Best Spooky Reads for Halloween!

If October had a middle name, it would be “creepy.” And if Amazon had a mood ring, it’d be glowing pumpkin-orange. This is the month when ghost stories leap off the shelves and cosy mysteries curl up with a black cat. Wondering what everyone’s reading while munching fun-sized candy bars with suspicious enthusiasm? Read on, these picks are haunting the bestseller lists!

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

This gothic classic is the haunted house tale to end all haunted house tales. Four unlucky souls face off against malevolent wallpaper and the occasional flying object. It’s psychological, it’s spooky, and it might just make you reconsider redecorating with vintage floral patterns.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Is it even Halloween if Dracula doesn’t make an appearance? This legendary vampire is as obsessed with real estate as he is with necks. Gothic castles, mysterious fog, and dialogue that would frighten a garlic bulb make this required October reading.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Imagine if Jane Eyre married a mushroom. Noir meets horror as a glamorous socialite investigates a family with more skeletons than a discount Halloween store. This one is as chilling as it is stylish. Bonus points if you read it next to some questionable houseplants.

River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan

A supernatural thriller with folk magic, ghosts, and family secrets. If you like your Halloween reads sprinkled with witchy wisdom and a dash of psychological drama, this one’s a favourite this October.

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

Looking for a book that will keep you awake WAY past bedtime? Demonic possession, head-spinning terror, and some of the most iconic horror scenes ever written—this is Halloween at full throttle.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Boyhood meets nightmare as a sinister carnival rolls into a small town. Read this for autumn chills, nostalgia, and carnival rides you’ll never trust again.

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

King does not mess around when it comes to evil cats, haunted burial grounds, and that weird neighbour who definitely knows too much. Don’t read this one alone unless your pet goldfish has nerves of steel.

Whether you prefer your scares gothic, witchy, or wrapped in a blanket of nostalgia, your favourite bookshop, library, or online store has got you covered this Halloween. Light a candle, dim the lights, and prepare for goosebumps. The only thing scarier than these books is running out of chocolate.

What’s your October go-to? Have you braved the haunted corners of Hill House, noshed on the twists of “Mexican Gothic,” or summoned the nerve for “The Exorcist”? Drop your favourite title below (no Ouija boards required)!

Happy spooky reading!