With fall quickly approaching, so does the endless list of seasonal media to consume. For students hoping to get into the Halloween spirit with a good book, here’s a few recommendations to add to the list.
“Cackle” by Rachel Harrison is a witchy novel set in a quaint upstate New York village. After Annie is dumped by her long-term boyfriend, she leaves the city behind for a new teaching job in the countryside. Quickly after moving into her new apartment, she meets Sophie, a stunning, magnetic character who immediately takes an interest in her.
As their friendship deepens, Annie’s life begins to change in strange and unexpected ways, thanks to Sophie’s growing influence. Equal parts spooky and cozy, “Cackle” blends light comedy with eerie mystery, making a perfect light-hearted read to ease into the Halloween season.
For fans of the classics, “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë is a perfect choice for when the temperature starts to cool. With its dark, stormy setting, the novel follows Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, two characters driven by obsession, vengeance, and cruelty. Brontë’s narrative shifts between generations, eventually centering on the children of the original characters at the haunting manor of Thrushcross Grange.
The story is getting renewed attention with an upcoming film adaptation starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. The film is directed by Emerald Fennell, best known for films like “Promising Young Woman” and “Saltburn.” Online criticism for the film has started after the release of the first trailer, with many disapproving of the inaccurate portrayals and over-sexualization of the story.
Many viewers criticized the adaptation for casting Heathcliff, historically interpreted as a character of non-white heritage, as a white man. Despite the backlash, the star-studded cast and Fennell’s reputation suggest the film will still draw major attention and likely be a box office success. Regardless of the criticism, the film is expected to draw significant attention when it premieres.
Though not specifically a Halloween book, “How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive” by Craig DiLouie is a spooky read nonetheless. The story follows Max Maurey, a once-celebrated horror director desperate to make another great film. When he discovers an old camera that filmed a real Hollywood horror, he decides to use it for his next film. Though things go smoothly at first, Max ends up finding himself at the center of a very real horror story.
With its mix of Hollywood satire, supernatural scares, and psychological tension, “How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive” is a fitting Halloween pick for readers who enjoy thrillers with a meta twist.
For readers looking for an eerie, academic setting, “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt is a quintessential fall novel. The book follows a group of students at a small New England college who, under the influence of their enigmatic professor, become entangled in a murder.
Told through the perspective of outsider Richard Papen, the story slowly unravels the group’s secrets, blurring the line between intellectual obsession and moral corruption. With its moody university atmosphere and complex characters, “The Secret History” is not a stereotypical horror story but carries an unsettling tone that makes it perfect for the season.
For those interested in something more fast-paced and terrifying, “Clown in a Cornfield” by Adam Cesare delivers classic slasher thrills with a modern twist. The novel follows Quinn Maybrook, a teenager who relocates to a small town still haunted by its unsettling past. When a killer dressed as the town’s clown mascot begins targeting local teens, Quinn and her classmates are forced into a bloody fight for survival.
A film adaptation of the novel was released in recent years, bringing Cesare’s slasher vision to the screen. The movie is currently available to rent or purchase digitally, offering another way to enjoy the story even after finishing the last page.
