Classic Spooky Books to Read this Fall

Are you ready to discover your next book to fall into this spooky season? We have the ultimate October reading list: a classic books edition. If you’ve always wanted to read one of the classic stories during its timely season, this list will guide you. These books are meant to make your skin crawl— to haunt you— to give you all the spooky vibes. Let’s dive in!  

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Not all spooky books have to be witches and vampires. Our October reading list gives an array of haunting stories that include monsters and goblins, but also other chilling classics fit for the spooky season.

Classic Spooky Book List:

1. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde | Amazon | Peter Pauper Press May 15, 2024

2. Dracula by Bram Stoker | Amazon | Peter Pauper Press October 15, 2024

3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley | Amazon | Penguin Classics September 30, 2014

4. Grimm’s Fairy Tales | Amazon | Canterbury Classics November 1, 2011

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, #1 by J.K. Rowling | Amazon | Scholastic Inc. October 1, 2024

6. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn | Amazon | Peter Pauper Books July 1, 2025

7. 1984 by George Orwell | Amazon | Berkley May 6, 2003

8. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving | Amazon | Barnes & Noble January 1, 2017

1. Despite the lyrical poetry in this book, Dorian Gray’s descent into darkness is haunting. This is a tragic cautionary tale about how vanity corrodes a soul. Wilde explores the possibility that if we had a portrait of us hanging around our home, and it reflected the very essence of our soul, what would it show? Would it shine as bright as you believe or reveal the blemishes you hide? 

2. Dracula is the ultimate Halloween story. However, this tale isn’t romantic, nor does it cast the immortal creatures in a bright light. This story shows that these creatures are pure villains and predatorial. This story is written through a series of letters by an engaging cast of characters. 

3. Along with Dracula, this classic story is the perfect book to read in October. Despite the reputation Frankenstein has, the novel is pure poetry. Shelley’s prose is absolutely stunning, exploring themes such as death and life. This book is a must-read.

4. If you’re looking for bite-sized spooky stories, pick up this Grimm’s Fairy Tales collection. This book combines the classic cautionary-tales that span decades. Not only can you spend one reading sprint completing an entire story, but you can explore the foundation of most haunting storytelling. 

5. What would the Halloween season be without Harry Potter? If you haven’t read the books, we highly recommend them. J.K. Rowling is a master storyteller who immerses her readers into Harry’s world. If you haven’t read this series, but know the story well, start with the first novel. It’s the shortest book and provides a fall atmosphere. 

6. This classic reads akin to a melodramatic romance novel, so if that’s your cup of tea, you must read this book. The Scarlet Letter is a story about a woman who gives birth out of wedlock in the mid-17th century, labeling her as an adulterer. We watch a woman who is ostracized reclaim her place in the world.  

7. I recently read this book, but this story sent chills down my spine. All of my adult life, I’ve heard of 1984 but had no idea what I was getting into. This book needs to be digested in bite sizes– at least that’s what I did. The worldbuilding and character development is so profound; it left me speechless after each reading session. The audio-version of this novel is amazing; the narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. This dystopian will chill you to the core. 

Check out my short story that takes place in autumn.

Download the file for free: A Stable Home 

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Blurb: When two brothers, longing for the love of their distant mother, call upon a star in desperation, their wish is answered in an unexpected way. Now, Milo and Ezra are plagued with guilt and uncertainty as their mother deals with a malady of their making. Will she overcome her demons and be the parent she once was, or will a broken past upend any hope these boys have for a stable home?

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What’s on my spooky TBR? 

Here are some must-reads that I’ve added to my bookshelf to read this spooky season. These books make me think of the fall all while adding a small amount of horror.

Here’s my list of books to read this fall: 

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, #5 by J.K. Rowling | Arthur A. Levine Books July 1, 2003

• For the past five years, I read one Harry Potter book per season, sadly skipping last year. Needless to say, I’m ready to dive back in! The fifth Harry Potter is my ultimate favorite of the films, so I cannot wait to read this book. 

2. Vault of Stone, #2 by V.K. Dixon | Xenia House Press October 17, 2023 

• In July, I read this indie author’s debut and fell in love with this world and her prose. I’m diving into book two this season because this story is about ghosts and mysterious monsters.

3. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux | Harper Perennial December 30, 1987

• This classic gothic romance is about possession, music, and grief. I cannot wait to dive into this. I’m a little uncertain of what to expect but excited to be surprised! 

4. Sherlock Holmes | Baker Street Press October 21, 2021

• I recently got two gorgeous hardcover editions of Sherlock Holme’s world. I’ve never read the books, but love mysteries and the movies. 

5. The Witches’ Bridge by Barbee Oliver Carleton | Holt, Rinehart and Winston January 1, 1967

• This is a book about a boy who moves into an old family house only to discover he might be haunted by a witch. 

6. Wild Magic by Cat Weatherill | Puffin August 28, 2007 

• This is a middle-grade children's story involving beasts, curses, magic, and the pied piper. 

What’s on my autumn bookshelf?  

Truthfully, I am yet to read a book that takes place in autumn but doesn’t necessarily have haunting undertones, or chilling characters. This year, my aim is to find stories that show me the yellow, red, and orange leaves but don’t need a vampire to do so. I’m on the hunt for character-driven fall books that make me feel the changing season without scaring me. Here’s a list of wholesome autumn books I found that I hope make me feel warm and cozy. 

1. The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa Translated by Philip Gabriel | Berkley October 23, 2018 

• This book sounds like a wholesome story about finding courage, joy, and being reminded of what life is all about. 

2. Six of Crows, #1 by Leigh Bardugo | Square Fish February 6, 2018

• I’ve had this series on my to-be-read shelf for months– ever since I found the series on sale second-hand. It’s a fantasy heist book and fall seems like the perfect season for it. 

Eight books might be a lot to try and read for one season, but I hope to get through a handful before December. What’s on your reading list this fall? 

Have you read any of these books? Tell me in the comments which books you’ve read and your thoughts on them. 

Happy reading!