As a rule, I don't read a lot of spooky stuff. Vivid imagination and all that. However, I had a lot of fun last year putting together a list of books that are perfectly suited to the Fall and Halloween season and wanted to update it for this year.

There are a few repeats from last year, but a lot of what made this year's list is not. You'll find some spookier, darker thrillers but nothing that I would consider horror. There's quite a bit of magic, a few ghosts, and lots of mystery. Before you ask, yes, I have read each book on this list. I will never recommend a book I have not read.

I hope you find something to pique your interest this fall!

Verity by Colleen Hoover - This book is getting a lot of attention right now, which is fitting I suppose considering we're in spooky season. I read it last year and must say that it's one of the creepiest, most disturbing books I've ever read, and I usually stay away from those, but Hoover is one of my favorite authors and this one hooked me despite the creep factor.

The Coven saga by Chandelle LaVaun - This is an ongoing series that I am in love with. The third season just wrapped up, and I can't wait to read what's next.

Clandestine Magic trilogy by Colleen Cowley - If you're a fan of The Paper Magician, you need to read this series. It's a magical reimagining of the women's suffrage movement. This is a trilogy that gets better with each book.

Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber - This is one of those rare books that I would recommend to literally anyone. It will 100 percent be on my list of the best books I've read this year. It's not spooky at all, but there is some magic.

The Spirit Vlog series by Jarica James - This is one of those why choose series, but it's so interesting and perfect for fans of ghost-hunting shows, which is why I read it in the first place. Parts of it are very spooky, though I wouldn't say it's scary.

The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher - For a standalone, this is phenomenal. I also feel that it would be age appropriate for some middle school readers.

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier - This one is for all of you who get sucked into serial killer documentaries. It's not my favorite book, per se, but I felt like it had more depth than a lot of books with similar plot lines, especially when you consider right vs wrong.

Ghosts of Gotham by Craig Schaefer - This is still one of my favorite books ever. It is incredibly detailed, and the story line is so unique. I wouldn't say it's scary, but there is one scene that is intensely gory.

The Guild Codex: Spellbound series by Annette Marie - This is such a fun series with one of my favorite heroines. I love the way Annette Marie writes, especially her unique way of blending humor with seriousness in a way that doesn't feel forced or fake.

All Souls Trilogy (A Discovery of Witches) by Deborah Harkness - This is one of those series that carved a place in my soul. It's that good, especially the second book. I'll be rereading this again soon.

The Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy by Nora Roberts - This series was my introduction to Nora Roberts, and it was perfect. I love this family and how she connected past and present throughout the series.

The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher - This book was such a pleasant surprise. It was serious, but not in a boring way, and I honestly did not anticipate many of the twists and turns. Definitely worth the read.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin - I have officially read this book four times in as many months now (novel study with my students), so I feel like I have to include it on this list. It's a murder mystery that's set around Halloween. It's got a bit of an Agatha Christie feel to it, and the end is truly surprising (the first time around at least).

The Deadly Seven series by Lana Pecherczyk - This is technically a superhero series, but trust me when I say it fits. The heroes are genetically modified to find and eradicate the seven deadly sins, but they're all ticking time bombs and could turn into mindless killing machines if they don't find their perfect balance.

Pestilence (The Four Horsemen series) by Laura Thalassa - I don't read a lot of dystopias; they're just not my thing, but I did read this one this year, and I think it's worth including in this list. For me it was a difficult read, not because it was scary, but because it was so realistic.

Court of the Underworld series by Alessa Thorn - This is one of the best Greek mythology reimaginings I have ever read. I truly like that she took the characters who are traditionally the bad guys and showed them in a new light.

All The Pretty Monsters series by Kristy Cunning - This is another of those series that won't be for everyone, mostly because of the why choose element of it, but this series is fantastic. It has so many legends woven throughout, including Van Helsing and Jekyll and Hyde, and offers a unique version of the history of many of the supernatural creatures we see in other tales.