- Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/82980) - []() - []() - []() # New theme in NoveList: Dark academia ![dark academia blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/dark-academia-blog-image-780.jpg) [Elizabeth Coleman](/novelist/bio/elizabeth-coleman) 15 November 2022 Do you find yourself drawn to dusty archives? Or daydream about pursuing esoteric studies? Are you, perhaps, into all things tweed? If you can say yes to any of these, you might be a fan of **Dark academia**. Dark academia is currently popular on various social media platforms, often showing pictures of misty university campuses, numerous cups of tea, and, yes, folks clad in tweed. But dark academia is also [popular in the book world](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/30/opinion/dark-academia-halloween.html), and while it is not a new trend, it is NoveList’s newest theme for adult and teen titles. Unlike some of our other themes, Dark academia is not tied to a particular location. While Dark academia often takes place in an academic institution, it may also be set in other intellectual spaces such as libraries or museums. It doesn’t feature a specific type of character the way **rightful heir** and **magical girls** do. Nor does Dark academia revolve around a particular plot point like, for example, the romance theme **fake relationship**. And it isn’t confined to a particular genre. It can be found in **Gothic fiction**, **Fantasy**, **Mysteries**, **Psychological suspense**, **Horror**, **Literary fiction**, and more. Notable for its unsettling twists and ominous tone, Dark academia delves into the dangers of intellectual curiosity, featuring characters who may encounter conspiracies, secret societies, or deadly competition. As one of my colleagues put it, it’s like a campus novel but with a certain vibe, and that vibe is dark and moody. Ready to help a dark academia-loving patron or add to your own TBR list? Just search **TH dark academia** for all the titles we have compiled. To narrow down the options, I would also recommend adding a genre search. For example, searching **TH dark academia AND GX psychological suspense** will bring you to Donna Tartt’s *The Secret History*, first published in 1992 but still a popular title among Dark academia enthusiasts. For curated recommended reads lists, you can search **UI 454027** for teen titles and **UI 454028** for adult titles. Happy reading! ![dark academia adults flyer image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/dark-academia-adults-flyer-image-636.jpg) Download the Dark Academia for Adults flyer [here](https://bit.ly/DarkAcademiaAdults) or make your own in [LibraryAware](/novelist/products/libraryaware-1 "LibraryAware"). ![dark academia teens flyer image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/dark-academia-teens-flyer-image-634.jpg) Download the Dark Academia for Teens flyer [here](https://bit.ly/DarkAcademiaTeens) or make your own in [LibraryAware](/novelist/products/libraryaware-1 "LibraryAware"). Want to stay informed about other changes like this? Subscribe to *NoveList News* and get monthly updates, readers’ advisory tips, and ideas emailed directly to you. [ Sign up ](/novelist/newsletter) [Elizabeth Coleman](/novelist/bio/elizabeth-coleman "Elizabeth Coleman") is a Senior Metadata Librarian for NoveList. She's currently reading *The Butcher's Blessing* by Ruth Galligan. Category: [Product Releases ](/blogs/novelist/category/product-releases) Tags: [Readers' advisory](/blogs/novelist/tag/readers'-advisory) - Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/82980) - []() - []() - []() ## Related Posts [ ![underrepresented characters blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/underrepresented-characters-blog-image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/announcing-updated-character-identity-tags) [Announcing updated Character Identity tags](/blogs/novelist/announcing-updated-character-identity-tags) 5 October 2022 [ ![new themes guides blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/new-themes-guides-blog-image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/announcing-new-content-type-themes-guides) [Announcing new content type: Themes guides ](/blogs/novelist/announcing-new-content-type-themes-guides) 18 August 2022 [ ![explore pages blog image ](/sites/default/files/acquiadam-assets/explore-pages-blog-image-780.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/new-explore-pages-novelist-plus) [New Explore pages in NoveList Plus](/blogs/novelist/new-explore-pages-novelist-plus) 9 March 2022