I am going to be completely honest: I am a giant scardey-cat. I hate horror, and so does my imagination. Reading or watching something in the genre is enough to give me nightmares for days. And every so often a story comes around with a plot that makes me wonder if reading it will be worth the nightmares - and most of the time, I regret the read. So, while fall tends to be when everyone starts to break out their horror novels, I wanted to help those in similar situations to me - by giving a list that is here for the vibes, not the nightmares.
1. Under the Surface by Diana Urban
Like horror tropes, but want it in a less intense package? Then Under the Surface is definitely for you! Even though the book is YA, it does a fantastic job of having legitimate and realistic stakes that will keep you wanting to know more. However, while there are murders, it never gets especially gory - the majority of the tension comes from the setting of the Paris Catacombs and the group being lost there. This is one of the few horror books I have ever read, and I was so glad that I managed to not get any nightmares from it.
2. The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste
I'm going to be honest, this book has some body horror in it - but it's always described in a way that lets me know what happened and then move on without my imagination taking it and running. While there are some elements of horror, at its core, this book is a story about family. A very messed up family, but one that comes together when it counts. It's a fascinating look at the downsides of our culture, which for some can be considered a horror novel in its own right.
3. The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde
This book has absolutely every traditional Halloween creature you could want, all tied up in a pretty criminal underworld bow. While this book does not focus on the scares, it instead focuses on the politics - while providing life and death stakes which are common in horror without the actual horror. Instead, it's a heist book where we follow Kierse as she falls headfirst into trouble - making it a perfect read for spooky season.