25 Halloween Books Are Going to Set the Mood This October
When the weather starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book. Whether you’re turning your attention to spooky stories of witches and vampires or still working your way down the list of the best beach reads, there’s sure to be a genre for every mood. If you’re usually a fan of scary or mysterious reads, then there’s no time like October to hunker down with a good Halloween book — whether you do it in the dark or not is up to you.
These books encompass everything from classic horror novels to lighthearted tales of witches to enchanting poems, and everything in between. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Halloween and why we celebrate it, there are some nonfiction picks that are sure to captivate you. No matter what genre you prefer, these books are sure to keep you intrigued until the last page is turned. So put aside the DIY costume projects and clean off the pumpkin-carving station. Light some fall-themed candles and pour yourself a drink or grab a handful of Halloween candy. It’s time to settle in with one of these haunting Halloween books.
bookshop.org
$14.99
The October Boys tells the chilling story of a Halloween night in 1988 when a group of 12-year-olds encounter a shadowy ice cream truck. One of the children is taken, never to be seen again. More than 20 years later, the rest of the group remains haunted by the traumatic event and returns to where it all happened. But someone is waiting for them.
William Morrow & Company
amazon.com
$13.79
If you’re an Agatha Christie fan, this novel is sure to draw you in. When a 13-year-old girl brags about having witnessed a murder, no one believes her. But when she herself turns up dead several hours later, the only one who can help make sense of it all is detective Hercule Poirot.
Random House Inc
bookshop.org
$13.75
This collection of poems about ghosts, witches, and other ghoulish apparitions is perfect for a dramatic reading around the campfire this October.
Celaeno Press
amazon.com
$20.00
This horror anthology is an homage to both Halloween and the fictional stories of HP Lovecraft. One reviewer notes, “This outstanding anthology pushes all my reading buttons: creepy Halloween trappings, terrifying Mythos monsters and damn good writing.”
Black Balloon Publishing
amazon.com
$16.95
This creative anthology features very short stories from some of the best horror writers, tackling everything from vampires to witches to real-life horror in bite-sized vignettes.
bookshop.org
$14.72
If you liked the Netflix series, you’ll love reading the book it was based on. This book tells the story of Dr. Montague, who decides to bring together a small crew and prove the existence of the supernatural by going to the notoriously spooky Hill House for a summer. But Hill House turns out to be more powerful than any of them could have guessed.
bookshop.org
$16.54
Dark Harvest is about a small midwestern town, and the visitor who rises from the cornfields with a knife in his hand every Halloween. They call him the October Boy, or Ol' Hacksaw Face, or Sawtooth Jack, and the town’s locals eagerly wait for the chance to confront him. This year, local resident Pete McCormick is determined to kill the October Boy, but is confronted with true terror once he comes face-to-face with the creature.
bookshop.org
$5.52
There’s no time like Halloween to read (or re-read) this classic from Mary Shelley. It tells the story of a scientist named Victor Frankenstein and the tortured, lonely monster he creates, which goes on to wreak havoc upon the town of Geneva.
Anchor
amazon.com
$14.95
If you’re in the mood for bizarre tales of horror, then Chuck Palahniuk’s Haunted is the perfect Halloween book for you. It’s a novel made up of 23 short stories, all centered around a twisted scenario in which unwitting people must compete for heat, power, food, and ultimately, survival.
bookshop.org
$7.36
Another classic spine-chilling book, The Turn of the Screw is a haunting story about a governess sent to a country house to take care of two orphans. But she soon becomes convinced that there are dark forces at work within the house. If you binge-watched The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix, you’ll like this book that was the basis for the show.
bookshop.org
$10.12
You’ve seen the movie retellings of this essential vampire novel, now it’s time to read the book that started it all. It tells the story of estate agent Jonathan Harker, who is summoned to Transylvania by none other than Count Dracula himself.
Pegasus Books
amazon.com
$15.95
Another famous movie that was originally based on a book, Rosemary’s Baby is perfect if you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller this Halloween. It’s about a young woman named Rosemary who moves into a new apartment with her husband. When she gets pregnant, the neighbors take a special interest in her, but Rosemary is rightly suspicious about their true intentions.
bookshop.org
$8.27
Heeeere’s Johnny! Stephen King is the master of horrifying tales, and The Shining is one of his most famous works, thanks in no small part to the 1980 movie starring Jack Nicholson. This novel follows Jack, who has taken a job as an off-season caretaker at a remote hotel in hopes of having time to work on his writing and reconnect with his wife and son. But as the temperatures drop, they realize how truly isolated — and possibly sinister — their new home really is.
bookshop.org
$25.76
Another Stephen King novel, Pet Sematary is about a doctor who moves to a small town in Maine and quickly discovers that the town is more dangerous than it seems. He finds himself fascinated by the town’s makeshift graveyard where generations of families have buried their beloved pets, as he experiences strange nightmares about another burial ground just beyond.
Freeform
amazon.com
$6.49
This young adults' book retells the original story of the Sanderson sisters. It also contains the sequel, where a new group of teens encounters the terrible sisters.
Simon & Schuster
amazon.com
$12.19
This story, which is better suited for pre-teens and teens, is about two boys who discover the evil forces behind what seems to be a Halloween-themed carnival.
Random House NY
amazon.com
$5.99
This novel, which is set on Halloween night, follows a group of friends who travel through time and space, experiencing different eras like caveman times, ancient Egypt, and the Dark Ages.
amazon.com
$5.99
This spooky classic tells the story behind one of Halloween's favorite characters — the Headless Horseman. Needless to say, you shouldn't read this to the little ones.
25 Halloween Books Are Going to Set the Mood This October
When the weather starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book. Whether you’re turning your attention to spooky stories of witches and vampires or still working your way down the list of the best beach reads, there’s sure to be a genre for every mood. If you’re usually a fan of scary or mysterious reads, then there’s no time like October to hunker down with a good Halloween book — whether you do it in the dark or not is up to you.
These books encompass everything from classic horror novels to lighthearted tales of witches to enchanting poems, and everything in between. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Halloween and why we celebrate it, there are some nonfiction picks that are sure to captivate you. No matter what genre you prefer, these books are sure to keep you intrigued until the last page is turned. So put aside the DIY costume projects and clean off the pumpkin-carving station. Light some fall-themed candles and pour yourself a drink or grab a handful of Halloween candy. It’s time to settle in with one of these haunting Halloween books.
These spooky reads are for adults only.
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