The Best Halloween Books to Read in October

With the coming of fall comes the inevitable early celebration of the first of the upcoming major holidays: Halloween. While many begin the celebrations by watching popular horror films, enjoying early Halloween candy, and spending time decorating the house, why not try adding something new to the early festivities this year? Reading Halloween books!

Now is the perfect time to get into the Halloween spirit by settling into a good book (or multiple books). Whether you’re looking for a creepy read, something a bit more light-hearted for the kids, suspenseful stories that make you think, and more, here are some Halloween books we think you might enjoy this October, ranging from well-known to more obscure stories to explore.

The Ultimate Halloween Books Reading List

Get ready to dive into a world of spine-tingling tales with the top spooky books for a chilling October night. Whether you’re looking for classic horror, modern thrillers, or eerie novels, my picks are guaranteed to send shivers down your spine and set the perfect tone for spooky season.

The Shining by Stephen King

For any fan of the well-known film who has not read the original book, drop whatever you are doing and read The Shining now. One of his earliest works, King will have you on the edge of your seat as he delves deeper into the individual minds of Jack, Wendy, and Danny than the film ever could. From the incredible storytelling to the roller-coaster of emotions you will feel, to the many mysteriously creepy details never even mentioned in the film, after reading this you will never watch the movie the same way again.

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton

Another iconic film that is beloved for both holidays it represents, it is never too early to get your children into the Halloween spirit with Tim Burton’s beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas. True, there are no songs, but this poem offers such a fun reading experience with hand-drawn pictures by Burton himself to bring Jack Skellington and his takeover of Christmas to life. This more light-hearted holiday book is one to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee

For those who may not believe a religious book can be creepy and suspenseful, think again as demons can be the most terrifying of any encounters one could have. Tosca Lee’s Demon: A Memoir may not be one many of heard of, but it is certainly one to be read as it follows a man living a seemingly meaningless existence until the night he meets a demon named Lucian. A story that begins as an intriguing mystery that spirals into a chaotic obsession, readers will be terrified to discover how this story ends and will never view demons the same way again.

Lorestalker series by J.P. Barnett

For fans of creatures from folklore looking for a series of books to enjoy this October, look no further than J.P. Barnett’s Lorestalker series. This six-book series follows a band of characters on the hunt for creatures who are no longer considered myths and legends that are now plaguing Texas and beyond. From Bigfoot to the Kraken to a mysterious cult and more, readers are in for a great time as these well-written stories provide humor, suspense, and the thrill of the mythical hunt.

A God in the Shed by J.F. Dubeau

What would you do if you accidentally locked up an ancient evil god, a thing of hate and death and made of blood and shadow, in your backyard shed? This is not the beginning of a joke, but a rather serious issue the characters in J.F. Dubeau’s A God in the Shed face for if the god is released, it will continue to plague the same small village it has for more than twenty years. Full of dark secrets, excellent use of building up suspense, and unpredictable events, this is a creepily realistic story that reads like a murder mystery thriller with a fantasy twist.

Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark

The Halloween season would not be complete without the queen of suspense herself, Mary Higgins Clark. While she has many books, Loves Music, Loves to Dance offers a suspenseful murder mystery about a man known as the “dancing shoe murderer” who sends a shoe of his victims home to their families. Left on the victim is one of their original shoes and a high-heeled dancing slipper. Through an incredible buildup of suspense, she draws you into the story to the point you become part of it, living in the character and walking in their shoes, even if these characters’ shoes are perhaps best left untouched.

4 Classic Halloween Books to Add to Your Reading List: Monster Books

You can never go wrong with the stories of classic monsters that have paved the path for many more monster stories. Whether you have read them, but it’s been a while or you never read them, but always wanted to, now is the time to learn the true monster stories behind Hollywood films. Stories like (but not limited to):

1. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein ponders the question of who is the true monster: Dr. Frankenstein or his deformed creation?
2. Bram Stoker’s Dracula paved the way for vampire books but focuses on the darker original roots of the monster.
3. G. Wells’ The Time Machine shows a man’s impressive success in traveling through time, yet also his discovery of a darker future that nearly kills him.
4. Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde focuses on man’s struggle with a split personality and the ongoing battle of good versus evil within each of us.

TL; DR

Our list of Halloween books to read in October offers several spooky reads that are certain to get you in the mood for the Halloween season. Begin your festivities early by getting into one or more of these great reads. Who knows, by the time you finish reading them, Halloween may just be here!

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