I could spend all day binge watching scary moviesthis fall...or I can finally start eyeing dark academia books to add to the top of my TBR pile. Oh, who am I kidding? This season, I'm doing both. It's the one time multi-tasking is something I'm ready to take on.
When it comes to dark academia, I just love the eeriness of campus students discovering secret societies among normal individuals, fae, vampires, and the occult. I mean, give me mystery mixed in with a dash of romantasy every single time, please! If this sounds like you, here are 12 BookTok beloved dark academia books to cozy up with!
Amazon
Where Kidan Adane's from, every family has a vampire companion. When her sister June goes missing, she's almost positive it has something to do with the vampire that's tied to her family: Susenyos Sagad. On her mission to find June, Kidan receives a personal invitation the one place she's been searching for — Uxlay University.
However, due to her inheritance, she's tasked to live with Susenyos and follow through with the family legacy while at school. The fact that Susenyos is as sinister as he's appealing makes Kidan's mission even harder. But, she'll soon realize that there are those with much darker plans lurking behind the walls of Uxlay. If she's not careful, she'll lose sight of herself and the very people whose morally gray personalities are sources of refuge for her own darkness.
Amazon
Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are two Niveus Private Academy students who are selected to become prefects during their senior year of high school. This distinction puts them closer to their college goals and the valedictorian spot they're both vying for. However, a mysterious person by the name of Aces begins sharing deep secrets about the two of them that will hurt their chances of achieving their educational goals.
The more Aces shares their secrets, the deadlier things become for Devon and Chiamaka. They'll have to do everything they can to stop Aces from causing further damage before it's too late.
Amazon
Ella, Yuki, and Rory are still recovering from the death of their best friend Ariane, but it's thrust them into the spotlight at Grimrose Académie. Though it's believed Ariane committed suicide, the three friends think otherwise. In the midst of their personal investigation, Nani Eszes arrives to be their new roommate.
Her arrival triggers scary events that make Ella, Yuki, and Rory realize Grimrose has been covering secrets about missing dead girls. The more they dig deeper, the more they begin to realize the deaths are connected to ancient curses unless they can stop them once and for all.
Amazon
Galaxy "Alex" Stern isn't your typical Yale student. Between her hippie childhood and sordid past, she wasn't exactly trying to earn a spot there anyway. But, a horrific event gives her the chance to attend Yale with all expenses paid. Despite her wariness, she accepts this offer and the task of keeping an eye on the secret societies on campus.
Alex soon discovers that some of the most powerful people tied to Yale are involved in deadly occult practices and have no problem involving living souls to complete their sinister missions.
Amazon
Amazon
If you've read all the dark academia books you can find, settle for a collection of stories by several notable authors. In These Hallowed Halls features tales about a womanizer's downfall, a scorned lover's revenge, details about a seemingly private scholar, and more!
Amazon
Samantha Heather Mackey isn't exactly popular in her MFA program at Warren University. It's not just because she's a scholarship student either. She prefers the company of her imagination over the rich girls who refer to themselves and each other as "Bunny."
Despite her aversion, Samantha receives an invite to the "Smut Salon," a place where the Bunnies frequent. For some reason, she can't help but walk towards it and begins ignoring her friend Ava in the process. The more Samantha spends time with the Bunnies, the more her judgment is clouded and it'll end in a terrifying way that she'll never recover from.
Amazon
Even though they hail from opposite fae courts, Sarielle Blackwood and Lysander Thorne find their worlds colliding at Nightshade University. Sarielle had no idea she'd be doing more than studying, but has no choice but to play the game laid out in front of her. Unsure of Lysander (of The Dusk Court), she keeps trying to find ways to utterly dislike him because she's from The Dawn Court. However, Sarielle's world is shaken when she finds herself attracted to Lysander and discovers she may be the reason for a malevolent creature's uprising.
Amazon
Lennon Carter feels she can't get anything right until an unexpected call nudges her take a predetermination test to go to Drayton College. She was handpicked because of her powerful gift of persuasion and bending things to her will — the very gifts that are part of the reason why she's dreaded life.
It's no surprise that passes the exam, thus sending her on a journey to master what she's been gifted with. The more she learns, the more she starts feeling at home at Drayton College. She even starts having feelings for her adviser Dante, but there's a dark side to Drayton that Lennon will discover — and it'll take everything she has not to become a part of it.
Amazon
Every 10 years, six new recruits are chosen to test their magical abilities within the Alexandrian Society. Though it's been kept secret from the rest of the world, it's a place that promises them the utmost power if they prove themselves. But, these recruits are not blindly guided by a thirst for power. They're out for revenge and will do whatever it takes to rub shoulders with their enemies to learn their weaknesses. It's dangerous, but they've already accepted the invitation.
Amazon
Though Ink Blood Sisters Scribe doesn't revolve around a school or university, it still involves a secret society that exists around normal people.
The Kalotay family has kept a stash of secret and powerful books in their home as a way to guard them from falling into the wrong hands for generations. These books have magical abilities that allow readers to do the impossible, and sisters Joanna and Esther have been entrusted to follow their family's tradition.
But Esther left their home to escape what happened to her mom, while Joanna stayed behind to keep protecting the books. It's not until their father dies while reading an unknown one that they're forced to set aside any differences or fears they have.
The moment the sisters reunite is when they realize magic is more expansive than they could've imagined — and there may be more familial secrets as well as dangers waiting for them along their journey.
Amazon
Ellingham Academy is home to Vermont's most brilliant and talented minds which founder Albert Ellingham designed to encourage fun while learning. However, he and his wife's kidnapping shocked everyone once the school opened for business. Their disappearance has remained unsolved outside of someone named "Truly, Devious" being attached to what happened.
Stevie Bell is excited to attend the academy so she can solve the mystery, but her heavy workload often gets in the way of her plans. As she settles into life at Ellingham with her roommates, Truly Devious pops up and the killings start again.
Discover all the new fall books you should read on our Amazon Storefront!
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As soon as we swap our sandals and summer dresses for cozy sweaters, we start getting in the mood to watch Hocus Pocus. The original 1993 film is full of nostalgia, laughs, and impeccable New England fall foliage. After 2022's sequel broke records across the board, we learned that Hocus Pocus 3 in the series is officially in the works. Start planning your group Halloween costume — the holiday's come early!
Matt Kennedy/Disney
Yes, Hocus Pocus 3 is in development! In a recent interview with The New York Times, Walt Disney Pictures president Sean Bailey confirmed the three-quel is in development.
Matt Kennedy/Disney
We don't have an official release date for Hocus Pocus 3 yet, and Bette Midler recently revealed she hasn't actually seen a script yet. “I haven’t seen the script, but I’ve heard rumblings,” she said. “I think if they’re gonna, they oughta, because time is not just marching, time is barrel-assing to the finish line. Get us while we’re still breathing, I mean, God!”
Matt Kennedy/Disney
Hocus Pocus and its sequel were filmed in Salem, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, respectively, so we're expecting Hocus Pocus 3 to be filmed in New England as well!
Matt Kennedy/Disney
We don't have official cast news yet, but we're hoping Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy return as the Sanderson Sisters. "I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing," Bette tells EW. "If there was a third one, of course I'd sign on, but I don't know how. I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship. It's good for women."
While we haven't gotten a cast list yet, we do know who's hoping to join the third film: drag star Symone (winner of RuPaul's Drag Race season 13). "I know they're doing [Hocus Pocus] 3, if they want to get my number, my phone box is open," she says in an interview with EW. "I would love to be a witch of some kind...I might be a villain, come into my own little power, have my own little coven. I would love that. Can't you see it?"
Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista Pictures/IMDb
At the NYC premiere of Hocus Pocus 2, screenwriter Jen D’Angelo said she hopes we'll see Max (Omri Katz) and Allison (Vinessa) from the original film again. However, so far, there's no word on whether Thora Birch, Vinessa, or Omri will return.
“We tried so hard to get the original cast back for cameos and then it just kept not working out for one reason or the other,” D’Angelo said, via Variety. “But I’m hoping in Hocus Pocus 3, we’ll see Max and Alison living in California.” We hope so too!
Disney+
You can watch both Hocus Pocusand Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+, so it's safe to assume the new film will hit the streaming platform as well.
Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios
The original Hocus Pocus grossed $8.1 million after its July release, and dropped out of the top ten two weeks later. And since then, it has become a cult classic and fan favorite!
Matt Kennedy/Disney
While the Sanderson sisters are fictional, they were inspired by three sisters who were accused of witchcraft in Salem: Rebecca Towne Nurse, Mary Towne Easty, and Sarah Towne Cloyce.
Matt Kennedy/Disney
Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) Sanderson are the three witchy sisters who want to stay young forever by feeding off the children of Salem.
Matt Kennedy/Disney
Yes, there's a fourth Sanderson sister in the Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel book. In the story, new girl in town Isabella (who also happens to be who Max and Allison's daughter Poppy is crushing on) is a descendant of secret Sanderson sister Elizabeth!
Let us know what you think about Hocus Pocus 3 on Twitter and follow us on Facebook for more breaking movie news!
This post has been updated.
Listen up, chefs: we thought Jeremy Allen White was officially off the market after months of dating the iconic Spanish pop star, Rosalía, but it looks like they're no longer an item! Jeremy was just spotted kissing one of this co-stars from The Bear, bringing their on-screen romance to real life.
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images
Photos of Jeremy and co-star Molly Gordon (who plays his love interest, Claire, in The Bear) obtained by People show things heating up between the two. The duo had their arms wrapped around each other as they embraced for a kiss. This is the first time we've seen them both linked romantically, and we're honestly shocked and left wondering what happened with Rosalía, who he was going steady with in fall 2023.
Scroll on for a deeper look into all of Jeremy's recent romantic escapades!
An anonymous submission to DeuxMoi at the beginning of July 2023 set off speculation that the two A-listers were “in touch.” The tip noted that Selena and Jeremy had allegedly met at a Vanity Fair cover shoot and hit it off ever since.
The gossip was neither proved wrong *or* right, though in hindsight, it didn’t hold up too strongly. Not long after rumors began circulating, the Haim sisters posted on Instagram about "single summer," picturing Selena alongside a Taylor Swift-backed girl gang.
Things were steaming up on the streets of Los Angeles when Jeremy Allen White was spotted engaging in some serious PDA with model and actress, Ashley Moore in August 2023. How they met is a total mystery, but seeing them together via paparazzi pictures was jaw-dropping – especially considering Mr. White was seen with his estranged wife and kids the week prior. Yikes!
He’s at it again! In August 2023, Jeremy Allen White scrolled past a video highlighting Alexa Demie’s new campaign with Calvin Klein and did what any fan would do – he left a comment (though minimal): “Wow.”
To publicly show his affection (or rather, attraction) via Instagram is a whole thing in itself. King.
Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy
“Rosalía and Jeremy Allen White have recently started dating,” a source told Us Weekly in November 2023. “They started out as just friends, but things have turned romantic recently.”
Alexa, play "That Should Be Me" by Justin Bieber!
The duo had been sighted side-by-side a few times. TMZ shared photos of them together at a late-October 2023 farmer's market and even sharing a smoke break in a parking lot. Romantic!
That budding romance came after what we call White’s hot boy summer – he was out and about on the streets of Los Angeles amidst his separation from actress Addison Timlin. Throughout their divorce, White was rumored to be involved with Selena Gomez, thirsting over Alexa Demi on Instagram, and was publicly spotted smooching Ashley Moore.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
In what TMZ was calling "the friendliest divorce ever," Jeremy Allen White and his now-ex Addison Timlin had been seen doing family activities together amid his romantic antics. The pair shares two young daughters, which is likely why they're still seeing each other from time to time. Where Jeremy's head is, we can't say for sure, but we do know he's out there acting young, wild, and free.
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This post has been updated.
I'm always keeping an eye out for any and every kind of update from the Bridgerton cast. From adorable red carpet reunions to the stars who are actually dating IRL, this is one cast that truly loves each other. And that love makes their onscreen interactions even better! While Bridgerton season 3 ended in June, and we probably won't see season 4 until 2026, we did just get a Bridgerton cast reunion that will totally hold us all over until we finally get new episodes.
Nicola Coughlan (who plays Penelope Featherington — er, Bridgerton — on the show) and Hannah Dodd (Francesca Bridgerton) reunited to sit front row at Gucci's Milan Fashion Week show on September 20. "Thank you @sabatods for a beautiful show and a class party after," Nicola said on Instagram, while Hannah added, "@sabatods you are magic. 💛 u @gucci - thank you for a gorgeous trip x."
The two actresses sat beside Daisy Edgar-Jones and Dakota Johnson, and looked stunning in complementary outfits that were totally giving Mary Kate and Ashley.
Hannah rocked a white button down and jeans with pointed-toe heels and a camel-colored bag, while Nicola paired the dreamiest capelet and white button down dress with bejeweled heels. And TBH, this duo has me dreaming about what Bridgerton would look like in 2024!
Netflix
Now that the Ton knows Penelope is Lady Whistledown, she's going to have all kinds of celebrity that would totally score her a front row ticket to fashion week in the present day. And as a former wallflower, I think Penelope sees and understands shy Francesca in a really special way.
Ahead of Bridgerton season 3, Nicola told Brit + Co that she loved seeing Penelope "finding her self-worth — that side of her I really loved getting to play." Hannah also admitted she feels a similar shyness to Francesca amid the buzz of joining the global phenomenon.
"I'm so excited to see what the writers come up with," she saidof Bridgerton's (and Francesca's) future. "I just hope she steps into herself a little bit more and kind of goes after things that make her happy, and knows that she's deserving of that. But I'm new here. So, like anything they give me, I'm gonna be happy with."
I can't wait to see how these characters continue to grow and evolve, and I hope we get another Bridgerton reunion soon!
Tell us your favorite Bridgerton cast moment in the comments and check out our interview with the cast!
Party plans at the 11th hour? We've got you covered with last-minute Halloween snacks that are easy to throw together! Spooky Halloween cookies call for tons of creativity, while make-ahead recipes require actually knowing that you're going to a party in the first place. While finding a last-minute costume that doesn't make your plan to stay in and watchHalloween movies alone in your jammies too obvious, cooking or baking a mysterious masterpiece seems out of the question – but it's not! Ahead, find some of the best last-minute Halloween snacks that are JUST the right amount of spooky.
Brit + Co
If you want to celebrate Halloween without eating a ton of junk, try our avocado toast faces. It's the perfect start to Halloween morning — before the Halloween partyprep begins! (via Brit + Co.)
Brit + Co
These savory snack bites totally give us the creepy crawlies! Trust us, they're still yummy, though. (via Brit + Co.)
Brit + Co
These sweet spideys should only take you about 40 minutes to finish! Once they're cooled, you'll be all set for your Halloween get-together. (via Brit + Co.)
Brit + Co
These mummified pizza pies are made easy with store-bought ciabatta bread and some hearty toppings. (via Brit + Co.)
Brit + Co
The decorated pumpkin faces on these seasonal-flavored cookies provide the perfect amount of spooky! (via Brit + Co.)
Half Baked Harvest
Homemade hummus is SO much better than the store-bought stuff — and it's easy to make. In less than 30 minutes, you'll be ready to rock with a bright orange Halloween hummus. (Half Baked Harvest)
Chelsea's Messy Apron
When you're in a pinch, there's nothing wrong with ripping open a bag of cookies and adding your own spooky twist. This recipe turns Milanos into mummies with the help of some melted white chocolate. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)
Chopstick Chronicles
We know what you're thinking — sushi isn't exactly easy to create — but hear us out. These eerie sushi balls are way easier to put together than sushi rolls and require a lot less skill and equipment. It's also mess-free! (via Chopstick Chronicles)
Gimme Some Oven
These little cuties are the perfect last-minute snack to put together if you're less into gory-ness and more into adorably-ness. Feeling iffy over the commitment of baking? Don't sweat it — these are done in 35 minutes. (via Gimme Some Oven)
Simply Sated
As far as quick and simple snacks go, you can't compete with dipping already delicious pretzels into already delicious chocolate. The best part of these treats is that they come out look gruesome and amazing. (via Simply Sated)
A Spicy Perspective
A healthy-ish treat, these fruit skewers get a little bit of Halloween when a few pieces of candy are in the mix. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Food Fanatic
Deviled eggs sound perfect for Halloween on their own. When you add a healthy helping of beet puree to the mix, this wholesome snack hits a whole new level of creepy, or take a different route by making spider web deviled eggs. (via Food Fanatic)
Well Plated
Having to whip up a themed snack at the last minute is a grave situation. It's a good thing THIS grave, topped with crunchy cookie dirt, only takes 20 minutes to put together. (via Well Plated)
Mitzy At Home
It's hard to find anything cuter than ghost-themed desserts; it's those little eyes. These sweet boos are easy to make and need to chill for 30 minutes, so you can place them in the fridge while you get ready. (Mitzy At Home)
Baking Beauty
The flavors of cream cheese and sharp cheddar are scary good together. Also, you basically get to dunk chips into chips, so it's near impossible to disappoint a crowd with a snack like this. Did we mention it only takes 20 minutes to make? (via Baking Beauty)
Damn Delicious
Hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls are fantastic any time of the year, but we're especially in love with them on Halloween. Wrapped up to look like mummies, these bites are great for adult and kid parties alike. (via Damn Delicious)
The Miniature Moose
With no cooking required, this halloween snack is all ease and no fuss; just toss some sweet and savory snacks together and you're good to go. The frightening part is that they're incredibly addicting, so beware. (via The Miniature Moose)
A Zesty Bite
We're confident that Oreos are loved universally, so there is no way to go wrong with this snack because it is SO right. The best way to wash these spiders out? A tall glass of cold milk, of course. (via A Zesty Bite)
Stacey Homemaker
When doom hits, nothing saves the day quite like pizza; pizza fixes everything. In under 30 minutes, you too can save the day with this cheesy pizza — complete with eyeballs and tongues. (via Stacey Homemaker)
Chelsea's Messy Apron
If you're after that beloved Oreo flavor, but want to jazz things up in a most spine-chilling way, these spider Oreo balls will do the trick. In 30 minutes you can have these sweet and spooky critters on a platter, ready to go. (via Chelsea's Messy Apron)
Half Baked Harvest
Salty, sweet, and easier than you'd think, these peanut butter bars are made with pantry staples and candy. (via Half Baked Harvest)
A Spicy Perspective
Coat dry, salted popcorn with a purple melted candy coating and add sprinkles and your favorite Halloween candy to make this snack mix. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Amanda Wilens
Rice Krispy treats get a Halloween twist when you add festive sprinkles and a few eyeballs to mix. (via Amanda Wilens)
Salt & Lavender
Chocolate, peanut butter, and plenty of Halloween sprinkles give new life to Chex cereal, and it only takes 15 minutes to make. (via Salt & Lavender)
Halloween snacks are not only tasty, but they're fun to make, share and eat! With Halloween just around the corner, we're sure these spooky snacks will win over every guest at your Halloween bash!
For more spooky Halloween snack ideas + treats, check us out on Pinterest!
This article has been updated from a previous post with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
