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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter.

If you love horror, reading or both, then this is the perfect article for you. October is a month full of scares, so why not get into the Halloween mood with some spooky books? Some people doubt that books can scare you, but I disagree. There’s a multitude of amazing horror reads out there that keep you from sleeping. I’ve chosen three books both me and my peers adore.

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker

I think we can all agree that this is a classic horror story that will always shine during spooky season. Bram Stoker published this masterpiece in 1897. I know, it has been around a really long time, right?  This tale of suspense focuses on Count Dracula, obviously, who dwells and feeds on the blood of innocent, helpless people. Stoker’s Gothic horror story is considered one of the most terrifying in literature! I highly recommended it, especially if you love classics.

“It” by Stephen King

If you hate clowns… sorry. Stephen King, also known as the “Master of Horror,” blessed us with the chilling story about Pennywise terrifying Derry, Maine. Pennywise, a demonic being, typically takes on the form of a clown, his favorite, to trap and feed off of children. This is one of King’s most popular books, especially since there’s a total of three amazing movies about it. This book is one that will keep you up at night, along with King’s other books.  

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

This one was suggested by a fellow horror-loving peer of mine. Just from reading the synopsis, I know it’s next on my reading list— which is very long, by the way. Mara Dyers, the main character, survives a car accident and has no memory of it.  After watching numerous people around her die, she tries to figure out how she survived a car crash without a scratch while her friends died. Is there someone after her? I personally can’t wait to check this one out!

To my horror lovers, I hope you check out all of these books during spooky season. They will keep you on the edge of your seat and may even cause you to check the dark, creaking corners of your house. There’s no better time to read horror than right before Halloween!

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Deanna is a senior majoring in English Creative Writing at UCF along with an Editing and Publishing certificate. After graduation, she plans to pursue an editorial career. When she's not writing or studying, she loves singing, listening to music, and watching scary movies.
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