HALLOWEEN TOWN It's that time of year again pumpkins, cold nights, and scary stories. No October is complete without the reading of a chilling supernatural tale. This book list has something for everyone, young and old. And with an easy reference "scare scale," you'll be able to pick the book that's just right for you.
Scare Scale
Spooky fun: Great for kids, more fun and cute than creepy.
Cool and creepy: Great for older kids and teens, a little scary, but nothing too intense.
Spine tingling: Perfect for those who love more suspense and supernatural scares. Nothing too gory, but a promise of chills.
Cringe-worthy: For those who love a little more serious horror. Chilling, scary, and a little bit gory.
Kids
1."A Teeny Tiny Halloween" by Lauren L. Wohl, illustrated by Henry Cole (spooky fun, ages 2-8)
In the big forest, lives a teeny tiny woman. Every fall her poor little house is buried in leaves. So she cooks up a sweet surprise for the trick or treaters to come find her. This is the perfect read-a-loud book, with lots of fun text.
2. "Sid the So Sad Skeleton" by Kelly Jeppesen, illustrated by Ryan Jeppesen (spooky fun, ages 2-8)
Poor Sid the Skeleton, he is so, so sad because he is so, so lonely. So off he goes to find a friend. This is such a cute story, with really vibrant, entertaining illustrations. Written and illustrated by local Utah brothers.
3. "Amulet: The Stonekeeper" by Kazu Kibuishi (cool and creepy, ages 9-14)
This is the first book in the best-selling graphic novel series. After a tragedy, Emilys family moves to an ancient home owned by the family. But theres something a little strange about this house, and especially about what lies beyond the basement door. Loaded with quirky magic and cool characters.
4. "Cuckoo Song" by Frances Hardinge (cool and creepy, ages 11-16)
After a mysterious accident, everything in Triss world is a little bit wrong. Her confusion quickly turns to dread as terrifying things start to happen, such as her dolls coming alive, her new fear of scissors, the leaves always in her hair and letters from her dead brother. This book is so cool. Its loaded with vivid imagery and creative scenes that are astonishing and creepy.
Adults
5. "The Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon (spine tingling)
An old murder mystery. A small town in Vermont haunted by mysterious legends. A secret diary. And beautiful words. Jennifer McMahons books are unforgettable, and hard to put down. This one is fast-paced and intricately plotted, with fascinating characters and crisp, chilling scares.
Content note: Intense suspense, mild descriptive murder gore, some sexual references and a few uses of foul language.
6. "The Elementals" by Michael McDowell (cringe worthy)
After a family funeral, the Savages flee to their vacation home on a remote Alabama beach. At Beldame, there are three ancient Victorian houses standing in the sand. The third house, abandoned as long as anyone can remember, is nearly filled with sand. No one goes in the house, no one should. For lurking inside is something no one wants to meet.
The Elementals is a fantastic haunted house tale, loaded with dread, eerie moments, and good characters. Plain white sand has never been this scary or malevolent.
Content note: Frequent swearing, including the F-word, a couple of brief sexual references, and, of course, scary moments and some creepy gore.
7. "At the Mountains of Madness" by H.P. Lovecraft (spine tingling)
H.P. Lovecraft, hailed as the father of modern horror, has influenced almost every horror writer since his time, including the greats, such as Stephen King. This story is about a research team who travels to Antarctica. There they uncover some unusual fossils and an ancient, deadly terror.
Content note: Mildly intense suspense and scary situations.
8. "Ghostly: A Collection of Ghost Stories" edited and illustrated by Audrey Niffenegger (spine tingling to cringe worthy)
If youre looking for some great short stories to read here and there this Halloween season, you cant go wrong with this collection of ghost stories. From eerie horror to comedy, and haunted houses to the odd black cat, here youll find stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman, and more.
Content note: These stories range quite a bit, from clean or gory.
Other books to consider
Try something new and fun this October: give the gift of scary. Pick up one of these stunning editions from The Folio Society for the horror-loving person in your life. Each Folio book is beautifully bound and includes amazing illustrations. Simply gorgeous (and, in this case, delightfully gruesome).
1. The Folio Society: "The Shining" by Stephen King (cringe worthy)
The classic tale of a caretaker who goes insane while managing a remote winter hotel.
2. The Folio Society: "The Folio Book of Ghost Stories" (spine tingling to cringe worthy)
A fantastic collection of ghost stories from all the great writers of supernatural tales.
What's your favorite scary read? Share it in the comments.
Scare Scale
Spooky fun: Great for kids, more fun and cute than creepy.
Cool and creepy: Great for older kids and teens, a little scary, but nothing too intense.
Spine tingling: Perfect for those who love more suspense and supernatural scares. Nothing too gory, but a promise of chills.
Cringe-worthy: For those who love a little more serious horror. Chilling, scary, and a little bit gory.
Kids
1."A Teeny Tiny Halloween" by Lauren L. Wohl, illustrated by Henry Cole (spooky fun, ages 2-8)
In the big forest, lives a teeny tiny woman. Every fall her poor little house is buried in leaves. So she cooks up a sweet surprise for the trick or treaters to come find her. This is the perfect read-a-loud book, with lots of fun text.
2. "Sid the So Sad Skeleton" by Kelly Jeppesen, illustrated by Ryan Jeppesen (spooky fun, ages 2-8)
Poor Sid the Skeleton, he is so, so sad because he is so, so lonely. So off he goes to find a friend. This is such a cute story, with really vibrant, entertaining illustrations. Written and illustrated by local Utah brothers.
3. "Amulet: The Stonekeeper" by Kazu Kibuishi (cool and creepy, ages 9-14)
This is the first book in the best-selling graphic novel series. After a tragedy, Emilys family moves to an ancient home owned by the family. But theres something a little strange about this house, and especially about what lies beyond the basement door. Loaded with quirky magic and cool characters.
4. "Cuckoo Song" by Frances Hardinge (cool and creepy, ages 11-16)
After a mysterious accident, everything in Triss world is a little bit wrong. Her confusion quickly turns to dread as terrifying things start to happen, such as her dolls coming alive, her new fear of scissors, the leaves always in her hair and letters from her dead brother. This book is so cool. Its loaded with vivid imagery and creative scenes that are astonishing and creepy.
Adults
5. "The Winter People" by Jennifer McMahon (spine tingling)
An old murder mystery. A small town in Vermont haunted by mysterious legends. A secret diary. And beautiful words. Jennifer McMahons books are unforgettable, and hard to put down. This one is fast-paced and intricately plotted, with fascinating characters and crisp, chilling scares.
Content note: Intense suspense, mild descriptive murder gore, some sexual references and a few uses of foul language.
6. "The Elementals" by Michael McDowell (cringe worthy)
After a family funeral, the Savages flee to their vacation home on a remote Alabama beach. At Beldame, there are three ancient Victorian houses standing in the sand. The third house, abandoned as long as anyone can remember, is nearly filled with sand. No one goes in the house, no one should. For lurking inside is something no one wants to meet.
The Elementals is a fantastic haunted house tale, loaded with dread, eerie moments, and good characters. Plain white sand has never been this scary or malevolent.
Content note: Frequent swearing, including the F-word, a couple of brief sexual references, and, of course, scary moments and some creepy gore.
7. "At the Mountains of Madness" by H.P. Lovecraft (spine tingling)
H.P. Lovecraft, hailed as the father of modern horror, has influenced almost every horror writer since his time, including the greats, such as Stephen King. This story is about a research team who travels to Antarctica. There they uncover some unusual fossils and an ancient, deadly terror.
Content note: Mildly intense suspense and scary situations.
8. "Ghostly: A Collection of Ghost Stories" edited and illustrated by Audrey Niffenegger (spine tingling to cringe worthy)
If youre looking for some great short stories to read here and there this Halloween season, you cant go wrong with this collection of ghost stories. From eerie horror to comedy, and haunted houses to the odd black cat, here youll find stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman, and more.
Content note: These stories range quite a bit, from clean or gory.
Other books to consider
Try something new and fun this October: give the gift of scary. Pick up one of these stunning editions from The Folio Society for the horror-loving person in your life. Each Folio book is beautifully bound and includes amazing illustrations. Simply gorgeous (and, in this case, delightfully gruesome).
1. The Folio Society: "The Shining" by Stephen King (cringe worthy)
The classic tale of a caretaker who goes insane while managing a remote winter hotel.
2. The Folio Society: "The Folio Book of Ghost Stories" (spine tingling to cringe worthy)
A fantastic collection of ghost stories from all the great writers of supernatural tales.
What's your favorite scary read? Share it in the comments.
