Although not all the trees have dropped their leaves, the first whiffs of fall are in the air. For me, this signals it is time to cozy up with a good book and escape into the adventures of the literary world.
The days are getting shorter and the breeze is starting to bite, so I find myself turning to a good thriller to get my blood pumping and embrace the spooky spirit. One of my favorite thriller authors who has proven herself time and time again is Freida McFadden. While her books may not be the next great American novel, each book is full of twists and turns that are sure to keep you captivated. The first book I read from her, The Housemaid, follows a young girl as she attempts to work for a wealthy family that is not as perfect as it may seem on the surface. Full of plot twists as well as multiple points of view, this book kept me on the edge of my cozy cushioned seat. Similar to this book is her recent release The Tenant, which I just listened to on a long car ride over the summer. This book follows Blake as he welcomes a new tenant named Whitney into his house. However, things start going very wrong for Blake and he does not know who to blame. McFadden does an excellent job at creating complex characters who are not necessarily likeable in both of these books, painting a believable picture of how artful attempts at revenge can unfold.
I also have a recommendation from a more controversial author Colleen Hoover. Many people have deemed her romances as surface level and lacking strong female characters. This is somewhat true, but I do find them to be good for readers just getting into the book community as they are straightforward and easy to digest. One of my most shocking favorite reads from her is Verity, which I found to be quite different from her other books. This novel follows author Lowen as she attempts to take over another writer’s work when she is injured. Lowen ends up moving in with the writer’s husband and child and an expected romance soon ensues. However, this book also offered many twists and turns with an ending that had me second-guessing how well I knew the characters. This is an excellent book for those who are used to reading romance but would like to get more into thrillers or horror.
For those unafraid of strange love stories, I cannot recommend The Ruinous Love Trilogy enough. This series is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is certainly unique and unlike anything I have ever read before. Each novel follows a different serial killer couple. I never thought I could find myself rooting for a murderer, but Weaver’s characters are well-developed and their actions are not without explanation. However, if you do not have a strong stomach and descriptions of gore really gross you out, these books are probably not for you. But if you are down for a little unconventional romance that will leave you questioning what right and wrong really mean, please pick up this trilogy. Weaver also has a new release Tourist Season part of her The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy that just came out Sept. 23. If this is anything like her first, then I am sure we are in for another enthralling series.
Another unorthodox book that gained a lot of attention from the book community is Bride by Ali Hazelwood. This book differs from Hazelwood’s usual STEM romances such as The Love Hypothesis and Love Theoretically as it follows a vampire and a werewolf forging an unlikely connection with one another. I enjoyed the side plots in this book and the discussion of vampire and werewolf politics. While I did find the spice to be a bit graphic at times (which is the main issue many find with this book), if you can get past that it is a fun read, especially with the spooky season approaching. The second book in this series, Mate, follows another vampire and werewolf couple. It is set to release Oct. 7, so be sure to read Bride before the next book comes out.
My recommendations have to end with a fantasy as this is my all time favorite genre. Offered on kindle unlimited and full of vampirish thrills is the Crowns of Nyaxia series by Carrisa Broadbent, which now features four novels and one novella. The series is to be split into three duologies, the first two which I have read. I am planning on reading the third and fourth books soon and am sure I will love them if they are anything like the first two. In the first book The Serpent and the Wings of Night, a human named Oraya raised in a world of vampires is forced into a series of trials in which she is likely to be slain. However, she soon gains the attention of vampire Raihn and the two forge an unlikely bond. With widespread political turmoil that continues into the second book, the world-building in this book is excellent but not too in-depth that it grows boring. Anyone who is a fan of a girlboss who beats the odds and a lethally charming love interest will love this series.
If you find yourself with any spare time during the rigors of the fall semester, please pick up any of these reads to get yourself in the autumnal spirit. Even if they strike you as a bit out of your comfort zone, I am sure they will not disappoint.
Emma Robinson is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at elg229@cornell.edu.
