There are few better companions to a chilly October evening than a good book, except, perhaps, the movie that awaits after finishing it. These three books — definitively not bringing fall cheer in the sense of pumpkin-scented candles and cookies — are an enthralling exposition of the dark, supernatural side of this spooky season. With the corresponding screen adaptation of each selection, pairing these page turners with their corresponding films invites one to turn an evening read into a cozy fall occasion.
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier
Few novels capture Gothic unease as aptly or as elegantly as Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca.” The novel follows an unnamed young woman who, after a whirlwind romance, marries the wealthy widower Maxim de Winter and moves with him to the polished world of Manderley, his sprawling English estate. There, however, she finds herself living in the shadow of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, whose presence seems to linger in every room, object and memory. Plagued by the fear of her own inadequacy, the new Mrs. de Winter struggles to settle into her role, and these insecurities are only heightened by the icy housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, whose devotion to Rebecca borders on obsession. This story initially masquerades as one of romance and social insecurity, but gradually darkens into one of secrecy, jealousy and psychological suspense, especially as questions surrounding Rebecca’s death begin to populate throughout Manderley.
Much of the novel’s power lies in its atmosphere, as du Maurier depicts Maunderley as almost a living, breathing entity — one that is beautiful, imposing and haunted by memory. The estate’s dark corridors, overgrown gardens and eerie sense of watchfulness create a distinctly Gothic sense of claustrophobic tension, while the narrator’s obsession with a woman she never knew makes Rebecca’s absence feel more powerful and pervasive than any other character's presence.
For an October read, this novel offers a quieter kind of darkness than the average horror movie. Its suspense builds slowly, through suggestion, jealousy and the unnerving persistence of memory. After the final page is turned, a cold October evening offers the perfect excuse to remain at Manderley a while longer with Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 adaptation, which is worth opting for over the glossier 2020 remake.
“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë
If an ideal fall evening involves heavy rain against the window and a deeply ill-advised romance, Emily Brontë’s timeless classic “Wuthering Heights” belongs on your bedside table this October. Set against the windswept moors of Yorkshire, this Gothic novel follows the consuming bond between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan brought into her family. The two grow up as fiercely devoted companions, but Heathcliff’s mistreatment within the family and Catherine’s attraction to the wealthy, refined Edgar Linton pull them apart, resulting in Heathcliff’s bitter departure from the moors. Years later, a newly refined Heathcliff returns back home determined to exact revenge on those he believe wronged him, manipulating both the Earnshaw and Linton families in an effort to reclaim power and property. His revenge scheme entangles the two households and reaches into the next generation, turning what readers might hope to be a redemptive love story into a sweeping exploration of obsession, class and vengeance.
Brontë wrote the story through layered narrators, challenging readers to piece together events from accounts shaped by memory and personal judgment. Readers expecting a comforting love story may be disappointed by its cruelty, but the emotional intensity makes the novel especially suited to October. Its haunted quality comes as much from resentment and grief as from the possibility of supernatural interspersed throughout the novel. The Gothic genre of Brontë’s novel speaks to its autumnal relevance in itself. The dark, bleak settings of the moorlands, as well as the proliferation of supernatural encounters and hauntings — both literal, through ghostly apparitions, and psychological, through memory and obsession — create an atmosphere of eerie intensity characterizing both Gothic literature and the spirit of October. A dreary fall day offers the perfect setting to watch the 2026 film adaption, whose ceaseless thunder and rain will make the warmth of the indoors feel all the cozier.
“Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman
For a more overtly witchy October selection, “Practical Magic,” the first book of a four-part series, combines familial love with supernatural trouble. While this title may be more commonly attributed to the “spooky season’s” go-to film adaptation, the book is often neglected, despite many considering it to be the more contemplative, complex and emotionally significant — albeit less “whimsical” — alternative. The novel centers on Sally and Gillian Owens, orphaned sisters raised by their eccentric aunts in a small New England town. The sisters long to escape the ill-perceived shadow of their family’s reputation for witchcraft, and pursue two contrasting paths in the process of escaping after moving out. Gillian lives her life in a perpetual state of flight and volatility, while Sally embraces stable domestic life as the chance to give her daughters the sense of normalcy she never had. Despite their efforts to escape their heritage, unfortunate circumstances bring the sisters back into each other's lives, consequently forcing them to embrace their roots and protect the next generation of Owens women.
Hoffman’s lyrical prose is enchanting and emotionally evocative in its own regard, and her ability to weave the supernatural seamlessly into everyday settings strengthens the style of magical realism she writes in — making it perfect for the days leading up to Halloween. Even beneath the supernatural elements of the novel, Hoffman explores complex human experiences of grief, belonging and familial loyalty. These heavy themes are not meant to be discouraging, however, as Hoffman still allows ample warmth to emerge from the novel as a result of the Owens’ enduring sisterhood. The corresponding movie-night choice is the 1998 film adaptation — read the book first for Hoffman’s captivating storytelling, then follow up on a cheerier note with the movie. Of these three pairings, “Practical Magic” is the easiest to turn into an October tradition.
This month’s selections make a case for leaning into the eerie and emotional complexities of this spooky season, and for extending the experience beyond the final page of the book. A finished chapter, a cozy blanket, perhaps even a few tissues make the perfect companions, with the remote never too far out of reach.
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