October is not just a month for thrilling horror movies; it’s also the time of year for cozy sweaters and hot chocolate. So, get your favorite blanket, put on some Harry Potter ambience music in the background and get prepared to read some amazingly cute fall books.
Hooky by Miriam Bonastre Tur
When twin siblings Dani and Dorian accidentally miss the bus to magic school, they’re unexpectedly declared traitors. Now they’re being chased by powerful magical families searching for the prophesied King of Witches. Joined by a local troublemaker, a princess, and a teacher who can see into the future, they might just be able to clear their names.
The Party and Other Natasha Preston Books
Starting in 2013, Preston began writing young adult thriller stand-alone novels, and now has 18 of these books. Ranging from topics such as kidnappings to haunted amusement parks, this author really has done it all. Her next book, The Party, comes out early in December and follows a group of teenagers in England that go to a remote castle for a weekend, but one by one, they start dying. The guests that remain must race to uncover the killer’s identity before they’re next.
Willodeen by Katherine Applegate
Willodeen adores all creatures, but her favorites are those that are the most unlovable: strange beasts known as “screechers.” But lately, it seems that nature is angry. Her town has been cursed with fires, mudslides, droughts, fevers, and even the annual migration of hummingbears — a source of local pride and income — has dwindled.
For as long as anyone can remember, these tiny animals have sat in shimmering bubble nests atop blue willow trees, drawing all kinds of tourists. However, not a single hummingbear has returned to their town, and no one knows why. When a birthday gift brings magic to Willodeen, she’s determined to uncover the answer to the mystery of the missing hummingbears.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel’s Latinx family has difficulty accepting his identity, so he’s determined to prove that he is a real brujo. With the help of his cousin and best friend, Maritza, he performs the ritual himself and sets out to find the ghost of his murdered cousin to set it free. However, he accidentally summons the ghost of Julian Diaz, the school’s resident bad boy. Julian is determined to find out what happened to him before he crosses over to the afterlife. With no choice, Yadriel agrees to help Julian, so they can both get what they want. But the more time the two of them spend together, the less they understand what it is they really desire.
October, October by Katya Balen
October and her father live in the woods and sleep in a home Dad built for them, eating the food they grow in their garden. They feel a strong connection to nature and read books until the pages turn yellow, only venturing into town once a year. Upon turning eleven, October’s entire life changes when her mother reappears and her father injures himself falling out of a tree. This book, quite simply, is autumn leaves and crisp apples in book format.
The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig
This is a fairy tale retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s Godfather Death. Hazel has always known she was different from the rest of her siblings. As a thirteenth child, she is promised away to one of the gods and spends her childhood waiting for her godfather to arrive. When he does, he tells Hazel she will be a healer, and, to aid her endeavors, he will bless her with the ability to deduce the exact cure for any disease.
As a result of this agreement, Hazel can see when Death has claimed a patient — and she must be the one to end their life. Haunted by the ghosts of those she has helped to kill, Hazel longs to run, until fate brings her to the royal court. There, she meets a prince who hates everyone and everything; Hazel’s then tasked with saving the life of the king, his father, who has been marked to die. She knows what she has to do but is terrified to go against Death himself.
The Curious Vanishing of Beatrice Willoughby by G. Z. Schmidt
The Amadeuses are a family that have always seemed a bit strange. When six-year-old Beatrice Willughby vanishes at their annual All Hallows Eve party, the people in the tiny town of Nevermore are quick to turn on them. Mort Amadeus is considered responsible for the crime, and the family retreats from society. Thirteen years later, six envelopes are delivered to six homes, inviting them to a celebration at the Amadeus household. The mystery has not yet been solved, and the guests must work together to identify the guilty person before midnight strikes.
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Book one in a four-part series, The Naturals follows a group of children with very specific skills. When Cassie was younger, she witnessed her mother’s murder, and the case has been unsolved ever since. Taking after her ill-fated mother, Cassie has always been a natural at reading people, understanding who they are and what they want. When she’s asked by the FBI to join a classified program of exceptional teenagers to solve infamous cases, Cassie jumps at the chance. Soon, it becomes clear that no one in this program is who they seem. Worse yet, there’s a killer targeting the teens, and they’ll stop at nothing to hurt them.
The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag
This next read is part of a middle grade LGBTQ+ graphic novel trilogy. In young Aster’s family, all of the girls are raised as witches, and the boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares to cross these lines is promptly exiled. But Aster hasn’t shifted yet and is fascinated by witchery, whether it’s forbidden or not. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help, but only as a witch. Through the encouragement of a new friend and non-magical friend, he begins to practice his magic, even if it means being an outcast in his family.
Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell
Every autumn, high schoolers Deja and Josian work together at a pumpkin patch. This Halloween is different — now seniors, Josian and Deja are approaching their last season at the patch, and soon they must say goodbye. For their last shift together, Deja carefully crafts a plan for the two to go out with a bang. A beautifully illustrated young adult graphic novel, this book is undeniably perfect for fall.
So, that’s your definitive list of soft horror books, including an equal measure of middle grade and young adult fiction that are perfect for the fall season. October can be spooky, but it’s also cozy, and these books capture that feeling. Have you read any of these? Let us know on our socials!
Looking for other seasonal books? Check out these cozy fantasy recommendations!
After you read those, watch some of these movies that are perfect for autumn!
