“It was a dark and stormy night…”
This content originally appeared in the 2022 issue of Spooky Little Halloween—The Magazine. This post contains affiliate links. See the end of this post and/or my disclaimer for more.
For Halloween readers, this is the perfect reading night.
Picture it: the windows are cracked open. Cool night air and the steady sound of rain torrents pour into your living room. You’re curled up on the couch under a Halloween throw blanket, hot mug of pumpkin spice tea in your hand. You’re basking in the golden jack-o-lantern glow of your Halloween décor, but one thing is missing.
The perfect book!
And lucky for you, there are so many pieces of Halloween fiction available these days. Here are seven picks to create the perfect Halloween reading stack this spooky season.
The Halloween Reading Stack
“Poems Bewitched and Haunted” by John Hollander (editor)
This poetry collection is the first of two books on the list perfect for any time you need a dose of Halloween all October. From pieces by literary masters like William Shakespeare and Emily Dickinson to pieces by new-to-you writers, you’re sure to find a new favorite. GET IT HERE
“Halloween Fiend” by C.V. Hunt
What if Halloween wasn’t a day but a creature that haunted your town? That’s exactly what happens daily in the town of Strang. But no day is more terrifying than Halloween’s ritual, All Hallows’ Eve. This novella will make you think twice about wishing every day could be Halloween. GET IT HERE
“The October Boys” by Adam Millard
Halloween 1988 still haunts Tom Craven. It was the night one of his friends went missing while trick-or-treating and was never found. The culprit? A mysterious ice cream truck and its faceless driver…which, 28 years later, seems to have returned to finish the job. GET IT HERE
Note: At the time of posting, it appears this is out of print. I linked to the listing in case it pops back up, but you might check your local library or second-hand bookstores for this one.
“Thirteen Tales for Halloween” by Andrew Noles
A strange group of trick-or-treaters. An old, abandoned house that is not as empty as it seems. A graveyard game with dangerous consequences. These are just three of the 13 original short stories featured in this collection. The perfect story-a-day book for your nightstand all October. GET IT HERE
Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the forward for this book.
“Pumpkinheads” by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
Deja and Josiah have the best fall job: working at a pumpkin patch. But this Halloween is their final one as high school seniors, and to say goodbye Deja will take the pair on a wild adventure to go out with a band. This graphic novel is sure to give you all the Halloween feels with its stunning artwork. GET IT HERE
“Doorbells at Dusk” by Evans Light (editor)
Horror lovers: this short story collection is for you! Enjoy 15 original short stories of dark fiction, horror, and suspense that will send chills down your spine. Reader beware: you’re in for a scare. GET IT HERE
“The Samhanach and Other Halloween Treats” by Lisa Morton
Halloween legends come to life in this collection of novellas and short stories inspired by the origins of All Hallows’ Eve. Historian Lisa Morton puts her extensive knowledge of Halloween to work with tales of the trickster Jack searching for his lantern, a blues singer confronted by the Devil in a corn maze, and a Halloween expert who experiences the truth behind Samhain. GET IT HERE
Looking for more Halloween reads?
Then you should join my Halloween book club! We read Halloween, horror, supernatural, and otherwise spooky books every other month. Join here.
You can also find more book lists on the blog:
This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, Spooky Little Halloween will earn a small commission for the referral at no cost to you. Read more about affiliates & disclaimers here. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
