What are you reading this October? Are you ready for the top horror books? We’ve got you covered.
These books range from terribly creepy to more fun thriller reads, but all of them will get you in the mood for Halloween.
Here are our picks for the horror and scary books you need to read this October.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. A gothic horror novel by american novelist Shirley Jackson, the book is considered to be one of the best literary ghost stories of the century. And there’s now the Netflix series that you can watch when you’re done.
Dracula by Bram Stoker. This is the classic horror novel by Bram Stoker published in 1897. It’s an epistolary novel, so told through the form of letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles about a stay at the castle of a Transylvanian noble Count Dracula. Read the novel that inspired it all and then check out the amazing films based on the book.
Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia. A gothic horror novel that came out last year in 2020 to critical acclaim. The story is about a woman investigating the claims that her cousin’s husband is trying to murder her. Read it before the series comes out! Hulu is making an adaptation of the tale for a mini series and it is sure to inspire you… and you’ll never see mold the same way again.
The Stand by Stephen King. Try any Stephen King novel this October, but this one might be the most famous. Published in 1978 The Stand is about a deadly pandemic and its aftermath, if it feels too real, don’t read it.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Why not read the book that inspired the film? It’s a quick read, a dark fantasy children’s novel published in 2002. Neil Gaiman has said, “I had typed the name Caroline, and it came out wrong. I looked at the word Coraline, and knew it was someone’s name. I wanted to know what happened to her.” The story is pretty creepy and will keep you engaged with this tale about family and finding your real relationships.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. One of the most famous horror monsters, try reading the original tale from 1818. The story of Doctor Victor Frankenstein who creates his monster was first penned by Shelley when she was 18.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Another classic work of horror, this is a gothic novel from 1938. The story is of a young woman who quickly marries a wealthy widower before uncovering that he and his household are haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca. Alfred Hitchcock made a 1940 film out of the work which won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager. A 2020 thriller novel about a haunted house inspired by The Amityville Horror. Check out all of Sager’s books, they’re all perfect for Halloween.
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson. This is a recent novel about a feminist look at living in a puritan society and discovering the power of magic. A fun and easy read, it will have you wishing for your own dark magic.
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth. A story within a story within a story, this ambitious horror novel came out last year and is an interesting tale about a crumbling school for girls. It’s a great read and perfect for October.
Do you have a horror book you love? Are you reading something frightening? I would love to hear about what you’re reading, send me an email at [email protected].
