Fall Into Fiction
written by Lindsay Collier
There is something about fall that makes us crave scary stories– narratives that are capable of mirroring the colder, creepier nights. As the leaves turn, so do the books we pick up. The following titles span the realm of horror and are perfect to pick up for the coming fall months.
Photo by Juri Schick on Unsplash.
White Oleander by Jane Fitch
…is a haunting coming-of-age story that captures the brutality and beauty of survival. Following Astrid’s journey in the Los Angeles foster care system, this novel explores ideas pertaining to identity, resilience and familial relationships. Fitch’s writing showcases L.A in noir undertones, exposing abuse, neglect and the fragility of hope. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Books of Blood: Volumes One to Three by Clive Barker
…is wild, visceral, and inventive. Being a short story collection, there is a mixture of gore, humor and beauty. Barker blends body horror with myth, satire, and raw emotion. The collection is both playful and disturbing leaving readers wondering what the next story will hold. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
…is not an easy book to read. It is a devastating and haunting look at the endurance of trauma through the bonds of friendship. The book follows Jude St. Francis and his friend circle across decades. There is relentless suffering and profound tenderness. The emotional intensity of this book is overwhelming and brutal, but raises important questions about love, resilience and survival. Trigger warning for: self harm, suicide. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Cujo by Stephen King
…is horror stripped down to an everyday form: a lovable pet turned into a nightmare. This King book feels possible, making it more disturbing to readers. The novel superimposes marital issues, abuse and buried secrets onto a story about attempting to survive a monstrous threat. Reading this book is also sad as you enter the mind of a rabid dog who does not understand why and what is happening in the dog’s perspective. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Dead End Memories: Stories by Banana Yoshimoto
…is a collection that showcases moments of love, loss and joy. Each story shows a woman navigating a turning point in her life– a relationship unraveling, a ghost in an apartment, or the understanding of one’s own mortality. Yoshimoto’s writing transforms ordinary moments into something surreal, infusing sorrow with tenderness. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Fall is the season of transition and these books capture the grief, survival, fear and resilience wrapped with this change. Reading in the fall is like entering another world: one that is both unsettling and comforting. So get a warm drink and blanket and let these books carry you through the season.