Reading Between the Lines with Eva: My Top 31 Spooky-Scary-Halloween Reads

By: Eva Monhaut

Staff Columnist

emonhaut@iu.edu

Spooky season is here so it is that time of year to indulge and dive into some scary, spooky thrillers just in time for the Halloween season. Whether you enjoy pure horror literature or something humorous, the world of spooky-themed writing is filled with options for all readers. 

Here are 31 of my top recommendations to curl up with near the fireplace, some hot tea, and a large comforter as the leaves slowly change outside. This list includes classics like Dracula and Lord of the Flies but it also has new must-reads from 2020. Some of the recommendations are full blown novels while others are collections of poetry and short stories. Many of these stories have been adapted into film and television series which can be a great addition to the Halloween season after reading a good book. 

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
2. Dracula  by Bram Stoker 
3. Carrie by Stephan King
4. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
5. Baby Teeth Zoje Stage
6. Tiny Nightmares: Very Short Stories of Horror Edited by Lincoln Michel & Nadxieli Nieto
7. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
8. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
9. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
10. The Blind Assassin By Margret Atwood
11. Twelve Nights at Rotter House by J.W.  Ocker
12. Skin Folk by Nalo Hopkinson
13. Lady Bits by Kate Jonez
14. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
15. Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
16. The Deep by Alma Katsu
17. Wonderland by Zoje Stage
18. Horrid by Katrina Leno
19. Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis
20. The Exorcist by William  Blattly
21. Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
22. Bird Box by Josh Malerman
23. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
24. Skin Food by Type A
25. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
26. At the Mountains of Madness: A Graphic Novel by I.N.J. Culbard
27. The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
28. The Witches by Ronald Dahl
29. The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne
30. Down Spooky: Poems by Shanna Compton
31. The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston

I hope that you find some of these recommendations entertaining, thrilling and the perfect addition to your autumn rituals! As always, follow me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6143318-eva to always see what I am reading, find more of my book recommendations and connect with me in more depth about must-reads.