I have read a horror book in preparation for Halloween every October for the past six years. This tradition of mine has given me that extra festive edge for the scary season, and this year I’m sharing it with all of you. After sampling scary stories from a wide range of books, I’ve compiled five of the best from different categories to appeal to every kind of reader out there. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find your favorite this year!
1. The Shining by Stephen King
That’s right, I’m starting off this list with the King of Horror himself and one of the greatest ghost stories ever written. This book is for all the novel lovers out there who want to settle into bed and read some of the world’s greatest suspense-building in all of modern literature. Despite being a popular movie, many people haven’t read it, and it differs wildly from the book in many places, allowing the read to give you a whole new outlook of the story.
2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean
As a short read, this book will give casual readers a quick scary fix before Halloween. It’s the definition of a twisted children’s story, complete with some wild twists and illustrations. This book is original and captivating. I highly recommend spending an evening reading it and following Coraline on her journey with the “Other Mother.” It doesn’t matter how old you are, this is still one of the spookiest stories ever.
3. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
I’m excited to introduce this pick because it is my book of choice this October. If you’re a reader into the classics and can look past the older English, then this book is the ideal scary story to get you ready for Halloween. The reason this book has been deemed a classic was apparent to me after just the first scene. The first mention of Mr. Hyde throws this story straight into some of the freshest beginnings to a scary book ever. The book has survived this long because no one can argue that Stevenson doesn’t know horror or can’t create an atmosphere dripping with suspense and worry.
4. World War Z by Max Brooks
Are you having flashbacks to 2013? Because you should be. This book was famous before the Brad Pitt movie, though, and for good reason. If you’re a reader preferring more of an adventure horror than an isolating one, then this is your scary book. World War Z differs greatly from the movie, so the book is a guaranteed new experience. The story follows a reporter traveling around the world after a zombie outbreak has been contained to trace the origins, horror, and end of what could have been the conclusion to the human race. While a book on the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse doesn’t seem terrifying at first, the interviews the book covers on survivor’s firsthand encounters gives the zombie world a new life.
Honorable Mentions
Because not every book could be on this list, I’ve decided to include some honorable mentions. If you’ve happened to have already read these or are just looking for some different titles, I would also recommend Pet Sematary by Stephen King in preparation for the 2019 movie and a wildly creepy story, War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells for some of the coolest and original alien invasion stories ever, and Five Night’s at Freddy’s: The Silver Eyes by Kira Breed-Wrisley, because not every story has to be complex to be good. Sometimes it’s based off a bear-themed video game.
5. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
No scary list would ever be complete without The Exorcist. In a truly terrifying story, readers follow Regan, the daughter of an actress, as she seemingly battles a demon nicknamed “Mr. Howdy.” The story is for any horror lover and book lover, filled with suspense, scares, and twists. This book really does keep the reader guessing, even as Regan is possessed right up until the end. And not to be a snob, but yes, the book is better.
Happy Halloween!