6 books that we can’t wait to curl up with this October

Keeley Ryan

Fall has well and truly arrived.

And as the nights get darker quicker and much, much colder, it’s hard to resist the temptation of curling up on the couch with a good book – especially when it goes perfectly with a pumpkin spice latte or hot apple cider.

From mysteries to fantasy and everything in between, there’s been a number of incredible books hitting the shelves this season.

There’s even a prequel to one of the most terrifying stories ever – it is nearly Hallowe’en, after all.

Here are six of the best books we can’t wait to curl up with this October.

What Would the Spice Girls Do?: How the Girl Power Generation Grew Up by Lauren Bravo

The Spice Girls gave a generation their first look at the important power of friendships, anger, and of staying true to yourself – they gave us everything, all that joy can bring. And fans really took it to heart.

The book explores everything related to the ’90s pop phenomenon, from the meaning of the Spice Girls’ mantra of ‘Girl Power’ for their young fans to how it continued to shape today’s generation.

And, most of all, why we still need a zig-a-zag-ah.

You can get it here.

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Nine stressed-out people are keen to drop their baggage (both physical and mental) as they head to Tranquillum House, a health-and-wellness retreat that promises a total transformation.

As they are miles away from anywhere, without any car or phones, there’s only one thing to do: get to know each other, and delve deep into thinking about themselves.

The resort’s director is the one watching over them, a woman on a mission – but things may be more sinister than any of the guests could have imagined…

You can get it here.

A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs

The latest chapter for Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, Jacob Portman is now back in Florida – right where his story began.

His life with Emma, Miss Peregrine and the rest of their peculiar friends as become carefree; with most of the day spent on the beach and taking part in “normalling” lessons.

But it’s not meant to last, as the discovery of Jacob’s grandfather’s subterranean bunker leads to clues about his double-life as a peculiar operative – and sends Jacob on a path to discover the truths that were a part of him well before walking into Miss Peregrine’s time loop.

You can get it here.

Dracul by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker

In 1868, 21-year-old Bram Stoker barricades himself in a room at the top of a long-abandoned abbey -armed with crucifixes, holy water, white roses and mirrors.

Stoker knows time is short and so he hurriedly writes down the disturbing events that have brought him to this point: about a childhood full of sickness and starvation in Dublin; a mysterious woman; of those presumed dead who live again; of stories once thought fables but found to be true.

And on the other side of that door lies an ungodly nightmare that he had hoped ended years before…

You can get it here.

Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

The California draught – or the Tap-Out, as it’s now being called – has been going on for ages.

Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers – that is, until the taps run dry.

Alyssa’s neighbourhood soon spirals out of control, as neighbours and families turn against each other in the desperate search for water. When her parents don’t return and her life – as well as her brother’s – becomes threatened, the teenager is forced to make the impossible choices and fight for their survival.

You can get it here.

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

The five Dunabr brothers grew up in a city without their parents – and in a house with no rules.

Their father, who abandoned them, comes back into their lives one day and asks the boys a simple request: for someone to help him build a bridge.

Clay, whose life has been haunted by a dark secret, is the only who steps forward – and the bridge may just mean the unburying of his heartbreaking secret.

You can get it here

A good book can do just about anything; from taking you on a wild and fantastical adventure to making you feel like an all-knowing super sleuth (if you figure out the killer twist).

Every week at #Bookmarked, we will be taking you through some of our all-time favourite books – as well as the newest novels hitting shelves in Ireland.