Wondering what to read to get into the super spooky mood for Halloween this year? Witches, ghosts, vampires and werewolves, oh my! I love the spooky season that brings us so many spooky things! Some people like to put on their favorite spooky costumes and tell tales of witches and ghosts. However, many of us crave for some dark, Gothic and spooky reads to make their Halloween much more enjoyable. Literally, I’m that sort of person. In this post, I’m sharing with you an ultimate list of best Halloween books for every age group (grownups, teens and tweens) that will put you in the spooky spirit. Some of these Halloween books are spine-tingling fun, while others are extremely creepy spook-tacular reads.
This post is also helpful for those who want to get their children into the Halloween spirit. Our round-up of the best Halloween books for children—fun ghost stories and interactive tales—will be really helpful for you.
Table of Contents
What is Halloween? A Brief History
Every year, we celebrate Halloween on 31st of October. Still, many of us have no idea about the history of halloween and why we celebrate it? Briefly, Halloween goes back to more than 2000 years ago even before the Roman Empire existed. It was born inside the ‘hell caves’ of Ireland which were considered a gateway to devil-infested ‘other’ world by the ancient Celts, according to Irish archaeologist Daniel Curley. Celtic people used to celebrate Samhain Festival on then New Year’s Eve, an earliest known root to the Halloween on October 31st. This date also marked the end of harvest season and the start of winter. It was believed to be the time of year when the spirits of the dead returned to the earth and allowed priests to make accurate future predictions especially for crops and nature.
With the advent of Christianity and rise of Roman Empire, around 7th century, this pagan holiday was transformed in to All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day (Now Halloween, meaning Evening of Saints) by the Pope.
Later on in 1800’s, the European Immigrants brought this tradition to the United States, where it morphed in to the candy-loaded American Halloween.
1. Best Halloween Books For Adults
Find your perfect Halloween reads from the list below and set your spooky mood for the spooky night. With these Gothic Halloween books, your spooktacular journey to the haunted houses, the windswept moors, the creeptastic monsters, and the shadowy magic will begin!
1. Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
A work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie, Hallowe’en Party never disappoints those who are in a mood for something spooky. This Hercule Poirot mystery takes place at a Halloween party where children are decorating brooms, bobbing for apples, and playing Snapdragon. But life can never be perfect in a mystery such as this and suddenly the attendees realize that someone is missing. Soon, they find that person’s body in the library in the apple bobbing tub, dead. Who committed this crime? Why have there been other mysterious deaths in this village?
2. The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
Deliciously creepy rather than full on horror, The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell takes you to a crumbling country state. It is a Gothic novel set in Victorian England. Our protagonist Elsie is a widower, who is left alone in her husband’s mansion with his maiden sister and a bunch of servants. She soon discovers a room with wooden figures to keep her company , except that she starts seeing them in different places of the house. A reminiscent of the masters of Gothic fiction, The Silent Companions is meticulous, immersive and skillful.
A compulsively readable ghost story on Halloween!
3. The Lost Ones by Anita Frank
Atmospheric and chilling, The Lost Ones by Anita Frank is an enjoyable gothic tale. Set in 1917 at an English manor house, the book tells the story of Stella, a young woman who has lost her fiancé during the war. Struggling with her lingering grief, she definitely needs a change. So, when her brother in law asks her as a favor to join her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at his family seat, Stella is only too happy to comply with his wishes. Soon after her arrival strange events begin to occur. Toy soldiers appearing in her bed, doors spontaneously opening all by themselves, crying sounds in the night, footsteps on the stairs—there is something unsettling about this house, and it is up to Stella to find out!
4. The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements
An eerie and compelling 17th Century ghost story, The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements takes you to the dark wilds of the Yorkshire moors. The story revolves around Mercy Booth, daughter at Scarcross Hall, a farm located right by an old and creepy cemetery. Mercy helps with the farm and cares for the sheep especially ever since her father has gotten older. But life becomes pretty hard when her father’s mood swings get worse and a stranger shows up in the spring of 1674, looking for seasonal work. Now life for Mercy Booth won’t ever be simple again. Tying in superstition, village gossip, and witches, this book is dark, twisted, stark and brooding.
5. The Dead Zone by Stephen King
One of the lesser known works of Stephen King, The Dead Zone is a brilliant book. The story revolves around Johnny Smith, a man who begins getting visions of past and future on contact with things and people after waking up from an interminable coma. He can’t come to terms with his life now. His girlfriend leaves him and marries someone else while people see him as a freak. And one fine day, he shakes the hand of an aspiring politician in a rally which gives him glimpses of a future, dark and dystopian. Will Johnny be able to do anything he can to stop him? Just grab the book and find out!
6. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Apart from Dracula by Bram Stoker, there is hardly any other famous vampire novel than Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. A young man is sitting in a dark room, telling the eerie and macabre tale of his life—the story of a vampire, gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood. Rice’s prose is enthralling and impressive. The book abounds in imagery, dark and dripping with dread, eerie moments, and surprising poignant emotion. The bizarre sensuality of the darkened world the protagonist lives in seems utterly enticing and captivating. This is of Anne Rice’s compulsively readable books and, undeniably, the most celebrated work of vampire fiction.
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7. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Deeply unsettling, utterly disturbing and downright chilling, The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty is a must read Halloween book for adults. When Chris MacNeil’s daughter begins to act strange and the house she lives in begins to have odd occurrences, she rationalizes it away. But, soon the extreme shift in her daughter’s personality can’t be explained and the only person able to help is Father Damien Karras. Inspired by 1940’s months-long exorcism, The Exorcist created a pop culture sensation in book as well as movie forms. The book is peak horror, with an abundance of haunted occurrences, scenes of both an unearthly and a gory nature, and a devil-possessed protagonist.
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8. The Black Witch by Laurie Forest (The Black Witch Chronicles #1)
The Black Witch by Laurie Forest is a phenomenal and darkly delicious coming of age story about a girl named Elloren Gardner. Now 17 years old, Elloren grew up sheltered in a remote village in a society full of prejudices and feelings of superiority. When she joins her brothers at Verpax University to pursue her dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren realizes that there is so much more to the history of her family and her own people. She begins to question what she has been taught all her life! A fast and enjoyable read, the book is a perfect blend of action, adventure, and romance.
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9. The Vanishment by Jonathan Aycliffe
A great creepy tale crafted in the truly Gothic tradition, The Vanishment by Jonathan Aycliffe is evocative and intriguing. A marriage in crisis, a house full of secrets, locals who are not exactly friendly and suddenly the woman disappears—this subtly British ghost story brings all the chills. The book is about a couple who rents an old house to spend time with each other and work on their marriage but they won’t have much time for that. The house has a dark past and wasn’t supposed to be rented because people just vanished inside it. An interesting and dark book with an awesome messed up backstory!
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10. The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons is a new Southern Gothic, in the vein of Flannery O’Connor and William Faulkner, updated to modern times. Not merely a classic haunted house tale, the book is a feat of architectural design, modern and sleek. Colquitt and Walter Kennedy are the protagonists who live next door and witness the construction of a house as well as a series of ill-fated owners move in.
The book is filled with intense, palpable tension that leaves you filled with dread that only grows.
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2. Classic Halloween Books For Adults
Get yourself into the Halloween spirit by sitting down and reading a classic horror book. Or several classic horror books!
After dedicating an entire month reading nothing other than terror, psychological turmoil and thrillers, I’ve discovered that the most chilling stories for Halloween are the classics.
The horror genre (Gothic fiction) has evolved over the centuries, many thanks to the different Gothic writers who contributed to the suspense, macabre and paranoia in their novels. Over the years, authors of Gothic fiction have managed to craft their own version of horror with a unique form and style. From ghosts and vampires to possessed beings, nothing gets you into a Halloween mood faster than old-fashioned classic Gothic stories. Here is my list of some best classic Halloween books for adults:
1. Dracula by Bram Stoker
A classic tale of horror, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is the most iconic vampire story of all time. It’s bloodthirsty count became a great reference to all the other vampires that would come after it. Told through letters, journals and even news, Dracula is an undeniably Victorian novel. It tells the story of the vampire count who wishes to infiltrate London’s high society. The book is set in 1890’s England and Transylvania plunged into a sea of superstitions. It brings the best elements of gothic horror merged into the dramaticity of theatre that always ran through its author’s veins. A truly timeless masterpiece with incredible character and highly definitive dialogue.
2. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
A chillingly witty story, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a classic masterpiece. Written in a crystal clear and precise manner, the book tells the mystery of the Blackwood family. Two sisters and an elderly uncle live isolated in a large house shunned by the local town, the result of an incident that happened long ago. When cousin Charles arrives, one of the sisters must do everything to safeguard the remaining family. The book is short and contains intricate, well-formed, and interesting characters. Jackson’s prose is beautiful and the story is completely engrossing. A short but satisfying read!
3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A Gothic romance novel, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre revolves around a strong and independent female protagonist. Orphaned and neglected as a child, Jane has felt herself an outcast her whole young life. Her arrival at Thornfield Hall once again tests her courage. She has been hired as a governess by the boorish, haughty Edward Rochester for his French ward Adèle. Drawn to his troubled yet kind spirit, she ultimately falls in love. But for Jane, the gloomy and forbidding Thornfield Hall carries some terrifying secrets. Will our protagonist be left exiled, alone, and heartbroken once again?
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Another famous Gothic romance, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is a great, shocking, and powerful book. It isn’t really a love story so much as it is a family tragedy, with romantic and fantasy elements. At the center of the events are volunteering and irascible Catherine Earnshaw and her foster brother Heathcliff. Rude in manners and affections, humiliated and rejected, Heathcliff learns to hate; but with Catherine he develops a relationship of symbiosis, passion and also perversity. Wuthering Heights is a pure masterpiece that plunges us from the beginning into the abyss and darkness of the human soul.
5. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
One of the most famous literary monsters was created in 1818 by a young writer Mary Shelley. Her most famous book Frankenstein is a masterpiece that started a whole new genre of fiction—Science Fiction—and inspired thousands of other creative works. Shelley’s classic book tells the origin of the famous and terrifying creature known to all today. But do you really know the history of this monster? Here you go to meet Dr. Frankenstein, the creator of the monster. Frankenstein’s psychology, his story, and the psychology of the famous green monster ( Was he really green? ) will definitely fascinate you. Also, it’s scary and macabre atmosphere will make the book a perfect Halloween read for you!
6. The Picture of a Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
One of the most classic ‘Dark Academia’ books, The Picture of a Dorian Gray is a literal masterpiece indeed. The book follows the story of an exceptionally handsome and charming young man, Dorian Gray. When his artist friend, Basil Hallward, becomes obsessed with his beauty and paints a portrait of him, Dorian is enchanted by it. In awe of the portrait, Dorian makes a wish that he never ages and his beauty will remain while his painting will age and decay in his place. His wish is granted! In this Faustian deal, Dorian lives a life of hedonism, self-indulgence, and amorality. But can he live like this forever?
7. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
This novella is a classic Sci-Fi mystery with a gripping storyline that captures the human fallibility in a darkly spellbinding way. The basic premise of the book is the soul of the story. So it all starts with the discussion and investigation of some heinous activities taking over in the locality. The secret search operation of Mr. Hyde is done by Mr. Utterson, a London lawyer. Utterson is a close friend of Dr. Jekyll, and the former fears the latter is in grave danger. But all are dumbfounded when Jekyll is defending this fugitive Hyde. Dr. Jekyll is an eminent and good man but Mr. Hyde is a malevolent person with relinquish desires. What is the connection between the two?
8. The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe
If you’re super interested and curious about scary stories and poems, this book is definitely for you. It is a collection of brilliant works by Edgar Allan Poe, which became a classic of the horror genre. From the master of mystery and macabre, these tales and poems feature a writing filled with symbolism and a dark, macabre atmosphere, addressing murders, mysteries, and investigations in a very peculiar way. All this leads the reader to reflect on the actions of the characters.
“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.”—Edgar Allan Poe
9. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Intriguing, wonderful and mysterious, Rebecca is one of the great Halloween books. Widower Maxim de Winter is holidaying in the South of France when he meets a young woman who is a companion to an elderly lady. They commence a whirlwind romance, ending with their marriage. Maxim takes her to live at his Cornish mansion, Manderley, where she meets Mrs. Danvers who worships the late Mrs. de Winter—the beautiful Rebecca. Everywhere the new Mrs. de Winter explores she encounters memories of the enigmatic Rebecca. But are they all happy memories?
10. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novel, And Then There Were None is an interesting brain teaser from the beginning. Ten strangers receive an invitation to the mysterious but exotic island by Mr. U.N. Owen. They stand accused of terrible crimes. But when one of their party dies, and then one after another, they have to admit that there must be one murderer in their midst. The book is completely intricate and unguessable. One of Christie’s most well-known standalones, this is a masterclass in thriller or murder mystery writing. It’s so dark, twisty, tightly plotted, and genuinely fear inspiring!
3. Best YA Halloween Books / Halloween Books For Teens
Readers of YA fiction, wouldn’t you like to read something strange and spooky this Halloween? If that is the case, then we suggest you pick up any one of these dark and atmospheric YA Halloween books to give you the specific Halloween feel.
1. There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
A quick and entertaining read, There’s Someone Inside Your House is a YA thriller. Makani’s parents have sent her away from Hawaii to live with her grandmother in landlocked Nebraska. She is now struggling to adjust in her new life. Although she has made a small group of close friends and even flirted with some, her past in Hawaii is still hard to forget. And then one by one, in a series of gruesome murders, the students of her new high school begin to die. Makani doesn’t know who’s next on the list. As the terror accelerates and the killer’s hunt intensifies, the dark secrets among them must finally be confronted. A perfect page-turner, the book will have you swooning with fear and romance.
2. Three Dark Crowns (#1) by Kendare Blake
Three Dark Crowns is a YA dark fantasy series featuring magic, romance, sacrifices and murder. In every generation of Fennbirn Island triplets girls are born. They are equal heirs to the throne of a magical land and possess a coveted magic. They’re raised differently until they turn sixteen. But to become the Queen Crowned is not merely a matter of birth. Every sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game where you win or lose, it’s life or death. The same night sisters turn sixteen—the battle begins. The last queen standing will take the crown.
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3. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
An intriguing book with magic, BIPOC characters, and a bisexual love triangle, all set against a lovely low fantasy world. It tells the story of Alex who is a bruja, the most powerful witch in her family. But she hates magic ever since her father disappeared into thin air. While most of the girls are celebrating their Quinceañera, Alex is preparing for her Deathday—the most important day in a bruja’s life. It’s her only opportunity to rid herself of magic. But the spell Alex performs during the ceremony backfires, vanishing her entire family. To get her family back she must travel to Los Lagos, a strange in-between land, where she makes discoveries that change everything.
4. The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl
The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl is a vampire story about Holly, a forever sixteen year old, trapped with all of her teen sentiments and emotions and that wonderful 1980’s crimped hairstyle. How did she become a vampire? It’s simply because she fell in love and let her boyfriend turn her into a vampire. But the book contains much more than this basic story.
Perfect for the fans of Carmilla and Buffy, this unusual vampire revenge tale has everything to fascinate a YA fantasy reader.
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5. The House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Twelve sisters on an island, murder in the air, mysteries and secrets around every corner, not knowing what’s the truth and whom to trust—this slightly dark retelling of the twelve dancing princesses’ fairytale hooks you from the beginning! The story revolves around Annaleigh and her sisters, there were twelve of them before but now Highmoor is full of mourning because four of them are dead and people are whispering that it’s a curse. A beautiful bend of Gothic fiction, fairy tales, and mystery, this is an unputdownable Halloween book for YA fantasy fans.
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6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
A wonderfully dark but playful fantasy, The Graveyard Book has nuggets of wisdom buried within it. Nobody ‘Bod’ Owens, an ordinary living boy. But after his family gets murdered, he leads an extraordinary life full of mystical experiences, being raised by the unearthly inhabitants of a graveyard. Meanwhile, danger lurks outside the graveyard where his family’s murderer, a man called Jack, is looking to settle an unfinished business. A well crafted plot written with utmost lucidity makes this book a delightful reading experience. It’s a highly recommended book for those who are beginners to the fantasy genre. For fantasy readers 10-14 years.
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7. The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
If you want a standalone YA fantasy with great characters and more importantly a zombie goat, The Bone Houses is the one for you! The book has a great underlying message and will definitely prove to be an amazing YA Halloween read. Aderyn (“Ryn”) has only two things to be cared about: her family, and her family’s graveyard. Now both are in crisis. Ryn is short on cash, the family graveyard is in trouble as all the dead seem to be waking up and the rich guy who owns most of the town is collecting debts. So she does the only obvious thing she can do—guide some fancy map maker through the really dangerous dead-are-walking-around forest to an old fae realm. But why are the dead walking?
8. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
If you’re into murder mysteries with a supernatural twist, then The Name of the Star will definitely satisfy you! The book is set in modern times, but plays off the famous Jack the Ripper murders. The story revolves around a girl attending boarding in London while the city is being terrorized by grisly murders. Is it the ghost of Jack the Ripper?
Deliciously creepy fun, The Name of the Star is a contemporary YA mystery with a beautiful blend of romance and the supernatural.
9. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Something Strange and Deadly is a striking combination of historical fiction and romance with a bit of steampunk, and of course, the undead. The story revolves around 16 year old Eleanor whose brother is missing. And then the Dead begin to rise in Philadelphia, wreaking havoc throughout the city. Eleanor knows that her brother is involved. So she seeks the help of the Spirit-Hunters. It’s only their skills that can save Eleanor’s brother. But as she spends time with the Spirit-Hunters, and their stunning inventor, the situation gets awful. Now not merely is her reputation at risk, but her very life may hang in the balance.
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10. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw
The Wicked Deep is a standalone YA fantasy book that promises a dark atmosphere and a gloomy magical storyline. Two hundred years ago, three witch sisters were sentenced to death and drowned in the deep waters of the city. Now they return from the deep every summer for a short time to take revenge. Penny, the protagonist, knows the fate of the city and on the eve of annual events, a man, Bo Carter, crosses her path, who will change everything through his arrival. Falsehood, suspicion and mistrust spread increasingly in the salty rain-soaked dark streets. But it’s only Penny who can see what others can’t. And then she will be forced to make a choice: save Bo or herself.
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11. Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer (Market of Monsters #1)
An outstanding book with amazing details. Not only does it address social issues, but also makes you question morality and what it means to be evil. Very graphic in terms of violence and gore. If you’ve a weak stomach, you might just want to skip this one. It deals in selling body parts of unnatural beings on the black market. Nita isn’t a murderer, her mother is. Nita simply dissects the unnatural beings her mother brings home to her to make money somehow. But when Nita’s mother brings home a live victim, she wants out. Choosing morality, she frees their captive, only to then find herself on the dissecting table for the black market.
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4. Best Halloween Books For Kids
Your Halloween holiday can be as scary or fun as you make it! And that’s what arguably makes this spooky day one of the best holidays for kids!
With armloads of free candies, the fun and spooky Halloween costumes, the best Halloween treats, the annual trip to a pumpkin farm, and the fun times while trick-or-treating—Halloween offers a lot of the fun elements that kids love most, including amazing Halloween books!
Check out our just-spooky-enough selection of Halloween books for kids. And do not forget to pair these books with a piece of yummy candy. Then definitely your kid will be in Halloween heaven!
1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A great children classic, Coraline by Neil Gaiman unites the best of two facets—mystery and fantasy. The story revolves around Coraline who, inside her new home, discovers a mysterious door that hides a big secret. It’s a perfect Halloween book for 8–12 years old kids.
2. Wee Witches’ Halloween by Jerry Smath
In this beautifully illustrated rhyming storybook, a group of ‘Wee Witches’ is ready to go on their Halloween scaring spree. They want to scare everyone they see. But their scaring does not go as they planned. Why? It’s a book that has always appealed to the youngest picture-book audience with its gentle humor and appealing visuals.
3. Skeleton Meets the Mummy by Steve Metzger
A fun and spooky storybook, Skeleton Meets the Mummy is perfect for Halloween. On Halloween night, Sammy the skeleton is going through the dark woods. But someone is chasing him. What could it be? The book’s bold, charming illustrations make it an amazing Halloween read that kids will want to read again and again.
4. Ten Flying Brooms by Ilanit Oliver
The Flying Broom is a creepy counting story for kids (Age 2-5) to enjoy on Halloween! Ten flying brooms are missing their witches. Will they be able to find their cute witches in and around a creepy old house before the clock strikes midnight? It’s a beautiful rhyming, high-flying counting story with an illustration of your kid’s favorite Halloween creatures!
5. Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
Creepy Carrots! is a charming, vibrant, short picture book for 7-10 years old kids. Jasper Rabbit extremely loved carrots until the day he discovered that carrots didn’t love him, nor did they appreciate being eaten by him. With it’s dark creepy illustrations, the book gives a beautiful message. A perfect fun Halloween read!
6. How to Make Friends with a Ghost? by Rebecca Green
A genuinely funny guide to making friends with a spooky little ghost, because it turns out they’re not scary at all, and just want to be your friend. With its pretty illustrations and humorous story, this book demonstrates ways to be a good friend. It’s Rebecca Green’s debut picture book featuring the timeless theme of friendship. For readers 5-10 years.
7. Monster Trouble by Lane Fredrickson
A fun read full of friendly illustrations! The book tells an adventurous story about overcoming fears. Little Winifred is the brave protagonist who is not afraid of monsters and actually thinks they’re cute. But they keep disturbing her, until she finally discovers that there is something that all monsters hate. For readers 4-10 years.
8. It’s a Pumpkin! by Wendy McClure
When a little pumpkin appears in the forest, all the animals are unsure what it is. There are some good guesses: a chair, a table, a doorstep. As the animals continue to guess more animals begin to gather and it ends up being a party. The pumpkin mystery brings all the animal friends together to celebrate. One of the best Halloween books for kids of all ages!
9. Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett
Leo is a friendly adorable ghost. When a family moves into his house and tries to get rid of him, he leaves and starts roaming the city looking for a friend. He finally finds one, but with some unexpected turns of events! The book is wonderfully written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson. It is a good Halloween book for kids of 3-6 years!
10. When the Clock Strikes on Halloween by Lisa Ferland
A cute rhyming Halloween book, When the Clock Strikes on Halloween is for little ones who are learning to count. The illustrations of the book are just spooky enough to be fun for kids without being scary. It is a charming, pleasant story that will captivate your kids and even inspire new ideas for next Halloween!
5. Best Books to Gift on Halloween
Do you have friends, colleagues, and kids that love Halloween AND reading? Then this part of my post is perfect for you! Here you can find unique gift ideas in children’s Halloween books as well as some spooky to not-so-scary Halloween books for adults and teens.
5.1. Best Sellers in Children’s Halloween Books to Gift
1. Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden
A fun, simple, and adorable book for babies and toddlers. Colorful pictures, beautiful illustrations, and it’s suitable size for small hands make Peek-a Who? definitely a modern children’s classic! The best present for young kids on Halloween and one of the best books for their first library!
2. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle
It’s an amazing Halloween children’s book illustrated by Jill McElmurry and written by Alice Schertle. The animal costumes, the lift-the-flap feature and of course the rhyming, playful storyline is absolutely perfect for children to love this book.
3. Pig the Monster (Pig the Pug) by Aaron Blabey
It’s a beautiful picture book from #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Aaron Blabey. The book tells the story of Pig the Pug who is celebrating Halloween and on a rampage for treats. There are simple and cute life lessons for kids told in a funny story format. It’s definitely a laugh-out-loud children’s book!
4. Trick or Treat, Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
A fun read with beautiful art, Trick or Treat, Crankenstein is a wonderful Halloween book for children. Samantha Berger’s amazing “crankster” character stands up to all the wicked Halloween tricks and treats in this bucket full of fun, illustrated by Dan Santat, the award-winning and best selling artist.
5. Never Touch a Grumpy Bat! by Make Believe Ideas Ltd.
Never touch a grumpy bat—unless it’s in this pretty book! This is an amusing Halloween-themed book. It has touch-and-feel features, pumpkins, skeletons, and more! Moreover, each page of this book features incredible silicone touches. It’s absolutely perfect for little ones to learn and explore.
6. Where Do Diggers Trick-or-Treat? by Brianna Caplan Sayres
If your kids love Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?, they can now join all the beautiful vehicles as they celebrate Halloween! It’s a perfect book for the littlest truck lovers! In this rhyming sturdy board book about Halloween night, you can find candy, costumes, and jack-o-lanterns, flatbed trucks, tractors, and of course, monster trucks!
7. The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
An interacting picture book, it features Grover from Sesame Street, who, having seen the title page, is worried about encountering a scary monster at the end of the book. The book is interactive in the sense that Grover talks directly to the reader, pleading with him to stop turning the pages.
8. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Room on the Broom is a great Halloween book for 3-7 years old kids. The book is about a generous witch who gives ‘room on the broom’ to her helpful animal friends. The story is engaging, witty and Julia Donaldson’s rhymes are amazing! Definitely get this for your kids if you haven’t already.
9. The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John and Pete Oswald
The Bad Seed is back and he’s in a bad mood! Halloween is his favorite holiday but he’s not prepared and the stress of it all has him overreacting and taking it out on others. Will the Bad Seed get it together so he can enjoy Halloween with his friends or will he go through with his sneaky plan? One of the best Halloween books for 4-8 year old kids!
10. The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus is a fantastic sing along, read aloud book. It is set to the tune of the classic song The Wheels on the Bus. Your child will follow along as the bus stops to pick up wacky witches, hissing cats, singing mummies, silly monsters, and many more fun characters. It’s also a fun counting book up to number ten! Also, your child will definitely love the colorful and playful Halloween illustrations.
11. The Berenstain Bears’ Big Halloween Party by Mike Berenstain.
Celebrate your Halloween with ‘The Berenstain Bears’ in this storybook! In their region, it’s trick-or-treat season and the whole neighborhood shows up and makes preparations for the big Halloween party at the Bear family’s treehouse! This fun Halloween book includes stickers, cards, and a spooky poster as well. It’s perfect for young kids!
12. Gilbert the Ghost by Guido Van Genechten
One of the best Halloween books, Gilbert the Ghost features the story of a lovable little ghost. The principal of the ghost school banishes Gilbert to an abandoned tower, where he finds a little friend, a cat. Together they fix the place up, making it a cozy welcoming retreat for all of their ghost friends who need a break from haunting.
5.2. Best Sellers in Adult or Teens Halloween Books to Gift
Whether you’re looking for your next Halloween read or something unique and spooky to give your best spooky friend, I hope here you can find the perfect pick!
1. Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
If you’re looking for something creepy this Halloween, Let the Right One In is absolutely perfect! It is one of the best vampire stories, so moving, dark and atmospherically creepy. The story revolves around Eli and Oscar’s relationship that steals the show with its powerful bond but not one you ever question. The movie adaptation of this book is also absolutely stunning!
2. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
The Witching Hour is a brilliant book that beautifully blends history, fantasy, science and mystery. The story is set in New Orleans and is basically about a family with a long lineage of witches. It’s a southern Gothic horror novel and proves a sensational read. Trigger warning for sexual assault, incest, and child abuse.
3. IT by Stephen King
One of Stephen King’s masterpieces, IT is a horror thriller. Every 28 years, ‘Derry’, a town, experiences some vicious incidents that almost tear away its inhabitants. But it’s only the children of Derry who can see the monstrous existence wandering around the city. It feeds on people’s fears, sleeps under the city but every 28 years it lurks out to grasp and kill. This unbreakable cycle continues until Bill and his friends decide to confront it.
4. The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
A beguiling story of witchcraft and magic, The Once and Future Witches draws the reader in. The book focuses on the three Eastwood sisters, Juniper, Agnes, and Bella, and their relationship as sisters. The roles they have as females who join the Suffragists in New Salem and how old magic can play a part in the women’s movement make the story entirely compelling.
5. The Invited by Jennifer McMahon
From the New York Times bestselling author, The Invited is a chilling ghost story with a twist. Helen and Nate purchase property to build their dream house in a small town in Vermont that is said to once have been home to a witch. Once they start building, violent things start happening on their land. Is it townspeople or the ghost of a witch?
6. Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Absolutely heart wrenching, Hex is a whirlwind of witchy weirdness. It’s a modern day story of everyday normal people accustomed to living in a town cursed by an ancient witch who roams the streets, and sometimes wanders into their homes. If you don’t bother her, she won’t bother you. The inventive plot, creepy imagery, and the atmospheric scenes make the book absolutely phenomenal. A perfect Halloween read!
7. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Creepy and intriguing, Ghost Story is one of the best horror books of all time. In New York’s sleepy town of Millburn, four aged men gather to tell each other stories—some real, some made-up, all of them terrifying. But one of these horror stories comes back to haunt them and their small town. A tale of some horrifying incident—a wicked mistake they made long ago. Now they will learn that no one can bury the dark past forever!
8. Heart-Shaped Box: A Novel by Joe Hill
A clever twist on a ghost story trope with more depth, Heart-Shaped Box is one of the best Halloween books. It’s about Jude, a fading Rockstar, who buys a ghost advertised on an online auction site. This turns out to be the evil spirit of the father of one of Jude’s cast-off girlfriends who had committed suicide. And ghost dad is not happy at all! The plot moves on to a demonic ghost keeping the readers hooked as to how it would end.
9. The Shining by Stephen King
The Shining is definitely one of King’s best horror stories. It centers on Jack Torrance, who takes a new job as the off-season caretaker at the old and remote Overlook Hotel. Jack’s son, Danny, has an array of psychic abilities—‘the shining’, that allow him to see the hotel’s horrific past. As winter closes in and the blizzards cut the family off, the empty hotel seems to develop life of its own. Why are masked guests riding in the elevator, and who is the lady in Room 217?
10.The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House is one of the leading horror novels of the 20th century. It recounts the disturbing experiment of John Montague, doctor of philosophy and anthropologist, who has been given to the study of ‘the psychic perturbations’ that are usually manifested in ‘haunted houses’. He has unfructually sought an ideal house when one day he hears about Hill House, a lonely mansion having a sinister reputation. Montague decides to rent it, and then begins a series of mind-blowing experiences!
11. Lies Like Poison by Chelsea Pitcher
An interesting story with a touch of dark and twisted fairytale. Raven, Poppy, Lily, and Belladonna are best friends. They can do anything for each other. Even murder! So when Raven’s abused at the hands of his stepmother, they all vow to brew a lethal tea to get rid of this wicked lady once and for all. But their plan is off but Raven’s stepmother is found dead three years later. Only belladonna is found in her tea. Someone has committed murder and someone is lying. But who?
12. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Erik, a villainous and disfigured musical genius dwells beneath an Opera House, terrorizing its crew as the Opera Ghost. To Christine Daaé, a young soprano of little renown, he is the Angel of Music. Erik tutors her in secret, delivering to her leading roles and fame in the opera house. But when Christine’s childhood friend happens upon one of her performances and attempts to win her, Erik’s obsession over Christine grows even stronger, driving the tale into a spiral of abduction and revenge.
Hope you’ll enjoy these Halloween Books. Happy Reading folks!
More Halloween Books Recommendations:
- Latest YA Gothic Books of 2022 Perfect for Spooky Season
- 13 Best Horror Books for Halloween With Heart-Pounding Jump Scares
- These Gothic Romance Books Will Give You Literal Chills
