Ranking Dark Academia Books by How Much They Emotionally Damaged Me

By Kate Castello

Dark Academia is a popular aesthetic known for emphasizing higher education, the arts, and gothic literature. It embraces dark clothing, rainy landscapes, and a hunger for knowledge that goes beyond what we see into the world of the unknown.

Personally, I love the clothing and the overall vibe of the aesthetic, however, my favorite part has got to be the books. They’re mysterious and melancholy with deeply flawed characters who aren’t trying to be fixed. And even though I love following these twisted stories, they can often weigh heavily on me even after I set them down.

So whether you’ve already read these books or are looking to get into Dark Academia literature, I have compiled my definitive ranking for how badly these books fucked me up emotionally (ordered from least to most).

Of course, please read at your own risk and check out trigger warnings before starting :)

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

While this book is not in the traditional cohort of DA book suggestions, I read this during my peak dark academia phase, and therefore in my heart, it feels like it belongs on this list.

It isn’t a novel, but rather a collection of letters between Rilke and a young poet named Franz Kappus.

Letters to a Young Poets has some of the most beautiful lines of prose I have ever read and the letters overall give me the same vibe as the happy scenes from Dead Poets Society.

The letters contain advice on writing, love, and life. Overall, I think it's a great read for anyone in this uncertain period of life.

Ranking: 1 - Happy to read this on a rainy day in the library

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

To be honest, classics scare me. However, this one is not only highly accessible but also really good!

We follow a young Victorian socialite as he turns from sweet and caring to twisted and reckless. There’s also a spooky magical realism aspect of this book, so if you’re looking for something to read around Halloween I highly recommend this one!

Ranking: 2 - Read by candlelight for extra spookiness

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

If you’re more of a fantasy reader (like myself), but looking to give a Dark Academia book a try, I suggest Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. It surrounds a murder that takes place at Yale University and a girl with the ability to talk to ghosts.

I’ll admit that I didn’t really get into this book until the second half. There is a lot of information thrown at you in the beginning—one of Leigh Bardugo’s specialties— and it can be hard to keep it all straight. However, the atmosphere this book creates is spectacular, and by the end, I had difficulty letting go of the characters.

Ranking: 3 - Some of the scenes freaked me out (if you hate ghosts, stay away), but in a fun way

Bunny by Mona Awad

If you like a book where you don’t know what the hell is going on the entire time, Bunny is for you!

We follow a group of deranged grad students as they perform interesting rituals in the name of writing.

Reading this book is what I imagine the world would be like if I were on my sixth day of drinking only coffee. But at the same time, it's fun and for the girls! It has in fact been deemed a “hot girl” book, so do you really need another reason to read it?

Ranking: 4 - touch some grass after this one

Dead Poets Society by N. H. Kleinbaum

I will accept zero slander against this movie, and since I am such a big fan of the movie; I knew I had to read the book.

The main focus of the book is a teacher with a passion for poetry trying to teach a class of young boys how to properly experience life.

Spoiler Alert: it’s pretty much the exact same thing as the movie.

Now, this book would be much higher up on the list if it wasn’t for the ending.

The ending literally knocks all the air from my body and leaves me in tears every single time I experience it.

Ranking: 5 - sat in the dark sobbing for a good 45 mins after

These Violent Delights by Micah Nemerever

These Violent Delights is a Dark Academia book that takes place in Pittsburgh!

It’s about two boys who fall in love, but as their lives entangle, their morals and decisions become grayer and grayer until they’re covering up a murder they never planned to commit.

As a native Pittsburgher, the location was really the main reason I wanted to read this book. However, it also ended up being super creepy and disturbing (but in a thrilling, i-can’t-put-this-book-down kind of way) so if you’re into that, have at it!

Ranking: 6 - Probably took a few years off my life

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

If I could give this book ten stars, I would. And if you’re still unsure about this genre, this is the book to start with.

We’re introduced to the main character, Oliver Marks, on the day he’s released from jail after serving a ten-year sentence for a crime he may or may not have committed. The story unfolds as Oliver recounts his days as a student when he and six other young actors studied and performed exclusively Shakespearean plays. One member of the group is murdered, but the murderer and motive are a complete mystery.

If you’ve been unfortunate enough to ask me for a book recommendation since October 2021, I’ve probably babbled on to you about this book. But seriously, so worth the read.

Ranking: 7 - haha I'm totally not emotionally scared from this book

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

There’s a reason this book is the classic Dark Academia book recommendation.

It’s incredible.

We follow a group of six Classics students at a private New England college as they discover a new way of thinking—and perhaps take it too far. Their love of learning quickly turns dark when one of the students is murdered, and the others are left to pick up the pieces.

Now, I obviously love this book, but it does get really dark and definitely sent me spiraling.