Books to read on a dark and stormy night

There have been a few cold and chilly days in Oxford lately. I genuinely don’t think we’ve seen the sun in days, and there always seems to be a perpetual mist in the air.

And maybe it’s because of the weather, or maybe it’s because my professor assigned me a 1,000-word essay due by Tuesday, but my mind's been in a rather twisty place. What this really means is that I’ve spent too much time in my cocoon of blankets reading a lot of books.

Here are my top picks for those looking for novels with a touch of darkness – who really want to live out their dark academia fantasies as they watch the rain fall.

‘Wuthering Heights’ – Emily Brontë

Fog-covered English moors, moody men and epic thunderstorms. What else would you expect from a book published in 1847?

“Wuthering Heights” follows the familial saga between the Earnshaws, Lintons and a strange man named Heathcliff.

If any of you unfortunately saw the recent 2026 movie adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” just know the book is far superior. It tackles racism and classism through a powerful magnifying glass. You will be horrified, yet equally entertained, by every twist this novel takes.

‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

“The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” is not a novel in the strictest sense. It is actually a compilation of 12 Sherlock Holmes mysteries, which were originally published in The Strand, a British magazine that published short fiction stories, between 1891-1892.

Each story follows the famous detective as he embarks on a different adventure with his faithful companion, Dr. Watson, as they travel through London's grimy backstreets.

There’s a lot going on: Sherlock gets outwitted by a woman, he’s solving murders left and right, and he even fails to bring a case to justice (shocking, I know).

The stories are short and self-contained, and with Doyle’s writing, they move quickly, perfect for those who don’t want to commit to a novel but want a jolt of mystery.

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‘Heart the Lover’ – Lily King

This novel was everywhere last year. It was a New York Times bestseller, shortlisted for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction and longlisted for the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction.

Sometimes, when a book receives all these accolades, it doesn’t live up to expectations, but this one absolutely does.

“Heart the Lover” follows an unnamed narrator and two boys, Sam and Yash, who meet in a college literature class. The rest of the novel follows the ensuing love triangle and tragedy as they move into adulthood.

This novel is short, roughly 250 pages, and I binged it in a day. King’s writing is engrossing and will make you want to find out what happens to this band of roommates as the drama unfolds.

‘The Night Circus’ – Erin Morgenstern

I’ll admit, most of these book recommendations are sad and depressing. But I think we can lighten it up a bit with this one!

“The Night Circus” follows Celia and Marco, two magicians trained to hate each other by rival instructors. At some point, they will battle each other, and only one will remain standing.

As Marco and Celia fall in love and realize they are destined to fight each other, the instructors create a special place for the final battle: a circus that appears without warning, with black-and-white striped canvas tents, and is open only at night.

Part magical tale, love story and political thriller, “The Night Circus” provides lots of whimsy for those who love to escape to a fantastical land when the weather outside is terrible.

‘Hamnet’ – Maggie O’Farrell

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Maggie O’Farrell is the best writer we have on planet Earth right now.

“Hamnet” is easily O’Farrell’s most famous novel, and was recently turned into an award-winning movie. It’s actually a good adaptation, so definitely check it out. The story follows William Shakespeare’s family in rural England as Will tries to become the playwright we all know, and his wife tries to fit into the local town.

Fair warning: this story is terribly tragic and will leave you sobbing. It’s dark and witchy, but O’Farrell’s writing is so magical that it’s perfect for spooky season.

fahymm@miamioh.edu

Molly Fahy is a senior double majoring in political science and journalism. When she’s not writing a story for The Miami Student, Molly can be found reading, watching a movie from the 1950s, or singing.