5 Books You Can Read This October

Gothic Classics, Spooky Stories, and Heartwarming Adventures

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

Hello, bookish friend! I hope you’re having a nice cosy weekend.

So, this week I wanted to do a little book recommendation. To be more specific, I wanted to do an October book recommendation. It’s fall, it’s spooky season, it’s also Victober. So, today I’m presenting to you five books I love that I think are perfect for this month (in no particular order).

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

I don’t try to hide the fact that this is my favorite book ever and I’m pretty obsessed with it. But that’s not the only reason I’m recommending it. It’s dark and gothic, violent and passionate. There’s the love between Cathy and Heathcliff, Cathy’s betrayal, followed by Heathcliff’s revenge which spans generations. It’s like a fairytale gone wrong where instead of a happy ever after, we get an unhappy ever after. It’s a book that delves into the darker side of human nature and turns that into a horror story. Also, it’s a book written in the Victorian era which means if you’re taking part in Victober, it’ll make a nice addition to your list. 

The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

A pretty short yet captivating story, another gothic horror. It’s sinister and unsettling. We have our main character Eleanor, who has lived a pretty dissatisfactory life so far and is desperately looking for some real connection, for a place to belong. And our titular character, Hill House, almost an alive being than just a house, seems perfectly aware of her pain points. There are several elements of horror in the story, however as the story progresses, it becomes more about Eleanor falling prey to the ominous Hill House. And of course, there are other characters as well, with their own personal demons. A gripping story that will keep you on edge from the beginning to the very end.

The Fall Of The House Of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

In this short story, Poe masterfully immerses his readers in a dark and gothic world. The dilapidating mansion, its dismal surroundings, the murky tarn that mirrors the house all contribute to an ominous atmosphere from the very start. This sense of foreboding only intensifies as we encounter Rodrick Usher, whose character is veiled in mystery, not just from us readers, but also from his good friend, our narrator. This distance and his erratic behaviour creates a sense of impending doom before it actually arrives. Another piece of Victorian literature, if you appreciate gothic literature, psychological horror, and stories that explore the fragility of the human mind, this is a classic you won't want to miss. 

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Enough with the dark tales, now we’re moving on to some lighter reads. Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey might not be as celebrated as her later works, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable as a story. It’s a satire, where Austen is poking fun at the melodramatic gothic literature of her time. Our main character Catherine is a reader of novels and as a result, overly imaginative, making up dramatic scenarios in her mind where there are none. It makes us laugh at her but also absolutely adore her. Whether you're a devoted Austen fan or a newcomer to her works, you’ll love the journey into the world of Catherine and her fanciful adventures.

Anne Of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

When it comes to heroines with vivid imaginations, Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables will come second to none. She's spirited, romaticising every aspect of her life, elevating the ordinary to extraordinary with the power of her imagination. An orphan from an asylum and starved of love, she’s determined to find her place in the world, to belong. And that she does, making her place not only in her adoptive family, but also in the local community. Pair that with Montgomery's vivid descriptions of Prince Edward Island, its lush landscapes, picturesque villages, and green hills, and you get a story that warms up your heart, makes you believe in good and gives you hope.

Did I mention that this book is also my October read? As October approached, I found myself longing to revisit Anne’s adventures through the beautiful and dreamy Avonlea, so that’s what I am reading right now.

What are you reading? Are you picking anything from my list or have you already selected your October read(s)? Don’t forget to let me know.

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