Top Ten Tuesday is weekly book blog meme hosted by the lovely girls over at The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's Top Ten Tuesday was a Halloween freebie, so I decided to go with some books that would be perfect to help get you in the mood for Halloween! I'm personally not a huge horror fan, so sometimes it's hard to find Halloween reading lists that aren't just filled with creepy stuff - I'm more into the 'psychologically screwed up' genre - so I've compiled a list that contains a variety of Halloween-ish reads, hopefully with a little something for everyone.
I also, apparently, cannot limit myself to the rules of ten books, so here are seventeen titles.
1. The Harrowing by Alexandra Sokoloff
I just recently finished The Harrowing and I also just recently posted a First Chapter Tuesday post about it, but I felt the need to add it to this list as well because it is perfect for Halloween. It is completely cliche'd and stereotypical ghost story, but because of that it is perfect. Five college students make a connection with an angry spirit through a Ouija board - how much more Halloween can you get!?
2. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Mainly because it has monsters! These may not be your typical monsters (or they might be, I don't know your life), but they're still monsters and I think it fits perfectly with this particular holiday.
Mainly because it has monsters! These may not be your typical monsters (or they might be, I don't know your life), but they're still monsters and I think it fits perfectly with this particular holiday.
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker
I'm not even explaining this one.
I'm not even explaining this one.
4. Under the Skin by Michel Faber
This is so creepy in such a weird way that there is no way it wouldn't make a great Halloween read. I can't even go into details because you need to read this one with as little information about it going in as possible. Trust me.
This is so creepy in such a weird way that there is no way it wouldn't make a great Halloween read. I can't even go into details because you need to read this one with as little information about it going in as possible. Trust me.
5. Security by Gina Wolhsdorf
I think this book would be perfect for Halloween because of its distinct slasher theme. It's written from the perspective of a hotel security officer as he watching events unfold through surveillance cameras, and it's pretty neat. (Review.)
I think this book would be perfect for Halloween because of its distinct slasher theme. It's written from the perspective of a hotel security officer as he watching events unfold through surveillance cameras, and it's pretty neat. (Review.)
6. Roses and Rot by kat Howard
While this book wasn't a huge favorite of mine, I still think it has a lot of great qualities for a Halloween story.
While this book wasn't a huge favorite of mine, I still think it has a lot of great qualities for a Halloween story.
7. The White Devil by Justin Evans
Mysterious deaths and illnesses, a haunted school, a brooding poet writing a play about Byron - this makes for a wonderful spooky read.
Mysterious deaths and illnesses, a haunted school, a brooding poet writing a play about Byron - this makes for a wonderful spooky read.
8. Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates
College students come up with a high stakes game that ends up impacting their lives in immense ways. I loved it and I think it'd be great for that 'subtle unease' feeling. (Review)
College students come up with a high stakes game that ends up impacting their lives in immense ways. I loved it and I think it'd be great for that 'subtle unease' feeling. (Review)
9. This House is Haunted by John Boyne
If the title This House is Haunted doesn't scream 'Halloween' to you, then quite frankly I'm not sure anything would fit your Halloween reading list. A governess takes a position watching two young children in a mansion that is haunted.
If the title This House is Haunted doesn't scream 'Halloween' to you, then quite frankly I'm not sure anything would fit your Halloween reading list. A governess takes a position watching two young children in a mansion that is haunted.
10. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
I read this around Halloween last year and it was incredible! I enjoyed this book so much and I cannot help but continue to recommend it. The Madman's Daughter is a creative reimagining of H.G. Well's famous story, The Island of Dr. Moreau. (Review)
I read this around Halloween last year and it was incredible! I enjoyed this book so much and I cannot help but continue to recommend it. The Madman's Daughter is a creative reimagining of H.G. Well's famous story, The Island of Dr. Moreau. (Review)
11. Slade House by David Mitchell
Slade House is the definition of a twisty-turny creepy house that, essentially, eats people. Sort of. It's hard to explain - go pick it up! (Review.)
Slade House is the definition of a twisty-turny creepy house that, essentially, eats people. Sort of. It's hard to explain - go pick it up! (Review.)
12. The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman
Yes, this is a picture book. No, that does not take anything away from this gem of book.
Yes, this is a picture book. No, that does not take anything away from this gem of book.
13. The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber
This is an awesome little classic murder-mystery, but it's so cozy and interesting that I would htink it'd be perfect for a cold Halloween night.
This is an awesome little classic murder-mystery, but it's so cozy and interesting that I would htink it'd be perfect for a cold Halloween night.
14. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
I may have already made Slade House seem like the ultimate haunted house Halloween book, but nope, it's this one. Love it or hate it, it's definitely worth the experience.
I may have already made Slade House seem like the ultimate haunted house Halloween book, but nope, it's this one. Love it or hate it, it's definitely worth the experience.
15. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
It's a book about a little boy that grows up in a graveyard, it's perfect! (There's also a graphic novel now, too!)
It's a book about a little boy that grows up in a graveyard, it's perfect! (There's also a graphic novel now, too!)
16. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Another classic, which I will also not be providing an explanation for.
Another classic, which I will also not be providing an explanation for.
17. Short Stories by Edgar Allen Poe
The master himself. How can you get through the Halloween season without Poe?
What are some of your favorite Halloween reads? Do you like any of these? Share your opinions in the comments!
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The master himself. How can you get through the Halloween season without Poe?
What are some of your favorite Halloween reads? Do you like any of these? Share your opinions in the comments!
Get more reviews and bookish fun in your inbox and subscribe to Forever Lost in Literature!
