These recs are for those paranormal, ghostly reads that have you feeling a chill down your spine. While a few of the Witchy Book Recs could have snuck onto this list, these recs feature less magical elements, so if you aren’t all that into magic but want a good scare, then this list might be for you. Remember to check back in with these recs lists as I will be adding to them throughout October as I read more of my October tbr.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

I fell in love with this book when I first read it, and although I haven’t reread it yet I have a feeling I will be picking it up again soon. I have read several Alice Feeney books since, but Daisy Darker was my first experience with her writing, and I could not put it down. It is a mystery and a thriller with a dark background (excuse the pun), set at an alluring manor on an isolated rock, and containing many shady characters and secrets that are slowly revealed. I would highly recommend giving Daisy Darker a read if you haven’t already, especially now that the online hype for it has mellowed out.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

A staple and classic in its own right, The Haunting of Hill House is the perfect book for your October reading list. Full of suspense, eerie happenings, and a sinister tone that is undeniably chilling, The Haunting of Hill House is a piece of artwork and a masterful showcase of how psychological horror can be so entertaining and immersive. If you haven’t read any of Shirley Jackson’s works yet, you absolutely must. She, out of all the authors you see in my book recs this month, is the one you must read ASAP.

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox

The Last Heir of Blackwood Manor carries a dark tone to the writing, yet its historical setting of post-WWI England gives it a softer edge. With its slight Victorian feel nestled among a hostile set of characters, a house that has a mind of its own, and a detail that is so brilliantly executed in the storytelling, The Last Heir of Blackwood Library has the foundations of an excellent haunting tale, and it is not one to skip this autumn.

The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

The Whispering Dark is one of those dark academia books I read years ago that has stuck with me for its simple yet wonderful storytelling, compelling layers, and engaging characters. The tone and setting bring that classic dark academia vibe while the characters and plot trajectory carry the more horror-esque elements of the story. It is not as scary as others on the list, but the effect was quite strong for me, and I hope others read this and get a similar experience from the novel.

The Raven and Other Poems by Edgar Allen Poe

You can’t talk about haunting works without include at least one mention of Edgar Allen Poe’s poetry. The Raven and Other Poems was a Scholarly Reading Month pick of mine, but the work is so elegant yet haunting that it deserves its place in this book recs list. Annabel Lee and The Raven are some classic examples of Poe’s powerful language choice and gothic feel, but there are so many others in this collection that leave you feeling haunted by the emotion and tone of the works. If you’re not a big fan of scary, this is a great rec for you.

House of Salt and Sorrow by Erin A. Craig

Again, it has been a while since I read House of Salt and Sorrow, but I remember the impact it had on me as I was reading it and the brilliant use of word choice, language, and lush detail Erin A. Craig wielded for this work. I also remember that I was struggling to find a copy of House of Roots and Ruin at the time, so I have just requested it so I can go back to this story world and enjoy more of her compelling, emotive writing.

The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig

This is a recent read and a book that is still in public discussion, though the initial hype has died down, but if you are looking for more that gothic haunting vibe look no further than The Knight and The Moth. A fantasy world full of magic and old gods, the nature and background of the main character are certainly befitting for the category. While it wasn’t a favourite of mine, it may be someone else’s, so I have added it to the list.

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

The Bone Houses taught me so much about life, from the meaning of it to the way we fill our lives, and the fantasy elements make this a great YA pick for a haunting book rec. From the beginning, I was hooked into this story, and while the lasting impact has mellowed out over the years I found myself drawn to this work and creating something with the same tone and sentiment, so I can’t say it was without its influence on me as a writer.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

This has been on my tbr for so long, so I have decided to add it here as a push for me to read it. It fits the bill, I have heard great things about it, and the vibes of the read are nothing short of haunting with its crumbling country estate and hostile locals. With the description of ‘A Victorian ghost story that evokes a most unsettling kind of fear, this is a tale that creeps its way through the consciousness in ways you least expect’ you can’t not give it a chance.

A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

This haunting book recs list will have its fair share of haunted house books, and A House With Good Bones is just one more addition to that pile. The tone is dark and exciting, the setting a mix of remote and everyone-knows-everyone, and with a twist that leans right into the horror elements many know and love, A House With Good Bones will be a welcome read this October.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Taking a slight sidestep, but still within the field of ‘haunting’, we have the modern classic The Book Thief. How could I not include this novel when the narrator is Death and the setting is WWII. I could easily have added more WWII stories to this list, and many of you long-term readers may have been expecting more, but I limited myself to this one. The Book Thief is a novel I cannot forget, from the writing that is so engaging and personal to the characters and story itself, it is a book I will be adding to my bookshelf in due time – I just have to find the perfect version of it given there are so many covers to choose from.

Slewfoot by Brom

Slewfoot could have been in my Witchy Book Recs, but I felt it was better suited for this recs list for its truly horrifying characters that we get to see in the artwork featured in the book and the combination of the setting, time period, characters, and story progression. Slewfoot is haunting and bewitching and a thoroughly enjoyable read, perfect for those wanting to truly be immersed in the writing and get that added detail of masterful artwork thrown in.

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Another classic and another book that is on my tbr but I just haven’t picked up yet, House of Leaves is an immense read I have heard great things about. It is also quite a long one, which I think it part of the reason I have been delaying it for so long. But let that be an incentive more than a deterant, I say! If there is anyone out there who has yet to read House of Leaves, this is your sign to do so. I am sure that once we start, we will be sucked in until the end.

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

Set during the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, this novel sheds light on both the horrors and beauty of humanity, seeking to find the answers to what makes us human even in the darkest of times, and providing a compelling, mesmerising novel that leads us through the perspectives of three different people affected by this siege. The setting is painted in such crisp detail, the tension is palpable, the stakes sky-high, and the sentiment all the more moving given the story’s relatability and application to many areas of the world today. The Cellist of Sarajevo is a novel that feels timeless in the most sorrowful way, and will leave you forever changed.