Autumn is right around the corner, and there's no better way to enjoy the turn of the season than with a good book in your hands. Check out the suggestions below to find your next favorite fall book!
1. "Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell
"Fangirl" follows the story of Cath, a dedicated fan of the "Simon Snow" series, as she begins her freshman year of college. Despite her online fame for writing "Simon Snow" fan-fictions, Cath finds that upon beginning college, she'll have to navigate a balance between the fantasy world she calls "home" in her head and the real one she now has to adjust to. Set on a college campus just as the leaves begin to change, "Fangirl" is the perfect fall read for anyone starting college for the first time or coming back for another year.
2. "Stalking Jack the Ripper" (series) by Kerri Maniscalco
Set in the late nineteenth century, Audrey Rose Wadsworth is everything an upper-class girl should be -- save her fascination with medicine. Despite society's contempt for the idea of a woman pursuing medicine, her talents become a pivotal weapon when a serial killer begins ravaging London. With the help of her snarky and charismatic classmate, Thomas Cresswell, Audrey Rose sets out to solve the mystery of Jack the Ripper before it's too late. "Stalking Jack the Ripper" -- as well as its sequels: "Hunting Prince Dracula" and "Escaping From Houdini" -- are perfect to satisfy anyone's taste for a spooky, intriguing read.
3. "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
Considered the classic vampire novel of history, Stoker's "Dracula" has been a staple of Gothic literature since its release in 1897. The story is told through the journal entries of Jonathan Harker, a businessman sent to Dracula's castle. Once he discovers the harrowing truth about Dracula himself, Jonathan flees, but the danger he's awakened follows him back to England. "Dracula" is a classic for a myriad of reasons and with its chilling tale of the most infamous vampire of legend, it makes the ultimate autumn read.
4. "The Darkest Minds" (series) by Alexandra Bracken
When a mysterious pandemic kills a majority of the children in the country and leaves the survivors with strange abilities, Ruby Daly finds a way to escape from the containment camps those survivors have been placed in. In desperate pursuit of someone to help her understand her powers, Ruby falls in with a group of escaped kids on their way to a potential safe haven within a nation in shambles. Set in a near-future dystopia, "The Darkest Minds" has all the qualities of an enthralling read, and after you've read it, be sure to catch the film adaptation in theaters!
5. "Truly, Devious" by Maureen Johnson
In the 1930s, the founder of the famed Ellingham Academy and wealthy tycoon, Albert Ellingham, is blackmailed upon the kidnapping of his wife and young daughter. They've been taken by someone who calls themselves "Truly, Devious," and while Ellingham does his best to find them, his beloved family members were never heard from again. In present-day, true-crime fanatic Stevie Bell begins her first year at Ellingham Academy with one goal: solve the mystery of "Truly, Devious." And when one of her classmates is found dead, Stevie believes that "Truly, Devious" might be back to haunt Ellingham Academy once more.
6. "There's Someone Inside Your House" by Stephanie Perkins
Horror movies and slasher films are always thrilling to watch onscreen, but reading one takes the adrenaline rush to another level. In "There's Someone Inside Your House," a small town is plagued by a serial killer. Notable students are being killed without a clear motive, and protagonist Makani Young worries that, should someone uncover the truth about her past, she will be next. Full of captivating plot twists and a unique cast of characters, "There's Someone Inside Your House" will fulfill all of your horror movie needs this fall.
7. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde
Another dark classic, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" has captivated readers for years, earning it a rightful place as a classic. Set in late-Victorian England, young and handsome Dorian Gray becomes the subject of painter Basil's latest work of art. All who see it appear to fall in love with it, including Dorian himself. However, while Dorian begins to descend down a dark, hedonistic path, he finds that the painting begins to mirror his actions. Regarded as a marvelous piece of Gothic literature, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" will keep you enthralled from start to finish, and leave you questioning what is real and what isn't.
8. "The Wicked Deep" by Shea Earnshaw
In the small seaside town of Sparrow, Oregon, there is a curse, laid there by three sisters who had been drowned centuries prior for witchcraft. According to the curse, the ghosts of the three Swan sisters would come back and possess the bodies of three girls of the town, and through them, lure as many boys as possible to their watery grave. To Penny Talbot, the curse is very real and she wants no part of it. However, when a new boy arrives in town and befriends her, Penny must protect him from the wicked deep itself. Full of illustrious imagery and a haunting style, "The Wicked Deep" is for all fans of Hocus Pocus and spooky things alike.
So, which book are you planning on picking up this fall season?