Orange pumpkins all over, skeletons reaching for your neck in the malls, mysterious white mist covering the floor and cobwebs hanging in every corner (or maybe someone didn’t want to do their chores in this spooky weather) and nothing but trick or treat on our minds and of course, books. The season for all things eerie and scary is right around the corner. Halloween, our personal favourite time of the year is nearing and The Bombay Circle Press’ team cannot wait to get cosy with a cup of hot chocolate and find the perfect set of spooky books to read this Halloween.
Over the centuries, the thirst and fascination for the supernatural has built quite a large community looking for their thrill in Horror fiction. The mystery of the unknown captures human sensibilities and often lends our imaginations to indulge in this curiosity. So much so that we have created supernatural beings (that may or may not exist) like werewolves, vampires, witches, monsters and ghosts, and featured them in our literary world. Naturally, with the spooky season upon us, pumpkin carving, horror movies and trick or treating is nothing compared to losing yourself to a good horror novel. So grab onto your seats because we have curated the ultimate spooky books to read this Halloween, consisting of classic evergreen novels to modern fictions that are sure to send shivers down your spine!
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Out of all the gothic classic books, Frankenstein; or The Modern Prometheus is a must read. This book was conceived as the outcome of a friendly competition between Mary Shelley, P. B. Shelley, Lord Byron and John Polidori, to see who would come out with the creepiest fiction. Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Victor abandons his creation and all hell breaks loose. The creature learns to live like a human being, and yet was called a monster. The creature’s sole purpose is to terrorise Victor and avenge his abandonment. The novel, apart from its thrill, offers a fertile field for introspection, both ethical and philosophical.
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde
Another classic thriller novel that is a must read is The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde. The tale of an esteemed American family moved into a British mansion, Canterville Chase, much to the annoyance of its tired ghost. The ghost makes all the possible efforts to frighten the family with bloodstains, noises, and other tricks but fails and ends up in making a mockery of himself. The family, which refuses to believe in him, is in Wilde’s commentary on the British nobility of the day and on the Americans, too.
Gallant by V. E. Schwab
Rated number one bestseller by Sunday Times, this modern fantasy horror explores a protagonist who is stuck between the world and its dark side. Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home to Gallant. Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. Gallant features gorgeous and intricate illustrations and can be finished in one sitting.
The Séance That Never Dies by M.Q. Nguyen
When Maggie steals a shard of bone from her daughter Carrie’s urn during the ash-scattering ceremony, she is unaware what forces she is allowing into her new home. Strange little happenings around the house leave Maggie hopeful that her daughter is back, but little does she know this comes at a price. Along with her daughter’s gentle spirit, she senses a malevolent one—one that is out to get her! If she brings in an exorcist, they will most likely purge the house of all ghosts, and Maggie cannot bear to lose Carrie so soon, all over again. As the hauntings grow more violent, Maggie has to face the fact that she has a choice to make—it’s her life or Carrie.
Beautiful gothic manors, eerie characters and twists at every turn make this the perfect Halloween read to curl up with. If you like The Bombay Circle Press’ list of spooky books to read this Halloween, stay tuned to our bulletin for more.