5 books to read to get you into the spirit of spooky season

Do you love Halloween and spooky season as much as we do? Then you might be on the hunt for some new reading material to get you into the spirit of spooky season. Whether you are looking for your next Halloween read or just love a good horror to get your blood pumping, we have some suggestions for you.

When it comes to horror novels, there are obviously a few authors that come to mind. But we wanted to think outside of the Stephen King box. And luckily, there is plenty to choose from when it comes to creepy, spooky, and horror-filled books. While we didn't want our suggestions to be strictly horror reads, we think these books are perfect for not just Halloween, but to get you ready for all things spooky.

5 books that are perfect for getting into the spooky season spirit

What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher

Are you a fan of retellings of classic works of literature? Did you love The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe? Then you need to read What Moves the Dead by T Kingfisher. This book is gothic horror done right, but with a fresh approach to the original material that is both engaging and twisted. This book is short, but far from sweet. And the fact that it has the power to send a shiver down the spine was all I needed to know that this was a good gothic horror. At one point in the crypt scene, I was waiting for a jump scare, and yet what we got instead was a perfect build-up of suspense and mystery instead. There was just something so chilling about this approach to the Ushers and it was brilliant.

Cherry Dark by R. L. Wilburn

If you enjoy urban fantasy with a horror twist, then Cherry Dark by R.L. Wilburn is a must-read. This book features a serial killer who turns to dark magic and a woman who refuses to let him win. There are plenty of supernatural elements to this story, as well as murder, mayhem, and at least two twists that are impossible to forget. This is the kind of book that will leave you wanting more, while also sending a chill or two down the spine. Sometimes the horror doesn't need to be demons and devils, and yet in a lot of ways this has that too.

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson

Welcome to The Saturday Night Ghost Club, a coming-of-age novel featuring urban legends and ghost stories, all while giving us a haunted town and spooky items that are completely unexpected. This book is hauntingly good, while also feeling nostalgic for a different time in our lives. These characters are so well written that they come to life vividly in your mind's eye. And while this is not truly a horror in any way, it has the classic vibes of a good spooky season read thanks to the urban legends, occult items, and ghost stories scattered through the pages. This is a book that is hard to forget and perfect for teenagers and adults alike.

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

Although The Mary Shelley Club is actually a YA book, it is definitely worth reading. This story has classic elements of horror and suspense but in a high school setting. And since high school was a horror for a lot of people, that feels fitting. This book takes the idea of a secret society and adds in a horror element. And since the main premise is an appreciation for horror movies, those vibes are woven throughout the story. This is a book that is dark yet humorous, with moments that will leave you gasping and ready to turn the page to find out what's next. This is a suspenseful read that is so hard to put down.

Hellfall by Jay Gould

If you are looking for a story that is both unique and familiar in equal measure, then look no further than Hellfall. This book features another dimension, demons, and men who become little more than horrific versions of themselves. In a lot of ways, this reminded me of the movie, As Above, So Below. And that movie had me losing sleep for days. Not only is there a bit of a mystery meets thriller aspect to this book, but then it expertly weaves in the horror, which allows for a suspension of belief that is impressive. This is the kind of book that can give a person nightmares. And honestly, it is a perfect fit for spooky season reading.