Warm-colored leaves falling and colder weather mean Fall is here, and with it comes spooky season. Halloween decorations are put up, kids get ready to go trick-or-treating, and horror movies pack theaters, but fall is also a great time of year to catch up on reading! The English teachers of THS share their favorite books to read during the Fall season.
The River is Waiting — Wally Lamb
Horror novels aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good reads to fall into. Mrs. Gray’s recommendation follows Corby Ledbetter, a man who lost his son and must tackle the guilt in prison. It is a more introspective novel that digs into the psyche of characters, exploring how people must live and deal with the guilt of making a horrible mistake.
The Secret History — Donna Tartt
Mrs. Gangon’s pick for this year is a murder mystery that follows a group of liberal arts students. It is told by Richard Papen, one member of the friend group, and the successive events leading up to another group member’s death. It garners much inspiration from Greek stories, references many classic novels, and is highly regarded for its characterization and atmosphere. It’s also credited for originating the dark academia sub-genre, which romanticizes high education and intellectuality by combining it with gothic elements.
Covenant Series — Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Covenant series consists of five main books, a prequel, and a spin off series, The Titan. It is a YA romantasy series set in a world based on Greek Mythos. The books follow Alex, a half-blood, who struggles with her role in society and a love triangle between two pure-bloods. As Mrs. Cabral puts it, Armentrout “features women coming into their own with strength and heart,” combining horror, fantasy, and romance to suck you in.
The Housemade Trilogy — Freida McFadden
This past Summer, Ms. Palumbo got into the Housemaid trilogy. An ex-convict, Millie, struggles to find work, until she’s hired as a live-in maid. Slowly, she realizes that the family she is working for is not as perfect as they seem. The series follows her journey working for other families with dark secrets, and how Millie’s perseverance helps her survive.
It — Stephen King
Stephen King’s It is one of his most popular horror novels because of its creep factor and memorable villain: It. It is an alien entity that terrorizes the town of Derry, mostly in the form of Pennywise the Clown to attract children to consume. The novel follows seven characters known as the “Loser’s Club,” in adulthood and childhood as they survive and confront the being that has tormented their town for decades. As Mrs. McCarthy recalls: “I got halfway through the book and was so freaked out it took me a month to pick it back up and finish it.” For Halloween, it is a perfect read to get your adrenaline pumping!
Salem’s Lot — Stephen King
As a huge fan of King’s work, Mr. Leys’s favorite for the fall season is Salem’s Lot. This novel was King’s second published work, and is held in high regard by his fans. It follows Ben Mears, who comes to Salem’s Lot to discover that vampires have taken over the town. Leys loves the way King creates suspense among the characters, and how he makes a very fantastical situation feel horrifyingly real.
Dracula — Bram Stoker
Mrs. Sylvia’s recommendation is one of the most influential of the classic horror novels. Written in the late 1800s, the book takes on a unique form of storytelling through news articles, diary entries, and letters from a multitude of characters. The suspense surrounding the charmingly horrifying Count Dracula drags you into a foggy London for a perfectly creepy read.
