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There’s nothing quite like reading in the fall, especially in the Hudson Valley where spooky stories are in abundance. Relax in the shade of orange oak leaves or chill inside on a misty morning and grab a read from one of these Hudson Valley natives or embark on a story that takes place right here in the region. Whether it’s a creepy fantasy fiction or a field guide to fall foliage, these books offer picks for everyone.
Hudson Valley History & Mystery
Michael Adamovic
Schiffer, $19.99, History
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Read up on the mystery and lore associated with the Hudson Valley this fall via this historic read by Michael Adamovic. Whether fact, superstition, or legend, the mystery of the region is detailed in this book that showcases an amazing array of sites from suspicious stone structures to battlefields, ancient petroglyphs, and haunted mountaintops. Tales of strange creatures and the supernatural are included in each mystifying chapter, along with beautiful photography to help explain the history behind the mystery.
The Mare
Seth C. Martel
Graphic Mundi, $19.95, Fiction, Graphic Novel
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Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, Seth Christian Martel graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BFA in graphic design. His graphic novel, The Mare, tells the coming-of-age story of Indigo, a teenage girl who battles her own demons during the day and something much darker at night. This fantasy-fiction story is about friends and finding one’s way at its core, with a touch of the supernatural that adds to a powerful twist.
Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief
Hilarie Burton Morgan
HarperOne, $25.36, Autobiography
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Rhinebeck native, actress, New York Times bestselling author, and Samuel’s Sweet Shop co-owner Hilarie Burton Morgan published her new memoir this October. In her most intimate book yet, Burton Morgan shares an inheritance of magic and mischief in her tangible collection of a lifetime of learning. In its traditional form, a grimoire is a guide intended to keep you alive, and Burton Morgan’s autobiography shares the people, places, habits, and ideas that have kept her alive with a signature wit and charm.
Wildsam Field Guides: Hudson Valley & Catskills
Taylor Bruce
Wildsam, $20, Travel
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Local Hudson Valley contributors, including a Catskills native and antique shop owners, meshed together to create this field guide of the area. The guide leads travelers along the mighty Hudson River, into colorful forests, and through mystical mountains with guidance from local experts. Featuring a dedicated section on art and antiques, the guide also covers public lands, local issues, waterfalls, and, of course, apples for the ultimate fall reading vibes.
Tell the Wolves I’m Home
Carol Rifka Brunt
Dial Press, $9.99, Fiction, LGBTQ+
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In her literary debut, Brunt unfolds this moving story of grief, love, and renewal that takes place close to home in Westchester County. The year is 1987 and June Elbus is a 14-year-old girl coping with the early loss of her beloved uncle to a mysterious disease. As she tries to overcome her grief, she meets an unlikely friend who fills her void of loneliness, causing her to realize you don’t know you’ve lost someone until you’ve found them. Brunt’s story is a fictional tale about the coming of age of a young girl who lost a family member to the AIDS epidemic.
Honorable Mention
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving
The Green Armor Press, $6.25, Mystery, Thriller
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If you have yet to read this classic, you’re probably not from the Hudson Valley. In the spirit of spooky season, we would be remiss not to mention Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the classic ghost story set in the Hudson Valley town of Sleepy Hollow that chronicles the life of Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolmaster whose pursuit of love is impeded by a haunting headless horseman. This is a must-read not just for Hudson Valleyites, but also for fans of ghost stories and American literature.
