Books That Will Send a Shiver Down Your Spine

October is undoubtedly my favorite time of year. To paraphrase Rainbow Rowell, I was born in May but I come alive in October. The leaves, the cool air, the SWEATERS! (I have a thing for sweaters, okay?) And the creepy books and stories. I have never been a horror movie girl, but I am all about reading creepy sinister suspenseful books with characters that have a bit of darkness in them and  whose stories have bloody, murderous, and terrible endings. Yes, please.

That's not weird or anything, right?

And since those sorts of stories and October just go together, here's a highlight of some of the best books for your October reading!

If you want subtly creepy, atmospheric, magical realism...

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

Every October is the accident season in Cara Morris's family. The accidents start small and escalate into deadly, and this year might just be the worst accident season yet.

If you want a fairy tale with a dark twist...

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola and Emily Carroll

Masha runs away from home to be Baba Yaga's assistant, but first she has to pass three tests to prove that she has what it takes.

If you want an anthology of dark short stories...

Slasher Boys & Monster Girls, ed. by April Genevieve Tucholke

A collection of dark stories with plenty of bite from fourteen YA authors.

If you want witches and dark magic...

Half Bad by Sally Green

Nathan is half Black Witch and half White Witch. Whichever side of him prevails will determine his fate.

If you want unique magic and spells...

The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman

In this twist on our world, hekamists can imbue food with spells, but with unanticipated consequences.

If you want creepy crawly in a historical setting...

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

I'm halfway through this dazzling and spooky sequel to The Diviners and it is perfect for this time of year!

If you want a middle grade novel with YA levels of darkness...

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White

Kara's mother was tried and hanged for being a witch seven years ago, and now twelve-year-old Kara may have found her grimoire.