If you’re still staring at your closet wondering what to wear tonight for Halloween, don’t panic. Before you run to the store and buy the same black cape as last year, hear me out: what if your bookshelf held the answer? Forget vampires with plastic fangs or witches in neon wigs — this year, I’m taking costume inspiration straight from my October reads.
October has been a whirlwind of magic, mystery, and just the right amount of mayhem. And honestly, who needs Pinterest when you have fictional characters that are way cooler than any costume tutorial? I’ve met witches who wield sarcasm better than wands, vampires who knit (yes, really), and a few mortals haunted not by ghosts, but by their own romantic choices. Halloween, I’ve realized, isn’t just about dressing up — it’s about becoming someone else for a moment, someone braver, wilder, or just more sparkly than your everyday self.
So, if you’re still costume-clueless and want a little literary flair this spooky season, here are my top bookish costume inspirations — a.k.a. the characters I’d totally be this Halloween (and maybe for the rest of the year).
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper
Emmy Harlow returns to her magical hometown of Thistle Grove for a spellcasting competition — and maybe a little unfinished business with her ex. But things heat up when she teams up with the gorgeous and confident Talia to take revenge. Cue witchy small-town drama, sapphic tension, and a whole lot of sparks.
This book is basically the love child of Practical Magic and Mean Girls, and I am here for it. It’s got power, pettiness, and just enough romance to make you blush into your pumpkin spice latte. Emmy’s journey — learning to own her magic and her emotions — hit me right in the feels. She’s that friend who finally stands up for herself, but does it with glitter and a perfectly executed hex. If I were dressing up as Emmy, I’d go full Thistle Grove glam witch: sharp eyeliner, a cloak that swishes dramatically, and a comeback for every spell.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mika Moon is a witch who’s spent her life in hiding until she’s invited to teach three young witches in a remote manor. Between flying lessons gone wrong, an overly cautious housekeeper, and a grumpy librarian who might secretly have a heart of gold, she discovers the kind of home she never thought she’d have.
Yes, this is the second time The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is making an appearance in My Reading Picks — and honestly, it deserves it. YOU REALLY HAVE TO READ IT. I can’t stress that enough. It’s funny, wholesome, and full of the kind of magic that doesn’t require cauldrons or curses — just a big heart. Mika is that chaotic, cardigan-wearing friend who brings sunshine into every gloomy room. Her “costume”? A cozy oversized sweater, a teacup, and the kind of optimism that can heal the world. If you’re more about warmth than woe this Halloween, be Mika.
The Vampire Knitting Club by Nancy Warren
When Lucy inherits her grandmother’s knitting shop in Oxford, she doesn’t expect her grandma to be, well, undead. Suddenly she’s surrounded by vampires who prefer merino wool to mortal blood — and when a local murder threatens to unravel everything, Lucy has to stitch together the clues herself.
I loved how this book doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s cozy, quirky, and surprisingly charming — like Gilmore Girls but with more fangs. The vampires are delightfully eccentric, and Lucy’s unbothered “I guess my grandma’s a vampire now” attitude had me grinning. If you’re someone who likes your Halloween with more humor than horror, this is your vibe. Your costume? Think knit scarf, fake fangs, and a smug smile like you just solved a murder between rows three and four of a cable-knit pattern.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
Constanta, rescued from death by Dracula himself, tells her story through haunting letters about love, obsession, and liberation. As centuries pass, she begins to question the seductive pull of immortality and the cost of devotion. It’s gothic, dark, and hypnotic — a love story turned rebellion.
This one wrecked me (in the best possible way). Gibson’s writing is so beautiful it almost hurts. It’s part love letter, part war cry — and if you’ve ever romanticized the wrong person, it’ll speak straight to your soul. I found myself rooting for Constanta’s quiet strength and finally breathing with her when she breaks free. Costume inspo? Think 19th-century vampire chic: deep red lips, lace collar, and an aura that says “I’ve lived, I’ve loved, and I’ve learned never to date anyone who sleeps in a coffin.”
Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
Sarah and Eddie meet, fall madly in love, and then he disappears — no texts, no calls, nothing. But as Sarah digs into what happened, she discovers the truth is far more heartbreaking than she ever imagined.
This one isn’t haunted by ghosts — it’s haunted by “the one who got away.” I picked it up expecting a cute rom-com and ended up crying into my coffee. It’s clever, emotional, and a gentle reminder that sometimes people vanish for reasons that have nothing to do with you. Reading this felt like therapy wrapped in heartbreak. If you want to go meta with your Halloween look, this costume’s easy: dress like your best self and tell everyone you’re “ghosted but thriving.” Bonus points if you carry a phone with 27 unread messages for realism.
As I close out my October reads, I’m realizing my bookshelf basically doubles as a costume closet — and every book I’ve read this month has offered a new identity to try on. Witches, vampires, and romantics alike — they’ve all reminded me that sometimes, escaping into a story is the best kind of dress-up.
So, who’s your Halloween alter ego this year? A witch with a witty streak? A vampire who prefers cozy mysteries to midnight feasts? Or maybe just a bookworm armed with a mug and a book? I’d love to hear your pick — email me at ihorton@whatsupmag.com and let’s swap costume (or reading) ideas before the candy runs out!
