Every year on October 31, people celebrate Halloween, a custom that dates back to the ancient Celtic holiday of Samhain. People dressed up in costumes and lit bonfires during this celebration in an attempt to ward off ghosts. Here are six horror books you might want to check out for your reading pleasure while we get lost in the eerie atmosphere of the season.
Stephen King, The Shining (1977): Stephen King, the well-known maestro of horror literature, wrote the Gothic novel The Shining, which was first published in 1977. It is rightfully considered one of the most cherished and timeless horror stories in history.
William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist (1971): This horror book, written by Academy Award–winning screenwriter William Peter Blatty, follows the tale of a young girl whose normal existence turns into a terrifying nightmare.
Shirley Jackson, an American novelist, was inspired by actual paranormal investigators to write her 1959 Gothic horror novel, The Haunting of Hill House.
Dennis Lehane, Shutter Island (2003): Written by American novelist Dennis Lehane, this New York Times bestseller explores the deep effects of bereavement and guilt on a person’s mental health.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820) was written by American writer Washington Irving, this gothic horror short story relates the terrifying tale of a headless horseman haunting the real town of Sleepy Hollow.
