Whether you’re looking to be psychologically disturbed, supernaturally spooked, or classically terrified, here’s a curated list of genuinely frightening books perfect for Halloween reading:
Classic Horror Literature
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House is a masterpiece of psychological and supernatural horror. It follows four individuals who investigate paranormal activity in the malevolent Hill House. The novel’s dark atmosphere, ongoing suspense, and complex characters create a genuinely spooky experience that’s perfect for the Halloween season.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein is one of the most influential horror novels of all time. This Gothic classic delves into themes of creation and responsibility. It also questions what makes us human through the story of Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Dracula is a foundational horror text that shaped the entire genre since the 1800,. This archetypal vampire story continues to influence horror to this day.
Psychological Thrillers
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a “trippy and disorienting” psychological horror. A couple’s seemingly ordinary trip to meet his parents turns deeply unsettling. It’s perfect for fans of A24-style horror that bends reality and perception.
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul G. Tremblay
The Cabin at the End of the World is a disturbing tale, combining a violent home invasion with a looming apocalypse. It follows a family vacation in a remote New Hampshire cabin that goes terribly wrong. The novel effectively explores the themes of good vs. evil and emotion vs. reason through a nightmarish scenario.
Supernatural Horror
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
It’s one of King’s most terrifying works, exploring grief, resurrection, and the terrible consequences of refusing to accept death. The novel’s exploration of what happens when we can’t let go makes it deeply unsettling long after you’ve finished reading.
The Shining by Stephen King
It’s often cited as King’s scariest work. This is due to its claustrophobic setting, descent into madness, and supernatural elements. These elements blur the line between reality and nightmare.
“The Raft” (short story in Skeleton Crew) by Stephen King
A deceptively simple premise unfolds. College students are stranded on a raft and pursued by a malevolent oil slick. It becomes a terrifying exploration of nature’s ferocity. It also examines the pitfalls of entering adulthood.
Contemporary Horror
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This 2025 release blends witchcraft with dark academia across three 20th-century timelines. It features dangerous witches and powerful curses as unseen entities lurk in the shadows. These elements will keep you on the edge of your seat.
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
A terrifyingly plausible premise unfolds. Strangers claim to have previously owned a home and ask to look around. They then refuse to leave. The story escalates into a nightmare that feels disturbingly possible.
Burn the Negative by Josh Winning
For slasher fans, this novel follows a journalist. She is reporting on the remake of a cursed horror franchise she starred in as a child. In the original, actors died in the same ways as their characters. When history begins repeating itself, the “curse” seems to return.
For Young Adult Readers
Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
A YA horror fantasy set at Wickwood Academy that follows two friends whose imaginary monsters come to life. With its dark academia setting, it creates a macabre atmosphere. The story offers queer representation. It’s described as “a dark fever dream” perfect for teenage readers seeking Halloween chills.
For Adult Readers
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
Here’s a disturbing novel about cannibalism presented as “high-brow literature” for readers with strong stomachs who appreciate dark literary fiction.
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
This Southern Gothic horror is set in 1962 New Orleans. It follows a tutor who discovers the family that hired her believes their ancestral home is cursed. As she uncovers horrifying truths about the home’s past connections to slavery, she questions whether she’ll ever escape.
The beauty of horror is its personal nature—what terrifies one reader might not affect another. These recommendations span from psychological disturbances to supernatural frights. They offer something for every type of horror fan looking for a genuinely terrifying Halloween read.
