Top 3 Halloween Reads

I know that it is now November, but, as I didn’t post anything last week I wanted to give you the top 3 reads that I enjoy during the Halloween/Autumn season. Below, I have included some of my favourite horror and thriller books and novels for a range of different age groups and genders. Let me know in the comments section, just below this post, if you have read or maybe want to read any of the books I have mentioned. I would love to hear your thoughts and please feel free to recommend your favourite Halloween reads below.

For Younger Readers:

Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestly

Travelling through the dark wood, Edgar makes the journey to visit his Uncle Montague in his strange and intriguing house. Through the chilling and spooky stories that appear to relate to objects in Uncle Montague’s house, Edgar soon discovers that his Uncle has a mysterious link to these tales of terror. Full of mystery and scares, this collection of short stories is a great introduction to horror for younger readers. I remember having this read to me in primary school when I was about 11, and falling in love with the creepy tales and the wonderfully scary world Priestly creates. This is a perfect collection for younger readers (8+), as although it still has scary elements, the language is not too complex and it doesn’t deal with incredibly gory or disturbing themes.

For Young Adult (YA) Readers:

The Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan

This series consists of twelve small(ish) novels and is centred around the life of an average teenage boy Darren Shan and his transition into the world of vampires and the supernatural. After attending an illegal freak show with his friend Steve, Darren encounters the mysterious Mr. Crepsley and his talented spider Madam Octa. As the series develop, the reader follows Darren Shan and his adventures and battles in the vampire world. This series, although rather long for some, is a great mix of horror, action and comedy that will keep you engaged throughout. The characters are well thought out and the narrative style is easy to follow, perfect for the YA readership. I read this series a few years ago and have since recommended it to many of my friends and my brother.

For Adult Readers:

Horns by Joe Hill

Horns is one of my favourite contemporary horror/fantasy novels that I have read in a long time. Through a third person omniscient narrator, the story focuses on Ig Perrish and the events following the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Merrin. Ig then, after being accused of the murder, awakes one morning to find that he has grown horns from his head and now has the power to control the ugly urges of his neighbours and friends. With his newfound powers, Ig looks to uncover the mystery of the murder, to avenge his girlfriend and clear his name. In a story of revenge and mystery, Hill explores the concept of the devil being the anti-hero and the fine line between right and wrong. I read this book last year just before the release of the movie adaptation starring Daniel Radcliffe, as I wanted to get a grasp on the story before watching the film. I absolutely loved the book as despite its dark aspects at times there was also small parts of dark humour that made the novel stand out from other contemporary horrors. I would recommend this, however, to more of an older teen or adult novel as it does deal with some disturbing themes and the language used is often quite offensive for a younger audience.

These are just 3 of my favourite Halloween reads that I have read again and again during the festive seasons in the past. I hope you liked this style of post, and I would love to hear some of your favourite Halloween/Autumn reads in the comments section below.