Smashbomb

You’d think the best Young Adult books of October would be scary reads, what with Halloween and all. And sure, there are frights. But the true monsters in this month’s most gripping reads are ordinary people.

Here are the Paste Magazine's top YA books this month:

List

Paste's Top Young Adult Books in October

Many of these novels feature characters at their worst and life situations at their most horrifying, so prepare to be unnerved and engaged by these tales.

Brooding YA Hero

Carrie DiRisio

4.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Have you ever wished you could receive a little guidance from your favorite book boyfriend? Ever...

young adult

Calling My Name

Liara Tamani

4.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Calling My Name, by debut author Liara Tamani, is a striking, luminous, and literary exploration of...

young adult

Long Way Down

Jason Reynolds

9.3 (3 Ratings) Rate It

Book

An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is National Book Award Finalist and New York Times bestseller...

young adult thriller

A Line in the Dark

Malinda Lo

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

"A twisty, dark psychological thriller that will leave you guessing til the very end."--Teen Vogue ...

Thriller young adult

Like Water

Rebecca Podos

7.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Like Water is an unforgettable story of two girls navigating the unknowable waters of identity,...

young adult

and 6 other items

Kudos Comment

MusicCritics (472 KP) rated Wins And Losses by Meek Mill in Music

Sep 12, 2017

After freeing himself from the feuds and narrative that dragged him down, Meek Mill’s third studio album is a comeback by any measure, honest and gripping.

Critic- Sheldon Pearce
Original Score: 7.4 out of 10

Read Review: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/meek-mill-wins-and-losses/

Kudos

Cara Edgar (32 KP) rated Final Girls in Books

Jan 18, 2018

Final Girls

Riley Sager | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(26 Ratings)

Book Rating

A gripping page turner! (0 more)

This book was one of the best of 2017 and will stay with you long after the last page.

This is a psychological thriller that keeps you wanting to know more.

You'll be on the edge of your seat with this book.

Kudos

Lou Loves (0 KP) rated Dirty John in Podcasts

Feb 8, 2018

Dirty John

Society & Culture

8.2

(13 Ratings)

Podcast Rating

The music (1 more)

The way the story’s told is very gripping

Almost like an in ear documentary. Amazing production, the way the story is told is great, the music, the narrators voice.. an all round unique great podcast. Can’t wait for LA Times to do more of these.

Kudos

Sammie Hilton (3 KP) rated The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle in Books

Jul 10, 2019

The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle

Stuart Turton | 2018 | Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy

7.9

(24 Ratings)

Book Rating

Unexpected

Gripping from the very beginning, the seven deaths of Evelyn hardcastle is perfect for those who love period drama style thrillers, does contain some descriptions of gore but challenges your own view of the main character by the end. Really good read, hard to put down.

Kudos

Homeland

6.0 (3 Ratings) Rate It

Podcast

HOMELAND is an edge-of-your-seat sensation. You won't be able to turn away from this gripping,...

Opium - The Diary of His Cure

Jean Cocteau

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Cocteau's death, this edition features original...

Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Night She Disappeared in Books

Aug 1, 2021

The Night She Disappeared

Lisa Jewell | 2021 | Mystery, Thriller

8.5

(4 Ratings)

Book Rating

A gripping mystery surrounding the disappearance of 2 teenagers. As always Jewell's writing keeps you hooked and although I could have been happier with a shorter version I still didn't want to put it down.

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for a copy