As promised on September’s Read This Next, I have embraced the spooky spirit and am all things haunted and pumpkin spiced right now. I spent many nights in October, cuddled under all of the blankets, hoping to get scared out of my gourd. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, despite my best efforts.

I curated an entire list of haunted reads from multiple Reddit lists, and sadly almost all of them left me wanting more. Some of the books this month were so outlandish that it bordered on childish, whereas others dragged along for chapters at a time, not unlike the zombies within their pages.

But since reading is so subjective, much like a good wine, I’ll share with you anyway in the hopes of connecting the right reader to the right book. May my black licorice be your Mars bar… or something like that. So grab your witches’ brew and let’s comb through my spooky book recommendations.

As always, I clarify in my reviews whether I listened to or physically read the book. I also link all of the book cover images to Goodreads so you can click on them to read more reviews if you’re so inclined.

The Ministry of Time
Kaliane Bradley

Science Fiction, 284 pages

A Time-Traveling Tale with a Twist

After one of my favorite Goodreads influencers raved about this booked, so I eagerly anticipated it’s release date in early May. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one as I was hit with a several month wait until I finally got my hands on a copy at the library. The premise sounded unique and fresh: a British-Cambodian girl working at the Ministry of Time is assigned to an expat from the past to act as a bridge for a year, helping him adjust to modern society.

My Review of The Ministry of Time

After months of waiting, I cracked open the book and was immediately delighted. The witty banter between the protagonist and her expat, Graham Gore (a commander from the doomed 1845 Arctic expedition), was engaging and fun. For example:

“I withhold my blessings. How do you pronounce this word, please?”
“ ‘Sichuan.’ Oh. Graham, you know you can’t handle spice.”
“Bold new frontiers. You can play a mournful violin while I expire of the ‘explorer’s disease.’ ”
“The…?”
“Indigestion.”

As the story progresses, she begins to develop feelings for Graham while uncovering a secret agenda within the Ministry that could put her life at risk.

However, the book suffers a bit of an identity crisis. Is it a sci-fi adventure focusing on time travel, a romance, or a thriller with an unknown killer? At just 284 pages, juggling all these elements made the narrative feel tangled. Rarely do I think a book needs more pages, but an extra 100 might have helped flesh out the romance and thriller aspects more effectively.

Who Should Read This Book

This was is a fun debut. Science fiction and history enthusiasts will appreciate the unique premise, and fans of twist endings won't be disappointed by the Ministry's hidden agenda.

Gallows Hill
Darcy Coates

Gothic, 386 pages

Inheriting a Haunted Winery with Dark Secrets

“Curiosity is good for a child. But not in Gallows Hill.”

Reddit users claimed this book gave them nightmares, so I was eager to dive in before spooky season ended. Gallows Hill follows Margot, the sole heir of the Gallows Hill Winery, who inherits not just a business but an imposing old house swirling with rumors after her parents' mysterious deaths. Sent away as a child, Margot begins to piece together her parents' distance over the years and the eerie coincidences happening in the house.

My Review of Gallows Hill

While there were some genuinely creepy scenes that gave me goosebumps, none made me sleep with the lights on. One recurring frustration was Margot's lack of preparedness in a haunted house—her phone's battery is always dying or gets lost. As someone who constantly misplaces her phone (shout out to the "Find My Phone" feature!), I found this irksome and relatable. It’s like when you yell at the MC to not go down the scary dark hallway, but she does it anyway.

On the positive side, the curse tied to the winery was well-thought-out, and I enjoyed the ending, even if Margot stumbled her way into it. The combination of a haunted house and an award-winning winery with a dark history added a unique flavor that set it apart from other gothic horror novels.

Who Should Read This Book

If you enjoy gothic settings with family curses and don't mind a protagonist who makes questionable decisions, this one might be up your alley.

The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley JAckson

Classic Horror, 7 hours and 27 minutes

The OG Classic Haunted House Story?

This is likely the most well-known scary book on this year’s list, thanks to the popular Netflix series that launched in 2018. As seems to be the norm for our family, we watched a few episodes, got busy with life and never returned, despite all the spoilers I have avoided regarding the Bent Neck Lady.

With October winding down and all of my holds “available soon” (how soon, Libby?!), I was delighted that my library had an available copy of the audiobook. Maybe I would finally see what scared so many of my peers a few years ago!

My Review of The Haunting of Hill House

The story centers on Eleanor, a deeply sheltered and quirky woman invited by Dr. Montague to stay at Hill House—a place with a reputation for paranormal activity. Alongside Theodora, a woman with quasi-psychic abilities, and Luke, the future heir of the house, they aim to document supernatural occurrences.

I was surprised to find that much of the book focused on the characters' interactions and mundane conversations rather than actual hauntings. The characters felt simultaneously insufferable and underdeveloped. More backstory might have helped me connect with them and better understand the ambiguous ending.

However, Jackson's vivid descriptions of Hill House are where the book truly shines. She masterfully paints a picture of disorienting architecture and unsettling interiors that give the house a life of its own.

Who Should Read This Book

Fans of classic horror who appreciate atmospheric writing and psychological tension may enjoy this book. If you're looking for jump scares and overt horror, the Netflix adaptation might be more your speed.

Diavola
Jennifer Marie Thorne

Horror, 296 pages

A Haunted Italian Villa with Missed Potential

I won't lie—the cover art drew me in. It's pure nightmare fuel, so I had high hopes that the story would match the eerie visuals. Set in the countryside of Florence, Diavola follows a family vacationing in a haunted Italian villa.

My Review of Diavola

Unfortunately, the story didn't live up to its potential. The characters were utterly unlikable, and I found myself annoyed with the protagonist, Anna, and her "not like other girls" attitude. Also, the fact that she’s allegedly fluent in Italian because of Duolingo is laughable. Don’t get me wrong, the bird has gotten me pretty far in my own language journey, but not so far that I can fool any German into thinking I’m a native speaker.

On the bright side, the book is a quick read, and the atmospheric setting had moments of intrigue. But overall, it left me disappointed.

Who Should Read This Book

If you prioritize creepy settings and don't mind shallow character development, you might find some enjoyment here. Otherwise, you might want to judge this book by its cover and move on.

Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma
Claire Dederer

Nonfiction, 8 hours and 14 minutes

Can We Separate the Art from the Artist?

Content Warning: This book discusses sexual harassment and abuse.

One of my friends posted this book in her Instagram story needing to discuss it with someone, and since she already recommended a 10/10 novel to me (The Tsar of Love and Techno—pick it up if you haven’t already), I downloaded the audiobook. Intrigued by the premise—what do we do about art we love created by terrible people?—I dove in, hoping for insight.

My Review of Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma

This is something I’ve felt conflicted about over the past few years, specifically in regards to J.K. Rowling and Kevin Spacey. I wouldn’t go as so far to call myself a Harry Potter fan, as I don’t go around telling everyone my house (Ravenclaw) nor do I have a scarf or a posed photo of said scarf at Platform 9¾ in Kings Cross. That said, I do own hard copies of the series (some of the only hardcopy books I own) and they’re the only books I’ve ever re-read. While I enjoy these books, I am in violent disagreement with Rowling’s TERF views of feminism. So what do I do knowing Harry Potter and hatred live inside the same brain?

Dederer's writing is intelligent and thought-provoking, albeit dense at times. She doesn't provide definitive answers but rather invites readers to grapple with the dilemma individually. While I appreciated the exploration, I found it challenging that much of the discussion centered around artists like Woody Allen and Roman Polanski—artists I’m less familiar with.

Who Should Read This Book

If you're interested in the ethics of art consumption and enjoy nuanced, open-ended discussions, this book is worth a read.

Have you read anything lately that you’ve absolutely loved? Leave a comment with your suggestion—I’m always on the hunt for the next great book, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction!

Well, there you have it—my spooky season reading adventure didn't quite have me sleeping with the lights on, but it was a ride filled with eerie mansions, time-traveling expats, and more than a few eye-rolls at forgetful protagonists. Maybe my tolerance for terror is higher than I thought, or perhaps I just need better recommendations!

As we wrap up October and tuck away our witches' hats, I'm looking forward to diving back into my usual reads. Next month's lineup promises to be a return to form, with hopefully (fingers crossed) plenty of exciting new releases from this year that have been on my holds list for the past few months.

But before we close the book on spooky season, I need your help! What's the scariest book you've ever read? The one that made you triple-check the locks or sleep with a nightlight? Drop your spine-chilling favorites in the comments below—I’m determined to find a story that will finally get me scared out of my gourd for next year's list.

Until then, happy reading, and may your next book keep you turning pages late into the night!

P.S. Thanks for joining me on this haunted journey. Your recommendations might just be the key to unlocking the ultimate spooky read!

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