‘Tis the season to snuggle up with a cozy blanket, a bright night light, and a good spooky read. Whether you prefer a classic thriller, hauntingly beautiful bakes, or scary non-fiction, there’s something on this list for whatever kind of October read you’re in the mood for.

The Rule of Three by Sam Ripley

Urban myth, deadly killer, or something supernatural? That’s the question readers want to know the answer to as they page through Sam Ripley’s latest novel, The Rule of Three. We’ve all heard that legend: people tend to die in threes. But when this starts actually happening and you know you’re destined to be next, what will you do to stop it? Follow three women as they grapple with their fates in this novel reminiscent of Final Destination.

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

Coming to you from an author whose work has won both a Bram Stoker and British Fantasy award, you can expect a few spine-tingling chills while reading Paul Tremblay’s latest novel, Horror Movie. Years after a cult-classic horror movie debuts, Hollywood comes knocking hoping to make a reboot with the only surviving cast member. What happens next brings psychological thrills and suspense to readers all over.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

For a different kind of horror, delve into this eery non-fiction title that gives readers the play-by-play of exactly what would happen – down to the second – if there were to be a nuclear war. Equal parts terrifying, sobering, and maddening, this book isn’t for the faint of heart.

Bury Your Gays: An Anthology of Tragic Queer Horror by Sofia Ajram

Featuring short stories by queer writers, this anthology delves into some dark themes, from transphobia to bullying, incorporating classic elements of horror, from ghosts to parasites to the walking dead. Both chilling and heartbreaking, these stories are worth a read any time of year.

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

In this feminist Korean-American horror novel, readers follow Ji-won, a college student whose family life comes crumbling down and with it, she too begins to crumble. Enraged at the misogyny and racial fetishization she sees going on around her, Ji-won’s newfound obsession with eyes takes on a whole new meaning.

INDIE AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Peculiar Baking by Nikk Alcaraz

Nikk Alcaraz is the creator behind Practical Pecularities, a hub for his macabre food art and DIY videos on social media. With over half a million followers on Instagram alone, plus a new Prime Video TV show set to debut October 8th, Alcaraz is no stranger to the spotlight. And while he’s not shy in front of the camera, his latest accomplishment comes in a different creative outlet – a cookbook. Peculiar Baking: A Practical Guide to Strange Confections comes out October 29th and features spectacularly spooky offerings, from Apple Eye Pies to Tarot Sun Sheet Cake.