Beyond the monster classics like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, creepy tales by Edgar Allen Poe, or horror from the King of the genre, here are some seasonal selections for all ages.
Books for Adults/Young Adults:
The Haunting of Hill House. First published by Shirley Jackson in 1959, this is considered by many to be the greatest haunted house story ever written.
The Exorcist. William Peter Blatty’s 1979 book is even scarier than the movie.
The House of Salt and Sorrows. Erin Craig’s New York Times bestseller has been called equal parts gothic romance and familiar fairytale, with a bit of whodunit too.
The Hour of the Witch. Set in Boston, 1662, Chris Bohjalian’s 2021 New York Times bestseller is historical fiction at its finest.
Blood and Salt. In her Young Adult debut, Kim Leggett has penned a sweeping, scary, and entertaining paranormal read.
The House Next Door. Anne Rivers Siddons offers a new Southern gothic haunted house tale in the vein of Flannery O’Conner and William Faulkner.
The Year of the Witching. Alexis Henderson has been called a master at creating enthralling fear. This 2020 debut or her September release House of Hunger are both are sure to thrill and terrify.
The Bone Houses. If for nothing other than the zombie goat, Emily Lloyd-Jones’ Young Adult fantasy is worth a read this season.
Books for Kids:
Halloween is Coming. This fun, rhyme-along picture book by Cal Everett is great for young readers and may become a holiday tradition.
Big Pumpkin. Erica Silverman’s cute tale features not-so-spooky characters trying to figure out how to move a huge pumpkin.
The Graveyard Book. First published in 2010, Neil Gaiman’s story of Bod, the boy being raised by ghosts after his parents were murdered won both the Newberry and Carnegie medals.
Ten Timid Ghosts. This fun counting book by Jennifer O’Connell is perfect for the season.
Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete. Our littlest readers love Kimberly & James Dean’s lift the flap Halloween adventure of spooky surprises for this beloved cat.
Skulls! Blair Thornburgh and award-winning illustrator Scott Campbell have created a smart, skull-positive story that cheerfully dispels any fears kids might have about this essential part of our bodies.
How to Make Friends with a Ghost. Rebecca Green’s debut picture book imbues the timeless theme of friendship with offbeat humor, quirky and sweet illustrations.
