This article initially appeared in a print issue of the Monitor published Oct. 31, 2025.
I’ve been working my way through a lot of books over the last couple of falls and these are the ones that stuck with me. From twisty thrillers to dark academia to nonfiction, here are my top reading recommendations for the season.
Thrillers
If you like fast-paced plots and stories that keep you guessing, these are all worth picking up.
- Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter: This one is dark and definitely not for the faint of heart. It follows two sisters who reconnect years after their third sister’s disappearance, uncovering horrifying truths along the way. Slaughter’s writing is intense but totally gripping.
- Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera: A fun, modern mystery that combines true-crime podcast vibes with an unreliable narrator. It’s about a woman suspected of murder in her hometown and the podcaster determined to dig up what really happened.
- All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers: A small-town journalist returns home and becomes obsessed with solving a cold case that mirrors her own past. It’s full of secrets, small-town gossip, and that classic “everyone’s hiding something” energy.
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: A classic for a reason. Ten strangers are invited to an isolated island, and one by one, they’re killed off. Even if you think you know the twist, it still holds up.
Fantasy & Dark Academia
For readers who like atmospheric settings, academic rivalries, and a little bit of magic.
- A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid: This is one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s about a literature student who wins a contest to design a cover for her favorite author’s final book. It has gothic vibes and a haunting seaside setting.
- Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett: A cozy read about a grumpy academic studying faeries in a fictional remote village. It’s part fantasy, part field journal, and surprisingly funny.
- Babel by R.F. Kuang: A dense but fascinating story about language, power, and colonialism set in an alternate Oxford. It’s a slow burn, but if you like dark academia and big ideas, it’s worth it. (Next up for me is Katabasis, R.F. Kuang’s newest book).
Other Fiction
These are character-driven stories that made me think, and in some cases, cry a little.
- The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans: A short story collection about race, identity, and how we talk about history. Every story feels sharp and deeply relevant, and the title novella is especially memorable.
- If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio: Think Dead Poets Society meets Macbeth. It follows a tight-knit group of acting students whose lives spiral after one of them ends up dead. It’s dramatic in the best way.
- Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka: This book alternates between the final hours of a man on death row and the perspectives of the women affected by his crimes. It’s beautifully written and much more about empathy and understanding than violence.
- Normal People by Sally Rooney: A quiet, emotional story about two people who can’t seem to get their timing right. Rooney captures the awkwardness and intensity of young relationships perfectly.
Nonfiction
These books prove that real life can be just as fascinating (and unsettling) as fiction.
- From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty: A mortician travels the world exploring how different cultures deal with death. It’s oddly comforting and a reminder that death doesn’t have to be taboo.
- Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: A thoughtful look at aging, medicine, and end-of-life care. It’s one of those books that changes how you think about what it means to live well.
- American Predator by Maureen Callahan: A chilling deep dive into the case of Israel Keyes, one of the most meticulous serial killers in U.S. history. It reads like a detective story but is entirely true.
- I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara: True crime at its best. McNamara’s investigation into the Golden State Killer is both gripping and deeply human, especially knowing that her work continued to bring attention to these crimes even after her death.
Whether you’re looking to be spooked, inspired, or just distracted from homework for a while, these books all made an impression on me and I think they’ll do the same for you.