Spooky season is back, and in my opinion, Halloween could use a little extra scare these days. The best way to set the mood is to dive into some truly horrifying books, especially after dark. In this article, the Bookstr Team shares seven chilling reads guaranteed to leave you haunted all Halloween long. Let’s get into it!
Books That Sent Shivers Down the Bookstr Teams’ Spine
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
Marcus Kliewer’s We Used to Live Here is a psychological horror about a couple renovating a house when a mysterious family arrives, claiming it was once their home. As strange events unfold, reality twists, and paranoia takes hold, this haunting novel blurs the line between madness and the supernatural. Stories are often scariest when they unfold inside your own home, as no one wants to feel trapped where they live. Read this one at home to truly set the mood… if you dare.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
This supernatural horror follows Vic McQueen, a woman with a strange gift that lets her find lost things. Her path collides with Charles Manx, an immortal predator who kidnaps children and traps them in the nightmarish world of Christmasland, where every day is Christmas and every night brings terror. Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King, so if you had any doubts about how scary this book is, then that should settle it. Hopefully, this doesn’t ruin Christmas for you, because that would be truly horrific.
Books with Bone-Chilling Monsters
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
The Hunger is a gripping historical horror novel that reimagines the journey of the Donner Party. Set in 1846, it follows a group of pioneers traveling from Illinois to California, facing harsh weather, dwindling supplies, and rising tensions within the group. Katsu adds a chilling supernatural twist: something malevolent lurks in the mountains, preying on the travelers and amplifying their worst fears. This premise sold me, as I love novels that blend real events with fiction. If you liked The Shining by Stephen King, you’ll love this.
Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
Set at the secluded Wickwood Academy, the story follows Andrew, a shy, anxious student who writes dark fairy tales, and his best friend Thomas, whose eerie drawings bring Andrew’s stories to life. When monsters from their creations begin to emerge from the forbidden forest surrounding the school, the boys must confront both supernatural threats and their own complicated emotions. This is a Young Adult novel, and I think this genre is underrated when it comes to the horror genre. This is a great recommendation for people who loved The Diviners series by Libba Bray.
Books Too Scary to Read at Night
Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay is a tense psychological horror novel about a family vacationing in a remote cabin who are suddenly confronted by a group of strangers claiming the world is about to end. The intruders demand an unthinkable sacrifice, forcing the family into a terrifying moral dilemma. There’s nothing quite like a horror novel that traps you in a cabin for the whole story. If you read this, or not, you can also watch the movie adaptation by M. Night Shyamalan called Knock at the Cabin for a double spook.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz is a classic collection of short horror tales for young readers that draws on American folklore, urban legends, and ghost stories. The book is famous for its haunting illustrations by Stephen Gammell, as well as the movie adaptation that followed. This choice is ironic given the category, but seriously, either reading or watching the movie will leave you scared for the rest of the day.
A Terrifying Read To Make Your Heart Race
It by Stephen King
This is a story set in the town of Derry, Maine, where a malevolent, shape-shifting entity, most often taking the form of a terrifying clown named Pennywise, preys on children. The story alternates between two timelines: one following a group of kids as they confront Pennywise during the summer of 1958, and the other following them as adults, 27 years later, when the entity resurfaces. You didn’t think a horror recommendations list would skip Stephen King, did you? It is iconic for a reason, and King himself is legendary, so you really can’t go wrong with this choice. Just be sure to carve out some time for this hefty novel.
If you take Halloween seriously like I do, you need to be reading horror novels. Movies are great for a one-night scare, but books keep the fear going for days to even weeks. Hopefully, some of these Bookstr Team Recs scratch that scary itch for you, and let us know what books truly spooked you!
Want to learn about female authors in horror? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Spine-Chilling Novels Not for the Faint of Heart bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
