The month of October is just around the corner, which means it’s officially time to break into the Halloween spirit and the best way to do that is to curl up on the couch under a warm blanket with a good book. Below, I have listed the ten books you need to read during this Halloween season. From mystery novels to gut-wrenching suspense, these books are perfect for bringing out your inner spookiness and setting your biggest fear loose.
- Life Expectancy – Dean Koontz
As someone who hates books over 200 pages, I can say with little hesitation that this book is my all-time favorite. Providing twists and turns, plot twists, and suspense, Dean Koontz has created a masterpiece. The fantastical characters, including a killer clown, creates a fast-paced, page-turning, work of literature.
- The Institute – Stephen King
The Institute revolves around the life of a young boy, Luke, who was kidnapped by a group of people who study children with special abilities. During his time at the institute, Luke plans his escape and tells the world of the horror he has endured. This is another long read, however, it goes by quickly. The suspense builds quickly, and with few breaks in the story, there are no good places to stop. If you like Stranger Things, this book may be something you would enjoy.
- The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones is a sad story, revolving astound the murder of a young girl. As a ghost she watches life go on for her family in the wake of her death. This is a beautiful work of literature focusing on ideas about love and death. This isn’t an overly scary book, but there is some suspense and it really does get me in the mood for Halloween.
- If It Bleeds – Stephen King
The book If It Bleeds is a collection of four novellas written by Stephen King that have not yet been published. Each story is full of suspense and action, making this book incredibly hard to put down. This is the perfect book for people who prefer short stories over novels but still want the fear factor of a longer book.
- Don’t Look Back – Jennifer Armentrout
Don’t Look Back was one of the first murder mystery books I had ever read. I got my hands on it for the first time in middle school, and it sparked my passion for thrillers. This book revolves around the life of a teenage girl who lost her memory following the death of what she thought was her best friend. This is the perfect read for people who aren’t big readers and would prefer something a bit easier than a full-length Stephen King novel.
- The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson
This book, and newly made hit show on Netflix, is a fantastic book to read this Halloween season. It is a horror novel that revolves around the life of a family living in a modernized version of a haunted house. Aside from the suspenseful storyline, this book contains wonderful imagery and complex characters.
- The Silence of the Lambs (series) – Thomas Harris
Have you ever heard of the infamous Hannibal Lector? Well, this book series is his origin and beyond. This thriller provides twists and turns on one of America’s most interesting points of interest: serial killers. If crime documentaries are your thing, or you are obsessed with the many portrayals of Hannibal, it is time for you to buckle down and read this series.
- One was Lost – Natalie Richards
If you’ve ever seen The Blair Witch Project, then you understand the vibes of this novel. A group of teenagers goes into the woods for a school camping trip but it doesn’t go as planned. This is the perfect book to read at night. There are many underlying tones of suspense and mystery.
- The Shining – Stephen King
The Shining is a Halloween classic. It’s a slow-burn suspense novel. If you’ve only ever seen the movie, you’re missing out. If you haven’t yet seen it, The Shining revolves around a family who goes to take care of a hotel during the winter season. The father’s alcoholism and isolation lead to his insanity and what could be his family’s demise. Like all of King’s novels, there are numerous supernatural elements that add depth and excitement to the novel.
- Goosebumps – R.L. Stine
This isn’t a typical novel like those listed above, however, the Goosebumps series was one of my favorites growing up. They are utterly suspenseful. If you’re looking for a quick 30-minute scare, these books are the ones for you.