Have you ever read a book and been so scared that you couldn’t put it down? These books are bound to keep you up all night terrified of every noise in your dark house. Not all of these books are classified as horror, but when I read each and every one of them they kept me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering might be lurking in the dark corners.
What scares me, might not necessarily scare you. As someone who reads a lot of scary books, there are a few that stand out to me as the scariest books of all time. If you don’t mind having nightmares check out these scary novels. When you start reading make sure you’re not home alone and all the lights are on.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
This movie terrified me as a child, but I didn’t expect the book to have the same effect. When the young girl in the book starts acting strangely, her mother takes her to see doctors and therapists. Despite ordering a bunch of tests, no one can figure out what is wrong with her. Eventually, her behavior becomes so outrageous that her mother brings in an exorcist to help her. The exorcist was a controversial book for its time. It still holds up as shocking and absolutely horrifying today. If you have the courage you should definitely read.
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Trembley
Since I’m starting out with possessions, A Head Full of Ghosts is another terrifying read. In this book, a teenage girl starts exhibiting strange behaviors. Her family believes she is possessed so naturally they call in a camera crew and appear on a reality TV show. Times are tough and they need the money. What ensues is absolute chaos. The book is told from the point of view of the girl’s younger sister and as you get deeper into the story you begin to wonder who’s telling the truth. A Head Full of Ghosts is highly entertaining and also deeply creepy.
The Devil in Silver by Victor Lavalle
The Devil in Silver follows the lives of patients in a haunted psychiatric ward. Besides the normal problems of being institutionalized these patients live with the fact that their hospital ward is haunted by a mysterious creature who is out for blood. If the idea of being stuck somewhere you can’t escape and knowing that at any moment you could be attacked by a paranormal entity freaks you out, this book will leave you feeling very afraid.
The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder
The Devil of Nanking has some deeply disturbing imagery that will definitely make you lose some sleep. The main character, an English young woman, goes to Tokyo to do some research into the massacre at Nanking. During her research, she begins working as a hostess and becomes acquainted with some very dangerous people. This book is deeply troubling and definitely worth a read.
The Stand by Stephen King
Some say The Stand is one of Stephen King’s best books. It certainly is one of the longest. If you haven’t had enough of the pandemic you should check this one out. It follows the lives of characters who have survived a deadly influenza pandemic.
Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
There is something about a creepy child that really freaks me out. The kid in Baby Teeth is so scary. When Suzette decided to have a baby she knew it would wreak havoc on her already deteriorating health, but she wanted a baby to love and call her own. She didn’t count on the baby she would get hating her. Hanna is a diabolical child who only wants to get rid of her mommy so she can have her daddy all to herself.
Come Closer by Sara Gran
Come Closer freaked me out. I kept thinking about it long after I finished it. The story follows a woman who becomes possessed by a demonic spirit and is told completely from her point of view. It is deeply unnerving. You really need to read it. Trust me.
That’s my list for now. As I read more or remember more terrifying books I’ll continue to add to this list of the scariest novels of all time.