It’s no secret that I LOVE Halloween. Basically, once October starts (and sometimes even before, let’s be honest), I’m prepping for the best day of the year – sorry, Christmas! Despite that, I’ve never been a big fan of horror movies. But I’ve never met a creepy book I didn’t like – or, at least, try out. So if you’re looking for something ~spooky~ to get you in the mood for Halloween, here are my recommendations: there’s one for every type of reader!
1. For the nostalgic: The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Series by Alvin Schwartz
You probably remember these books from your childhood – and by “remember,” I of course mean being permanently scarred by the bloodcurdling illustrations that landed this series on several banned books lists. Everyone has a favorite story from this series – whether it’s the story of the hook-handed murderer or the butcher who grinds up his wife (you know, for kids!). What made these books so terrifying was, after all, the illustrations, so make sure to look for the original versions this season!
2. For the YA fanatic: Conversion by Katherine Howe
Conversion tells two stories that take place over 300 years apart: one, in present-day Massachusetts, where an all-girl’s prep school starts experiencing a strange wave of unexplainable illnesses; and the other, set in 1700s Salem, where Ann Putnam relates her involvement in the Salem witch trials to her preacher. “Conversion” is a modern take on the Salem With Trials, with twists and turns that leave the reader guessing until the very end. If you’re looking for a quick, compelling, and perfectly creepy book this Halloween season, this is it.
3. For the purist: The Big Book of Ghost Stories, ed. Otto Penzler
Consider this a more grown-up version of the “Scary Stories” books. “The Big Book of Ghost Stories” has over 1000 pages of creepy short stories ranging from classic Victorian legends to pulp horror to contemporary works. Basically, this book is just what the title tells you – be sure to check this one out if you want to cover all your ghost-story bases.
4. For the Horror Movie Fan: Psycho by Robert Bloch
It’s been reported that after Alfred Hitchcock bought the rights to Bloch’s novel, he ordered his assistant to buy up as many copies as she could, so that potential filmgoers would not read the book ahead of time and ruin the ending. Books like “Psycho” and the “Exorcist” are often forgotten for their legendary film counterparts, but are worth giving a try even if you’ve seen the movies too many times to count.
5. For the Southern Gothic fan: “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor
There are plenty of pieces of classic literature that have spawned some of our most iconic symbols of Halloween. But for those of you who have had it up to here with Victorian thrillers like “Dracula” or “Frankenstein”, Southern Gothic fiction is an excellent choice. Namely, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” arguably the most popular and recognizable contribution to Southern Gothic fiction. Flannery O’Connor’s most chilling work is a safe bet for those looking for something a little less out-and-out scary and is also recommended for fans of shows like “True Detective” and “American Horror Story.”
What are your favorite spooky books to read during Halloween? Leave your recommendations in the comments!