Top 5: Shows and Books for October

This time of year, as the evenings get darker and it starts to get colder outside, the two main things I enjoy spending my time on are watching TV shows and curling up with a book. Normally I'd have split this into two separate posts but I decided to just put them both together since for me, reading and watching TV come hand-in-hand this time of year (just not at the same time because I can't focus on a book if the television is on in the background😄). So I thought I'd share my top 5 TV shows and top 5 books for this time of year.

TV SHOWS

1. Stranger Things (2016-2025)

I’ve finally got started on the last season of Stranger Things and as I’ve been avoiding any and all spoilers, I’m not sure what other people’s thoughts are on it but I’ve been enjoying it so far. I used to rewatch the first season at this time of year because I felt it was the most Autumnal season which I really enjoyed. I think it’s a great show for this time of year - it has the mix of feeling Autumnal while also having the supernatural element to it to keep viewers on their toes and guessing at what’s going to happen next. 

2. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

This is one of my all time favourite shows. I think it’s very well done in so many ways and the more times I rewatch it, the more small details I spot which all just add to the bigger picture of the story. The acting is brilliant and the storyline is very well done. It’s got perfect horror elements to it too which really add to the overall feel and story. 

3. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)

I feel like this is a classic show for this time of year. It’s so cosy and comforting with so many Autumnal set designs and storylines. I love to stick it on in the background at this time of year because I feel it’s something you don’t need to concentrate too hard on which I really like but you could still give it full focused attention and enjoy it all the same.  

4. The Great British Bake Off

This is one of my favourite shows this time of year because to me it really signifies the beginning of Autumn. I love tuning in every week and seeing how all the different bakes and challenges go. Everyone’s always so nice to each other and supportive which is nice to see in television too. Plus whenever I watch this, I like to try and theme my snacks to whatever the theme of the week is - so if it’s chocolate week I’ll get nice chocolate or pastry week I’ll have a pastry, just to add to the enjoyment of watching. 

5. Halloween episodes of Disney Channel shows

I love the feature of Disney+ where, at this time of year, it groups all things Halloween into the “Halloween Collection” category and within this there are episodes of Disney Channel shows that were Halloween themed. My favourites are from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody; Liv and Maddie; Jessie and Girl Meets World. 

BOOKS

1. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

"Arthur Kipps, an up-and-coming young solicitor who has come north from London to attend the funeral and settle the affairs of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. A tumble of events and secrets more sinister and terrifying than any nightmare: the rocking chair in the deserted nursery, eerie sounds in the night, a child's scream in the fog, and most dreadfully The Woman In Black."

This is a perfect spooky read for this time of year. I don't generally read books from the horror genre but I like that it's a classic ghost-haunting story and can, at times, be a little scary and suspenseful.

2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirely Jackson

"Alone in the world, Eleanor is delighted to take up Dr Montague's invitation to spend a summer in the mysterious Hill House. Joining them are Theodora, artistic sensitive, and Luke, heir to the house. But what begins as a light-hearted experiment is swiftly proven to be a trip into their darkest nightmares, and an investigation that one of their number may not survive."

With the TV show on this list, I of course had to include the book where the whole idea for the show came from. While the show closely follows the books themes and characters, it differs in other ways from the orginal book and I enjoy both in different ways. If you've seen the show then I'd definitely recommend reading the book.

3. The Shining by Stephen King

"Danny is only five years old but he is a ‘shiner,’ aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook hotel, Danny’s visions grow out of control. Somewhere, somehow, there is an evil force in the hotel – and that too is beginning to shine."

I feel like this is a classic book in general and it's the perfect read for this time of year. It's suspenseful and keeps you wanting to read on to find out what's going to happen and how all the events will play out.

4. Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell

"Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone. But they left something behind...Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lilias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. And then there's her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn't be there. The girl that died."

A good supernatural/haunting book that I feel is perfect for this time of year. It has a haunted house, creepy dolls and all set against a spooky backdrop. It's perfect for spooky season.

5. One for Sorrow (The Magpie Society 1) by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch

"Illumen Hall is an elite boarding school. Tragedy strikes when the body of a student is discovered at their exclusive summer party - on her back is an elaborate tattoo of a magpie. When new girl Audrey arrives the following term, running from her own secrets back home in America, she is thrown into solving the case. Despite her best efforts to avoid any drama, her new roommate Ivy was close to the murdered girl, and the two of them can't help but get pulled in. The two can't stand each other, but as they are drawn deeper into the mystery of this strange and terrible murder, they will discover that something dangerous is at the heart of their superficially perfect school."

I love a good mystery - even though I can never predict what is going to happen or how the story will play out. This story is told from dual perspectives of the main characters which also adds to the story and the whole "unreliable narrator" trope. I really enjoyed both of the books in this series and both are definitely worth a read - especially as the second book ties everything together as well.

What are your favourite shows to watch and books to read at this time of year?

Bye for now, xo