Best horror books to read this Halloween

Fall has finally arrived, and it’s the perfect time to settle in for a good ol’ fashioned horror book. Reading has become a hobby that has remained popular through generations, and there’s arguably no better genre than a riveting thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Here is a list of 10 horror/thriller books that are perfect for your October reading list.

The Shining by Stephen King

We start with arguably the most popular horror novel of all time, which inspired a classic movie of the same name three years later. The Shining follows author Jack Torrence as he moves his family to Colorado’s isolated Overlook Hotel during the winter to act as caretakers, where the hotel’s dark background slowly gets to Jack and leaves his family in grave danger. 

Few books will leave you as on edge and terrified as this one, making it perfect for the scariest of holidays.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

One of the most popular names in horror fiction, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a novel (part of a larger three-book series that spawned a 2019 live-action film) that appeals to every age. It’s a collection of numerous scary tales, ranging from zombies to vampires to witches. All equally horrifying, it’s the perfect grouping of stories that appeals to whatever topics you like the most. 

Choose one, or choose all. Either way, it’s the perfect companion for a chilly autumn evening.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

You weren’t expecting to see this here, were you? The inspiration for the legendary movie series, Jurassic Park is not what you typically first think of when coming up with horror franchises. Yet, the original 1990 novel is exactly what you’re looking for. It tells the tale of a wealthy businessman who clones once-extinct dinosaurs to create a theme park, where things go horribly wrong. 

While the movies may take a lighter and more action-focused approach, the book is a much more graphic technology-based horror story written by an underrated horror author, Michael Crichton.

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

Another classic teen horror story, I Know What You Did Last Summer laid the groundwork for four movies, the most recent of which came out this past summer. The story follows a group of friends who cover up an accidental murder, but realize someone may still know — and is out to get them. 

Part horror and part mystery, I Know What You Did Last Summer is sure to keep you riveted from cover and cover.

The Clatter Man by Janelle Schieke

How about one you’ve probably never heard of before? Published this past May, The Clatter Man tells the tale of a group of college seniors spending a weekend getaway in the woods, when an urban legend proves to be true. It’s a novel I happened to stumble on through an advertisement, and I wasn’t disappointed when I ordered and read it. The creepy setting, intriguing characters, and great horror imagery combine for a fall must-read.

It by Stephen King

We get back to the King of horror with another classic terror tale, It, where seven childhood friends are terrorized by the demonic shapeshifting Pennywise the Clown in their hometown of Derry, Maine. Not only will you be as frightened as the kids in the book, but the story also touches on themes of growing up and adulthood, making it a complex and layered novel. This horrifying novel has spawned multiple movie adaptations and a prequel series, It: Welcome to Derry, which dropped on HBO this month.

 If you aren’t afraid of clowns before reading It, you will be after.

The Terror by Dan Simmons

If you’re looking for a novel in a unique setting, you might want to crack open The Terror. This lengthy story over (700 pages long, but worth it) tracks an 1800s expedition through the Arctic. The plot’s slow burn and chilly atmosphere combine for a captivating winter tale.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Jackon’s chilling tale The Haunting of Hill House follows the story of a doctor who places himself and three subjects into a haunted house to study the supernatural and begins to realize that the true haunting may not be within the house at all. 

Written by an iconic author (who happens to be a Syracuse University alum), this story is a must for anyone looking to explore the horror genre and will have them questioning what really goes bump in the night.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Published 128 years ago and arguably the most iconic horror story ever, Dracula still holds up today as a must-read novel. This classic tale has spawned numerous adaptations over the past century, including last year’s star-studded Nosferatu. You probably know the plot: a lawyer traveling to Transylvania discovers a vampire locked in his castle who plans to unleash his dark powers on the world. But the story is one you just have to read to understand just why it’s so legendary.

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

We have to end with Stephen King, no? Pet Sematary is about a family moving to rural Maine that discovers a secret burial ground in their background where they quickly learn that “dead doesn’t always mean gone.” If you came for King, stay for the story and you won’t be disappointed.