Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

Although Halloween has since passed and monsters are less relevant, gloomy weather days are ever-present and wonderfully accompanied by this book. This old classic tells the tale of a scientist and the monster he created, followed by the unexpected awful results. This book allows the reader to see the story from the viewpoint of both the scientist and his monster, placing the reader in the middle of a regretful creator and a lonely creation. Enjoyed by many generations, Shelly’s Frankenstein sets a spooky and sad scene.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

The third book of the Harry Potter series, The Prisoner of Azkaban becomes a bit darker and more complex than the first two installments. Sirius Black, a convicted mass murderer, has escaped from Azkaban prison and is believed to be after Harry. Regarding school life, Harry is finding success on the Quidditch team and becomes close with the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, a long time friend of his father. Harry begins learning more about his past and the threats to the wizarding world.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

As one of my favorite fall reads, The Secret History takes place at a small college in Vermont during the 1980s and follows Richard, a student who reinvents himself with a new identity to fit in with his new tightly knit classmates studying ancient Greek. An accidental murder and the dark unraveling that follows is gripping and full of suspense. 

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

After watching a trailer for the 2018 motion picture adaptation, I was instantly intrigued when finding out it was based on a novel by Shirley Jackson, the same author as The Haunting of Hill House (which has its own film adaptation from 1999 as well as a Netflix Original series). The book follows two sisters, Mary Katherine and Constance, the last remaining members, other than Uncle Julian, of the Blackwood family in their great old house on the outskirts of town. After being left alone for the past six years since the rest of the family has been poisoned, a long-lost cousin Charles enters the picture. Narrated by Mary Katherine (Merricat) the tale is chilling and at times deeply disturbing, but always entertaining.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery

Adopted by the aging Cuthbert siblings to help on their farm, 11-year-old orphan Anne Shirley is not what they expected. Shaking up their predictable every-day lives, Anne soon wins them over. One of my all-time favorite childhood rereads, Anne of Green Gables in the fall feels like the warm hug that a lot of people need.