As Halloween passes and the holiday season officially launches into full swing, you will find that there is nothing more powerful than a good book to get you in the spirit. You may be one for spooky, gothic tales or maybe a sweet, coming-of-age romance to enjoy under a blanket with a mug of cocoa. 

Whatever the case, here are five popular young adult and adult fiction books that provide the magic to satisfy your bookish cravings for the holiday season.

“Book of Night” by Holly Black

If your interests lay somewhere in the spooky, murder mystery and fantastical side, this book will leave you so rattled you may feel the need to check your shadow from time to time. 

As the adult debut novel of award-winning author and editor Holly Black, “Book of Night” is set in our modern world, but with a twist: your shadow may have a mind of its own. It follows the daredevil protagonist, Charlie Hall, through her journey of discovering the chilling secrets of this mysterious race of humans, slowly creeping their way across the world. 

Black provides this perfectly-concocted novel that is full of heart-wrenching romance, terrifying plot-twists and the satisfaction of solving a good mystery, spiced up in a world of dark magic and shadows that have wants and needs of their own. If you’re seeking horror from a safe distance, look no further, as this book is for you.

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson

If your interests lay in a compelling murder mystery, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by bestselling author Holly Jackson is a spectacular pick. 

Taking place in Fairview, Conn., this novel follows student Pippa Fitz-Amobi on her journey to uncover the truth behind the murder of high school girl Andrea “Andie” Bell. After meeting the younger brother of the suspected killer, Ravi Singh, Pippa recruits him and they continuously work together to solve the chilling mystery that has plagued their town for five years. 

In this spellbinding tale, Jackson cleverly dissects the most horrifying of murders that will make you want to sleep with the lights on. 

“Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo

From #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy author of the “Shadow and Bone” series, Leigh Bardugo’s work “Six of Crows” (book one of the duology) makes for a thrilling holiday read. 

Set in the same world of “Shadow and Bone,” the events of this book take place after the proceeding series: the place known to fans as the Grishaverse. In this tsarpunk world, plagued by the effects of an addictive, magic-enhancing drug, Kaz Brekker and his gang of society’s “dregs” (also known as the Crow Club) race against other groups to free the only person who possibly knew of a reversal. Through lands of ice and snow, the Crow Club’s execution of this heist doesn’t exactly go as planned.

This game of clever moves and well-played cards that is known as “Six of Crows” is the perfect book to kick off the holiday season with a bang. 

“It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover

“It Ends With Us” is one of bestselling author Colleen Hoover’s most well-known books and is great for those who enjoy a nice, yet tragic romance.

As a cautionary tale of protagonist Lily Bloom, this book demonstrates the dangers of abusive relationships through the telling of the character’s life story. As the story progresses, the reader learns how Lily grew up in an abusive household, and fell in love with a homeless boy named Atlas Corrigan at an early age. Many years later, when Bloom is a florist living in Boston, Mass. and caught in a different relationship, she runs into him again, where things begin to spiral out of control.

Serving as the prequel to “It Starts With Us,” “It Ends With Us” is a tender yet warm first novel in the duology, and is sure to throw in some spice in the season of fun. 

“Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller

Last but not least comes the tragic romantic tale that may leave you needing an extra box of tissues. Published in 2011 by author Madeline Miller, “Song of Achilles” won an Orange Prize for Fiction in 2012, earning a spot in some of BookTok’s top books, and is a well-known novel among many readers. 

The book narrates the tale of the Trojan War through Patroclus, the beloved companion of Achilles, a well-known Greek hero. As their relationship blossoms from a simple friendship to something more intimate, things unravel and devastating prophecies are revealed as the war slowly creeps up on them. 

A quest of love, betrayal and catastrophic twists, “Song of Achilles” is a cathartic book for those who love both romantic tales and Greek mythology, and can be enjoyed at any time of year.

From spine-tingling horrors to cleansing romance stories, this list covers it all. It is never the wrong time to pick up an enjoyable book, especially if it brings back nostalgic feelings of the winter experience. So bundle up, stay warm and enjoy the season of thrilling adventures.