Historical Fiction – The Book Nook

The Most Beautiful Books I Have Ever Read

Every reader has those few books — the ones that remind you what writing can be. The ones that feel less like ink on a page and more like a spell cast over you. The ones you want to linger inside, sentence by sentence, even as the plot pulls you forward.

These are mine.

These are the books I finished slowly, almost reluctantly, because every page felt like a place I could stay forever. They’re lyrical, immersive, and emotionally rich. The kind of stories that made me pause just to take in a sentence one more time. The prose dances off the page. Each character feels like someone you know intimately, each setting is vividly painted in your mind’s eye, every conflict resonates deeply.

They are, for me, the definition of top-tier writing. This exquisite level of craftsmanship in literature illuminates the human experience in a way that feels both personal and universal. The themes explored within these pages echo long after the book is closed, leaving you in a contemplative state, pondering what you’ve just read. The impact of these works is profound, lingering with you for years after you turn the last page.

These novels possess the power to transform your perspective, sparking new ideas and igniting passions that may have previously lain dormant. They push boundaries and invite readers to challenge their own worldviews. It’s the kind of reading experience that feels sacred, enriching your understanding of life and the complexities of the human spirit.

In essence, these books are not just stories; they are cherished companions along a journey of emotional discovery.

✨ The Song of Achilles & Circe — Madeline Miller

Both of these books read like poetry threaded through myth — tender, fierce, devastating, and achingly human. I could reread entire paragraphs just to admire how she shapes emotion into imagery.

✨ Hamnet — Maggie O’Farrell

A masterpiece of grief and beauty. O’Farrell’s writing is careful and shimmering, filled with a sense of breath held just beneath the surface. I don’t remember the last time a book had such a profound effect on my emotions.

✨ Spinning Silver — Naomi Novik

Lush and wintry, with prose that reads like folklore captured on the page. Novik’s language is sharp and elegant, weaving fairy-tale elements into something both familiar and entirely new. I remember pausing just to reread the same line, stunned by how lovely it was.

✨ The Snow Child — Eowyn Ivey

Quiet, haunting, and full of that fragile beauty that only winter landscapes seem to hold. Ivey’s writing is gentle but piercing. Every description feels like a snowflake you want to catch before it melts.

✨ Rebecca — Daphne du Maurier

A classic for a reason. Du Maurier’s prose is hypnotic — a slow, creeping spell that you don’t even realize has overtaken you until you’re pages deep. The atmosphere is unforgettable, and the language is both elegant and unsettling.

✨ The Lord of the Rings Trilogy — J.R.R. Tolkien

No one paints landscapes with words like Tolkien. His writing is lyrical in a way that feels ancient and mythic, as though Middle-earth existed long before he simply wrote it down. There’s a musicality to his prose that has stayed with many a reader.

✨ Wildwood Dancing — Juliet Marillier

A fairy tale made lush and real. Marillier has such a gift for threading folklore into every line, and this book in particular feels like stepping into a moonlit dream. Her writing always feels like it’s humming with magic. I read this book when I was fifteen years old, and I still think about it to this day.

✨ The Book Thief — Markus Zusak

A story narrated by Death shouldn’t be beautiful, and yet Zusak makes it breathtaking. His writing is poetic, inventive, and filled with metaphors that feel both whimsical and heartbreaking. I still think about specific lines years later.

✨ Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Mandel’s prose is deceptively simple. Clean, precise, and quietly gorgeous. She writes with an almost meditative stillness that feels like floating through time. I couldn’t believe how deeply I got sucked into her prose.

✨ Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Hurston’s writing is vibrant, emotional, and unlike anything else. Her dialect work is musical and intimate; her imagery is sweeping and unforgettable.

Books I Suspect Will Join This List Soon

There are books on my TBR that I have a strong suspicion will end up right alongside these masterpieces. Whether it’s because I have already read other books by these authors, or because everything about them suggests they’ll speak to me in that same lyrical, soul-stirring way:

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell- A beautifully crafted historical novel that delves into the life of Lucrezia de’ Medici, exploring themes of love, power, and betrayal in Renaissance Italy.
Land by Maggie O’Farrell – A poignant exploration of identity, memory, and the complex relationships that shape our understanding of home and belonging.
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel – A thought-provoking novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of art amidst a post-apocalyptic landscape.
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee- A multi-generational epic of a Korean family living in Japan, battling prejudice, hardship, and the quest for identity across decades, exploring love, loyalty, and the enduring human spirit.
The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier – This is Marillier’s newest book and the start of a new duology. But honestly, any Marillier novel could end up on this list, given her masterful storytelling and the rich, immersive worlds she creates. Her work often intertwines magic, folklore, and the complexities of human emotion. I have so much catching up to do with her work, as each narrative offers something new and profound that lingers long after the pages are turned.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese – A powerful novel that tells the story of twin brothers, Marion and Shiva Stone, born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash English surgeon. Set against the backdrop of Ethiopia, this narrative explores themes of love, medicine, betrayal, and the complex relationships that shape our identities.
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey – A captivating tale that intertwines themes of love, betrayal, and destiny, set in a richly imagined world filled with intricate politics and vibrant characters.

In the End…

These books didn’t just entertain me — they transported me. They reminded me why I love stories, why language matters, and how powerful a single sentence can be when shaped with intention and heart.

If you have one of those books, the kind you wanted to climb into and live inside, I’d love to hear it. My TBR is always ready for another beautiful story.

Book Review: Bog Queen

Rating: 4 ⭐️

Author: Anna North

Genre: Historical/Literary Fiction

Pages: 264 pages

Synopsis:

Bog Queen follows two women—Agnes, a modern archaeologist haunted by her own insecurities, and the ancient woman whose preserved body she uncovers from the peat bog. As their stories intertwine across centuries, Anna North explores what’s gained and lost in the name of progress, how women’s lives are preserved (or erased) by history, and what remains buried beneath both land and memory.

Review

What first drew me in was the premise—a story about a bog body, a mystery across time, and the promise of lush, atmospheric writing. I went in expecting something introspective and literary, and that’s precisely what I got. The dual timelines and shifting perspectives created a sense of layering, like slowly excavating not just the bog, but the characters themselves.

Strengths

✨ Writing Style: North’s prose is rich and atmospheric. Every page is saturated with mood and tension, and she balances the poetic with the precise in a way that feels deliberate and haunting. It’s the kind of writing that makes you pause just to reread a sentence.

✨ Structure & POV: The multiple perspectives are handled beautifully. Each voice added another layer to the story, and by the end, the two threads finally knot into one. It’s subtle, but so satisfying.

✨ Themes: The novel’s exploration of human progress—particularly at the expense of the environment and tradition—feels timely and deeply resonant. North raises questions about preservation, exploitation, and the cyclical nature of destruction, all while maintaining an undercurrent of a quiet mystery. It asks: what do we sacrifice when we dig too deep, or move too fast?

✨ Atmosphere: You can almost feel the damp chill of the bog and the weight of centuries pressing in. It’s cold, wet, ancient, and absolutely dripping with mood. I found it to be so incredibly immersive.

Weaknesses / Caveats

The one negative of the book, the reason this isn’t a five-star read for me, is that Agnes’s introspection sometimes went a little too far. I understood why her awkwardness and self-doubt were emphasized, but it occasionally pulled focus from the bigger themes and slowed the story’s rhythm. There were moments when I wanted the story to get out of her head and back to the issue at hand. Ultimately, this isn’t a character-driven book, and therefore, focusing so much on how Agnes struggles with people didn’t really interest me. When it came to her inability to handle the rising conflict in the current day, I think the fact that she was there to do her job and her inexperience with handling conflict at all would have been sufficient.

Final Thoughts

Bog Queen is a thought-provoking, quietly powerful novel—academic in tone but compulsively readable. It lingers long after the last page and gives readers so much to think about.

📚 Perfect for readers who enjoy:

Dual timelines and multi-POV storytelling
Climate and environmental fiction
Thoughtful, atmospheric historical mysteries
Anthropological or academic tones in fiction

For me, this was haunting and evocative, and I’d recommend it to readers who love slow, layered stories that unearth both history and humanity.

Seasonal Transition Reads: Books for Moving from Fall into Winter

There’s something magical about the turn of the seasons—when the crisp air of autumn gives way to the quiet hush of winter. The light fades earlier, evenings grow longer, and suddenly I find myself reaching for books that feel just right for this in-between time.

For me, seasonal transition reads fall into two categories: the cozy comforts that make you feel warm and held, and the atmospheric stories that lean into reflection, mystery, and winter’s quiet beauty.

Here are some of my favorite reads (and recent finds) that capture both moods:

🍯 If You’re Looking for Cozy

These are the books that feel like a soft blanket, a mug of tea, and the glow of a candle in the window. Comforting, whimsical, and filled with heart.

✨ At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber
A small-town story full of charm and community. Sweet and heartwarming, this one is perfect for easing into winter.

✨ The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
A heartwarming blend of greenhouse magic, gentle romance, and whimsical atmosphere, all set on a magical island in the middle of a snowy winter. Fair warning: the food descriptions will have you craving hot cocoa and cookies, so you might want to keep some nearby while you read.

✨ TJ Klune
Tender, whimsical, and heart-deep—Klune’s stories are comfort reads with soul. These books literally feel like a hug you didn’t know you needed. I especially recommend Under the Whispering Door for the winter months, especially if you’re a Christmas Carol fan.

✨ Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale by Sarah Robinson
An engrossing anthology of folklore, fairy tale magic, healing, hearth, and feasts. This book is an exploration of the history and culture of food, folklore, and magic. Perfect for cozy evenings when you want nourishment for both body and spirit.

✨ Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
This book is full of Regency banter, magic, and charming letter exchanges. I loved the epistolary style, which made the reading move quickly. I also love the backstory of how the authors decided to write this delightful tale. Be sure to check it out!

✨ The Legends & Lattes Series by Travis Baldree
Comfort fantasy at its finest. This series feels like a warm cup of coffee in book form — full of kindness, community, and quiet beginnings. A cozy, low-stakes fantasy perfect for transitioning from the golden glow of autumn into winter’s calm. And lucky for all of us, the third book, Brigands & Breadknives, is set to come out this November!

🍁 If You’re in the Mood for Something More Reflective

These are the books that bridge cozy and contemplative—warm but weighty, tender but deeply human. They invite you to slow down, to reflect, and to hold both the beauty and ache of life in equal measure.

✨ Like Family by Erin O’White
A new book in the market, Like Family, captured me literally from the first sentence. It is rare for any book to do that. What followed was a thoughtful, yet gracious story about the messiness of families. No matter how perfect one may seem on the outside, there is always something that will need work. What I loved about this book is not just the family dynamics, but the exploration of identity and how we still have so much to learn about ourselves, no matter what stage of life we are in.

✨ Ordinary Days by Annie B. Jones
A lovely, quiet memoir that celebrates the beauty of daily life from one of my favorite podcast hosts/independent bookstore owner. This book is a reminder to slow down and savor the simple things in life, even when you feel like you should be reaching for more.

✨ Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
A stunning nonfiction work about embracing the seasons of rest in our lives. This book is gentle and soul-soothing. It gives you the permission you didn’t know you were looking for to slow down and look inward at what you need, rather than what you’re told will make you happy.

✨ Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science by Renée Bergland
If you are looking for some nonfiction that reads like fiction and is a beautifully written exploration of wonder and curiosity, look no further. I loved this deep dive into two well-known individuals, Darwin and Dickinson, and how their minds so closely resembled each other, even though they had never met. I was absolutely transfixed.

✨ We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this novel captures the essence of friendship, love, and the profound ache of letting go. Catherine Newman’s books are perfect for this time of year.

✨ Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer
Kimmer’s writing takes you gently by the hand and leads you through thoughtful discussions on respriocity with the land and how we, as humans, often forget to give thanks for the resources we so frequently take for granted. Her knowledge, experiences, and cultural upbringing will leave you a kinder, better person.

🌙 If You’re Seeking Something Atmospheric

For when the nights stretch long and you’re in the mood for something thoughtful that clings to you long after you have turned the final page.

✨ The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Gothic, mysterious, and unforgettable. A literary labyrinth that feels like wandering candlelit streets in late autumn. Perfect for diving into when the days are shorter and the nights longer.

✨ The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
A masterful gothic mystery about family secrets, storytelling, and the ghosts that linger in old houses. Atmospheric, eerie, and beautifully written — it’s the kind of book best read by lamplight on a cold evening.

✨ The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Historical fiction based on a real midwife who was witness to the goings-on of her small Maine town. This book is steeped in atmosphere, set in a stark New England winter. The themes of this novel, set in the late 1700s, (unfortunately) still ring true today. This is not one to miss.

✨ The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
A lush, fairy-tale-infused novel set in the frozen forests of medieval Russia. With folklore, family, and a heroine who must embrace her gifts to protect her village, this book feels like stepping into a world of firelight, snow, and whispered legends.

Seasonal Reading as Self-Care

Transitioning from fall to winter is about more than weather—it’s about pace, rhythm, and energy. Cozy reads remind us to rest and nurture ourselves, while atmospheric and reflective books encourage us to meditate and lean into the season’s quiet. Both offer comfort in their own way.

Do you reach for cozy, atmospheric, or reflective books when the seasons shift? 🍁➡️❄️

Book Review: The Wild Hunt

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Author: Emma Seckel

Genre: Historical Supernatural Horror

Pages: 351 pages

Synopsis:

The islanders have only three rules: don’t stick your nose where it’s not wanted, don’t mention the war, and never let your guard down during October.

Leigh Welles has not set foot on the island in years, but when she finds herself called home from a disappointing life on the Scottish mainland by her father’s unexpected death, she is determined to forget the sorrows of the past—her mother’s abandonment, her brother’s icy distance, the unspeakable tragedy of World War II—and start fresh. Fellow islander Iain MacTavish, a RAF veteran with his eyes on the sky and his head in the past is also in desperate need of a new beginning. A young widower, Iain struggles to return to the normal life he knew before the war.

But this October is anything but normal. This October, the sluagh are restless. The ominous, bird-like creatures of Celtic legend—whispered to carry the souls of the dead—have haunted the islanders for decades, but in the war’s wake, there are more wandering souls and more slaugh. When a local boy disappears, Leigh and Iain are thrown together to investigate the truth at the island’s dark heart and reveal hidden secrets of their own.

I’ll be honest—I almost DNF’d this one. The beginning dragged, weighed down by flashbacks and heavy introspection from multiple characters. Each chapter seemed to circle the same themes of loss and trauma, especially through Leigh’s perspective. I understood what the author was going for—the lasting scars of war—but it started to feel repetitive. I found myself thinking, “Okay, I get it already. Can we move on with what’s happening right now?”

That said, I’m glad I stuck with it, because the second half absolutely delivered. Once the story leaned into the eerie folklore and supernatural elements, I couldn’t put it down. The blending of Scottish lore, haunting atmosphere, and the sense of dread building toward the end of October was incredible. It felt like the story finally found its rhythm and became something truly haunting and beautiful.

✨ Writing Style: Emma Seckel’s writing is lush and evocative. Every page drips with grief and longing for a world that once was. Even when the pacing lagged, I couldn’t help but admire how beautifully she crafted her scenes. Her prose is immersive—melancholy, poetic, and rich with atmosphere.

✨ Characters: I’ll be honest—the characters weren’t what kept me turning the pages. And as someone who loves character-driven stories, that surprised me. They weren’t necessarily unlikable, just emotionally exhausting after a while. Each one clung to their grief and regrets so tightly that it started to wear on me as a reader. I understood that sorrow was central to the story, but it often felt like being stuck in a loop of heartache, waiting for someone—anyone—to finally move forward.

✨ Atmosphere: This is where The Wild Hunt truly shines. A remote post-war island, Scottish folklore woven with a paranormal twist, and a heavy sense of unease that hangs over every page. The haunting landscape and creeping supernatural presence made the second half of the book impossible to put down.

Final Thoughts

Despite a slow start, The Wild Hunt rewards patience with an evocative, chilling tale that lingers long after the final page. It’s the perfect pick for October—moody, atmospheric, and just the right amount of eerie.

Perfect for readers who enjoy: slow-burn supernatural stories, haunting folklore, post-war melancholy, and ghostly autumn vibes.

Book Review: The Bewitching

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Genre: Gothic Horror

Pages: 357 pages

Synopsis

“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches.”
Nana Alba’s stories haunted Minerva all her life—perhaps why she’s now a graduate student researching Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure writer of macabre tales.

As Minerva uncovers the inspiration behind Tremblay’s most famous novel, she finds a chilling truth: during the Great Depression, Tremblay’s roommate vanished under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind whispers of witchcraft.

Now, in 1990s Massachusetts, Minerva senses that the same shadow that stalked Tremblay—and her own great-grandmother in 1900s Mexico—has returned. What began as academic research may end as a deadly confrontation with a force that refuses to stay buried.

Have you ever been drawn to an author’s work over and over again, only to be disappointed every time? You wonder why you keep trying, but something about their stories always pulls you back.

For me, that author is Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

On paper, she sounds like the perfect author for me. Her books cross multiple genres — all the ones I happen to love — and the descriptions are always so enticing. Moreno-Garcia is never lacking in ideas, and her premises are some of the most creative I’ve seen. But when it comes to the execution — the characters and the “big reveals” — something just doesn’t click for me. I always end up feeling a little let down.

So far, I’ve read three of her books:

Gods of Jade and Shadow — My biggest disappointment. It was the first book I read by her, and I figured maybe she just needed more time to grow as an author.
Mexican Gothic — The setting and atmosphere were amazing, but I couldn’t bring myself to care about the characters. And the ending? Just weird.
Velvet Was the Night — Honestly, I only picked it up because of the cover. Historical noir isn’t usually my thing, but this one surprised me by being the best of the three — still only about 3.5 stars for me, but at least I didn’t feel completely let down.

And now… enter The Bewitching.

Obviously, I went into this one with a lot of hesitation. The cover caught my eye, and once again, the description pulled me in. Then one of my favorite BookTubers raved about it. It honestly sounded exactly like what I was looking for in a spooky, dark academia. So I went ahead and bought it. When I got home, I cracked it open (receipt safely tucked away) — and within a few chapters, I knew this book was different from any of the others I had read from her.

It didn’t just live up to expectations — it exceeded them. I was captivated by the characters, the plot, and the atmosphere. For the first time, I felt like Moreno-Garcia’s writing fully clicked with me.

Strengths

✨ Timelines: The story unfolds across three different timelines, and each one was beautifully crafted. I loved how they wove together — distinct but interconnected — and by the end, the threads tied in such a satisfying way. The multiple layers of mystery kept me hooked, urging me to read “just one more chapter” again and again.

✨ Writing Style: Gothic, immersive, and perfectly paced. The book pulls you into its world and doesn’t let go. I could almost feel the candlelight flickering in shadowed halls as I read.

✨ Characters: This was the biggest surprise for me. In past Moreno-Garcia books, I’ve struggled to connect with the characters. Here, each one felt vivid and fully realized. Minerva, prickly and no-nonsense, quickly became my favorite. She wasn’t the easiest to love, but she felt real — and I admired her sharp edges.

✨ Atmosphere: If you’re craving gothic dark academia with a supernatural twist, this book is exactly what you need. It’s moody, eerie, and brimming with tension. The kind of story that practically begs to be read on a stormy night with a blanket and a mug of tea.

Weaknesses

If I had to nitpick, I’d say that some readers may find the timelines uneven — one thread might feel more compelling than the others at certain points. But for me, the balance worked, and by the end, I appreciated how each piece of the puzzle fit together.

Final Thoughts

The Bewitching felt like the book I’d been waiting for from Silvia Moreno-Garcia — all the atmosphere, mystery, and layered storytelling I’d hoped her writing could deliver. I finished it feeling completely satisfied, and honestly, a little enchanted.

Perfect for fans of: gothic dark academia, layered mysteries, and atmospheric supernatural tales. Best read curled up on a rainy day when you want to be swept into a world of shadows and secrets.

🍂 Books That Feel Like Autumn (Without Feeling Like Halloween)

In my last post, I talked about how when fall rolls around, a lot of readers (myself included) immediately think of spooky reads—ghost stories, thrillers, and eerie gothic classics. Basically, all the books to get you in the mood for Halloween. And while I love a good haunted house or witchy tale, I realize that autumn reading doesn’t have to have those Halloween vibes to feel like autumn.

Fall is also about ease and comfort. It’s about slowing down as the days get shorter, pulling on a sweater, making a hot drink, and curling up with a story that feels like home. These are the kinds of books that feel like golden leaves crunching underfoot, a cozy blanket, or the warm light of a lamp glowing in the evening.

Here are some books that capture that autumn vibe, across a mix of genres:

🍁 Historical Fiction

Historical fiction naturally lends itself to autumn — it has that layered, atmospheric quality that feels perfect for curling up with on a crisp day. These stories often invite you to step back in time and linger in the details of another era.

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese — A reimagining of the inspiration for The Scarlet Letter, set in 1800s Salem. It’s richly detailed and reflective in all the right ways.
The First Witch of Boston by Andrea Catalano — based on the true story of the first woman to be accused of witchcraft in seventeenth-century Massachusetts.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner — Twists together historical intrigue with a touch of mystery, perfect for fall nights.

☕ Comforting Romances

There’s something about autumn that pairs perfectly with cozy love stories — small towns, second chances, bookshops, and warm drinks. These books feel like the literary equivalent of a soft sweater.

The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter — Small-town charm at its best, full of warmth and community.
The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover — A contemporary romance about loss, love, and rediscovering yourself.
It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard- a second-chance romance set in NYC during the fall, say no more

🔎 Cozy Mysteries

What’s more autumnal than solving mysteries like Scooby Doo and the gang? Cozy mysteries scratch that itch for intrigue without leaning into the dark and terrifying. These are the books you should grab when you want to read next to a fire, a cup of hot tea in hand.

The Cleopatra Fox Mysteries by C.J. Archer — a fun historical mystery series featuring a young female sleuth at the turn of the century.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman — witty and heartwarming, featuring retirees solving crimes.
The Miss Marple Series by Agatha Christie- the OG of cozy mysteries, written by the queen herself.

✨ Fall doesn’t have to be spooky to be magical. Sometimes it’s about the ease and comfort of a good story that makes you feel safe, seen, and inspired. These are the kinds of books that pair perfectly with falling leaves, crisp air, and a little extra time to savor the moment.

🎃 Getting Ready for Spooky Season 🎃

September and October are my favorite months to lean into all things spooky, atmospheric, and autumnal. Whether you’re into suspense, gothic classics, dark academia, or cozy witchy romances, there’s a perfect book (or stack of them) to keep you company as the nights grow longer.

✨ My favorite Spooky Season author: Simone St. James
If you haven’t picked up Simone St. James yet, now is the time. Her books strike the perfect balance between spooky and suspenseful, with just enough ghostly atmosphere to keep you reading past midnight. What I love most is the historical thread woven into each story—spanning from the 1920s to the 1990s—so there’s a little something for everyone. You can start with any of her books, depending on your “flavor” preference, but her more recent ones lean even more into the suspense side.

📚 Reader recommendation: The Broken Girls (creepy boarding school + murder mystery), The Sun Down Motel (dual timeline ghost story in a rundown motel), or The Book of Cold Cases (true-crime blogger meets a haunted house).

🔪 Suspense & Thriller Favorites: Riley Sager and More
If your spooky season tastes lean more toward psychological thrillers and page-turning suspense, Riley Sager is a must-read. His books feel like watching your favorite scary movie — tense, twisty, and full of atmosphere. Each one has a different hook that will keep you guessing until the very end.

📚 Some recommendations:

Home Before Dark — a haunted house story with a twist.
The Last Time I Lied — summer camp secrets and lies.
Survive the Night — a road trip thriller that reads like a Hitchcock film.

And if you love Sager, you might also enjoy authors like Alice Feeney (Sometimes I Lie), Megan Miranda (All the Missing Girls), or Jennifer McMahon (The Drowning Kind, The Children on the Hill).

🕯️ The Gothic Classics
Sometimes, nothing beats going back to the roots of spooky storytelling. Books like Dracula by Bram Stoker, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, and Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice are absolute masterclasses in the horror and supernatural genres. These are the stories that set the tone for so many modern tales.

My personal favorite is Rebecca—with its twisty, unsettling atmosphere and an ending that is chef’s kiss.

📖 Dark Academia (or just Academia)
September always feels like back-to-school season, so it’s the perfect time to dive into a book with an academic edge. Whether you go full-on dark academia with eerie, secretive settings, or just pick something with a school/university backdrop, these reads fit the vibe of crisp autumn days and candlelit nights.

Some great options:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt — the dark academia classic, full of secrets and obsession.
Babel by R.F. Kuang — historical fantasy + academia, full of language, magic, and rebellion.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio — Shakespeare, theater kids, and a murder mystery.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness — romance, history, and academia with a witchy twist.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova— an age-long mystery, a race across Europe, and a hunt for Dracula

🍁 Comfy Fall Reads
Of course, spooky season isn’t just about being spooked—it’s also about coziness. For me, that means sweet, romantic stories, especially if they have a witchy element. Think cozy romances that make you want to wrap up in a blanket with a mug of tea.

Some to try:

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling — witchy rom-com with small town fall vibes.
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper — sapphic romance + magical tournament.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — found family + heartwarming romance.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman — a witchy classic with beautiful prose.

✨ Whether you’re in the mood for a ghostly chill, a gothic masterpiece, a sharp academic mystery, or a cozy romance with a touch of magic, there’s no better time to build your spooky season TBR.

Here is a very ambitious list of books I hope to read this Spooky Season:

Murder Road by Simone St. James (Supernatural Suspense)
A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney (Cozy Witchy Romance)
The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James (Historical Supernatural Suspense)
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Dark Fantasy)
The Bewitching by Sivia Garcia Moreno (Gothic Horror x Dark Academia)
Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson (Murder Mystery x Suspense)
Hemlock & Silver by T Kingfisher (Dark Fantasy)
Wild Hunt by Emma Seckel (Historical Supernatural Suspense)
Secrets in the Mist by Anna Lee Huber (Gothic Historical Romance)

I’m eager to see how many I can check off by midnight on Halloween!

Author Spotligh: CJ Archer

About two years ago, I stumbled across a book that completely drew me in: The Librarian of Crooked Lane by CJ Archer. I believe I first discovered it due to a Kindle Unlimited recommendation. The premise caught me right away: A librarian with a mysterious past, a war hero with a secret, and the heist of a magic painting. All set in London during the 1920s, but with a magical twist? Count me in.

In Archer’s world, people are born either as magicians—each with their own unique affinity, whether that’s paper, silver, ink, etc.—or as non-magicians. Those affinities allow them to enhance the properties of everyday man-made goods. It was such a clever, fascinating idea that I couldn’t resist downloading it… and within a few chapters, I was hooked.

I tore through the remaining Glass Library books that were available at the time. And when I ran out? I quickly discovered that CJ Archer has a very extensive backlog. From there, I dove straight into her After the Rift series (a sweeping fantasy with a healthy dose of romance) and A Secret Life, the first book from her Shakespearean romance series. After the Rift has now become one of my all-time favorites, and I was pleasantly surprised by her historical romance, A Secret Life, which was much steamier than anything I had read from her so far.

Since then, I’ve completed the Glass Library and After the Rift series, started her eleven-book (and counting!) Cleopatra Fox Historical Mystery series, and I have downloaded at least one book from each one of her multiple series, because I have every intention of making my way through her entire backlist.

From supernatural adventures to fantasy epics, from historical mysteries to romance/romantasy, CJ Archer truly writes something for just about every type of reader. Even her romances range from sweet to spicy (both are always swoon-worthy), showing just how versatile she can be with her writing.

What I especially love in her writing is that Archer has a gift for atmosphere and characters you just want to keep coming back to. Whether it’s a smoky London street, a tucked-away magical library, or a far-off land, you feel transported. Her stories also balance whimsy with deeper themes—grief, belonging, and finding strength in unexpected places.

Next up on my list is her Glass and Steele series, the prequel to Glass Library. I can’t wait to remeet some of my favorite characters from the Glass Library series as their younger selves! I’m also eagerly awaiting the upcoming spin-off that follows a side character from After the Rift.

Finding CJ Archer’s books has been such a joy for me as a reader. Her stories are exactly what I love—rich in atmosphere, brimming with magic, mystery, romance—and always impossible to put down.

If you’re curious where to begin, I think you should start with the series that sounds the most appealing to you. But fair warning: once you step into Archer’s worlds, you may not want to leave.

Where to Start with CJ Archer ✨

Historical Fantasy with Magic & Mystery → The Glass and Steel Series and the Glass Library series
Fantasy + Romance (Romantasy) → After the Rift (my personal favorite so far)
Cozy Historical Mystery → Cleopatra Fox Mysteries (light, clever, and fun)
Victorian Historical Paranormal/Fantasy Romance → The Freak House Series, The Ministry of Curiosities, or Emily Chambers Spirit Medium Trilogy
Steamy Historical Romance → A Secret Life (Lord Hawkesbury Players series) or The Assassins Guild
Historical Fantasy + Spice → The Witchblade Chronicles

Longbourn

Rating: 3/5 stars
Author: Jo Baker
Genre: Historical Fiction/Retellings
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: October 8th, 2013
Pages: 352

Synopsis:

If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah often thought, she’d most likely be a sight more careful with them.

In this irresistibly imagined belowstairs answer to Pride and Prejudice, the servants take center stage. Sarah, the orphaned housemaid, spends her days scrubbing the laundry, polishing the floors, and emptying the chamber pots for the Bennet household. But there is just as much romance, heartbreak, and intrigue downstairs at Longbourn as there is upstairs. When a mysterious new footman arrives, the orderly realm of the servants’ hall threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, upended.

Jo Baker dares to take us beyond the drawing rooms of Jane Austen’s classic—into the often overlooked domain of the stern housekeeper and the starry-eyed kitchen maid, into the gritty daily particulars faced by the lower classes in Regency England during the Napoleonic Wars—and, in doing so, creates a vivid, fascinating, fully realized world that is wholly her own.

Review:

I liked where this book started, but I didn’t love where it ended.

For the most part, Baker does a very good job using the bones of a beloved classic to create her own well-thought-out novel. In the beginning, I was invested in the servants’ lives — characters we only ever glimpsed in Pride and Prejudice. However, considering how dearly people love Austen’s work, Baker was bold with some of the choices she made. If you’re a die-hard Austen purist, you may struggle with this retelling.

That said, I appreciated how the book forced me to reconsider the world Austen created — one that was charming but one-sided. The descriptions of soldier life during the Napoleonic Wars were brutal, raw, and honest, far removed from the polite dances and witty conversations Austen fans are used to.

Baker also portrays the servants’ lives with an unflinching realism, which in turn makes you question the overall “goodness” of characters like Lizzy and Jane. Some familiar figures are reimagined in ways that feel. And for all the Darcy fans out there—don’t expect too much. He appears only in passing, with perhaps half a dozen lines in the entire book.

In the end, Longbourn is an interesting read if you’re an Austen fan looking for something different, or if you enjoy historical fiction that shines a light on overlooked perspectives. But be warned: it’s not a happy tale. The later sections drag, and some of the narrative turns felt more tedious than revelatory.

Final Thoughts

Longbourn makes you think, but it won’t leave you smiling. I’d recommend it if you want a grittier, more realistic view of Regency life, but not if you’re in search of a cozy Austen-esque escape.

The Lady Darby Mysteries

Rating: 4-5/5 stars
Author: Anna Lee Huber
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Publisher: Berkely
Release Dates: 2012-2019

Synopsis:

Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage–a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn’t about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.

When Kiera and Gage’s search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…

Review:

I love a good mystery, but I’ve never been hooked on an entire mystery series — until now. Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby Mysteries pulled me in from the very first book, The Anatomist’s Wife, and have kept me enthralled through every installment since.

What sets this series apart is its perfect balance of historical atmosphere, intelligent plotting, and character depth. Huber’s attention to detail brings 1830s Scotland vividly to life — from its windswept landscapes to its social customs. The research shines through without ever weighing the story down, making the setting feel immersive and authentic.

Kiera Darby herself is a remarkable heroine. Burdened by a painful past and the weight of scandal, she is intelligent, fiercely independent, and refreshingly complex. Her partnership with Sebastian Gage is one of the highlights of the series — the tension between them, both professional and romantic, gives the mysteries an added emotional pull. The slow-burn romance is especially well done, never overshadowing the central mysteries but adding depth to both characters.

The mysteries themselves are well-constructed and never formulaic. Each book offers fresh intrigue, with twists that feel both surprising and earned. Huber doesn’t shy away from gruesome or unsettling details, but they never feel gratuitous; instead, they serve to underscore the brutal realities of the time and the dangers faced by her characters.

That said, a small caveat: the titles of the books can sometimes feel a little melodramatic, but don’t let that fool you. The writing inside is far from cheesy — it’s thoughtful, layered, and gripping.

Series Order

The Anatomist’s Wife (357 pages)
Mortal Arts (384 pages)
A Grave Matter (421 pages)
A Study in Death (323 pages)
4.5. A Pressing Engagement (83 pages)
As Death Draws Near (342 pages)
A Brush with Shadows (383 pages)
An Artless Demise (372 pages)

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of historical mysteries that combine rich atmosphere, smart plots, and compelling characters, the Lady Darby series is absolutely worth picking up. It’s a perfect fit for readers who enjoy Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell mysteries or C.S. Harris’s Sebastian St. Cyr series.

I recommend starting at the beginning with The Anatomist’s Wife, not only because the mystery is strong but also because it lays the foundation for Kiera and Gage’s dynamic — one of the series’ greatest strengths.

For me, these books were a delightful surprise: atmospheric, engrossing, and emotionally satisfying. Once I started, I couldn’t stop.