My Fall TBR: Dark Academia, Vampires, and Classic Chills

It's been a while since I last committed to a solid to-be-read (TBR) list, but with fall approaching, I’m excited to dive back in. From September 1st until the end of November, I’ve curated a stack of books that perfectly align with the spooky, dark academia vibes of the season. Here’s a sneak peek at what I’ll be reading.

First on my list is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. This dark academia novel has been highly recommended, and I’m thrilled to have the 10-year anniversary edition. I haven’t read the synopsis yet because I want to experience the story with fresh eyes, but I know it’s packed with all the tropes I love.

Next up is Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. Also a dark academia book, this one was gifted to me by my boyfriend. It’s the perfect read for early September as the chills set in. Then, I plan to read Killjoy, a prequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Having loved the entire series, I’m eager to explore how the main character got her start.

I’ll also be tackling Crave by Tracy Wolff. This vampire novel has been on my radar for a while. Though it’s reminiscent of Twilight, I’m curious to see how it stands on its own. How to Die Famous by Benjamin Dean is another intriguing pick, a YA murder mystery that promises a compelling plot.

I’m also diving into some classics. Dracula by Bram Stoker and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley are both on my list for October. I’ve been meaning to revisit these iconic stories, especially now that I’m older and can appreciate them on a different level.

The Witches of Vardo by Anja Bergman is another book I’m eager to read. I don’t know much about it, but the witchy theme fits perfectly with the season. Additionally, I’ll be continuing Jay Kristoff’s vampire series with Empire of the Damned. I’m looking forward to this one after having my copy signed at an event earlier this year.

Babel by R.F. Kuang is another dark academia novel that I’m excited to read. After loving The Secret History, The Atlas Six, and If We Were Villains, this book comes highly recommended by fellow readers. I’m also planning to read Masters of Death by Olivie Blake, an author I adore, especially after The Atlas Six.

I’ll be rounding out the season with three novels from the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco: Hunting Prince Dracula, Escaping from Houdini, and Capturing the Devil. I’ve worked hard to collect all the hardback covers for this series, and I’m excited to finally dive into them.

To wrap up my TBR, I’ll finish The Atlas Six series with The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake and possibly tackle The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. I’ve never read The Lord of the Rings series, so I’m eager to start. Also on my list are The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang and the continuation of The Crowns of Niaxia series with The Ashes and The Star-Cursed King.

If time allows, I’ll try to squeeze in One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin. And finally, I’m currently reading House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas, which may extend into the fall as well.

I know this is an ambitious TBR, but I’m excited to dive into these books. I had a long TBR for the summer and managed to get through most of it, so I’m hopeful I can do the same this fall. I’ve already started planning my reads for December too, but for now, I’m focused on the next few months.

I hope you’ll follow along on this journey. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on these books, and I’m looking forward to a season full of dark academia, vampires, and mystery. Fall is my favorite time of the year, and these books perfectly capture the cozy, spooky vibes I love.