The Best Spooky Reads for Halloween 2024
The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and my annual tradition of bringing in the season by watching Over the Garden Wall (2014) has begun. Here in Texas, it is still hot, but that doesn't mean I'm not ready to find a good horror book that will get me excited for the Halloween season.
Whether you are more into psychological horror or something more reminiscent of found footage horror is more your style. This list of spooky reads for Halloween 2024 has something to terrify even the bravest reader.
Keep in mind that these books were all published recently because I wanted to highlight new books to get on your radar. I'll likely review these in future posts, but for now, I wanted to offer you a reading list so you can bring in Halloween with plenty of scares and chilling tales.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
Paul Tremblay has been on my radar since A Head Full of Ghosts and Horror Movie, which strikes a different sort of tone. The former veers into psychological thriller and suspense while Horror Movie is more psychologically thrilling and chilling. The book takes a page from the found footage genre by telling the story of a director whose latest horror movie seems to be coming to life.
If you like your horror more art house and are a fan of internet or film culture, this one is for you.
You Like It Darker by Stephen King
While I love Stephen King's horror novels (I mean, what horror fans don't), I geek out the most about his short stories. As a short story author myself, I find it inspiring how he can immerse the reader quickly and fluidly. You Like It Darker contains twelve stories that deal with fate, mortality, luck, and a bent in reality, as only King can tell it.
This is an obvious choice if you are a fan of King's work. In this phenomenal horror short story collection, you'll find a sequel to Cujo and new fan favorites.
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
I am a huge fan of Victorian-style Gothic tales, and My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen does not disappoint. First, the cover is beautiful and reminds me of Raffaelle Monti's Veiled Vestal Virgin. I'm sure you have seen similar veiled statues. The story surrounds a character named Roos Beckman, who is accused of killing a wealthy widower who attended one of her séances.
My Darling Dreadful Thing is haunting and dark and deals with hopelessness and trauma; as some would describe it, the book works Because it presents a quiet horror that grips you tightly in secret.
Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes
If you are a fan of survival horror, then you will want to check out Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes. A team of researchers in the Arctic discovers something ancient and alive beneath the ice. Where the Dead Wait blends historical fiction with a chilling narrative that takes you to the darkest part of humanity, where the team is forced to do things best left unspoken.
Where the Dead Wait has gotten mixed reactions, with some concerned with the disoriented plot or the similarity to other books and films; however, if you enjoy immersive horror, then it's a good read.
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
Another gothic tale that had to make it on my October reading list is Diavola by Jennifer Thorne. Diavola explores the dark underbelly of a quaint village that practices a yearly ritual to ward off evil—a ritual that requires a greater sacrifice each year. As you can imagine, the book rests heavily on the overwhelming sense of dread as the story is built up.
The story deals with complex family dynamics while blending into the bleak atmosphere of a spooky haunted house.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman is another horror story collection you should check out if you are a fan of quick narratives. Each short story in the collection is interconnected and features an ordinary household object that inexplicably becomes a source of horror, showcasing Malerman's unique ability to find fear in the everyday. It's such an original premise and one of those that, as an author, you immediately go – why didn't I think of that?
Incidents Around the House is perfect for those who want their horror-bite-sized while still being effectively creepy.
Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi
Set in a Midwestern town, Small Town Horror is about Andrew Larimer, a successful lawyer who must return home after tragedy strikes. He and five childhood friends have to confront a dark secret there.
Small Town Horror definitely has Stephen King vibes, so if you are looking for psychological horror with a touch of cosmic horror, then it's the perfect read for you.
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
When it comes to our homes, there is a lot of fear and anxiety about keeping them protected and safe. We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer is from the perspective of Charlie and Eve, a young queer couple, who are flipping a house only to receive a knock at the door; it's a family claiming that they have lived in the house before. This slowly unveils a series of revelations that will make your skin crawl.
We Used to Live Here is certainly creepy, and while some may complain about the book's pacing, plenty of scary and unsettling moments keep you turning the page.
Bring in the Spooky Season with New Books
Halloween will be here sooner than you know it, and with the 1st of October only a handful of days away, it's time to get into the spooky spirit. Feel free to let me know what books you are reading, how you enjoyed these book recommendations, or what horror novel you may be working on.
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