With the weather getting colder and Halloween coming up, now is a great time to find a good book to read. Between classes, homework and activities, it can be hard to make time for reading when there isn’t a grade attached. Spending an afternoon with a book can be a nice break, especially when it’s getting too cold to go outside.
“As the weather gets cooler and with Halloween approaching, October is the perfect time to enjoy a thriller or mystery novel!” Director of the Library and Archivist Rita MacAyeal said.
She recalled the LFA Student Book Club reading “I Killed Zoe Spanos” by Kit Frick several years ago. “It kept us all guessing until the end!” she said.
These five books offer a great place to start for those looking for something to read this fall. Whether solving mysteries or getting lost in a different world, each of these stories has something new to offer.
“I Killed Zoe Spanos” by Kit Frick
Anna takes a summer nannying job in the Hamptons, where people notice how much she resembles a missing girl named Zoe. When Anna later confesses to involvement in Zoe’s death, a teenage podcaster questions the gaps in her story. This is a good option for those who enjoy true crime podcasts or trying to figure out what happened before the characters do.
“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
Richard Papen arrives at a Vermont college and joins a group of classics students who seem to have a world of their own. Getting accepted into that world, though, comes with consequences. A murder is revealed right at the beginning, so the question becomes how the characters got there. People who like complicated characters making questionable decisions will enjoy this book.
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
Pip chooses to revisit a murder case for a school project, even though everyone else seems convinced it’s already solved. The more she investigates, the less the accepted story adds up, and someone warns her to stop asking questions. Those who love deciding who seems suspicious in a mystery and then reconsidering everything should give this book a try.
“The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson
Four people stay at Hill House to investigate whether it’s haunted. As strange things happen, Eleanor, one of the visitors, becomes caught up in the nature of the house. The uncertainty about what is happening is part of what makes the story unsettling. This is perfect for those who want a Halloween read that makes every noise in a dark room seem suspicious.
“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern
A circus that opens only at night becomes the setting for a competition between rival magicians Celia and Marco. When they fall in love, their situation gets more complicated. Readers looking for magic, romance and mystery will appreciate this story.
For more recommendations, the book swap cart in Upper Reid is always available.