It’s Spooky Season: 11 Horror Books on My TBR List
I’ve started saying different variations of “whimsical girls love horror too” and the response to this video I shared made me realize one thing; people love the genre as much as I do, especially on BookTok. I’ve discovered so many titles to add to my spooky TBR list and the best part about it is not all of them are popular celebrity book club picks! It’s not a dig towards them, but I genuinely enjoy knowing what everyday people are reading. Plus, October’s the first month I’ve genuinely been interested in curating a TBR list in a long time.
After asking for vampire book recommendations on — you guessed it — TikTok last week, I decided it was time to hunker down and curate a list I’m sure I’ll be reading for the rest of the year. Once I did a little research based on what people shared, I added a few more titles to my list which I’m excited to share in full! So if you love a spooky good time, get ready for all things vampires, witches, ghosts and more!
This first section is dedicated to all things vampires. From love stories to revenge tales, I’ve always been fascinated by the authors who either give vampires a shred of humanity or paint them as villainous, blood-thirsty beings. In no particular order, here are the vampiric books I can’t wait to sink my teeth into!
Blood slaves by markus redmond
Slaves Willie, Gertie and their unborn child are the property of the sadistic James “Big Jim” Barrow on his plantation in the Province of Carolina. Suffering under his brutality, Willie longs for freedom and has his wish granted in an unexpected way.
Upon meeting the dark and mysterious Rafazi, Willie’s offered a chance to not only free his family, but to free the rest of the slaves and seek bloody revenge against their plight. However, will there ever be a path to freedom when spilled blood is involved?
vampires of el norte by isabel cañas
In 1840s Mexico, Nena has seen the effects the Anglo settlers have on the people around her, but she soon realizes they’re not the only threat she should fear. Though she escaped from the clutches of an evil force long ago, it’s back and it’s attacking the people around her. Then there’s Néstor. He thought he’d lost Nena long ago and nothing has been able to fill the aching void in his life.
When the U.S. begins a war in Mexico, the two cross paths and must reckon with their pasts and futures if they want to survive. That is, IF they can.
coffin moon by keith rosson
Duane Minor has recently come home to Portland, Oregon after being in Vietnam to a struggling marriage, sobreity journey and building a relationship his niece Julia. Things are as good as they can be given the circumstances, but vampire John Varley shatters his hopes with the murder of his wife.
What’s left is a heartstricken Duane and a rageful teen who will cross the earth to destroy what’s torn their family apart.
genesis of the fall by k.s. reign
Set in 1958 Appalachia, Madeleine Whitmore is a devoted wife and pious member of the church she attends. In this town, the existence of vampires is well-known and heavily preached against, but Madeleine doesn’t believe she can be touched. She believes she’s far-removed vampires’ influence until she meets Cassius. He’s as smooth as he is dangerous and it doesn’t take long for Madeleine to be swept into his world. The less she resists him, the more she questions the life she’s been leading. Torn between two duties and loves, Madeleine’s greatest battle is about to begin and there can be only one she remains loyal to.
I was a little girl when I watched The Craft for the first time and it piqued my curiosity for witches. I wanted to know more about them and the spells they used for good or evil. I’m sure this might raise a few eyebrows, but it’s true! As an adult, I’m still as obsessed about them which is why I can’t wait to read these books!
the year of the witching by alexis henderson
Immanuelle Moore lives in the town of Bethel where the church’s word is law and her existence is considered an abomination as the result of her mother’s prior actions. Still, Immanuelle tries to follow the law of the land so she can prove she’s a good and holy young woman. But one day she stumbles into the Darkwood where she discovers her dead mother’s journal and tales of the witches who covered her when she needed protection.
The more she reads, the more Immanuelle realizes Bethel isn’t what it’s portrayed as. That the church has committed dark sins...
slewfoot: a tale of bewitchery by brom
In 1666 Connecticut, whispers of an awakend spirit circulate the town, but his purpose differs depending on who you ask. The colonists believe he’s the devil himself while others view him as a mighty savior. For the outcast and widowed Abitha, he’s the only being she feels will be the support system she needs.
Between the two of them, a war is waged and it seeks to dismantle the very haughtiness that sought to look down upon Abitha.
the witch by freida mcfadden
Some secrets refuse to stay dead which is what Julia Barlow discovers when she’s forced to return to Pemberton estate in Massachusetts. It’s her family’s home, but it’s also a last resort after job loss and having nowhere else to go. Despite partially being there to make sure her grandmother’s okay, Julia’s sanity begins to unravel the longer she lives and sleeps in Pemberton.
From weird clock occurrences to hearing voices, Julia discovers news about a woman’s execution for witchcraft long ago. The more she learns, the more Julia begins to suspect there’s something the voices want her to unearth about Pemberton’s history.
I have a love/hate relationship with haunted houses because I believe some spirits don’t leave like everyone thinks they do. Sometimes they’re harmless, but as movies like The Conjuring have showed us, they can also be poltergeists.
how to sell a haunted house by grady hendrix
The loss of Louise’s parents feels monumental because she genuinely felt loved and seen by them. The last thing she wants to do is go back home to sort through their belongs though. Plus, her relationship with her brother Mark is rocky and this means facing a brick wall of sullenness. Still, they have to work together to sell their parents’ home…that is, if it doesn’t haunt them to death.
the september house by carissa orlando
Married couple Margaret and Hal believe they’ve struck gold when they’re able to purchase a gorgeous Victoria house on Hawthorn Street. However, their luck runs out as soon as spooky things begin happening. From walls oozing blood to ghosts who don’t want to leave, it’s no mistaking that this house is haunted. But Margaret isn’t leaving so easily and decides to stay put.
But when her husband Hal gets fed and disappears after leaving, their daughter Katherine decides to visit to search for him. It doesn’t take long for her to become aware of the hauntings, but things take a drastic turn for the worse the more Margaret and Katherine try to uncover the disappearance of Hal.
the haunting of ashburn house by darcy coates
Adrienne believe she has one more chance to start her life over and it’s in the form of inheriting the dilapidated Ashburn House. Despite rumors that something evil lurks within the mansion, Adrienne settles in before realizing she has unexpected company. Her only piece of solace is Wolfgang, her steadfast cat. The problem is that even his presence may not be enough to save her from falling victim to the house’s mysteries.
Play nice by rachel harrison
Clio Louise Barnes may look like she has an aesthetically-pleasing career and life, but she’s carrying the trauma of having grown up in a possessed home with her sisters and their mom Alex. Though the latter insisted a demon occupied their home, legal paperwork determined Alex was unfit to raise her girls no matter how much she insisted something was wrong with the house instead of her. So when she dies, Clio and her sisters naturally inherit the house of horrors.
Even though her sisters don’t want anything to do with the home, Clio decides to film her renovation process because good content sells. But the more she tries to revamp it, the more evil rears its heads and it makes her question everything she thought she knew.
I’m sure I’ll eventually add to this list, but I’m going to commit to reading the books on it for now. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the appeal of bragging about what we’re going to read that we don’t actually make an effort to get through at least two books. So if you’re interested in any of these titles let’s vow to read one at a time!
