Looking for something spooky to read this month in preparation for Halloween? Look no further—check out some of these book recommendations!
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Dracula by Bram Stoker– This one’s a classic, and I just finished it myself. The classic vampire story that we all know and love is definitely worth the read. Told through journal entries, newspaper articles, and ship logs, Dracula is packed with action. It’s also full of spine-tingling, hair-raising imagery. The perfect Halloween book to remind you what the original vampire was. And don’t worry too much about the reading level—lots of editions come with explanatory footnotes for historical context and confusing terms.
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Coraline by Neil Gaiman- I love recommending Coraline, and it’s definitely earned its place on this list. Written for a middle-school audience, it tells the story of a young girl in a new house that has a secret. Despite its young target audience, it’s one of the most unsettling books I’ve ever read. Really creepy, and will definitely get you thinking about the nooks and crannies of your own house.
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Pet Sematary by Stephen King- Stephen King has been sort of hit or miss for me, but as the master of horror, it’s almost required to put him on this list. Pet Sematary uses some less than satisfying, eye-roll tropes like an old Indian burial ground (definitely over that) and the perfect family in a new house (sure, things always seem okay at first). But it’s also terrifying to read. Definitely the scariest Stephen King I’ve read so far. (Disclaimer, I haven’t read It or The Shining yet though.)
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The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco- I don’t read a lot of YA horror, but this one impressed me. This ghost story, based on a Japanese legend, is told from the point of view of the vengeful ghost herself. It’s got lots of traditionally scary elements, with possessed dolls, substantial gore, and a morally grey heroine. If you’re into ghosts, check this one out!
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The Diviners by Libba Bray- This book had so many things to like. A great cast of characters with supernatural powers, an engaging world set in NYC during prohibition, and a dangerous serial killer. With heavy focus on occult, the story doesn’t move super-fast, but it kept me engaged the entire book. The sequel was great, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the third book, which just came out earlier this month.
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Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafón- Rounding out the list is another young adult read. Marina is jam-packed with classic gothic horror elements. A lot of the characters and plot twists are very common to this genre, but it works for the story. Zafón creates a gothic masterpiece with his beautiful writing and pays homage to many time-worn tropes of the gothic/horror tradition.
A quick search can reveal lots of other books to send shivers down your spine this Halloween season, but there’s my personal recommendations. Enjoy!