Are you looking for some scary books to get you in the mood for the spooky season? Here are some of my favorite horror novels that make perfect Halloween reads on a dark and stormy autumn night.
Goddess of Filth by V. Castro
When a group of girls decides to mess around with an Ouiji board at a sleepover they don’t really think they’ll contact anyone from the other side. They’re wrong.
Goddess of Filth is a possession story told in a different way. Yes, it contains a lot of the same tropes you’ll read in different possession stories, but it has some extra stuff thrown in to give an old story a whole new feeling. This feminist possession story will leave you wanting more.
Girl in the Corn by Jason Offutt
Don’t let the fairy fool you. Girl in the Corn is a brutal book about derangement and murder. This paranormal horror story features demons, grisly killings, and unhinged characters.
The Ritual by Adam Nevill
The shortcut is never the best option. These friends find that out the hard way when they decide to take a shortcut on their hike through the wilderness and find themselves being pursued by a terrifying creature. Who will survive and make it to safety, and who will end up being part of the ritual?
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
How about a horror comedy? Nella is thrilled when another black employee starts working at the publishing company she’s been working at for years. Finally, she’s not the only black woman in the office, but the new girl isn’t quite who she seems.
The Devil in Sliver by Victor LaValle
When Pepper’s temper gets him put into a mental hospital he befriends a motley crew of characters who are all doing their best to survive their time in the institution. They are all trying their best to avoid running into the devil, a half man half beast creature, who lurks in the shadows.
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
I don’t usually read young adult fiction, but I really enjoyed this book.
When Marigold and her family move into a new home, hoping to start over, they find they can’t shake the ghosts of the past. Marigold has difficulty fitting in at her new school, and she suspects that their new house is haunted, but her parents don’t believe her.
The Good House by Tananarive Due
Angela hasn’t been able to return to her grandmother’s house since her son died there, but now she’s finally ready to face the past. After being there for a while, she begins to unearth the secrets behind the death of her son and discovers her hidden family legacy.
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
When they bought an Alexa-like device, Thiago didn’t think it was a good idea, but his wife, Vera, loved it. As soon as they started using it strange things started happening in their house. Then Vera dies suddenly and Thiago moves to the country to grieve. That’s when things really start getting strange.
This Thing Between Us touches on themes of grief, technology, and love.