Growing up, I (like many other elder Gen Z kids) always loved a good creepypasta. That site was the birthplace of so many urban legends and truly creepy horror stories that would later grow into proper books. I remember in middle school sneaking onto the site whenever I could, and as a teenager I remember curling up in a leather chair in my high school’s library with my laptop during the free blocks in my schedule, trying to get through as many creepypastas as possible. Of course, after the Slenderman incident, a lot of our parents banned us from the site – talk about a few kids ruining it for the rest of us, just like video games and certain tv shows – but for me, the fascination with those eerie stories never left.

Penpal by Dathan Auerbach feels like the natural evolution of that era of internet horror. As you start reading, it’s structured almost like a collection of short stories, each one centering on the unnamed narrator’s memories from childhood through his teenage years. His story really begins in kindergarten, when his class does what should be a harmless activity: writing notes to penpals and sending them off via balloons. When he and his best friend Josh start receiving replies, they’re thrilled – until that connection reveals itself to be something much darker than they could have imagined.

The childhood-memories-as-horror trope is one of my personal favorites. There’s something so innocent about it, and Auerbach uses that innocence to set up some truly chilling twists. His writing style is gripping – my first time through, I read the book in just a few hours because I literally couldn’t put it down. The way the chapters work as standalone stories while also locking together like puzzle pieces makes the whole book both fast-paced and slow-burning at the same time.

Normally, I’m not a fan of unnamed narrators, but here it works brilliantly. It makes it easy to imagine yourself in his shoes, which makes the story even more unsettling. This isn’t supernatural horror; it’s realistic enough that you can’t help but think, this could happen to anyone.

With its woodsy setting, creepy Polaroids, and haunting atmosphere, Penpal offers exactly the kind of dread I look for in October reads. It even gives off some of the same vibes as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – eerie snapshots of childhood that leave you unsettled long after the page is turned.

If you’re looking for the perfect suspense novel to add to your October TBR, this is it. Grab a copy, dim the lights, surround yourself with Halloween décor, and let the chill seep in. Horror fans (especially those who grew up on creepypasta) will find this one unforgettable.