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Spooky Season Reading Recommendations for Halloween
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items I love spooky season, and nothing says “fall” more than snuggling up with a scary read on an autumnal evening. As an avid reader of scary stories, I have compiled an eclectic list of spooky, Halloween reads. My selections range from 19th century clas...
This Halloween, revisit the sci-fi horror classic that has inspired over a century of creature features. I love this particular series of republished classics, and their gorgeous reprint of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein makes for a colorful addition to...
Frankenstein (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions) |Paperback
An 1980s classic, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is one of my favorite horror short story collections! Ranging from the weird and bizarre to the downright terrifying, these stories are memorable but also make for amazing re-reads. I highly recomme...
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
The Shining is one of the best haunted house stories for good reason! I love the way that Stephen King builds tension and suspense throughout this novel and really enmeshes you in the Jack's twisted psyche. This is a pick for all the ghost story love...
The Shining by Stephen King | Paperback
I truly believe that Stephen Graham Jones is the best contemporary horror storyteller out there, and he is in top form in The Only Good Indians. Blending slasher horror with Indigenous folklore, he crafts a haunting tale that left me speechless after...
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, Paperback
Before you watch the Mike Flanagan adaptation, I highly recommend that you read Shirley Jackson's original novel! This gothic novel paints a haunting picture of family dynamics and mental illness that definitely changed my perception of the haunted h...
The Haunting of Hill House: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
Another 19th century classic, Dracula by Bram Stoker is the definitive vampire story! I love how Stoker introduces and develops Count Dracula throughout the text, and the epistolary format too makes for an especially engaging read. The special editio...
Dracula (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions) by Bram Stoker | Paperback
Yes, this book is huge, but trust me, it is worth the investment! I was completely engrossed by Tananarive Due's story of a curse haunting one family in a small town. With plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing, The Good House is the definit...
The Good House: A Novel by Tananarive Due | Paperback
If you're looking for a short, scary read, check out this novella from Victor LaValle! I love LaValle's imaginative (yet haunting) retelling of HP Lovecraft's short story “The Horror at Red Hook." And plus, it is a book that you can definitely tear t...
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle | Paperback
What I love about Paul Tremblay is that he also leans into metacommentary! Horror Movie is no exception. It is a horror book about the making of a horror movie and really leans into deconstructing the tired tropes of this genre. I definitely recommen...
Horror Movie: A Novel (B&N Exclusive Edition) by Paul Tremblay | Hardcover
I love how this short story collection features an ensemble of Black horror writers! Edited and compiled by Jordan Peele, these stories offer social commentary and plenty of scares to give you the heebie-jeebies.
Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror
Check out this Black Southern Gothic novel by acclaimed author SA Cosby!
All the Sinners Bleed: A Novel
If you love gothic atmosphere and a strong female protagonist, this one is an absolute must. Set in 1950s Mexico, it blends glamour, dread, and deeply unsettling horror in a way that feels completely fresh. One of the most atmospheric reads in recent...
Mexican Gothic
If you already have Hill House on the list, check out Jackson's other masterpiece, We Have Always Lived in the Castle. This one is quieter and stranger…a deeply unsettling portrait of isolation and sisterhood that lingers long after you finish it.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
This is my second Stephen Graham Jones recommendation A love letter to slasher films wrapped in a genuinely gripping horror story. This one is perfect for anyone who wants their Halloween reads to come with serious film nerd energy.
My Heart Is a Chainsaw (Indian Lake Trilogy #1)|
A dual-timeline gothic horror story that weaves together a cursed all-girls school in the early 1900s and a present-day Hollywood adaptation of the same events. It's lush, eerie, and wickedly fun — a great pick for readers who want something a little...
Plain Bad Heroines: A Novel