It’s October and spooky reading season is officially here (though I like a good witchy read any time). To celebrate, I thought I’d share the best Halloween reads on my shelf.
A few words before I dive into my picks: These are by no means the limit of my scary, gothic, spooky book recommendations. They are, however, particularly suitable for this time of year. The vibes are right. So head to your local library, get on Libby or check out Libro.fm and start your next spooky chapter!
And before you start: Instead of giving you my star ratings (they’re all good ones!), I wanted to give you a hint to the *~vibes~* with a few emojis.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay • 🧙🏼♀️🫖🐈⬛
This book sat untouched in my Kindle for years until I could enjoy it at the exact right moment. For me, that was returning home from Salem on an October evening.
In The Witches of New York, two women (also witches) run a tea shop (and more) in New York during the Golden Age. I, of course, instantly want to live in this world. I bet you all do too.
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand • ✨🏚🎶
In 150 pages, Elizabeth Hand manages to weave a tale that haunts in all new ways. In Wylding Hall a folk band camps out at an old manor to record their next album. During their stay, an unexpected visitor arrives and the frontman disappears without a trace. How is this not a movie yet?
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper • 🔮💜🐈⬛
There are so many witchy rom-coms out there. I should know—I’ve read a half dozen or more! But I have to say that Lana Harper’s Thistle Grove series is my favorite.
Payback’s a Witch is the first in the series, and it’s not only incredibly charming but also all about baddie witches taking revenge on the real baddies
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill • 🪦👻🪦
Think you know this story because you saw the Daniel Radcliffe movie? Think again! The original novel is absolutely spellbinding. It haunts, it chills, it makes you keep looking over your shoulder. Oh, and yes, it’s set in 19th-century London—perhaps the scariest setting of all time.
And the ending is perfection. This is a short read (160 pages), so don’t hesitate to pick it up.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova • 📚🧛🏻♂️🗺
From the very jump, The Historian grabbed me. In just a few pages, I was absolutely wrapped up in the atmosphere and the world Elizabeth Kostova created.
As a professor digs into the history of a book that mysteriously appeared on his desk, you are absorbed in his cross-continental spooky search.
Now, this book is 700 pages long, but when the nights are long and the days are gloomy, there’s not much more I love than a moody vampire story.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix • ✏️👻💖
I’ve enjoyed every Grady Hendrix book I’ve ever read, but I have to say that this one is my favorite. It’s wonderfully funny and still scary. It also really highlights the power and value of friendship. Aw!
Plus, with the back-to-school vibes, My Best Friend’s Exorcism really is such a good fall read.
Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places by Colin Dickey • 💀📓👻
I picked this book up ages ago, but it’s one I think about often. In Ghostland Colin Dickey carefully dismantles the supposedly spooky history of popular American haunts like the House of Seven Gables and the Winchester Mystery House.
Even though I love to believe in all the scariness associated with these places, I found it interesting to learn about the true origins of these tales.
The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike • 🏢👻🪦
I cruised through The Graveyard Apartment in a single weekend. This book is different than most American and British horror, and that’s part of what makes it so satisfying. It’s claustrophobic, spinetingling and absolutely eerie.
Yours Cruelly, Elvira by Cassandra Peterson • 🖤😘🦇
Elvira’s book is everything you’d expect: cheeky, campy and impossible to resist. She details her rise to fame, namedropping every chance she gets. I don’t hold that against her, though. Elvira forged her own spooky-meets-sexy path, and I’m here for it.
You can keep up with my reading over on Goodreads! Also, if you’re an audiobook fan, I encourage you to try Libro.fm—you can support your favorite small bookstore while downloading your next listen.
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