October is here and we’ve got a fantastically frightening book list for you.
From gloomy and disturbing, to downright terrible, this list of 13 has something that will chill everyone to the bone. All of these books are tried and true classics or excellent newbies, so the the skulls 💀 rank fear factor rather than quality, which is top notch all around. At the end you’ll find a bonus list of free scary stories online by Nicole and Rebecca. Please also comment your favorite scary tale so we can read along with you.
The Witches by Roald Dahl 💀
Witches are hunting children in England so a grandmother teaches her grandson how to identify witches. The little boy accidentally stumbles upon a meeting of witches from around the country and he must act quickly with his grandmother to stop their plot to turn all children into mice.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller 💀💀
In a Puritan community, young women behave strangely: dancing in the forest, falling into trances, and whispering about spells. Hysteria grips the village and when neighbors begin accusing each other of witchcraft, no one is safe. Based on the true witch trials and executions in Salem, Massachusetts.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield 💀💀
Margaret leads a quiet life helping her father run the family bookstore until famous author Vida Winter asks her to write her biography. Margaret becomes enthralled in Vida’s story, but suspects truthfulness is difficult for the author after so many years of spinning stories. Margaret never guesses at what they have in common.
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins 💀💀
Since they’ve been adopted by Father, Carolyn and her siblings have not been a part of the real world. Instead, they’ve dedicated their youth to studying the secrets of the universe in Father’s library. But their work is never enough and Father’s punishments are cruel. When Father goes missing, the siblings battle to decide who will replace a Father that is synonymous with God.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 💀💀💀
The young, naive narrator marries fabulous wealthy and brooding Maxim de Winter, a widower. When they arrive at de Winter’s great estate, the new Mrs. de Winter slowly learns about the woman she replaced, Rebecca. Part of the household staff is still loyal to Rebecca and the events surrounding her death come into question.
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz 💀💀💀
Odd is an ordinary young man. He’s a short order cook. He lives in a small town in California. And he sees ghosts. They come to him for help with their unresolved business and Odd’s made it a normal part of his life. Then one day, a man comes into the restaurant, followed by eager dark spirits, and Odd knows something terrible is about to happen. First book in a series.
The Outsider by Stephen King 💀💀💀
A boy’s body is discovered, brutally murdered, and all evidence points to the little league coach, who’s quickly and publicly arrested at a game. The police force reels as more evidence comes in that absolves the man of the crime. How can someone commit a crime when they didn’t do it? And how can a town be in more danger after the perpetrator is locked up? Watch Nicole and Rebecca’s video discussion of The Outsider here.
World War Z by Max Brooks 💀💀💀
Vastly different than the movie, World War Z is a collection of interviews taken by a member of the United Nations after the global zombie breakout. The harrowing tales are arranged chronologically with a front and center look at patient zero and the tidal wave of undead that cover the Earth.
Under the Dome by Stephen King 💀💀💀
A small town is suddenly cut off from the rest of the world by an invisible, infallible barrier. As residents come to realize there is no way out, and no one from the outside can come in, panic breaks out and power is taken by the strongest and most ruthless in this grown-up tale à la Lord of the Flies.
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami 💀💀💀💀
After an alternate World War II, the Japanese government controls everything and uses the Battle Experiment No 68 Program to tighten their grip on the population. In the Program, 50 junior high school students are forcibly relocated to a evacuated island and told they must fight to the death, until only one victor stands.
Slade House by David Mitchell 💀💀💀💀
Every nine years a house appears and a different outlier of society is invited in. The loners’ last moments are filled with confusion and disbelief, and then terror and shock. None of them are ever seen again and the owners of the house, a brother and sister, never lose their youth. This is a companion novel to The Bone Clocks.
Intensity by Dean Koontz 💀💀💀💀💀
Hardened survivor Chyna visits a friend’s home in Napa Valley but keeps her emotional distance from even her friend. That night, a serial murderer breaks into the house and kills the entire family. Chyna tries but fails to save her friend. Her only thought then is escape for herself, until she learns of the psychopath’s next victim, someone only Chyna can save.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy 💀💀💀💀💀
A father and son walk the roads of what is left of America. The skys are dark and the land is dead. Bandits and worse traverse the countryside and father and son must keep each other safe and hidden because no one is trustworthy. The pair have nothing to live for except each other and their goal to reach the coast.
Happy Halloween!
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