Spooky season is one of my favorite times of the year! I always look forward to re-watching my favorite scary movies and reading books with spooky vibes. If you’re looking for some inspiration on what to read around Halloween (and beyond), here are the best spooky genres (plus some of my personal favorite spooky books)!
Best Genres to Read During Spooky Season (& Some of My Favorite Books!)
In this guide, I’m breaking down the most popular (and my favorite) genres for spooky season reading, ranging from classic horror to newer spooky genres like dark fantasy and witchy fiction.
Within each genre, I’ve also added a few book recommendations that I’ve read and loved!
Whether you prefer lighter spooky reads or super scary books to send a shiver down your spine, you’ll find lots of thrilling novels with Halloween vibes below.
Prefer short fiction? You absolutely must read Stephen King’s short stories!
Classic Horror
First off, let’s throw it back to the books that inspired the horror genre! Classic Gothic literature is always a great choice to get in the spooky mood.
Here are some great picks:
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
- Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
For something in between classic and modern, I highly recommend The Shining by Stephen King. It’s one of my favorite horror novels of all time!
Modern Horror
Looking for some new horror stories to enjoy this October? Here are some of my favorite recent horror books:
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
- The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig
- Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Also be sure to check out these brand new 2024 horror novels!
Haunted House Novels
We can’t forget ghosts and things that go bump in the night! Haunted house books are taking the publishing world by storm lately, so fortunately there are lots to choose from.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- The Shining by Stephen King (haunted hotel)
- The September House by Carissa Orlando
- Slade House by David Mitchell
Dark Academia
Looking for something more eerie and mysterious than scary? The dark academia genre conjures images of vast libraries, campus novels, and reading by candlelight.
Here’s a list of dark academia novels to check out, including some of my favorites like:
- In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
Vampire Fiction
Vampires have been a fascination in literature (and, more recently, pop culture) ever since Carmilla and Dracula were written. Fans of fang fiction will love these thrilling & chilling vampire novels!
Here are a couple of must-read books with vampires:
- The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
- ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
- Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice
Dark & Gothic Fantasy
These days, the fantasy genre is broken down into many sub-genres to help readers find exactly what they’re looking for. And when it comes to spooky season, Gothic/dark fantasy is one of the best! Essentially, it’s fantasy with darker/horror elements.
Here are some of the most exciting new dark fantasy books coming in fall 2024! And here are some of the best dark & Gothic fantasy books I’ve read so far:
- Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (dark academia vibes)
- Phantasma by Kaylie Smith (FYI: it’s spicy!)
Witchy Fiction
When I think about spooky season and Halloween, one of the first things that comes to mind is witches! In fact, Hocus Pocus and Practical Magic are a couple of my favorite spooky movies to rewatch around Halloween.
If you love witches like I do, here are some fabulous and spellbinding witchy novels to check out! A few of my favorites are:
- The Lighthouse Witches by C.J. Cooke
- The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (the prequel to Practical Magic!)
- Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
Modern Gothic
I love a moody, crumbling mansion setting, and Gothic fiction really knows how to do it well! It’s a perfect genre to read during spooky season if you’re looking for a lighter spooky read.
The modern Gothic genre is influenced by classic authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Daphne du Maurier, Mary Shelley, and Emily Bronte.
Check out these mesmerizing modern Gothic novels! Here are a few of my faves:
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
- The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (I’m reading this right now and loving it – so good on audio!)
Spooky Mysteries & Thrillers
Mystery and thriller lovers, this one’s for you! I love a good mystery with spooky vibes, especially if ghosts are involved. (Not all spooky mysteries have paranormal elements, though – some are grounded in the real world.)
Here are some wonderful spooky mystery books and thrillers, including some of my favorites like:
- Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
- The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
I hope you enjoyed this spooky season reading guide! What are you hoping to read this October??