There have been a few cold and chilly days in Oxford lately. I genuinely don\u2019t think we\u2019ve seen the sun in days, and there always seems to be a perpetual mist in the air.<\/p>\n
And maybe it\u2019s because of the weather, or maybe it\u2019s 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\u2019ve spent too much time in my cocoon of blankets reading a lot of books.<\/p>\n
Here are my top picks for those looking for novels with a touch of darkness \u2013 who really want to live out their dark academia fantasies as they watch the rain fall.<\/p>\n
\u2018Wuthering Heights\u2019 \u2013 Emily Bront\u00eb<\/p>\n
Fog-covered English moors, moody men and epic thunderstorms. What else would you expect from a book published in 1847?<\/p>\n
\u201cWuthering Heights\u201d follows the familial saga between the Earnshaws, Lintons and a strange man named Heathcliff.<\/p>\n
If any of you unfortunately saw the recent 2026 movie adaptation<\/a> of \u201cWuthering Heights,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u2018The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes\u2019 \u2013 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle<\/p>\n \u201cThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot going on: Sherlock gets outwitted by a woman, he\u2019s solving murders left and right, and he even fails to bring a case to justice (shocking, I know).<\/p>\n The stories are short and self-contained, and with Doyle\u2019s writing, they move quickly, perfect for those who don\u2019t want to commit to a novel but want a jolt of mystery.<\/p>\n \n Enjoy what you’re reading? \u2018Heart the Lover\u2019 \u2013 Lily King<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Sometimes, when a book receives all these accolades, it doesn\u2019t live up to expectations, but this one absolutely does.<\/p>\n \u201cHeart the Lover\u201d 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.<\/p>\n This novel is short, roughly 250 pages, and I binged it in a day. King\u2019s writing is engrossing and will make you want to find out what happens to this band of roommates as the drama unfolds.<\/p>\n \u2018The Night Circus\u2019 \u2013 Erin Morgenstern<\/p>\n I\u2019ll admit, most of these book recommendations are sad and depressing. But I think we can lighten it up a bit with this one!<\/p>\n \u201cThe Night Circus\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Part magical tale, love story and political thriller, \u201cThe Night Circus\u201d provides lots of whimsy for those who love to escape to a fantastical land when the weather outside is terrible.<\/p>\n \u2018Hamnet\u2019 \u2013 Maggie O\u2019Farrell<\/p>\n I\u2019ve said it before, and I\u2019ll say it again: Maggie O\u2019Farrell is the best writer we have on planet Earth right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHamnet\u201d is easily O\u2019Farrell\u2019s most famous novel, and was recently turned into an award-winning movie.<\/a> It\u2019s actually a good adaptation, so definitely check it out. The story follows William Shakespeare\u2019s family in rural England as Will tries to become the playwright we all know, and his wife tries to fit into the local town.<\/p>\n Fair warning: this story is terribly tragic and will leave you sobbing. It\u2019s dark and witchy, but O\u2019Farrell\u2019s writing is so magical that it\u2019s perfect for spooky season.<\/p>\n
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