Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm.
What does a Fall read mean to you? For me, it does not necessarily mean thrillers or horror novels, but something atmospheric, dark, and haunting- bonus points if it is Gothic!
The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal
The Doll Factory was the first book I read in September and it has been on my mind ever since. There are so many layers to this story and it has stayed with me. The setting lends itself perfectly to the haunting plot. The characters have depth and you truly come to know them. There is a sinister vibe throughout the entire novel and you have the sense of foreboding as the story goes on. It was brilliantly done!
His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler
What is more Fall than Edgar Allan Poe? His Hideous Heart is a collection of thirteen (appropriate!) stories that have been influenced by Poe’s work. I just finished and it has become one of my favourite anthologies. Every single story is strong and spooky in its own right! I also love that they chose to include the original tales- it was fun to revisit some of Poe’s stories. I will be posting a full review with all my thoughts very soon.
You by Caroline Kepnes
I have never read a book that has haunted me more than You by Caroline Kepnes. This is one of the books that gets inside your head and really messes with your mind. It is the only book that I have read that is written in second person, which adds to the creepy factor. You actually feel like you are being stalked by Joe. It is also set in a bookstore, which is a nice bonus!
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
What makes Sawkill Girls so special is that it is a feminist horror novel- not something you see very often. We follow three teenage girls who each have their own personalities and motives. You never quite know who to trust. Sawkill Girls will make your heart race and it is one that I still think about over a year later. It is one I could see myself rereading every October!
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
For a middle grade novel, Small Spaces was a lot creepier than I thought it would be! I now have a fear of scarecrows thanks to this book. Katherine Arden is one of my favourite authors and Small Spaces perfectly demonstrates why. She is able to create such vivid imagery, which is a must-have in a spooky Fall read. The sequel, Dead Voices, just came out and I have seen a lot of great reviews. I will be reading it in October!
I might share more Fall recommendations in a future post, but these five are some of my absolute favourites. What is the one book for Fall that you would want everyone to read?
I have You and Sawkill Girls on my TBR and I hope to get to them soon!
Both amazing and haunting. Hope you love them!
That Doll Factory book sounds interesting, but it might be too dark for me.
It’s really dark. I would check out some reviews before reading it!
Every time I see someone mention Small Spaces, they are singing its praises. I think I really need to pick it up now!
It’s so good!! One of my favourite middle grades. Perfect book to get you in the the Halloween spirit.
Yep, you’ve convinced me now! I’m in the mood for some good middle grade at the moment since I’m reading Nevermoor and am absolutely loving it. 🙂
I read raving reviews of Doll factory. I hope you enjoy it.
I have read it and it is amazing!
I like your interpretation of what a fall book is 🙂 That’s something I’m currently trying to figure out
Thank you! It is not the same for everyone. I have realized that I do not love reading thrillers in the Fall for some reason.
That’s interesting, fall seems like a mysterious time but I can see where you’re coming from about thrillers
I’ve heard so much about Small Spaces! Happy reading! Looking forward to your reviews.
Small Spaces was delightfully spooky!
I agree so much about ‘You’. It is actually the book that had me saying “Yes, I am officially going to avidly read throughout 2019.” So good!
Yes! I can totally see why it would be the kind of book to spark a want to read. It is so original!
Great post! I’m so excited to try The Doll Factory and Sawkill Girls.
Thank you! I think you will love both- so dark!
I’m glad you liked The Doll Factory. It was a great book with a dark plot and a great setting.
Completely agree!
Awesome list—just added all of these books to my TBR 😁! I’m especially interested in His Hideous Heart. I find that anthologies written by older authors, with their older writing styles, are easier to follow than full-on novels 😅.
Thank you! That makes me happy!
Sawkill Girls is the perfect autumn book for sure! I also can’t wait to read His Hideous Heart at some point. Great post! 🙂
Yes! I think you will love His Hideous Heart!
i really want to read sawkill girls! It souds like something I would enjoy!
(www.evelynreads.com)
It is really great!!
I’ve been reading The Doll Factory for over a month now after having always been intrigued by the plot and Macneal’s voice and language. However, I find myself slowing down and getting stuck half-way through the book which has drained all of my motivation to read it. It’s a book I seem to be very close to ‘DNFing’
That is too bad but I totally get it. I am someone who enjoyed slower reads but I can see how The Doll Factory would not be for everyone. I would say it pays off in the end but you shouldn’t struggle through a book you’re not enjoying!
Great choices, sawkill girls sounds so amazing! I’m adding it to my TBR right now!
His Hideous Heart is so good! I love the retellings they are almost creepier than the originals
It’s amazing! It’s incredible to see how each author was inspired by Poe but updated the story.
I feel like Katherine Arden is the perfect author to read in the autumn. I feel like this season is made for those magical, vivid stories.
Yes I completely agree! She is incredible!
We had some of the same books. Love your choices!
Thank you. Great minds!
🙂
yes yes yes to his hideous heart and small spaces!!
Both so good!!
Ahh, I love this list! I haven’t read any of these yet, but most of them have been on my TBR for ages. You’ve completely sold me on The Doll Factory!
Yes! That makes me happy!
You and it’s sequel Hidden Bodies were such fun reads. I love that I found myself pulling for Joe 🙂
I have been putting off reading Hidden Bodies for some reason! I felt the same and kept thinking “what is wrong with me?!”
No, just go with it. I think occasionally it’s fun when you want to root for the villain 🙂
You is definitely one of the best books to read during fall! I hope you have a good fall, too!
– Emma 🙂
So true. Thank you!
Great choices! I really want to read His Hideous Heart and Sawkill Girls.
You is such a great read for this time of the year! Also, I need to read Sawkill Girls INMEDIATELY
I truly think you’ll love Sawkill Girls. It’s so good!!
I really want to read Sawkill Girls soon and I’d also love to get You read before the second series of the show gets added to Netflix. All of these are on my TBR though 😅
Those are the two books on this list that I truly think everyone will enjoy!
Ooh, I’ve loved two of these (You and Sawkill Girls) and am very excited about two more that I already have on my TBR (The Doll Factory and His Hideous Heart). Great list for fall!!
Two of my absolute favourites! I can’t wait for you to read the other two and to see what you think.
I recently got the audiobook for YOU and it’s so creepy! I’m saving it for loser to Halloween, but I just hope it doesn’t give me nightmares.
Yes!! The audiobook is excellent. It didn’t give me nightmares. It more messes with your mind because you find yourself rooting for the villain.
Super excited to be creeped out by it.
His Hideous Heart sounds interesting. 📖
It’s so good!
These sound amazing and make me super excited for Fall!
I’m so excited for Fall reading!
The Doll Factory is definitely on my list, thank you for these suggestions! You’ve got me so in the mood for fall:)
Ah I am so ready for a things Fall. I just need the weather to cooperate!
Awesome list! You is great! And I really want to read sawkill girls and small spaces too.
I think you will enjoy them both!
Doll Factory sounds great. Love the cover.
It really is! Sorry dark and twisted!
I’ve had my eye on His Hideous Heart for sometime. I can’t wait to read it!
It is really great!