Team Trick-or-Treaters! This is my team and has been for the past four rounds of the readathon! I love my team! And we actually won last year! I am so proud of everyone, let’s pull out a win this year again! We need to start beating Team Undead who has won 3 times already!
If you are still building your TBR for the readathon and want some recommendations, you have come to the right place! This post has 5 book recommendations for each of the prompts!
If you don’t know what I am talking about, check out this post about the Hocus Pocus Readathon!
Plus, don’t forget how easy peasy we are about prompts! If you are struggling to find a book that perfectly fits a prompt that is okay! As long as it has the same energy or vibe as the prompt, you are all good!
While I haven’t read every single book on this post, I am pretty sure they will fit the prompt! And if they don’t that’s okay! We’ll still give you the points anyway.
You can click on which prompt you are struggling with down below. Or take a look through the whole post, you might find the perfect book for your October TBR!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission through these links with no impact on your purchase. For more information, click here!
Prompt 1: The burning rain of death has started! Read a spooky book while listening to rain sounds!
This can be literally any spooky book! Here are a couple options! Also, if you are looking for rain sounds, check out Youtube! Type in “fall rain ambiance” and you will get some amazing options.
Title: Sawkill Girls
Author:
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Horror
Release Date: October 2, 2018
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I read this book a few years ago and loved it! It’s a spooky story that follows Marion, Zoey, and Val as they fight to figure out why girls have been stolen from their small community of Sawkill Rock. Can they fight the evil monster that is causing all of this chaos before one of them disappears?
This book screams fall. It is one of the most atmospheric books I have read, and it would be a perfect book to read with some rain sounds!
Title: The Book of Cold Cases
Author: Simone St. James
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Release Date: March 15, 2022
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In 1977, Beth was arrested for killing two men. However, she was absolved of the crimes and ever since then has been isolated to her massive mansion, speaking to no one. That is until 2017, when Shea, the owner of a true crime blog, asks for an interview, and surprisingly, Beth says yes!
Maybe it’s the book cover, but I know this would be the perfect book to read while listening to rain sounds, am I right? A possible killer in a spooky mansion while rain and thunder sounds play in the background. Sounds like the perfect October night to me.
Title: She is a Haunting
Author: Trang Thahn Tran
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Gothic
Release Date: February 28, 2023
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In this book, the main character, Jade, is just trying to survive five weeks in Vietnam with her estranged father so she can get her college money and be on her way. However, the house they are staying in has other plans. Jade is convinced something sinister is going on, but her dad and sister aren’t sharing these experiences.
Title: Halloween Fiend
Author: C.V. Hunt
Genre: Horror, Short Stories
Release Date: February 16, 2019
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I have never seen a more Halloween book cover in my entire life! Look at it! Halloween Fiend is about a small town that is terrorized by a creature they call Halloween. Each night they leave an offering to Halloween so they don’t become victims of it’s tricks. This gets even worse on Halloween night!
I mean come on, you have to agree that this is such a Halloween book! Plus, I just want to own it because of the book cover, so festive!
Title: Where Darkness Blooms
Author: Andrea Hannah
Genre: Young Adult, Horror Fantasy
Release Date: February 21, 2023
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Speaking of books I want to own because of how beautiful they are! Where Darkness Blooms is about a town where missing women are common. So, during a storm, when three women go missing, nobody seems to care, the case is closed, and these women’s daughters are left to pick up the pieces of their lives. But the deeper they look into their mothers’ disappearances, the scarier things get.
I can’t explain it, but I am positive I would love this book. This is definitely on my TBR for the Hocus Pocus Readathon!
Prompt 2: Help Max, Dani, and Allison beat the witches! Read a book that features characters with magical powers!
Title: Extasia
Author: Claire Legrand
Genre: Young Adult, Horror Fantasy
Release Date: February 22, 2022
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Coming from the author of one of my favorite YA horror books, Sawkill Girls, this story is about a girl chosen, amongst a group of four, who will be marked saints of Haven. Their job is to protect their town from an evil lying nearby, a witch who has already killed nine.
Mysterious, ominous, creepy. Absolutely perfect!
Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: September 13, 2011
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Of course, I had to include one of my favorite books of all time! There is nothing more magical than The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This story revolves around a mysterious circus that shows up almost instantaneously and is only open at night. Within this circus is the story of two magicians as they navigate their relationship with each other and the other members of the circus.
This book is about vibes. If you are looking for a story that will wrap you in it’s arms and not let go, read this book!
Title: Legendborn
Author: Tracy Deonn
Genre: Fantasy, Dark Academia, Young Adult
Release Date: September 15, 2020
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To me, dark academia is the perfect genre to read during the fall season. Walking around campus, pulling your peacoat tight around you to avoid the chill. Legendborn has all of this, plus the legend of King Arthur and Merlin! What more can you ask for?
This story revolves around a secret society of students at a college who are descendants of the Knights of the Round Table. These students work to protect their community from monsters trying to destroy peace.
Title: The Bone Season
Author: Samantha Shannon
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia
Release Date: August 20, 2013
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Another book that has been on my TBR forever! This novel is about a future world where Paige has been kidnapped and forced to work for a criminal in a city she never knew existed. Paige is also a dream walker and a clairvoyant.
I have heard so many positive things about this book and this author! I have a copy of this book and I look forward to reading it for the Hocus Pocus Readathon!
Title: Girls of Paper and Fire
Author: Natasha Ngan
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: November 6, 2018
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This book follows Lei, a girl chosen as one of the girls who will serve The Demon King. However, instead of focusing her entire attention on the King, Lei falls into a forbidden romance with another girl, Wren. Together they unlock dark secrets about the Kingdom.
I read this book a couple of years ago and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! After hearing all of the mixed reviews coming out about this book, I was glad my review was positive.
Prompt 3: The witches are working together to raise the undead! They have brought Billy back from the grave! Read a book about ghosts or a book that features ghosts!
Title: Lost Among the Living
Author: Simone St. James
Genre: Paranormal, Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 5, 2016
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Simone St. James has had a couple of popular books in the horror genre, However, I am only just learning about this book. In this historical fiction, Alex is spending time as a travel companion to her aunt when she starts being haunted by her husband who was killed in World War I. She decides to communicate with this ghost to find out her husband’s dark secrets.
I have enjoyed James’s writing so I am curious why this one is much less well known! I’ll have to read it and find out for myself.
Title: The Girl with Ghost Eyes
Author: M.H. Boroson
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Release Date: November 3, 2015
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This story is set in San Fransico’s Chinatown in the nineteenth century, where Li-lin is a part of a group of ghost hunters. Li-lin has yin eyes, meaning she can see the spiritual world. When a dark force threatens to destroy her home, Li-lin, with the help of a spirit, will do anything in her power to stop it.
I love a story about someone fighting for their home. I will never get tired of this plot, I know this will be an engrossing book.
Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: October 17, 2011
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Kendare Blake is a pretty popular author, their most well-known work being the Three Dark Crowns series. In one of their earlier works, Blake steps into the world of paranormal romance. This story is about Cas, who has a very strange job, he kills ghosts. So, when he sets out to hunt Anna, a ghost who murders anyone who steps into her house, he expects it to be quick and easy. However, Anna is nothing like he expects. Cas is also to first person Anna didn’t immediately kill.
A romance between a ghost and a ghost hunter! What a classic trope, I love it. This is definitely the book for you if you want a little more romance on your October TBR.
Title: Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All
Author: Laura Ruby
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: October 1, 2019
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This is a story of two women, one alive and one dead. The woman who is alive is named Frankie, and she was left at an orphanage by her father. Now, she is left to pick up the pieces of her life and find her place in a world damaged by WWII. The ghost is telling this story, while slowly revealing aspects of her own life.
I have said time and time again, how I want to add more historical fiction to my reading. Adding a ghost in there makes this the perfect introduction to the genre. Although this book sounds more heart-wrenching than spooky, there is definitely an ominous vibe to this story and I am looking forward to exploring this.
Title: The Haunting of Hillhouse
Author: Shirley Jackson
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Release Date: October 16, 1959
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Having read the book and watched the Netflix series, I can say that the two are pretty different, but both are good in their own way. This book is about four unrelated people who come to the infamous Hill House for different reasons. Soon, the house will let them know what it wants from these unsuspecting visitors.
If you are looking to add some classic books to your TBR, this is the book for you! Full of spooky paranormal fun!
Prompt 4: It’s a full moon tonight, that’s why all the undead are running around and terrifying the trick-or-treaters! Read a book that you think has a creepy or weird-looking cover!
Ah, book covers, my absolute favorite subject. What book covers you find creepy or scary is pretty objective, but here are a couple books with covers I find spooky!
Title: Ocean Grave
Autor: Matt Serafini
Genre: Horror
Release Date: June 17, 2019
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It might just be my thalasophobia, but this book cover is so scary to me. This is a story about a couple on vacation who is pulled into a treasure hunt. Now they have to fight with pirates, government agents, and a terrifying creature long thought to be extinct in order to find the fortune.
I have this book on my Kindle right now, and I will definitely be diving (pun intended) into this story.
Title: The Luminous Dead
Author: Caitlin Starling
Genre: Horror, Science-Fiction
Release Date: April 2, 2019
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With AI becoming so ingrained in our world, science-fiction horror is only getting scarier and more real. Plus, there is something so unsettling about this book cover, why is the hand just sitting there like that?
This book is about Gyre, who is on an expedition in underground caves with Em. She just wants to get through the job and get her money so she can get off the planet. However, Em has other plans and does everything in her power to psychologically and physically control Gyre. Gyre is going to have to overcome a lot if she wants to get out of these caves alive.
Title: What Big Teeth
Author: Rose Szabo
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Paranormal, Gothic
Release Date: February 2, 2021
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I remember seeing this book all over social media when it was released a couple of years ago. I was immediately hooked by that cover! So creepy, it makes me immediately curious about the story.
The main character of this novel, Eleanor, escapes her boarding school and returns home to a house full of monsters. Her family isn’t like others, they prowl around the woods at night and perform rituals on the guts of dead birds. Eleanor struggles to fit in and hold her monstrous family together.
I don’t know about you, but this all sounds pretty intriguing to me. Plus, I am in the mood for some gothic reads this season.
Title: Empire of the Wild
Author: Cherie Dimaline
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Release Date: September 17, 2019
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In this story, the main character, Joan, is walking through a Walmart parking lot when she hears a familiar voice. It is the voice of her husband… her missing husband. However, when she goes up to him he insists he doesn’t know who she is. Joan must figure out if this is actually her husband and if it is, what happened to him.
Dark creepy forests are such a common setting in horror stories. But I have never actually seen one in real life. Maybe it’s because I was raised in the suburbs, but forests are such strange and ominous places to me. I never want to come face-to-face with one!
Title: Jawbone
Author: Mónica Ojeda
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Contemporary
Release Date: March 12, 2018
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I don’t know what’s going on with this book cover but it is giving me Coraline vibes. This story is about two friends at a boarding school, Annaliese and Fernanda. They are inseparable, never seen apart. That is until one day they become estranged and Annaliese ends up being held hostage by her English teacher.
Looking at this book cover, I am excited to see what this author has in store. That’s right, I’m judging this book by the cover! I just hope the inside is as intriguing as the outside.
Prompt 5: It’s all just a bunch of hocus pocus anyway! Why would we have to believe anything the candy corporations are trying to sell to us! Read a book set during Halloween!
With how much I love Halloween, I have never actually read a book set during that holiday! Let’s look at some books that can fill this prompt.
Title: Something Wicked This Way Comes
Author: Ray Bradbury
Genre: Horror, Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: September 17, 1962
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This story is considered a classic, and I am interested in finding out why! This story is about a carnival that has come to a small town the week before Halloween. Within the tents of the carnival, two boys will find horrors beyond their imaginations.
A copy of this story has been sitting on my shelves for quite some time, I think this October is the perfect month to read it!
Title: Practical Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism, Romance
Release Date: July 1, 1995
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Practical Magic was that movie that I remember watching in the middle of the day on a Saturday as a kid. It was always playing on some channel and my mom would throw it on. Little did I know, there is a book to match!
This story is about two sisters, Gillian and Sally, who are plagued by rumors in their small town that their family are witches. As they grow older, they decide how to handle these rumors, and they do so in very different ways.
This book has a scene set during a Halloween party, so it is perfect for this prompt!
Title: Dark Harvest
Author: Norman Partridge
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Release Date: October 11, 2006
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This story is set in 1963, where every Halloween, an entity known as October Boy arises from the cornfields and kills people. Now, October Boy is faced with people trying to kill him before he hurts anyone else, and that is exactly what Pete McCormick is planning on doing.
This sounds like your classic Halloween mystery thriller book! I feel like this would be a great read while sitting next to a fire with a cup of pumpkin-spiced hot cocoa in hand! But maybe that’s just me.
Title: The Little Friend
Author: Donna Tartt
Genre: Mystery, Literary Fiction
Release Date: October 22, 2002
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This book is about Harriet, someone determined to solve her brother’s murder, a 12-year cold case. With the help of her friend, she will dive deep into the history of her town to figure out what happened. This novel includes scenes set during Halloween.
I haven’t read anything from Donna Tartt, but I have heard a lot about them.
Title: Hallowe’en Party
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Release Date: November 1, 1969
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In this classic mystery novel, a teenage murder witness is killed at a Halloween party. Luckily, Hercule Poirot is on the case.
Agatha Christie is one of the most well-known mystery authors out there! This book will definitely be a cozy mystery perfect for autumn!
Prompt 6: Let’s light this sucker and melt the old broads! Read a horror book you would be too scared to read at night!
Title: The Ballad of Black Tom
Author: Victor LaValle
Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction, Novella
Release Date: February 16, 2016
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In this horror story, Charles Thomas Tester works every day to earn enough money to support himself and his father. So, when one of his jobs brings him to deliver a strange book to a sorceress, he thinks nothing of it. That is until things start coming after him, and he is introduced to a world he never wanted to be a part of.
I see this novella talked about a lot in horror spaces! Who doesn’t love a book full of monsters and spooky sorceresses?
Title: House of Hunger
Author: Alexis Henderson
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Gothic
Release Date: September 27, 2022
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This book follows Marion, who has just become the newest addition to the staff of the House of Hunger as a Blood Maid. Her job is to provide blood for the rich family to drink. Marion is just settling into her new role when blood maids start to go missing. Marion must figure out what is going on before she disappears as well.
It has been way too long since I have read a vampire book! I think it is about time!
Title: The Hacienda
Author: Isabel Cañas
Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction
Release Date: May 3, 2022
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This story is about Beatriz, newly married to a man with rumors plaguing his every move after his first wife died. But Beatriz doesn’t mind because she is happy to have the security of a marriage and a home to live in. However, now that she is alone in the house, she starts hearing voices and seeing visions. She knows one thing for sure, there is something wrong with the hacienda.
I love haunted house books! It is the number one horror trope I go for, I can’t wait to read this book!
Title: Just Like Mother
Author: Anne Heltzel
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Release Date: May 17, 2022
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This book revolves around Maeve, who has escaped from a cult and is trying to rebuild her life in New York. That is until her cousin, Andrea, suddenly reappears and works her way deep into Maeve’s life. Maeve struggles with the feelings and trauma brought up from her childhood with this new attachment to Andrea and what that means for her healing journey.
There is something so intriguing and scary about cults. I know it is a subject that fascinates many. This book was also a nominee for Best Horror in 2022!
Title: Hidden Pictures
Author:
Genre: Horror
Release Date:
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In Hidden Pictures, Mallory is looking for some stability and she gets that in her new job as a babysitter to Teddy, a 5-year-old boy. She loves the job and grows close with the boy. However, after some time Teddy starts to draw some sinister pictures, drawings that are a little too life-like for his age. That’s when Mallory starts to suspect that there is something supernatural occurring and she is determined to figure out what it is.
This novel was the #1 pick on Goodreads for the horror genre in 2022. The plot alone sounds so spooky, it feels like your classic horror story!
Just finding all of these books makes me excited for the readathon! It is going to be so hard picking which books I want to read from this list!
Click here to see the book recommendations for Sanderson Sisters!
Click here to see the book recommendations for Team Undead!