Incredible tales of horror to grace your shelves. 

Whenever you’re in the mood for a good scare you’ll be able to find a good book to do the job. Horror books are written with the intention of inflicting feelings of disgust and fear, and many authors have perfected it. From the classic works of authors like Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Stephen King to modern talent like Paul Tremblay, Stephen Graham Jones, Cynthia Pelayo, Eric LaRocca, Hailey Piper, and Josh Malerman, the horror genre is overflowing with plenty of options to choose from. From spooky occult horror to blood and gore—and everything in between—there’s something for every style of reader, no matter your taste. 

Whether you’re interested in close-to-home horror that tackles social issues or campy slasher-style horror books that rack up the kills, the horror genre has something for every style of reader. From aquatic horror and ghostly hauntings to body horror and coming-of-age tales—you’re sure to find just the thing to sink your teeth into. 

Whether you’re a seasoned horror aficionado looking to expand your horizons or a newer reader looking to dip your toes into (shark infested) horror waters, here are some great places to start: 

And when you’ve finished with those, peruse the stories below for endless recommendations of chilling books to read.

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9 Chilling Horror Books for Fans of Jordan Peele

Cutting social commentary and vivid horrorscapes await.

Eerie Cabin Horror Books to Give You the Creeps

Once you go in, you might not come back out…

4 Free Ebooks to Read in January 2025 for Horror, True Crime, and Paranormal Fans

Put a chill down your spine with these creepy ebooks—free, this month only.

First Frights: The Best Debut Horror Novels of 2024

These new voices have terrified us the whole year through.

A Year of Terror: Take a Look Back at the Best Indie Horror Books of 2024

From blood-sucking immortals to freaky folklore, look back through a year of fear.

Scary Manga to Read if You Like Junji Ito 

There's much more to the genre than its most famous author. 

2024's Most Terrifying Horror, True Crime, and Paranormal Bestsellers

The Lineup community has spoken: These are the books that scared you best in 2024. 

From the Haunted Stacks: 2024 Horror Book Highlights

A detailed look at Horror from 2024, from the “library world's horror maven.”

Christa Carmen Showcases the Modern Allure of the Gothic

Author Christa Carmen reflects on her gothic novels and short stories from her ever-growing bibliography.

Gritty Supernatural Horror to Bring Your Worst Fears to Life

The events in these books are entirely fictional—or are they…

Scary Christmas Short Stories to Spook You All Season Long

These scary story anthologies prove Christmas isn't always merry…

How a Love of Stephen King and MacGyver Turned Craig Davidson Into a Horror Star

Reflections from Davidson (aka Nick Cutter) on his bone-chilling catalog.