It’s that time where I dole out recommendations according to what kind of mood you might be in at random — whether that be an actual mood or a specific type of book. Check out past Whatcha In the Mood For recs!
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE if you could also leave some recs for my categories in the comments to further help people looking for books that fit! Also, have a good idea for a category or something you have been looking for? Leave it in the comments!
Want a creepy Halloween read?
The Madman’s Diary by Megan Shepherd
Why? It’s not scary by any means but creepy as all hell. It’s inspired by the classic The Island of Dr. Moreau and it’s this great Gothic thriller that is super atmospheric and makes a perfect Fall/Halloween read. It was dark and creepy and so well written! (my review of Madman’s Daughter)
Want something NOT scary but atmospheric for Fall/Halloween?
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Why? If you have not jumped on The Raven Boys train (admittedly I still need to read the next book and plan to this Fall), I beg you finally pick it up during the Fall. I read it the Fall, all in one day, when it came out and it was the PERFECT fall. It’s just MAGICAL with amazing characters and writing (my review of The Raven Boys)
Want a more lighthearted “feel good” read?
Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
Why? This book is light-hearted and fluffy with great family dynamics and general adorableness. It’s about a girl who is trying to get over the fact her boyfriend cheated on her with an online girlfriend so she, inspired by a list of goals her grandmother wrote at her age, denounces modern technology and tries to complete the list! It’s such a perfect fun read when you need something light-hearted or after a super intense book! (my review of Going Vintage)
Want An Emotional Contemporary?
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Why? This is one of my favorite books and weirdly I don’t find myself talking about it as much as I do some of my other favorites. I don’t know why this is…maybe because it’s just THAT good that like what can I even say about it. It wrecked me beyond belief. The two main characters are just so raw and it’s beautiful and brutal all at the same time. (My review of The Sea of Tranquility)
Want a book about a badass lady?
Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley
Why? This is one of the most intense reading experiences ever! You will seeeeethe with anger for what the heroine has to go through. She’s one of the few girls who is part of the first year that they are accepting girls in this formerly all-boys military academy. As you watch Sam persevere through this and think she just won’t be able to take anymore, you’ll easily be adding her to your list of MOST BADASS HEROINES EVER. (My review of Rites of Passage)
Have you read any of these? Agree/disagree with my recs? Have any to add?? Also, if you have a specific mood you think I should do next time….drop that in the comments!
Tiffany says
The Madman’s Daughter sounds so interesting. I want to read it now. I like novels that are a bit dark / creepy (doesn’t necessarily have to be scary, but that’s okay too). Thanks for the book recommendations.
Jamie says
It’s REALLY good! I couldn’t put it down! I haven’t read the other 2 books in the series but need to get on that!
Sarah @ The Country Bookworm says
whattt it’s a series? *adding it to the Goodreads list*
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books says
Okay, I just read Sea of Tranquility for the second time and it was just as amazing as I remember. I hung on her every word. That is one of my favorite books ever. I have had The Raven Boys on my Kindle for ao incredibly long. I really, really hope to get to it soon. 🙂
Jamie says
I seriously need to reread it soon. I’m sure I missed things on the first read because it just is this all-consuming experience….definitely a book that demands a reread! Yes I hope you get to The Raven Boys, too!!
Emma @ Emma Likes Books says
I was planning on reading The Raven Boys this month. I have Rites of Passage but haven’t gotten around to reading it. I’ll have to get to it soon!
Jamie says
Ah you will have such a good reading month if you read both of those!!!
Melanie says
Hey Jamie,
Thanks for the recs! Have you read the Ransom Riggs trilogy? Miss Peregrine’s? It’s not scary as such, but it has that Halloween creepy feel.
I’ve been meaning to comment on your blog for so long. I know you like grief books and sister books, so I have some recs for you along those lines:
– The Sea Sisters (aka Swimming at Night) by Lucy Clarke [This is about two sisters. Their mum dies and the big sister feels super protective of the younger one. Then she gets a police visit to say her younger sister has died abroad, suspected suicide. So she retraces Mia’s steps with the help of Mia’s journal, to find the truth. I’m not doing it justice, but it’s one of my favourite books and is just incredible.]
– Book of Summers by Emylia Hall [This is about a woman who has been estranged from her mother. When her mother dies, leaving her the Book of Summers, she has to retrace her memories and figure things out. It hops between her present day life and the Book of Summers – her mum’s record of the summers they spent together.]
– A Heart Bent Out of Shape by Emylia Hall (The Swiss Affair in the US, with an awful cover! Seriously, look at the British one in comparison to the US one. The British one fits the book really well apart from the girl’s hair, in case you wanted an idea of feel.) [This is, I guess New Adult, before there was New Adult. It’s about a University student doing an exchange year in Lausanne. There are lots of Hemingway references and it will make you want to devour Hemingway and study in Lausanne. There is mystery and tragedy and plenty of drama. ]
– Lottery Boy by Michael Byrne [This is about a boy who lost his Mum and is now on the streets. I’m not gonna lie, this one broke me. He has this AMAZING relationship with his dog. When he talks about his Mum though, it kills me. This one is a toughie, especially if you’ve been where the boy is. Also as a dog lover there was the one scene that made me upset. But I’m so glad I read it.]
– Vivien’s Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop by Abby Clements [A bit more light-hearted, but these two sisters are trying to save their grandma’s ice cream shop after she dies. Seriously, if you don’t have ice cream in the house when you read this you’ll regret it! There’s a really sweet bit set in Italy where they’re learning to make gelato, that I just love.]
Sorry for bombarding you with recs, but I’ve followed your blog for ages and never had the guts to rec these to you. Your post on social media recently made me want to reach out, finally. I really gel with your posts about your Mum too. I’ve been there too. *hugs*
Happy Reading!
Jamie says
Aww thank you for the kind words <333 Really appreciate it and glad you stopped by to chat!!
I have read the first book in Ransom's series and I LOVED it! Gotta get to the next two! Definitely checking out your recommendations!!!
Kristen says
adding rites of passage and going vintage to my list 🙂 the sea of tranquility.. sigh. so much love for that book. wish i could wipe my memory and read it for the first time again lol
Jamie says
Ah I hope you love both!! Rites of Passage is definitely my fave out of the two if you only have time for one! And I AM SO WITH YOU….I so wish I could read this again for the first time!
Emma @ Miss Print says
I love that The Raven Boys made the cut here. I totally agree that it’s atmospheric but for some reason I’ve never really thought of it as a book specific to fall (silly now that I consider how much of the book takes place In. The. Fall.). I tend to recommend The Scorpio Races a lot as a fall read even though with the main action being in November I guess it could be a winter read.
For spooky my go-to rec for a while has been The Diviners even though I know it’s a bit long for some people but gosh it’s spooky!
I’m kind of concerned right now that I can’t think of my last light-hearted read!
For emotional contemporaries my two go-tos of late have been The Truth Commission (must read if you haven’t yet!) and Love and Other Perishable Items.
Jamie says
You know interestingly enough it was between The Raven Boys and The Scorpio Races for that category!! Both would be so great!
I really still need to read The Diviners!
I haven’t read Truth Commission so I will check that out but LOVE Love and Other Perishable Items (which I think you know because we’ve talked about it I believe)
The Emerald Quil says
Oooh, Rites of Passage sounds awesome! I’ve never even heard of it before. Welp, looks like I have another book hopping onto my Wishlist… 😀 I loved The Raven Boys and The Madman’s Daughter. They are perfect for Halloween!
Jamie says
It is SOOOO good! I thought like it would be a just an average read for me and then it just was amazing! Hope you get to it soon!
Paula N says
I love The Raven Cycle books!
The Sea of Tranquility is one of my all time favorites.
I really enjoyed Rites of Passage.
Great recommendations! I’m going to look up the other books that you mentioned.
Jamie says
Hope you enjoy the others! Love that you also endorse these 3 picks!! 🙂
Lisa @ Reading, Writing, and Random Musings says
I recently finished The Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy, and I think it would make a great Halloween read!
Trina (Between Chapters) says
These are great picks! The Madman’s Daughter is the perfect not-too-intense creepy read! I’m hoping to continue the series this month.
The creepiest reads I’ve been recommending are Don’t Breathe a Word by Jennifer McMahon (creepy faeries) and 172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad (creepy space stuff).
Some less creepy but still very atmospheric and perfect for this time of year I would suggest are The Diviners by Libba Bray (serial killer, people with special powers, 1920s, ghosts, robots) and Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (ghosts).
An emotional contemporary I read last October that I LOVED, probably because it was such a nice break from all the theme reads, was Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang.
Ethan says
Ooh I’m always down for a creepy, atmospheric read. Those tend to scare me more than all out horror. Thanks for the recommendations!
Sarah @ The Country Bookworm says
I love your blog! You have such unique posts. I’m new to blogging and I check your blog pretty frequently because its one I aspire to, and I know I can trust your recommendations.
I love Gothic literature. I took a few courses on it through high school and college. So the Madman’s Daughter sounds great. I have not read the Island of Dr. Moreau. Is it very similar to that? I’ve had this idea recently to read classics and then a more modern piece based on the classic. I’ll have to add this to that list.
I too am a mood reader. I start every month with a TBR and hardly stick to it because my mood/tastes change so frequently. I have books on my shelves that I just HAD to buy, and they’ve never been read.
Emily says
I SO agree with Sea of Tranquility! I was a hot mess throughout that book in the best way possible. Otherwise I have read none of these. But your feel good choice looks sooooo good! Definitely will be checking it out.
As far as other recs…hmmmmm. If you are in the mood for a fun adventure story I recommend First Year (Black Mage #1) by Rachel Carter. Currently reading book 2, but this was such an awesome start to the series. It’s got magic and awesome heroines that are so incredibly relateable. Ha maybe a fantasy with relateable characters? I am so bad at categorizing.
Love these posts! I always find something to add to my TBR.
JoLee says
Yes! The Raven Cycle is perfect for fall. Especially, Blue Lily, Lily Blue. It’s set during the fall, and I spent the whole time I was reading it last fall dreaming of doing a Raven Boys road trip. I live in Maryland. I could totally make that happen.
Emily says
I started reading The Madman’s Daughter over the summer but for some reason I could not get into it. I think I read the first 3 chapters or so before giving up. Should I give it another go and power through? Does it get better later in the book?
isha @ two sisters bloggin' says
my mood definitely affects how i feel towards a book. sometimes i cant get into something if im feeling a particular way. i have the raven cycle series but don’t have enough time to read (because of school) but i cant wait to read it ah. thank you for the fantastic recommendations! i will definitely check them out <333
great post!
isha @ two sisters bloggin’
Melanie says
I totally agree with you on The Madman’s Daughter! I still have to finish up the third book in the series, and I have a feeling it’s going to be even darker than the first two.
Amanda @ Vivalabooks says
Completely agree with The Madman’s Daughter! It was so creepy!!! I haven’t read the rest of the series though. OK, I feel like you’ve talked about Rites of Passage before, but I never picked it up. I’m always up for a badass MC! Gotta pick it up soon! Great recommendations!
Lois @ My Midnight Musing says
The Sea of Tranquility is one of my favourite NA contemporaries. I was in such an emotional state and the last line of the book set off the waterworks. I’d say I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios is another book that packed an emotional punch.
I’ve not read The Madman’s Daughter but I’ve heard a lot of great things about the book.
The Raven Cycle remains to be one of my favourite series, I may be biased seeing as I am a Welshman but it’s so rare to see a YA book delving into Welsh history and mythology. I’d recommend The Archived by Victoria Schwab is you’re looking for a book with a great atmosphere. It’s creepy, mysterious and tense.
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
Excellent recs, Jamie!! I totally agree. I love how The Raven Cycle totally feels like fall/Halloween and it’s the perfect amount of spooky, creepy, and excellent atmosphere without being SCARY 🙂
Brooke Hollister says
YESSS!! THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY OMGGG! I LOVED that book SO MUCH I honestly can’t even express it into words! I’m forever glad that one of my all-time fav bloggers loves this too, but it makes me kinda sad that you don’t talk about it as much as the others? I don’t really know if that’s just me, but still. Awesome post! 🙂
Jamie says
It makes ME sad I don’t talk about it as much as the others toooo. I don’t know WHY it is SIGH.