It’s Hard to believe that Halloween is almost upon us once again. It’s time to decorate the house with ghosts, goblins, witches, and skeletons. Carve some pumpkins, light candles and dress up in costume. As a teenager, one of my fondest memories of Halloween was reading horror stories under the sheets with a flashlight. Always making sure I had found the scariest, blood-curdling book to read. But a question I often ask myself is – “Where did Halloween originate from?”
The History Of Halloween
It is believed that the celebration of Halloween Stemmed from the pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain – dating back over 2000 years ago. An Irish, British and Northern Europe tradition where people wearing costumes of animals gathered around bonfires offering sacrifice to the dead. Over time the costumes changed to ghosts and demons to scare off the dead that they believed had returned to earth.
It has been said that the poor and the children dressed in costume and went door-to-door offering a prayer for the dead in exchange for “Soul Cake” and other treats and eventually evolved into what we now know as Trick-or-Treat today.
Halloween did not become popular in the U.S until after World War Two when some of the traditions were practiced by early Irish Immigrants.
10 Best Scariest Blood-curdling Halloween Books To Read
Now that you know the history of Halloween, it’s time to grab a flashlight and read some terrifying books under the sheets. I’ve composed a list of my favorites. Happy Halloween Everyone!
IT – By Stephen King
I could mention any of Stephen King’s novels for this entire list but decided to mention “IT” because currently there is a movie playing in theatres based on the book. A terrifying classic about seven adults, who made a promise twenty eight years ago, when they were teenagers to return to the small town of Derry Maine. A town where they confronted a nightmare which they named IT. Now children are being murdered again and the seven adults have to prepare themselves to battle the monster lurking in the sewers of Derry.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Frankenstein was written by Shelley in 1818. A true horror classic. The modern books we read and the movies we see about Frankenstein today are nothing like her own original writings. It is for this reason that I am listing this copy. An uncensored version of Shelley’own original script. A must-read for any Frankenstein fan.
The Nightwalker by Thoma Tesler
A psychological thrill-ride of a book that will keep you on your toes. Leon suffered from insomnia and turned to violence as a sleepwalker. After treatment for his condition, he believed he had been cured – but years later Leon’s wife disappears. Did Leon have a relapse? He needed to find out and attached a camera to his forehead, activated by motion. What he discovered is beyond his wildest imagination and leads him into a world of darkness.
The Witches of Prague And Other Stories By F.Marion Crawford
A collection of short stories that will give you goosebumps, keep you up all night and have you looking over your shoulder. It’s nice to have in one book, all of the Crawfords supernatural chillers that were originally printed in the late 1800’s. Titles include: The screaming skull, For the Blood is Life, The Doll’s Ghost, The Dead Smile and The Witches of Prague.
The Exorcist By William Peter Blatty
Originally published in 1971 and spending fifty-seven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list – seventeen of which at number one. Two years after it was published a now famous movie was made. Based on a true story of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940’s. A book that is terrifying, raw and gripping.
The Amityville Horror By Jay Anson
The true tale of an American dream that turned into a nightmare. In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their new home. Knowing that one year earlier, Ronald DeFeo had murdered his parents, brothers, and sisters in the house – but the price was too good to pass up. Twenty-eight days later, they fled in terror. The terrifying story of a house possessed by evil spirits. A gripping page-turner, you won’t be able to put down.
Hell House By Richard Matheson
When a wealthy newspaper publisher is told he is going to die. His dying wish is to is to establish the facts after death. Together with a physicist and two mediums, they spend one night in the abandoned Belasco House in Maine and learn why the locals call it the Hell House. A tense book that will have you on the edge of your seat.
The Haunting of Hill House By Shirley Jackson
First published in 1959, the supernatural thriller is the story of four seekers looking for evidence of a “haunting” in the Hill House, owned by Dr. Montague. At first, their visit is mild and seems to be merely a spooky encounter. But the house is gathering its powers and will soon choose someone to make its own.
A Haunting By L. I. Albemont
A dark horror story of Sarh Faust trying to flee her troubled past. Faust finds a neglected three-hundred-year-old townhouse that seems perfect to start over. But all is not what it seems to be. Something has been there for a very long time and refuses to stay buried. A spine-chilling horrific story.
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark By Alvin Schwarts
blood soaked gemini
A three-book collection for the kids. The classic spooky tales have been reprinted with new artwork. Exceptional books for the young readers. Whats’ better than curling up with your kids and reading horror books on Halloween night.
These are a few of my favorite horror books. Let me know in the comments below, your favorites.
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I love Frankenstein. Great list!
Me too. But only the original, its nothing like the movies.
Love your blog!
Thanks, Michele! 🙂
Wow thank you for these, I love scary books, I definitely haven’t read enough! I’m so embarrassed that I didn’t realise Amityville was a book…
http://www.jennyrosee.com
Ha! Don’t be embarrassed, I am guilty of many too.
I think I would be so scared to read these!
Ha! Trust me I was too! slept with the lights on LOL
I haven’t read the Witches of Prague but is sound interesting. The rest I have read several times. The history of Halloween is interesting to learn about.
hope you get to read “The Witches Of Prague” I’m sure you will enjoy it.Happy to hear you enjoyed reading about the history of Halloween 🙂
That does give me ideas for my reading list! I have been looking for inspiration for a while
Happy to help
I think I’m way too much of a scaredy cat for most of these, but am proud to say that I have read Frankenstein! I’ll have to pass this list on to the hubby. Thanks!
Frankenstein is one of my favorites. Hope hubby enjoys them 🙂
Great list! Looking forward to some Halloween ready=ing!
Happy you like it. Happy reading 🙂
Interesting collection of books! I have seen a few of these movies (the latest one being IT) but haven’t actually read any of the books. But so cool to list down a collection, right at Halloween 🙂
I haven’t seen “IT” yet but plan to. Glad you enjoyed the list
It is amazing that the holiday transitioned from children praying for the dead to what it is today. It’s always interesting to hear how things evolve. I’m such a wimp around scary stories. Though I have ready some Stephen King books in the past and survived.
I Agree, and all holidays are so marketed, forgetting what the actual celebration is about. Happy to hear you survived Stephen King, many can’t finish the books LOL
Understanding the history of the Halloween tradition is very interesting. Scary books and movies are my thing, but there is definitely a market for it. Thank you sharing. 🙂
I haven’t read any of these and I really should! I have been interested a lot of them for a while, especially the potentially true ones. Great list!
I hope you fond some time to read them. It’s hard to believe that some of these are based on actual true events. The horror they encountered is mind-boggling.
I used to be really in to scary books when I was a teenager. I have read half of these. I might need to look into a few more that you have listed that I have missed.
I hope you do! Let me know if you liked them I would be curious to know.
I’ve probably read Frankenstein at least 6 times since I was a kid. It’s SUCH a classic; I love how raw and emotional her book is compared to all of the modern retellings. I don’t think they compare! I always find it interesting that most people awesome that Frankenstein is The Creature’s name, when Frankenstein is in fact the doctor!
Right! More people need to read the book. I find this in many movies that are based on books and often read the book first before seeing the movie. Knowing I would be missing so much if I didn’t.
Great picks! I love scary stories.
Sondra xx
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Thanks. Glad you like my choices
I’ve never read any of these I am slacking lol!
Ha! Never too late to start 🙂
It is nice that many have various kind of traditions during halloween.
Our is by visiting the cemeteries for our ancestors, then have a feast of meal after.
Decorating is not huge deal 🙂 We make it a deal during Christmas.
Love the tradition you have for Halloween. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing
The Amityville Horror is one of my all-time favorites. I have always loved horror books. Thanks for sharing your favorites I need to check them out.
I love horror movies but have never thought of reading a scary book, might give it a try now. Stephen King is favorite and never disappoints.
You can never go wrong with Stephen King. Never too late to start 🙂
Frankenstein has always been a favorite of mine. Along with Dracula. But I believe that some of the scariest and best to recite at Halloween would have to be by Edgar Allen Poe. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,… Quoth the raven, “Nevermore.”” The Raven
I do love Edgar Allen Poe and it was hard to narrow it down to ten
Oh. Love scary movies and uhmm books will do. Am thrilled up with your books recommendation. Thank you.
You are welcome. I hope you get to read some
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