With Halloween right around the corner, conjure up a night of bewitching stories with these magical, eerie, thrilling, and spellbinding books.
Verity, by Colleen Hoover
First off, I want to know what happened to the Colleen Hoover I thought I knew. You know, the one who writes about witty characters falling love. To be fair, we all should have seen this coming. Each book Hoover has released has gotten a teeny bit darker. However, this one takes the cake. I read this one with all the lights on, and I was still freaked out. I may have uttered an OMG several times while reading this book. If you’re into edgy suspense thrillers, this is the one. I read this book so fast – not just because it was good, but because it was so freaky I was just trying to get through it.
Hell’s Children, by John L. Monk
I love post-apocalyptic books, and John L. Monk wrote an amazing one. In his debut novel, Monk shares the story of a world where adults die and kids survive. It’s very Lord of the Flies, and will totally have you on the edge of your seat. This book is the first in a series, and one totally worth checking out.
The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen
If you’re into magical realism like I am, this book is a sweet story that mixes love, desserts, and magic with a mystery surrounding a teenage girl’s mother. Sarah Addison Allen is easily one of my favorite authors, and this book is a clear reason why I love her so much. Her stories always have just a hint of magic in them, and I always end up feeling cozy and wonderful after reading one of her books.
Come Here, Cupcake, by Crissi Langwell
Speaking of magic and desserts, my magical realism book Come Here, Cupcake also offers a hint of spells mixed with sugar. In this first book of the Dessert for Dinner series, Morgan Truly discovers she has a knack for baking. What she doesn’t realize, though, is that her desserts are infused with whatever she’s feeling while she’s baking, and affects whoever eats them. In a story filled with humor, romance, and friendship, find out what happens when the whole town discovers Morgan’s desserts.
The Rules of Magic, by Alice Hoffman
This is the first book in the Practical Magic series, though The Rules of Magic (Book 1) was released just last year, and Practical Magic (Book 2) was released years before.
First off, these books are much different than the Sandra Bullock/Nicole Kidman movie we all love (come on, it’s such a great movie). So if you come into reading this with the movie in mind, you’re in for a rude awakening. That said, there are still some familiar elements, and the characters are somewhat the same.
The Rules of Magic tells the backstory of the Owens girls (also known as the eccentric witchy aunts in Practical Magic), along with their brother, and the family curse that forbids them from ever falling love. The story is full of magic, and, of course, love.
What are some of your favorite spooky, thrilling, or spellbinding books?