13 Dark Books To Read During Scorpio Season

It’s officially Scorpio season!

From October 23 – November 22 we celebrate all things dark and mysterious to mark the rise of this powerful water sign. Scorpios are known for being intense, inquisitive and passionate, but also loyal and independent. As a fellow Scorpio myself, I know we tend to get a bad rep but I promise we can be nice too!

To kick off Scorpio season I’ve selected 13 books with dark themes for your reading pleasure. As a bonus, they are all written by authors born under the Scorpio sign!

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Room by Emma Donoghue (born 24 Oct 1969)

Room is the story of a five-year-old boy, Jack, and his mother who are held captive in a small room – the only place he has ever known. Told from Jack’s point of view, this book is disturbing, poignant yet ultimately hopeful. It’s a showcase of resilience and the bond between parent and child. The book was adapted into a film in 2015.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl (born 26 Oct 1977)

Murder, black magic, and horror films, Night Film is basically made for Scorpio season! A journalist investigates the death of a woman whose father happens to be a reclusive horror film director. Filled with multimedia pieces like website pages and news articles, this is a captivating, interactive reading experience.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (born 27 Oct 1932)

Scorpio season is not complete without the works of Sylvia Plath. While she is known for her beautiful poetry collections, her novel The Bell Jar is a necessary read. It’s a semi-autobiographical look into a woman’s struggle with mental illness. A raw portrayal of depression and mental health, this book is challenging and important. It was adapted into a film in 1979.

The Bottoms by Joe R. Lansdale (born 28 Oct 1951)

Taking place during the Great Depression, The Bottoms is a complex, resonant mystery. An 11-year-old boy discovers the body of a woman in Texas leading to the search for a potential serial killer. Tackling issues like poverty and racism, it’s a gritty, coming-of-age that doesn’t shy away from asking some tough questions.

Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala (born 5 Nov 1982)

Beasts of No Nation tells the story of a child soldier in a war-torn African country who is forced into a life of violence, fear, and loss. This debut is unflinching in its portrayal of war and delves into the psyche of a young boy who has to do unthinkable things to survive. Not for the faint-hearted! It was adapted into a film in 2015.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (born 8 Nov 1954)

A dystopian science fiction book that is thrilling, disquieting, and tender, Never Let Me Go is about a young woman who discovers her life is not what she believed it to be. From a secluded boarding school to the outside world, she learns the truth about herself and the world she is living in. It is the kind of book that makes you think about what it means to be human. It was adapted into a film in 2010.

Good Girl, Bad Girl by Michael Robotham (born 9 Nov 1960)

Good Girl, Bad Girl is an addictive psychological thriller and the first installment in a new series featuring forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven. Found in the aftermath of a crime, an unidentified young girl refuses to reveal who she is. But when another girl is found murdered, Haven must figure out whether she knows more than she lets on. Chilling and suspenseful, you don’t want to miss this!

Dracula by Bram Stoker (born 8 Nov 1847)

Considered one of the greatest horror books of all time, the iconic Dracula sparked many of the popular vampire tropes we know today. Told in an epistolary format, this gothic classic details Count Dracula’s quest and thirst for blood, as a group of strangers including Professor Van Helsing attempts to stop him. It has been adapted into various films and TV productions.

Old Flames by Jack Ketchum (born 10 Nov 1946)

The late Jack Ketchum was famously known for the horrifying and realistic horror book The Girl Next Door, but Old Flames is a revenge tale perfect for Scorpio season. A woman is hurt after a failed relationship and decides to search for an old ex-boyfriend. Her quest causes all hell to break loose in a mess of sex and violence.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman (born 10 Nov 1960)

Coraline is a children’s book but don’t underestimate it – this is a dark read! It’s a fantasy horror about an adventurous girl who finds another world hidden in a secret place in her new house. What she discovers is pretty spooky! It’s a great choice for when you want to feel the shivers without straying too far into darkness. It was adapted into an animated film in 2009.

Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (born 11 Nov 1821)

What is more perfect for Scorpio season than this Russian classic about murder and corruption? Crime and Punishment focuses on the moral dilemmas of a poor student who decides to kill for monetary gain. The book explores paranoia and guilt through his eyes as he tries to reconcile his actions with his conscience. At more than 500 pages, this is a weighty tome but well worth your time!

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (born 13 Nov 1850)

This classic gothic novella established the idea of dual personalities – good and evil – in literature. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is shown through the eyes of a lawyer who investigates strange events relating to his friend, Dr Jekyll and the mysterious Edward Hyde. It’s a haunting tale of deception, science, and secrets.

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (born 18 Nov 1939)

While The Handmaid’s Tale has received more attention, Alias Grace is the lesser-known Margaret Atwood book that is fitting for this time of the year. A fictional retelling of the 1843 murders in Canada West, the book mixes history and mystery in a compelling way. Addressing classism, gender disparity, politics, and psychology, it sheds an interesting light into the real Grace Marks case. It was adapted into a miniseries in 2017.

Did any of these books catch your eye? Let me know what books you’re planning to read for Scorpio season!

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