19 Creepy Books You'll Want To Read This Spooky Season

Why you'll love it: If you loved the Netflix adaptation of this book, there's no doubt in my mind that you won't be able to put this one down. Stephen King described the experience of reading this novel equivalent to, “stepping into the mind of a madman”.

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Why you'll love it: Katsu’s The Hunger, is based on the true story of American pioneers who took a dodgy shortcut on their way to California through the mountains. The thriller has twists, turns and supernatural elements that are sure to send a chill down your spine.

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Why you'll love it: The way that this book was written is both wonderful and incredibly haunting. It's packaged as a series of letters from a trouble mother to her husband and generates quite the debate on nature versus nurture. So if you like page turners that make you think, this one is for you.

Buy the paperback edition for $30.49 or the Kindle edition for $13.29 from Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it: Stephen King himself described this book as one of the best supernatural novels of the 20th century and it really is that good. It has all the tropes that any great horror novel should contain — a small town, a group of characters with a dark past and an evil presence. This is definitely a book for the ages that can be read over and over again.

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Why you'll love it: It doesn't get any more ~classic horror~ than this Scott Smith novel. The main characters set off on a journey that they're 100% not prepared for and, of course, it all goes to hell. The book is gripping, the plot flows well and you'll put this book down feeling satisfied.

Buy the paperback edition for $16.11 from Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it: If you enjoyed Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, you'll definitely get a kick out of Nightmare Abbey. This gothic satire novel is not exclusively a ~horror~ book. In fact, a lot of people would argue the opposite, but it's still compelling, charming and hilarious.

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Why you'll love it: Poe's short stories are some of the best in the game and The Fall of the House of Usher is no different. It's complex, mesmerising and possibly the creepiest haunted house story you'll ever read. It also manages to be both terrifying and delightful, which cannot be said for many books in the horror genre.

Buy this and other Poe tales with the paperback for $21.59 or the Kindle edition for FREE from Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it: If you enjoyed Stephen King's IT, this one is a must-read for you. Simmons does such a great job with setting up the imagery of the town that it almost feels like you're there, making it all the more chilling.

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Why you'll love it: Written in 1985, this books combines horror, romance and fantasy to create a dark, little package you won't be able to put down. Just a word of warning: Don't read this before bed, or if you've got a queasy stomach around gory imagery.

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Why you'll love it: This gory and suspenseful read is best enjoyed in a single setting. Though the plot seems to be incredibly transparent, you'll still find yourself completely captivated in the protagonist's world, turning page after page to see what's going to happen next.

Buy the paperback edition for $15.59 or the Kindle edition for $11.05 from Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it: You may have seen the film by Hitchcock, but Rebecca is an incredible piece of gothic literature that goes down perfectly on a rainy day with a great big mug of tea. It's a cult classic and must-read if you enjoy any part of the genre.

Buy the paperback edition for $15.46 or the Kindle edition for $11.99 on Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it: As far as horror book characters go, Coraline is a favourite among fans. This quirky, yet incredibly creepy book, features an independent, clever and curious protagonist who you just can't help but adore. Although it's technically a children's book, Coraline has its own dark and twisted storyline that will, without a doubt, have a permanent spot in your heart.

Buy the paperback edition for $23.03 or the Kindle edition for $8.32 on Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it:

Though this book seems like quite the beast to tackle, it will keep you captivated throughout. The plot is fantastic, the characters are well developed and the concepts explored are thrilling, making the length of the book absolutely worth it.

Buy the paperback edition for $20.27 or the Kindle edition for $11.99 on Amazon Australia.

Why you'll love it: You may recognise this title from the Netflix original but trust me when I say the book is in a ballpark of its own. Not only does it have the most insanely clever title I've ever seen,

"What are you reading?"

"You"

"What?!"

— it's also clever, gripping and wonderfully written. Despite his faults, Joe is an insanely likeable character and will have you on his side no matter how desperately you want to hate him. If you're after something a little more lighthearted that won't keep you up at night, this is the book for you.

Buy the paperback edition for $12 or the Kindle edition for $9.99 on Amazon Australia.