It’s about that time! October is in full swing, which means the temperature is plummeting, the sun is setting sooner, and Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you’re a fall fanatic or someone who is reluctant put the flip flops into storage, this season is a perfect excuse to curl up on the couch with pumpkin flavored goodies and a spooky story.
Here’s a list of ten tales ranging from silly to spine-chilling that are guaranteed to put you in the Halloween spirit!
#1. Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler
This story about a skeleton who mistakes a dinner guest list for a dinner menu has just the right amount of goofiness and spookiness for young readers!
#2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz
Join Charlie Brown and friends in the wait for the Great Pumpkin! This tale is timeless and can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Follow up with the movie too!
#3. Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe
Bunnicula was one of my Halloween favorites as a child. In this story, the Monroe family adopts a new pet rabbit who exhibits vampire-like behavior such as sucking all the juices out of his vegetables! Harold the dog and Chester the cat take it upon themselves to protect the Monroes from this vampire bunny. This book is the first in a series of seven, so you can enjoy Bunnicula throughout the month of October!
#4. Tales for the Midnight Hour by J. B. Stamper
Tales for the Midnight Hour is great for kids (and adults) who enjoy listening to spine-chilling campfire stories. This book contains 17 terrifying short stories, each darker and scarier than the one before! Read at your own risk; they are sure to keep you up at night!
#5. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Everyone knows the legendary tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, but Halloween is a great time to refresh your memory by picking up this creepy classic and taking a trip to Tarrytown!
#6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter is great to read anytime, but I especially enjoy the second book in the series this time of year. Sir Nicholas’ 500th Deathday party, the petrified students, the ominous basilisk, and the Chamber of Secrets all contribute to a spooky story about witches and wizards that is perfectly appropriate for Halloween-time.
#7. Dracula by Bram Stoker
Vampires are a staple of Halloween, and Bram Stoker was the one who shaped their modern form! Although vampires appeared in literature in previous years, many of our modern-day notions about vampires stem from this 1897 novel.
#8. The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
This story about a screeching black cat has to be one of Poe’s most gruesome tales! Many of his stories are dark and sinister, but I like to read this one in the month of October because black cats are so symbolic of Halloween.
#9. The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King
Stephen King has written a plethora of fiction that is perfect for the month of October, but The Eyes of the Dragon stands apart from the rest. This book deviates from his typical horror genre and will take you to the front lines of a battle between good and evil where fantasy and magic are very present.
#10. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
If you enjoy classical literature, Macbeth is a great play to read this October. The three witches and the gruesome murders that occur throughout the play will definitely get you in the spirit of Halloween!
So lock your doors, dim your lights, and curl up on the couch with one of these spooky stories! Have a fun and safe Halloween, and let us know what you’re reading!