There’s a chill in the air and pumpkins are around every corner, which means only one thing… spooky season is here! It’s the perfect time to cosy up with a book that will leave you feeling a little bit spooked or takes you on a spine-chilling adventure. It’s not all about the scares though, maybe you’d prefer a read that gives you all the warm, cosy feelings that autumn brings.
We’ve gathered some perfect recommendations from the Bradford Literature Festival team – a mix of our personal favourites, classics not to be missed, and new releases we can’t wait to read. We’ve made sure to include some light-hearted spooktacular tales for younger readers, too.
Timeless spooky classics and new thrilling adventures
Wuthering Heights – Emily Brontë
We had to begin with a classic gothic tale written close to home and a favourite of BLF, Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Set against the backdrop of the wild Yorkshire moors, this is a story of love, violence and obsession, and brings us the iconic characters of Cathy and Heathcliff.
Emily Bronte’s sole published novel evokes the violence of doomed romance like no other work of literature.
Dracula – Bram Stoker
The original vampire horror! Bram Stoker’s Dracula introduced the world to now-iconic characters and tropes including Van Helsing, imposing Transylvanian castles, and Count Dracula himself.
When Jonathan Harker visits Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase a London house, he makes horrifying discoveries in his client’s castle. Soon afterwards, disturbing incidents unfold in England: a ship runs aground on the shores of Whitby, its crew vanished; beautiful Lucy Westenra slowly succumbs to a mysterious, wasting illness, her blood drained away; and the lunatic Renfield raves about the imminent arrival of his ‘master’.
Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Another gothic literature classic that should be on your to-read list is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a chilling tale of what it truly means to be human, revenge, and ambition.
Obsessed by creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life by electricity. But his botched creature, rejected by Frankenstein and denied human companionship, sets out to destroy his maker and all that he holds dear.
Withered Hill – David Barnett
A year ago Sophie Wickham stumbled into the isolated Lancashire village of Withered Hill, naked, alone and with no memory of who she is. Surrounded by a thick ring of woodland, its inhabitants seem to be of another world, drenched in pagan, folklorish traditions.
We can’t wait to read David Barnett’s new release, Withered Hill, a dual timeline folk horror novel set in Lancashire, and full of twists and turns. Will you escape the mysterious village of Withered Hill?
‘Salem’s Lot – Stephen King
Ben Mears has returned to the Lot to write a novel and exorcise the terrors that have haunted him since childhood – since the event he witnessed at the Marsten House.
He finds the house has been rented by a newcomer, a man who causes Ben some unease. And then things start to happen: a child disappears, a dog is brutally killed – nothing unusual, except the list keeps growing…
Get ready for the movie release of ‘Salem’s Lot this October by reading the novel first! This is a chilling tale of vampires from the master of American horror, Stephen King.
The Signalman – Charles Dickens
Chosen by one of the BLF team as “one of the spookiest tales” they’ve read, Dickens’ The Signalman is an atmospheric ghost story based on his own experiences of a devastating train crash.
The Signalman is both an important piece of rail history, and a sinister tale which will make you think twice next time you enter the quiet carriage.
The Woman in Black – Susan Hill
The house stands at the end of a causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but it is not until he glimpses a wasted young woman, dressed all in black, at the funeral, that a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold.
The Woman in Black is an eerie, spine-chilling ghost story which has also been adapted into a stage show and film. Immerse yourself in the gothic Eel Marsh House and the mysteries within.
The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson
You may have watched the Netflix series, but have you read Shirley Jackson’s incredible modern horror classic, The Haunting of Hill House?
Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House … As they begin to cope with horrifying occurrences beyond their control or understanding, they cannot possibly know what lies ahead. For Hill House is gathering its powers – and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad – M.R. James
Four Ghost Stories collects four of M. R. James’ supernatural tales in one volume. James is recognised as redefining the ghost story for the 20th century, using modern settings for his hauntings.
In particular, the tale Oh, Whistle, and I’ll Come to You, My Lad, was recommended by the team at BLF as a spine-chilling favourite.
Cosy autumnal tales
The Pumpkin Spice Café – Laurie Gilmore
When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.
Featuring tropes of grumpy x sunshine, small-town romance, and found family, this BookTok favourite is bringing all the seasonal vibes, perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls.
Rewitched – Lucy Jane Wood
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either.
Cosy up with Lucy Jane Wood’s debut novel, Rewitched, a magical tale of rediscovering your potential, found family, witchcraft and romance. As Belladonna Blackthorn celebrates her 30th birthday, she receives a summons from her coven for a trial to test her worthiness as a witch. She has one month to prepare, and she’ll need all the help she can get!
Legends & Lattes – Travis Baldree
After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream – for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.
Described as “high fantasy, low stakes – with a double-shot of coffee”, Legends & Lattes is a cosy fantasy tale about fresh starts, magic and of course… a coffee shop!
Spooks for younger readers
Let’s Split Up – Bill Wood
A nail-biting and perfectly formed Thriller for the YA BookTok generation.
A thrilling new Young Adult novel, Let’s Split Up is a tale of murder, haunted houses and a Scooby Doo-esque group of teenage friends determined investigate and solve the murder mystery.
Goosebumps – R.L. Stine
Children of the 80’s and 90’s will remember R. L. Stine’s series of ghoulish stories: Goosebumps!
From Night of the Living Dummy (featuring the terrifying Slappy) to Say Cheese and Die, The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb to The Headless Ghost, Stine has written endless scary tales to dive into. The series has seen a new surge in popularity, so why not check out what’s new in the creepy world of Goosebumps.
The Creakers – Tom Fletcher
Lucy wakes up one morning to discover something very strange indeed. All the grown-ups in her town have disappeared.
The Creakers takes younger readers on an adventure of friendship, family, and the topsy-turvy world of the Creakers: the monsters living underneath your bed!
Funnybones – Janet and Alllan Ahlberg
“On a dark dark hill, there was a dark dark town. In the dark dark town there was a dark dark street…”
Another excellent 90’s classic, there’s a whole series of delightful Funnybones picture books to enjoy, featuring Big Skeleton, Little Skeleton and Dog Skeleton. Perfect for early readers who want to join in with the Halloween fun.