AUTUMN LEAVES AND LITTLE SCREAMS: THE BEST COZY HORROR BOOKS
I have finally come to terms with the fact that I am a mood reader. Unfortunately, I have ADHD which means I am never in a single mood for very long. Fortunately, because of said ADHD, I dive head first into whatever mood I am in at the time.
In the coming month, I will be recommending mood reads for all of our horror lovers. From cozy vibes to “next-day delivery ordering a night light”, there will be something for everyone to read in the spookiest month of the year. Starting off easy with cozy horror books, these books are perfect for beginner horror readers or seasoned bookworms looking for an atmospheric read.
What is a “cozy” horror book? Usually set in a small, quaint town and often features a mystery with less graphic and disturbing content. An added bonus if it adds nostalgic vibes to your mood.
Autumn leaves are falling and cozy time is upon us. Blankets, soup, tea, a furry friend, and a cozy comfy horror book are just what you need to celebrate the season.
Cozy Horror Book Recommendations
Cackle by Rachel Harrison -
Annie is looking for a fresh start after her longtime boyfriend dumps her. Feeling alone and abandoned, she takes a teaching job in a small village in upstate New York. The town and its inhabitants seem to belong on a postcard. None so much as the beautiful Sophie. Charmed by her effortless beauty, Annie quickly becomes enthralled by her carefree lifestyle and would be envious of her if she wasn’t so enchanting. As their friendship grows, Annie begins to wonder how Sophie can manage to be so unbelievably ageless and why the town seems to be afraid of her.
A warm hug of a book, but with some creepy crawlies and flying on broomsticks. This book is extremely (scarily) relatable to any 20/30-somethings who have found themselves lost, lonely, and in need of a friend. Besides the cozy autumnal activities Annie and Sophie partake in, the atmospheric writing will transport you to the quaint New England village that may or may not be ruled over by a witch.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix -
Patricia Campbell sacrificed everything to become a mother. Now, the only thing she has to look forward to is her book club. A group of Charleston mothers mutually tied only by their love for true crime and suspenseful fiction.
But when an alluring stranger moves into the neighborhood, the book club begins to speculate about the attractive newcomer. Once local children begin missing, however, Patricia ignores her attraction and starts to suspect the newcomer is involved. Her investigation leads her to a shocking conclusion that makes her wish he was just a man from her true-crime books. Patricia has to rally the book club to fight off the monster across the street.
Dracula meets Steel Magnolias mixed with 90s nostalgia for the perfect cozy horror read. You will not be able to put this book down until you find out what will happen to Patricia, her family, and the book club. Hendrix makes the mundane setting of a suburban neighborhood into a suspenseful nightmare you will not want to wake up from.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson -
Two eccentric sisters live alone in their family’s grand mansion, haunted by the mysterious night when their entire family perished leaving them the sole survivors.
It is best to know as little as possible when going into this classic mystery. Just know you will get plenty of mysterious, gothic vibes.
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury -
When the carnival comes to town, best friends Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway unearth the terrifying and horrible secrets that lurk within Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show and learn the consequences of wishes, as a sinister and evil force is at work in Green Town, Illinois.
A beautiful story of friendship, coming of age, and coming to terms with aging, your heart will long for childhood Halloweens and childhood freedoms. One of my favorite books of all time and widely accepted as one of the best comfort horror books, this will be a carnival ride of emotions that you may never be allowed to get off of…
Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King -
This short story collection takes readers through the terrifying attacks that occur in Tarker’s Mills, Maine every month when the moon is full. No one knows who will be attacked next, but terror sets in when the moon rises. No one is safe from this predator.
A familiar tale of a small town plagued by a werewolf, King adds his own twist on the mystery and still maintains the cozy energy. The breathtaking illustrations by Bernie Wright also add a horrifying whimsy that brings the story to life.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo -
Galaxy “Alex” Stern was a high school dropout who found herself in a world of drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. At age twenty, she was the sole survivor of a gruesome, unsolved multiple homicide. After this fateful event, she was visited at her hospital bed and offered a second chance to attend Yale University on a full ride. The catch, she must use her necromantic skills to monitor the activities of Yale’s secret societies. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.
Dark academia vibes at its finest in this mind-bending mystery upon mystery. Perfect for curling up on the couch and diving into the mystic Houses of Yale until you peel back all the interwoven layers to discover the dark truth.
What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher -
When retired soldier Alex Easton receives word that their childhood friend Madeline Usher is dying, they venture to the ancestral home of the Ushers. The home is consumed with fungal growths, and erratic wildlife, and surrounded by a dark lake. Madeline and Roderick Usher are behaving strangely and call upon Alex, a British mycologist and an American doctor, to help. Alex must unravel the secret of the House of Usher before it consumes them all.
A retelling of “Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allen Poe, this story is loaded with gothic vibes, classic tropes, and zombie bunnies. The writing is reminiscent of Poe but still brings something new to the tragedy of the Ushers.
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom -
It is not easy being a woman in Connecticut, 1666. Abitha is a strong-willed, recently widowed outcast who is fighting for her chance at freedom. She has no choice but to turn to the help of an ancient spirit. Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan.
Woodland creatures, harvest time, witch trials, and Puritans. What could be cozier? The Witch meets Hocus Pocus and makes for a cozy autumn read.
Perhaps my favorite subgenre of horror, cozy horror is gaining ground amongst the booktok/bookstagram communities. Thanks to authors like T Kingfisher and Rachel Harrison, these books are being recommended to mainstream readers and opening up the world of spooky fun to everyone!
Embrace the fall feelings and terrifying treatises while enjoying a bit of magic this haunted holiday season. Stay tuned for more niche horror recommendations all month long!
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