In honor of publishing season, I thought it would be helpful to write an article with book recommendations for the fall months. These stories are either from my own recommendation or from Hampton Students who shared their favorites with me. None of them are too particularly scary, so I apologize to horror fans, but most provide a very good atmospheric read for the fall weather. So here is the list!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt— Published in 1992, it centers around a college student named Richard Papen who weaves his way into a secret Greek club. As the story unfolds, the characters become increasingly aware that nobody, especially those closest to them, are ever who they seem. Part satire and part mystery, this dark novel gets more confusing as the story unwinds. This book is good for anyone who loves complex characters and dark mysteries.

Fairy Tale by Stephen King— Just released this September, Fairy Tale is about a seventeen year old boy named Charlie, who has a very complicated home life. When an old man dies, Charlie is handed the keys to a mysterious building, which holds within a portal to a different universe. Deceptively scary and well written, this novel is perfect for those who liked Pan’s Labyrinth or Coraline, and, of course, any Stephen King story.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke— Piranesi is a newly published novel that is, by comparison, much less heavy than the other ones on this list. Piranesi, one of two surviving men stranded in their world, explores a labyrinth in search of a “great truth.” Walls are lined with uncountable statues and rooms randomly open into oceans. This book is perfect for those who want a fun and rewarding read, without having to deal with any heavy concepts. This book is definitely not for those who enjoy plot-heavy books, as this one contains a very loose plotline in favor for exploration of the intensely detailed world.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles— two best friends grow up during World War 2, both going through personal journeys of self-discovery

1001 Nights by Various Authors- a collection of around 200 middle-eastern folk tales such as Aladdin and Sinbad. This book is great for anyone who likes well-written short stories.

Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde— the perfect fall book in my opinion. A man’s soul is trapped inside of a painting while his face remains young. It’s very philosophical, but it is a very engaging read.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong— It’s a retelling of Romeo and Juliet but in 1920’s Shanghai, where the main characters are parts of rival gangs. It’s a really fun book, especially for Shakespeare lovers!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman— a boy named Nobody lives in a graveyard. He finds out that Jack, the man who killed his parents, still lives. It’s a very good novel for people who want something light but macabre for Halloween.