There’s something about November that makes me crave stories with depth — the kind that feel a little shadowed, a little haunted, but still full of beauty. The world outside slows down, the light fades earlier, and suddenly the idea of spending hours inside another world feels like a form of self-care.
This month, my reading list leans heavily into dark academia, magical realism, and mythic fantasy — books that promise to pull me out of reality for a while and drop me into places that feel rich, strange, and a little otherworldly.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases.
🕯️ Immortal Consequences by I.V. Maire
My current read: finishing out October (and maybe into early November). This book feels like stepping into a world where beauty and danger coexist. It honestly hasn’t been my favorite fantasy book. It started pretty slow for me, and I’m not loving that it’s written in six different points of view. Sometimes it feels a bit chaotic.
Atmospheric and emotional, it’s filled with tension, myth, and hauntingly written characters. It’s definitely one of those books you sink into slowly. The trials have added some excitement to the story so I’m hoping it ends on a strong note.
📖 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
I’ve had this one on my shelf forever, and it feels right for this season of reflection. It’s not fantasy in the traditional sense, but its concept — a library that contains all the lives you could have lived — has that same quiet magic that lingers long after you close the cover. I’m looking forward to starting this one in the coming days.
🌒 Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Jessaca Willis
One of my recent Book of the Month selections, I’ve been holding off on this book while I finish up a few others.
Equal parts lyrical and eerie, this one promises folklore, grief, and dark enchantment — all things I’m drawn to in colder months. It sounds like the kind of story that feels heavy in the best way, asking to be read slowly with a blanket and candle nearby.
Join Book of the Month for just $5.
🌲 Anathema by Kerri Lake
This is the first book in The Eating Woods series, and it’s exactly the kind of story I crave as the days grow darker: haunting, romantic, and rooted in an eerie, otherworldly forest setting. Kerri Lake’s writing feels lush and immersive, pulling you into a world where myth and emotion intertwine. Anathema balances tension and tenderness beautifully, making it the perfect atmospheric read for a quiet November evening.
🌒 Eldrich by Kerri Lake
The second book in The Eating Woods series deepens everything that makes Anathema so captivating: the sense of danger, the tangled fates, and that haunting beauty that lingers long after you stop reading. Eldrich is darker, more emotional, and even more consuming, the kind of story that makes you want to keep the lights low and read just one more chapter.
🏺 What the River Knows & Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
These two books are at the very top of my November reading list — a perfect back-to-back pairing. Isabel Ibañez weaves together historical adventure, mystery, and romance with a touch of magic, all set against the golden, sun-soaked backdrop of 19th-century Egypt.
What the River Knows introduces the world; full of hidden tombs, ancient secrets, and a heroine determined to uncover the truth about her family’s past. Where the Library Hides continues the story, expanding the mythology and deepening the emotional stakes.
Together, they promise everything I love in a fall read: lush atmosphere, clever twists, slow-burn romance, and that irresistible feeling of being completely swept away to another time and place.
Shop What the River Knows here.
Shop Where the Library Hides here.
⚗️ Quicksilver by Callie Hart
This one feels a little different for me; not just because of the story, but because I’m trying something new with it. I happen to have both the physical copy and the audiobook, so I’m doing what’s called a submersive read; following along in print while listening to the narration. It’s something I’ve never tried before, but I’m curious to see how it changes the experience.
Quicksilver blends dark intrigue, magic, and mystery in a way that feels both grounded and ethereal — fast-paced, but deeply immersive. I’m excited to see if this dual approach helps me connect with the world and characters even more fully.
🕯️ Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
A darker, more adult fantasy that’s been everywhere lately, and for good reason. Political intrigue, dangerous magic, and moral grayness make this one feel like a feast for readers who love lush prose and deep questions.
Shop Blood Over Bright Haven here.
✨ A Closing Thought
As the days grow shorter and the air cools, I find myself drawn to these kinds of stories; the ones that make me feel something. Whether it’s the ache of “what could have been” or the pull of a world completely unlike our own, fantasy (in all its forms) feels like the perfect escape.
If you’re building your own November reading list, I hope this inspires you to reach for something atmospheric and imaginative. The best stories don’t just entertain, they remind us how much beauty there is in mystery.
Leave a Reply