October is here, and with it comes the perfect excuse to curl up with a blanket, light a candle, and dive into some eerie, heart-pounding, or comforting reads. Whether you’re a lover of dark romance or looking for something cozy to balance out the autumn chill, this challenge is for you! – I’ve crafted weekly prompts to guide you through a variety of books, and I’m excited to share my recommendations for each one. Whether you’re joining for all 5 weeks or just picking a few, I hope this reading challenge inspires you to find new favorites and embrace the magic of October. Alright, now let’s get spooky!
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How to Participate
- See the prompts below, with my recommendations. Each week choose one or two books that go along with the prompts. Whether one of each prompt or two of the same. If you aren’t into my recs, feel free to make this work however you like and choose what fits for you!
- Take it to the community. If you’re on Instagram, share your posts, stories, mini-reviews and favorite quotes tagging me with the hashtag #FrightsAndFlames. You can also share those directly on this blog at the bottom in the comments.
- Tell a friend. Follow me on my Bookstagram and tag a friend on my October Reading Challenge post, or send them the link to this blog post so they can join in on the fun.
Week One
Prompt 1: Haunted House
Books that feature eerie, haunted locations—whether an old mansion, abandoned building, or supernatural dwelling. Think ghostly presences, creaking floors, and unsettling mysteries lurking in every corner.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Maggie Holt’s family fled their haunted Victorian home 25 years ago, and now she’s returning to renovate it. As she unravels the mysteries surrounding her father’s tell-all book, Maggie discovers that some houses hold onto their secrets tightly.
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Journalist Fiona Sheridan investigates the eerie history of Idlewild Hall, an abandoned boarding school for troubled girls. What she uncovers links her sister’s murder decades ago to long-buried secrets and ghostly apparitions that haunt the grounds.
Lake’s Edge by Lyndall Clipstone
When Violeta and her brother arrive at the haunted estate of the mysterious Rowan Sylvanan, they discover dark magic lurking within the house. Violeta finds herself drawn to Rowan, despite the terrifying curse that haunts him and the mansion.
Prompt 2 - Spooky Short Stories
Ghostly, A Collection of Ghost Stories edited by Audrey Niffenegger
A collection of hauntingly eerie ghost stories from classic and contemporary authors, including Edgar Allan Poe and Neil Gaiman. Perfect for short bursts of chilling suspense.
Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
This graphic novel anthology combines fairy-tale-inspired stories with beautiful, creepy illustrations. Each tale explores dark relationships, hidden fears, and mysterious places, with a dash of gothic romance.
Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson
This compilation offers some of Jackson’s most unsettling short stories, exploring eerie encounters, strange neighbors, and the creeping terror of the unknown.
Week Two
Prompt 3: Spicy Paranormal Romance
Feral Sins by Suzanne Wright Taryn Warner, a latent wolf shifter, finds herself in a heated relationship with an alpha male, Trey Coleman. Forced into a fake mate bond for political reasons, the chemistry between them ignites into an unstoppable, spicy romance.
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
Hades, the god of the underworld, meets Persephone, a struggling mortal. Their dangerous, sizzling connection grows as Persephone fights against their inevitable fate in this steamy retelling of the classic myth.
The Vampire Wants a Wife by Andie M. Long
Vampire Theo has been alive for centuries, but he’s never found love—until he meets Abbey, a matchmaker who promises to find him a wife. Their flirty banter and paranormal hijinks make for a spicy, lighthearted romance.
Prompt 4: Dark Fantasy with Enemies to Lovers
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
Lara is sent as a bride to the enemy king, with orders to infiltrate and destroy his kingdom. But as she gets closer to King Aren, her hatred morphs into forbidden love in this high-stakes, enemy-to-lover fantasy romance.
These Hollow Vows by Lexi Ryan
Abriella makes a deal with a prince of the Unseelie Court to save her sister. Along the way, she finds herself caught between two rival fae princes, both dangerous and irresistible, as their hatred slowly turns to passion.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Chosen as the Maiden, Poppy’s life is one of solitary duty until Hawke enters the picture. Their fiery connection intensifies as Poppy uncovers dark truths about her destiny and the kingdom they serve.
Week Three
Prompt 5: Psychological Thriller
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, is hired to finish the bestselling series of injured author Verity Crawford. As she uncovers Verity’s chilling autobiography, dark truths emerge, leading to a suspense-filled game of psychological manipulation.
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
Jack and Grace appear to be the perfect couple, but behind closed doors, dark and chilling secrets lie. This psychological thriller delves into the disturbing dynamic of a relationship built on control and manipulation.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, shoots her husband and then goes completely silent. The novel unravels in gripping detail as psychotherapist Theo Faber attempts to uncover the truth behind her crime.
Prompt 6: Witchy Vibes
Vivienne Jones casts a curse on her ex-boyfriend, not thinking it would actually work. Nine years later, when he returns to town, strange and hilarious magical chaos ensues in this witchy, rom-com.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
Emilia, a witch seeking revenge for her sister’s death, accidentally summons Wrath, a prince of Hell. Their fiery connection and magical battle create a dark, witchy romance perfect for fans of paranormal fantasy.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
In a world where witches are hunted, Louise le Blanc, a witch, and Reid Diggory, a witch-hunter, are forced into marriage. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic sparks both passion and conflict, set against a backdrop of magic and witchcraft.
Week Four
Prompt 7: Forbidden Love in a Dangerous World
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Karou, a human raised by monsters, falls for Akiva, an angel warrior. Their forbidden love defies centuries of war between their species, and as they uncover hidden truths, their romance becomes even more perilous.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette’s touch is deadly, making her a valuable weapon in a world at war. When she’s thrust into a relationship with Warner, a ruthless military leader, their intense connection is built on mistrust and electric chemistry in this dystopian romance.
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Lia, a runaway princess, is being pursued by both a prince and an assassin. The forbidden romance unfolds as she fights for freedom and truth, unaware of who she can truly trust.
Prompt 8: Dark Secrets and Deadly Consequences
We We’re Liars by E. Lockhart
Cadence Sinclair spends every summer on her family’s private island. But after a mysterious accident, she begins to uncover deadly family secrets and betrayals that will change her life forever.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery Grambs is unexpectedly named the heir to a billionaire’s fortune, but with her inheritance comes dangerous puzzles, high-stakes games, and deadly consequences. She must navigate the treacherous world of the Hawthorne family, with a bit of romance along the way.
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
Alizeh, a servant with a hidden identity, finds herself caught in a deadly game of politics and love with Crown Prince Kamran. Their forbidden love unearths ancient secrets that could tear their world apart in this lush fantasy romance.
Week Five
Prompt 9: Dark Academia
Gothikana by RuNyx
Corvina Clemm, a mysterious girl at the eerie Verenmore University, where she meets brooding professor Vad Deverell. As they fall into a dangerous romance, Corvina uncovers the dark secrets of the university, including disappearing students and forbidden areas. A gothic mix of suspense, romance, and dark academia.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Six powerful magicians are chosen to join the mysterious Alexandrian Society. With only five spots available, their intense competition is complicated by dark magic, alliances, and slow-burn romance in this dark academia fantasy.
A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee
Felicity returns to her eerie boarding school, which is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of witches. As she delves into dark magic with a new student, a romance blooms amidst secrets, betrayal, and deadly consequences.
Prompt 10: Halloween Night Read
Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond
Callie never expected to meet a demon prince, let alone fall for him. But when she accidentally summons Luke, the sexy son of Satan, they embark on a whirlwind adventure to stop the apocalypse, filled with romance, magic, and plenty of Halloween-style fun.
The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
A coming-of-age story set in the 1980s, Jake joins his eccentric uncle’s ghost-hunting club one Halloween. What starts as spooky fun soon delves into deeper truths about friendship, memory, and loss.
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot is called to investigate after a young girl is murdered during a Halloween party. A classic whodunit filled with eerie twists and unexpected revelations.
And This is the End
I’d love to hear from you – Drop your book choices in the comments below and let’s get this conversation started! Thank you for being part of this challenge and here’s to a spine-tingling month of great reads!
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