Reading Recommendations: Spooktastic Reads 2020!

It’s that time of the year again where horror films reign, kids go trick or treating, and candy is everywhere! Since Halloween is coming up later this month, I’ve compiled yet another list of creepy novels to satisfy your horror cravings. Each book has its own horror rating, from one to three ghosts:

Enjoy these spooky tales to fill your night with fright!

*See last years recommendations here!*

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The house is a living, breathing entity and all of the objects have a life of their own in this novel. From the detailed descriptions of it’s dark exterior and it’s uncanny ability to know the person’s needs/wants it puts the reader on edge. It starts off with a slow, steady pace that builds up the action of the plot. Subtle things are placed here and there throughout the story such as mysterious shadows at the corner of the eye, and the ominous creaking of old unsteady floorboards. (Review)

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This was such a atmospheric horror novel and Ward’s attention to detail really pulls the reader into the true terror of what’s happening. There’s an ongoing sense of paranoia from the narrator and other people she interacts with as the pandemonium ensues. People start to distrust each other, hoard food/supplies. It was so creepy to read about the visceral images of bones and hair rising up from the streets. Especially when the main character starts to experience hallucinations from the tainted blood. Though this novel is more focused on the survival aspects, it still makes for a spine tingling horror novel.

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My mind was blown away by the artwork of this book with it’s simple use of gray scale tones. Being that the graphic novel is only in black and white only added to the overall reader experience. The story follows William who is the son of a funeral home owner. Because of his fathers profession he is often ostracized by others and this extends late into his life due to an incident during his childhood. Later in life, he marries a childhood acquaintance and the two try to move on from the past that haunts them. The two strike up a con business in “spirit” photography, but how long can they keep up the facade? (Review)

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This YA novel was a blend of thriller and psychological horror elements. The story of the main character, Alice, is told in fragments and it’s up to readers to piece together the story. Her memory is incredibly foggy and because she is an unreliable narrator we rely on her pov and her detailed journal entries. The setting of the story, Savage Isle is the perfect eerie setting (think of the movie Shutter Island) as it’s isolated, dreary, and something about it just doesn’t seem quite right. Even though it’s more of a thriller than a horror novel, it caught me off guard with is constant twists. And the overall truths that are presented to the reader may not be what it seems.

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What set this book apart from other “ghost stories” is that the book is told from the perspective of Okiku (the ghost) and it works very well for this type of story. It was unique for me to read the book from this view as it is usually told from the ones being haunted. I loved the attention to detail for the horror, description of the undead, subtle jump-scares, and how Chupeco makes the reader feel uneasy but eager to find out the mystery of Tarquin’s curse and it’s background. The tie into the origins of Yurei (ghosts) in Japan was interesting to read about. (Review)

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Do you have any “Spooktastic Reads” you’ll be reading for Halloween? Do you have any recommendations to share? Comment below!