What are you doing for Halloween this year? When I was younger, I used to love going trick or treating on Halloween – it was a great excuse to gorge on chocolate and sweets with friends.
Halloween is the perfect time to try out a few spooky reads. You can enjoy an atmospheric, scary book as the days start to get a little darker – and reading is one of my favourite cosy Autumn activities.
In this blog post, I’ve put together 5 books to read for Halloween. Tell me your recommendations in the comments!
‘The Raven’ by Edgar Allan Poe
I remember watching a film based on Poe’s books during school – and it was haunting! Although ‘The Raven’ is actually a narrative poem, it packs in all the tragic, supernatural mystery you need for a fantastic Halloween read.
‘The Raven’ was written back in the 1800s, which really adds to its sense of gore and spooky Gothicism. This is the perfect spooky Halloween read to try out this year.
‘It’ by Stephen King
Everyone knows this story because of its famous film adaptations, with the latest coming out in 2017. However, ‘It’ is a spooky book by the king of horror, Stephen King.
For me, books can often be even more scary than films, as you can imagine all the gruesome, vivid details for yourself. And, if like me, you have a very vivid imagination, a story like ‘It’ could be just as terrifying in book form this spooky season!
‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker
Set in the depths of North Yorkshire, this book is a gruesome classic from 1897. Without this iconic tale, we wouldn’t have the spooky vampire character that plays a role in so many other books, TV shows and films.
So, if you’re looking for an atmospheric and spooky read for Halloween this year, this classic novel could be the perfect choice.
‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
‘Frankenstein’ has been re-created and re-adapted so many times I’ve lost count – but this iconic character was originally created by Mary Shelley, a trail-blazing female author writing in the 1810s.
This story is a creepy historical thriller that’s perfect for your next Halloween read – and Shelley proved to the world that women could write about such horrifying subjects as monsters and ghouls.
‘Shutter Island’ by Dennis Lehane
I’ve watched the film adaptation of ‘Shutter Island’ – and it was really freaky! Featuring Leonardo Di Caprio as the main character Teddy Daniels, this novel focuses on the quest to find a murderer, who has supposedly spent time in a mental asylum on Shutter Island.
But, as odd things start to happen, this novel soon becomes a spooky psychological thriller that messes with your head and makes you question everything.
Psychological thrillers can often be the worst kind of horror story, so this is the book to read if you want a twisted tale.
What are you reading this Halloween? Are you tempted to try one of these books for Halloween? What are your favourite spooky stories?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
I friggin’ LOVE both “Dracula” and “Frankenstein.” I remember when we read “Dracula,” we read the beginning out loud, and our teacher encouraged us to make sound effects as we went along, like the howling of wolves, rushing wind, comping horse hooves, heavy breathing, and so on! It really helped capture our imaginations and it’s been a huge favorite of mine since!
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Wow that sounds like a fantastic way to captivate you and keep you interested! Thanks so much for dropping by 🙂
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I was just wondering what to read for Halloween. So I’m grateful for your post. I have read and loved your books but I thinking I’m going with “Rosemary’s Baby.”
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Ooh, what a good choice! I haven’t read that yet, and definitely want to, thanks for reminding me 🙂
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Ooh, I like hidden gems like that, thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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I never read Dracula, but I have read all the others. I would add Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot to the list. It’s really terrifying and almost made me believe in vampires.
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Ooh, that’s a good recommendation, thanks
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Awesome selection.
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Thank you
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🙂
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I loved the man in the picture by Susan Hill as a quick read and also short stories by Daphne du Maurier or Maupassant like ” la peur” really really good!!
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Such a great list- especially since there are so many classics on here!!
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Ah, thank you so much!!
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“Shutter Island” is one of my favourite movies, and I have to read the book too. I am just reading “The Frenchman Creek” by Daphne du Maurier. It’s not as great as “Rebecca”, but it’s good!
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Yeah, I don’t think Rebecca could be beaten! Shutter Island is a scary film, I’m intrigued by the book
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I have been reading some Stephen King (The Outsider, and Holly) this month which is great for this time of year! I love all your suggestions and will have to add some of these absolute classics to my reading list!
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He is such an incredible author – I really need to try out one of his books at some point (if I’m not too scared haha). Thank you so much for commenting Molly x
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I haven’t actually read any of these, but I should because they are such classics! Great Halloween picks x
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Thank you Caroline! I know, I need to pick up some of these soon too x
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I haven’t read any of these, a horror genre of book is not my favourite! But I have seen bits of the film It, and I found that incredibly jumpy and scary! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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I get you, I get too scared! I bet, The Raven was terrifying haha x
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