16 spooky books to read for a haunted halloween 🕸 witchy, gothic, horror & autumnal reads

[@aaronvelazquez5599]

the sudden appearance of the squirrel is my favorite part

[@juliarosemaryturk]

came to the comment section for this

[@floogelhornzzz4770]

Squirrels don't have stripes on their tails, neither the gray ones nor the black ones. That's a chipmunk. 🐿️ Maybe due to her _Jekyll and Hyde_ reference to _Alvin and the Chipmunks._ And it's brown. Where did you ever see a brown squirrel?

[@blochhead6793]

@@floogelhornzzz4770 wow I’ve never seen someone get so worked up over squirrels😂 I’m glad there’s someone out there defending their honor.

[@floogelhornzzz4770]

@@blochhead6793: Chipmunks.

[@blochhead6793]

@@floogelhornzzz4770 You do you guy

[@WilliamsReptiles]

Emma trying to act like a seductive vampire and breaking character every third second is giving me life. It's so endearing lol

[@chantalcastro8394]

I will never get over how you describe and present books… so good, so inviting… so compelling.. just wow 🙌

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

at this point i’d be worried if emma didn’t mention phantom of the opera in some way in these videos also vampire emma is cool as hell

[@rosaliepicard7536]

Love the Deaner pfp.

[@nicolecooper749]

“Carmilla” is another gothic novella that’s good to read during this season. It was written in 1872, it’s about a female vampire🧛‍♀️

[@Ascendant1]

Carmilla is great, I read it every Halloween.

[@tiffanymoton704]

my goal for 2022 is to start a booktube channel (i’m a writer and avid reader) and I find this channel so inspiring. this is the vibe I want, this is the mood I want, and I can only hope I can be even close to as well spoken as you are. you brilliant woman. love you!

[@maanya__742]

Wow! All the best and if you do please let us know I would love to watch!

[@TeeryvelizCurbelo]

Omg, Good luck!!!! :D

[@tiffanymoton704]

@@maanya__742 omg thank you! see that’s why I love this community we’re all just nice people who like to read lol

[@Seddighah]

Good luck 🍀👍🏻

[@ohohnenyeoo2654]

Go ahead

[@savinaking8637]

Perfume is a mind blowing book. So unique. Definitely a book for the dark months.

[@TheSelkie1990]

I couldn't even finish it because it creeped me out so much and I don't really get scared when reading...so, that's saying something!! LOL

[@angierodriguez4729]

The only book that has ever made me gag

[@literarysloth9961]

THE OUTFIT you are quite literally killing the game emma

[@allisonh2340]

This intro is absolutely incredible 😂 The only book that has ever truly terrified me was The Shining, but the Woman in Black definitely made me very uncomfy 😅

[@floogelhornzzz4770]

Try _Ghost Story_ by Peter Straub.

[@allisonh2340]

@@floogelhornzzz4770 thanks for the recommendation!!

[@starswnames]

may I give a recommendation too: The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Doyle. I reckon the Sherlock Holmes series is pretty well known, but, if you haven't picked up this specific one, I highly recommend you to do so in this spooky season! it has the mist, the woods and a haunted moor = all of the best. thanks for all these lovely recommendations, Emma! wishing you a happy October and a wonderful reading month!

[@monsmontage0607]

I can't agree more!!!

[@maanya__742]

Yes, it's my favorite one of the four original novels!

[@starswnames]

@@maanya__742 mine too! ♡

[@floogelhornzzz4770]

I read that when I was in high school. I loved it.

[@klair13]

thank youuu i’m trying to read more horror books right now

[@ineedtoreadmorebooks6432]

Your entrance..the tone when talking about your salad...putting the necklace on...so good...I'm giggling ❤

[@MicahCwen]

the into killed me omg

[@callukcraft]

your intro is gold , and thank you for all the great content. also we need more vampire Emma .

[@ileanaaaaa]

You’re the best Emma at recommending all kinds of books 🖤

[@wiseabay199]

idk if youve already talked about Shirley jackson's "haunting of hill house". It's a MUST during this season. The plot is ok, the signification is existential and depressing, the writting is exquisite. ive read alot of goths before, but this woman got a total uncanny and unforgettable approach.

[@haoyunhong2334]

just started a few days ago

[@emilymackin7568]

this came at the right time, been needing some good spooky reads to commit to this month! gothic, spooky literature is just THE BEST and the vibes in this video make me so happy.

[@wheatieee47]

Marina is incredible, actually they discover something in the graveyard and don't get onto the coach until the end of the book

[@Todoigual1]

Your taste in horror books has influenced me so much

[@illyrianvines5410]

ooh, I'd definitely recommend A Lesson in Vengeance ... I mean, sapphic, witchy, gothic, dark academia - what else do you need?🖤✨

[@ladyfox6705]

Great selection, Emmie! If you're open to Manga horror, I highly recommend anything by Junji Ito. His art is fantastic, and his short stories horrifying. I especially enjoyed his book 'Uzumaki', which is about a small Japanese town which is suddenly haunted by spiral shapes appearing in odd places & hypnotizing the residents. Sounds odd I know, lol, but it's a real creeper of a book!

[@cyncla1r]

the cape is so cute

[@mimisgarza6196]

My native tongue is Spanish and I’m so excited you recommended books by Hispanic authors!! I’ll definitely check them out

[@annagyorsa8100]

The way I instantly ordered Marina after hearing your description about it without even reading the synopsis... I trust your recommendations more than I trust myself 😫😫😫

[@yasminpaiva4543]

* immediately throws out my entire tbr and replace it with these recommendations * love this channel to death

[@ameliaschulte]

14:36 AHHHH YOU JUST BROUGHT BACK THIS MEMORY I WATCHED THAT SO MUCH

[@aliciagarcia8350]

Whenever I click on one of Emmie's videos I also have to open a tab with my storygraph/goodreads to start adding to my shelves all the brilliant recs she gives in her videos 😂❤

[@Books_Anime_92]

I have the Penguin Classics edition of The Monk and I plan on reading it soon. I have more spoopy books on my TBR that I can't wait to read. I take a lot of my classic books recommendations from you.

[@floogelhornzzz4770]

"Spoopy." 😀

[@ttoharr]

I love how this is a chill chat where we can just vibe to it and listen to it like a podcast !

[@kobykobykoby1]

I'm so glad you found Fernanda Melchor!! Hurricane Season is one of my favorites for this year!

[@michelleannelynne]

😂 'I don't wanna die like this' 🤣 Delicious intro 😋 I want that cape 😵 Ps I loved perfume! They also made a pretty good movie adaptation in English!

[@nim7953]

That intro was iconic ✨

[@lechoonga]

I love the tone of her voice just realized it reminded me a bit of Dakota Johnson ❤ love you channel Emma❤ you made me fall back in love with reading !!!!

[@morwennaforatenner604]

So true! There's something about her face as well that reminds me of Dakota Johnson. Speaking of DJ, watched the Suspiria remake recently and it was such a good witchy pick for Halloween

[@Brutishandshort]

I’m definitely in the one-star Maidens camp. That book was the worst thing I’ve read this year. Just so surface level and contrived.

[@sauwurabh]

I haven't had any chance to watch any of your video since this video. But on the bright side now I've 14 of your videos to binge watch.

[@GabrielLopes-dz6xr]

That's what i always think: one of the best things here is the meticulous creation of the atmosphere. Pure art 😂👏👏👏

[@jillianwesselow9867]

The writing style in Hurricane Season is made to feel more claustrophobic than anything. You start reading, and Fernanda won't let you stop to take a break. It really throws you in, and I think anyone (maybe not those who are squeamish) could easily get into it.

[@sourcreams]

You've mentioned "Hurricane Season" twice in your videos lately so I really feel I should warn you. "Hurricane Season" is probably one of my favourite reads of the year, honestly, wonderful, the wall of text can be intimidating but it's absolutely gorgeous and compelling and you won't want to put it down but you will have to, in order to catch your breath. Because it's reaaaally violent and full of hate, misogyny and lots of horrendous crimes. HOWEVER, it's not a spooky book. The witch... is not a witch as you might understand it. It's not a witch trial or people killing a witch because of her curses or whatever. It's not. It's a lot more down-to-earth and grotesque because it's just so violent and yet realistic. Just thought you should know. When I read it I expected a witch story. I was veeeeery disappointed. And shocked. Because... have I mentioned the hate and violence? Yes. Wonderful. Loved it to pieces. Had to find a soothing book to read right after that. Loved it. But beware.

[@Toni-ul7kg]

Yes, we had to read "Perfume" or " Das Parfüm" in school (in Germany)!! It was really mindblowing 🤯

[@chase4671]

the humor of this channel is so goofy and so well sprinkled in 😂😂

[@puffcinnamoncloud]

Looking forward to trying all these reads. Edit: Emmie liked my comment, yay!

[@7172uuw]

2nd time watching, and that squirrel teleportation still scared the sith out of me

[@isa2024]

Ahhhh, qué emoción. Estaba esperando por algo así.

[@estadoagridulce]

emma, I was missing your video this morning, I'm glad you updated before this Sunday ends ♥.

[@lillieblack9702]

Outfit: fabulous 🔥 Books: magical ✨ Vibes: spooky 👻

[@vehementh-dark]

The best tip for books... Definitely! \m/

[@Sara-gz1lp]

I ordered perfume for my birthday and you just made me 150% more excited for it

[@goodnightsocialite1064]

As Spanish classic literature doesn't normally reach booktube, I recommend "Rimas y leyendas" (Rhymes and legends) by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. Specially the legends are SO good for halloween mood.

[@mycobacteriem2540]

def wanna check that out as ive been wanting more books to read in spanish

[@BrandonsBookshelf]

Love that you had some of the classics in here. Also I keep hearing about the Iliac crest, gonna have to finally just read it!

[@Sthemingway]

I love this video. So many of us await your daytime videos; I never knew how awesome it would feel to see a new upload after the sun has set (where applicable in certain time zones).

[@ScullyPop]

One of my favorite booktubers.

[@eonayuki1268]

My favourite book for this time of the year is "The Invisible Man" by H.G. Wells, I think it is so spooky and brilliant at the same time!

[@megjshark]

ive been waiting for this one from you!! always the best recs

[@toddbelanger1923]

LOVE all your videos !!!...You are AWESOME !!..Im into books now because of you and Carolynreads...YAHOOOOOOOOOO

[@Nosaj22201]

Thanks Emmie! I love October and the books you presented.

[@shepaintshouses]

The Monk is still my favourite book at the moment, what a story! Glad to see it mentioned here. :) I'm currently waiting for Melmoth the Wanderer to arrive on my doorstep. Can't wait to plough my way through that book.

[@ladyfox6705]

Mervyn Peake is fantastic! Glad you're going to read Titus Groan :-) Peake's writing reminds me a lot of Dickens....very odd, very witty, charming, horrifying, eloquent, with an assortment of odd-ball characters you'll just love!

[@ereading512]

‘You can’t snort this baby’ 😂😂

[@dawnterrizzi2884]

The Monk is CRAZY. Loved it. Highly recommended for gothic Lit fans!!

[@allicherryblossom]

oooh! I'm about 70 pages into Marina so far and its so atmospheric!

[@teabubbles4ever]

I love that at 00:31 a squirrel/chipmunk appears hahaha

[@soniaalmeidadias5794]

I'm reading David Mitchell in publication order, and Slade House is next. You just gave me the right motivation to pick it up. I really liked Perfume, read it many years ago. Thanks for the other recommendations.

[@PaulinaSanchez]

Hurricane season is fantastic! It's actually very easy to read in terms of writing but difficult to stomach.

[@mycobacteriem2540]

Marina is one of my favorite books, story is creepy and engaging. i also recommend his other book the prince of mist. it's about a boy who moves with his family to a beach town during the war and gets wrapped up in the history of the house and a strange garden of statues that seems to be covered in mist

[@eagann92]

TItus Groan is awesome. Not very popular but a cult classic. Also, I think polarizing books tend to be the best ones to read. Usually they're polarizing because they try to do something unique or controversial which doesn't work for many people but makes for a more interesting reading experience.

[@pamelatarajcak5634]

The Ex Hex spell with a Bath and Body works candle reminds me of a Sir Terry Pratchett quote: "Any fool could be a witch with a runic knife, but it took skill to be one with an apple corer."

[@Kimberton149]

The first book you mentioned by Oyeyemi really put me in mind of Daisy Johnson's short story collection "Fen" which also contains a house which swallows people. Daisy Johnson is one of my favourite writers - if you like dark twistedness and beautiful prose I really recommend. And I gotta say, The Woman in Black is PEAK halloween reading for me! This year though I'm reading one of Hill's other short stories, "The Small Hand". Thanks for sharing your recs with us, I always end up adding loads to my TBR when I watch your videos :)

[@blankadzigerovic6087]

Slade house was great, it was chilling in some parts. I was reading it next to my fiance and he leaned to say something to me and i jumped. The book made me jump to something so normal. It only shows how chilling it is. Love it. ❤️❤️❤️

[@ReadingNymph]

Perfume is on my tbr and I'm due a reread of Phantom of the Opera, would love to seee a video on retellings of the Phantom!!

[@jimmycryz]

That intro has added years to my lifespan.

[@_cultclassics]

It’s the coffin ring for me 💀⚰️

[@moonstonepearl21]

I love that cape. It's so sophisticated looking. You could walk into a gothic haunted castle with that on ,and you'd fit right in. Also is that a chipmunk plushie? I haven't seen that one before. It's so cute! Perfect for fall too.

[@bookishming5771]

The cape, the necklace, the makeup... this is a LOOK to die for *insert Dracula-like laughing here*!

[@binglamb2176]

Patrick Susskind's Perfume is incredible. It stayed with me a long time after I had finished reading it.

[@m.e.a.9407]

"It was a great salad" "you look delicious" your vídeos are just so funny and cute lol :)

[@jessicareadsthings563]

Your coffin ring is SO COOL

[@JessieJoystick]

I just finished the two books I was reading yesterday and I was debating myself what to read next, but you have convinced me, it's time to pick up Phantom of the opera 😊

I've heard so many people talk about The Ex Hex, I need to read it already!

[@DiaYouKnowWho]

So I've seen this video and got myself the kindle copy of Marina.. it's nothing like described by you, HOWEVER I absolutely adored it. It's such a great, incredible heartbreaking book that is perfect for autumn. Please read it and do a review

[@rayssabrugge2329]

Marina is perfection but will absolutely break your heart

[@denisefreitas6727]

Emma, you look fabulous! Love the recommendations! 👻❤️

[@hannahwebster5606]

I read White is for Witching at uni. Really good. I think the author was pretty young when she wrote it as well.

[@vonhammershark]

I cease all action, just quit doing whatever I am doing whenever Emma uploads because priorities🖤

[@melaniekemp7550]

what a fantastic video! so vibey and helpful x

[@howstrangehowsmall]

"You can not snort this baby." - emma, 2021

[@Maugrimm]

Yes, "Perfume"! I loved this one

[@myrtolefk]

okay i'm so interested in reading white is for witching mainly because when i was young and getting books from the children's section of the library i read another book by helen oyeyemi and i don't remember the title (also i read it translated in my language) but i do remember being freaked out by it and loving it at the same time and it's stuck with me since then in a good way!

[@AnnaShikari]

white is for witching is my favourite book, i really hope you enjoy it!! 🖤

[@7172uuw]

Wow i'm early... and now i want that cape😔❤

[@MartinNatgeo]

Jekill and Hyde is the best book of this list that I've ever read. Cool costume and introduction, Saludos!

[@maanya__742]

Yesterday was very bad for me... This would comfort me a lot, thank you! And you are looking so beautiful 💛💛🍁

[@durubaykal6310]

your voice is so soothing, i listen to you while studying 🥰

[@maeiscompletelyfine]

SPOOKY SEASON BEST SEASON!!! THANK YOU EMMA

[@normmansor1313]

Love the cape

[@jiji-wr3qh]

I am from Germany - but unfortunately I has not the pleasure to read "The Perfume" at school ... but I have read it 3 times. It is amazing. There is also movie-adaptation. I am really curious what you will think about the book. If you think the protagonist and the way he acts is "interesting", then you need to read "The Dumbhouse" by John Burnside. 🤗

[@martasgreatlibrary]

i'm hoping to read the phantom of the opera this autumn!!! hope you like marina hehhe

[@euanfreeman179]

That is an accurate reenactment of me throwing *Titus Groan* into your P.O. Box. XD I'll also always shill Maskerade by Terry Pratchett as the best Phantom retelling. I found Phantom of the Opera for $3 at a Friends of the Library book sale yesterday, so I snapped it up. :D I'm excited to give it a go. I also just finished Bunny by Mona Awad to begin my Spooky Season reads- it was so very weird and intense.

[@djunaskye6220]

sees title: *high pitched "YEE"*

[@frannieforthoughts9527]

this was such a delight to watch

[@victoriablake3826]

I mean…… Perfume was sort of a 3/5 for me until the end that just goes completely off the fucking rails that’s just *chefs kiss*