While scary movies are an integral preparing for Halloween, reading these stories late at night can be just as creepy.
1. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
author: Washington Irving. 1820.
F.O.C Darley. public domain
A bone-chilling chase on horseback featuring The Headless Horseman. If you’re looking for a haunted town and the specter of a fallen soldier, this is it.
2. The Graveyard Book
2008
harpercollins.com
This one’s not your average ghost story. In fact, it’s more like The Jungle Book, but set in a graveyard, as the author has often said. Light-hearted and fun, it’s a great book with just enough paranormal elements to set the mood for October 31.
3. Aura
1962
amazon.com
Originally written in Spanish, this hypnotic ghost story by Carlos Fuentes will surprise you in more ways than one. Nobody is who they say they are.
4. The Turn of the Screw
1898
amazon.com
The most psychological entry in this list. Are the ghosts actually there, or are they just in the head of the governess? The Turn of the Screw was also the inspiration behind the 2001 film The Others.
5. Dracula
1897
penguin.com
Dracula is the definitive vampire story, and the reason why Nosferatu, a classic horror film in its own right, was made. And Count Chocula cereal, too.
