👻Halloween Recommendations👻

Hellooo 😊

God it feels like forever since I’ve sat and written a post (it’s been like 5 days but let me be dramatic please). I took a couple of days because I was feeling burnt out and needed to not think about blogging for a little while but I’m back and I’ve got some recommendations!!

Today I’m here with a list of books that I think will make the perfect Halloween reads.

I don’t read proper “horror” novels, I’ve never read Stephen King and all the other classic horror authors. I’d like to but they’re not my thing, I think I’d probably get bored. But I do still think I’ve got a pretty decent list of books that I’m sure will get you in the Halloween spirit and keep you highly entertained 🙂

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

I made a list last year, of books I wanted to have read by this Halloween and Ninth House is the only one of those books I’ve gotten around to reading. Sad that I didn’t read more of those books, very happy I did at least read this because it was sooo good.

This book follows Alex Stern, the sole survivor of a horrific unsolved mass-murder, who is recruited by Yale to help monitor the eight secrete societies on campus.

It’s dark, it’s gruesome, it had me reading through my fingers in horror and disgust and yet I could not put it down. While Ninth House definitely is not for everyone but if you are interested, now is the perfect time.

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke

I read this back at the beginning of this month and while it wasn’t my favourite thing ever, it definitely helped get me in the spirit.

The Scapegracers follows a group of girls who band together and form a witch coven. They use their magic to host killer parties and hex creepy assholes. What I really liked about this book is that it’s more Wiccan magic then Hogwarts magic which I really enjoyed.

While I did have a few problems with this book such as the at times confusing plot I’m still recommending it because a) I was reading this at night before bed so my brain capacity was not at 100%, and b) just because I didn’t give it 5 stars doesn’t mean somebody else won’t enjoy it more.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Listen. An argument can be made that there is way too many books in this extra-long series and if I hadn’t invested so much time into this series already I probably wouldn’t start now.

But, an argument can also be made that the books and series get better and better with each new release and so even if you never ever read the other Shadowhunter Chronicle books, you should definitely read Chain of Gold!

This first book of the newest trilogy has a totally different vibe to the other books, in my opinion, thanks to its Edwardian England setting and creepy plot about a demonic plague that hits close to home during our current world-wide pandemic.

There’s a certain scene in particular that takes place in a hospital that definitly fits the Halloween spirit so you should pick it up for Spooky Season.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Smith

You’ve probably seen this book on a number of Halloween recommendations at this point but for good reason.

This book follows Yadriel, a transgender brujo, who is determined to prove himself to his family by raising the deal. The only problem is that instead of raising his cousin Miguel, he raises the school bad boy Julian. Oops.

The Cemetery Boys was funny and heartwarming and I wish I hadn’t been in a minor book-slump so I could have enjoyed it more. (Don’t worry, I plan to re-read it eventually).

I think what I most liked about this book is that it’s an own-voices novel both in terms of the transgender and latinx representation and so both aspects of this book felt incredibly authentic and I learnt a lot about Dia de los Muertos.

The Devouring Gray + The Deck of Omens Duology by Christine Lynn Herman

The Devouring Gray was one of the most talked about books last year so I finally picked up both books in this duology this year and yeah these books are definitely a good fit for Halloween.

These books are set in a the small town of Four Paths which is haunted by a monster but protected by the founding families who use their powers to keep the monster imprisoned.

It’s not the best series ever but not every series needs to be. I actually read the first book in one day so if you want to spend the entirety of October 31st reading something spooky-ish, then this is the book for you.

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling

Did I recommend this book last year? Maybe, I honestly don’t remember but if I did then oh well. I enjoyed it so much that I don’t mind recommending it two years in a row.

This series follows Hannah, a gay elemental witch, who is convinced there’s a dangerous blood witch roaming around town. When the coven elders don’t believe her she teams up with her ex-girlfriend Veronica to get to the bottom of it and keep her town safe all while crushing on the cute new ballerina.

I love that we’re getting so many fun lgtb+ paranormal stories. I live for books like this and I definitely cannot recommend these books enough.

Bonus: Julie and the Phantoms.

Hi. I really want this show to get a season 2 so do a girl a favour and go watch this show! Please. I promise it won’t disappoint.

Julie and the Phantoms is a new show on Netflix about a girl and her ghost band!!! Don’t be put off by the 7+ age rating, I was sceptical too at first but soon fell in love with the show. The characters are great, the songs are absolute bops that get stuck in your head 24/7 and overall it’s an amazingly entertaining show. And did I mention it’s directed by Kenny Ortega, the director of High School Musical?

So if you don’t want to spend Halloween screaming but instead singing and having a lot of fun, watch this (and then come tell me all your thoughts, feelings and theories because I’ve become trash for this show).