seeking warmth and shelter. Mama eagerly welcomes these “strays” in with a rotten smile, and Margot is just grateful she won’t go hungry that week. When an unusual stray comes across their abode, Margot is faced with complications in her and Mama’s relationship. She grapples with both her desire for independence and her desperation for her mother’s love.
This horror novel is a chilling story. The dark forest setting creates the perfect atmosphere for a folky fall read, complemented by bloody depictions of gore. However, it’s not just a terrifying tale; “The Lamb” also tugs on your heartstrings. I was sympathetic for Margot and found myself rooting for the young girl, who was thrust into a lifestyle she didn’t choose. This novel is for those craving a twisted coming-of-age story.
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë
Orphan Jane Eyre experiences mistreatment and cruelty throughout her childhood. She eventually gains independence as a governess of the ward to Mr. Rochester, moving into Thornfield Hall. But it is soon obvious that something haunts the house at odd hours, and Jane makes a horrifying discovery.
Brontë’s most popular work serves as the perfect fall read, meant to be read on a gloomy and rainy day. Thornfield Hall is isolated and mysterious, with an unexplained mystery at the heart of it. There are dark secrets and seemingly supernatural events, complemented by romantic elements, cultivating its title of a gothic novel. “Jane Eyre” provides readers with the ambience and emotions that only a Victorian classic truly can.
Each of these novels is peculiar in its own way, but together they encapsulate the darkness of autumn. There is no better time than the months leading up to cold and gloom to crack open a horror, thriller or gothic novel. I hope you have the time this fall to slow down and enjoy one — if not more — of these strange stories.
Daily Arts Writer Meagan Ismail can be reached at mismai@umich.edu.
