October Book Recommendations - Suggest Now! > Likes and Comments

October invites us into two very different kinds of reading: the dark corners where shadows linger, and the spotlight where the world’s best writers stand. Both promise unforgettable journeys—one tinged with mystery, the other marked by brilliance.

Shadows and Spirits: Books with a Haunting Edge
Halloween isn’t just costumes and candy—it’s also the perfect season for haunting stories. Think ghostly whispers, crumbling mansions, unsettling mysteries, and the kind of gothic tension that makes you glance over your shoulder. If it leaves you spooked (in the best way), it belongs here.

The Nobel Shelf: Prize-Winning Reads to Celebrate Excellence
Each October, the world pauses for the Nobel Prize in Literature. It’s a reminder of how powerful words can be—and how far they travel. This theme celebrates prizewinners and shortlistees alike (any award - not just Nobel). Step into the works that critics and readers agree have reshaped the literary world. This is our legacy category, so make sure your nominations were published at least 12 months ago.

Nominations are open now! Add your recommendations in the comments under either theme by Thursday, September 18. After that, we’ll put it to a vote and choose our October reads together.

So—do you want to spend your nights with ghosts and secrets, or with the writers who’ve already made literary history? Looking forward to your suggestions!

Shadows and Spirits: The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Nobel Shelf: Beloved by Toni Morrison

I have a ton of book suggestions:



CREEPY BOOKS
RUN by Blake Crouch
SOMETHING I KEEP UPSTAIRS. By JD Barker
THE TROOP By Nick Cutter
IMAGINARY FRIEND by Stephen Chbosky
THE SHINING by Stephen King
SLEEP TIGHT By JH Markert
DESERT PLACES By Blake Crouch
THE QUEEN By Nick Cutter

AWARD WINNING & CREEPY BOOKS
THR3E By Ted Dekker

AWARD WINNING BOOKS
MYSTIC RIVER by Dennis Lehane

Any of Simone St. James books.

A wonderful Booker novel (I can not remember if it won or not but it was in the final five) is The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden. One has to read the entire book, no reading the first half and giving up. The real meaning (which brought tears to my eyes) as at the end. With all the hate and meanness in this world, if only everyone would read and try to understand this book, we would have a better world. peace, janz

Winner of the Pulitzer this year and in the final five for the Booker was James by Percival Everett. I have already purchased 5 copies for gifts to my son, brother, and friends. What a wonderful book. peace, janz

Just a note of clarification - the Pulitzer is awarded for a book published in the US. The Booker Prize is awarded for a book published in the United Kingdom (England and all the members of the kingdom like Canada, Australia, etc. Some US books get in this group because they are published at the same time in the US and Canada and England, etc.). The Nobel prize is not awarded for a single book or written material. It is awarded for "A body of work," hence, President Jimmy Carter, President Barack Obama, etc. or a famous musician. They are all award winners. peace, janz

Shadows and Spirits:
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
The House of Long Shadows by Ambrose Ibsen
Old Country by Matt & Harrison Query
No One's Home by D.M. Pulley

Nobel Prize winning author: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Shadows and Spirits:
HALLOWEEN TREE By Ray Bradbury
3 trick-or-treaters tire of ringing doorbells; they decide to go to the local haunted house to scare the hell outta’ themselves.
1 doesn’t return.
An often forgotten or overlooked work by Mr. Bradbury, this one shouldn’t press your schedule too much, it’s a novella.

The Nobel Shelf:
GRAPES OF WRATH By John Steinbeck
Oklahoma farmers leave dust bowl for California promises.
While this is a dark true fact in our nation’s history, this novel is not a true story ... or is it?
Truly a work that indeed, as Mr. Kelly prompts, reshaped the literary world. My nomination here is somewhat personal because this novel holds a special place in my heart- my Grandfather was ruined by, but survived, the dust bowl.
Winner of both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

I like your picks, Ethan. I pick up and read parts of "Something Wicked..." almost every October

Since I'm a "library girl", I've got access to "Something Wicked This Way Comes", and "The Haunting of Hill House".

For the "Nobel" category...
There are quite few older books but one I've been thinking about (may be too controversial, but is definitely a horror story), is "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis.

Pat of Rocks wrote: "I like your picks, Ethan. I pick up and read parts of "Something Wicked..." almost every October"

Tip o' the hat to ya Pat!

Shadows and Spirits:
Stolen Tongues

Nobel Shelf:
Lord Of The Flies

Shadows and Spirits:
Ghost Eaters

Nobel Shelf:
The Goldfinch

Ethan, My Dad was born in Kansas in '34 and tells of being a little boy hitchhiking to California with his Dad and picking cotton and whatever work they could find. I've listened to his stories for 65 years and I'm just sad I didn't think to ask my Grandpa what it was like for him for I'm sure it was very different...he died nearly 40 years ago.

LT wrote: "Ethan, My Dad was born in Kansas in '34 and tells of being a little boy hitchhiking to California with his Dad and picking cotton and whatever work they could find. I've listened to his stories for..."
Oh man, so tragic, i completely empathize with you.
If it's any consolation, i had exactly the same feelings toward mine. My biggest regret is after beginning to write seriously, i saw what a deep moving story men like your father & grandfather had to tell, but just like yours, mine had already passed by the time i "got" that.
Seems we lost some color to our lives...