Celebrate Summerween — this Summer’s Trendiest Holiday — With These Spooktacular Books For All Ages

‘When Devils Sing’ by Xan Kaur

In this YA Southern gothic horror novel, four teenagers spend the summer investigating the disappearance of a local boy — and learn that there’s true evil nestled within their Georgia community. A terrifying examination of class and power.

‘The Bewitching’ by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Mexican Gothic author’s upcoming novel tells the story of three women across different timelines — including 20th century Mexico and ‘90s New England — all haunted by witchcraft. A sinister supernatural tale with elements of dark academia.

‘Smile for the Cameras’ by Miranda Smith

Ella Winters made a name for herself starring as the final girl in the horror film Grad Night, but after terrifying events took place behind the scenes, she left acting altogether. Two decades later, Ella returns to Hollywood when Grad Night becomes the subject of a new documentary — only to realize that she and her costars are in danger once again. This thriller reads like your favorite slasher flick.

‘Witchcraft for Wayward Girls’ by Grady Hendrix

When Fern arrives pregnant at the Wellwood House for unwed mothers, her life is firmly in the hands of the home’s controlling mistress. But when she receives a book about the occult, Fern and her housemates discover they hold more power than they thought.

‘Trick or Treat on Scary Street’ by Lance Bass

The *NSYNC star is ringing in Summerween with a children’s book! Join 13 trick-or-treaters as they take a stroll down Scary Street, where witches, vampires and treats lie just beyond.

‘Middle of the Night’ by Riley Sager

When Ethan Marsh was a chid, his best friend, Billy, disappeared from Ethan’s backyard during a sleepover. Thirty years later, Ethan returns to his hometown, where he begins to experience insomnia, bad dreams and a strange figure roaming his neighborhood at night. Ethan’s investigation leads him to discover a terrifying truth about his seemingly sleepy neighborhood, in Sager’s riveting thriller.

‘It’ by Stephen King

Seven friends spend their childhood being terrorized by a malicious creature that haunts their Maine town. Decades later, once the murders in Derry return, the group returns home as adults to take on the entity they thought they’d conquered. This classic King novel is hefty but worth the read.

‘The Ghostkeeper’ by Johanna Taylor

Dorian Leith has the ability to see ghosts, and though this skill makes him town outcast, the spirit of his dead grandmother — along with the living local bookshop owner — have enough faith in him to propel him forward. When the gate to Death’s Door is stolen, and ghosts become trapped in the land of the living, Dorian must use his power to bring peace to both plains. This graphic novel is perfect for fans of shows like Lockwood & Co and The Midnight Club.

‘The Hacienda’ by Isabel Cañas

In the wake of her father’s death and the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz is proposed to by Don Rodolfo Solórzano, a handsome widower whose first wife died under mysterious circumstances. Beatriz moves into Rodolfo’s estate on Hacienda San Isidoro, but soon learns that there’s a malevolent presence haunting the grounds. Pro tip: Read this riveting supernatural novel with the lights on.

‘Horror Movie’ by Paul Tremblay

In 1993, a group of filmmakers set out to make a creepy art house flick, though only three scenes were ever released to the public. Nevertheless, Horror Movie gained a cult following, and is now being optioned for a reboot.

One of the film’s star’s, however, can’t forget the bizarre incidents, dangers and tragedy that happened behind the scenes — and his past and present begin to blur in this fun take on the “found footage” genre.

‘Things that Go Bump in the Day’ by Melinda Beatty

This children’s book is a perfect Summerween read — mainly because it takes place during the day! Vampire Vlad is supposed to be going to sleep, but is kept awake by all of the strange noises that occur during the day. With the help of his mother, Vlad comes to see that the waking hours aren’t as frightening as they may seem in this book about bedtime anxieties.

‘The Black Girl Survives in This One’ edited by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell

This YA anthology spotlights Black girls as horror protagonists. In stories from writers like Zakiya Dalila Harris (The Other Black Girl), Erin E. Adams (Jackal) and more, characters battle monsters, supernatural forces and more in this chilling and powerful collection.

‘I Was a Teenage Slasher’ by Stephen Graham Jones

The Texas town of Lamesa is the kind of place where all the neighbors know your name. For Tolly Driver, the unfortunate recipient of a curse that forces him to kill, Lamesa becomes a target instead. This unsettling novel told from Tolly’s perspective, presents a new twist on the slasher movie — from inside the mind of a teenage murderer.

‘The Troop’ by Nick Cutter

A scout troop’s camping trip in the Canadian wilderness takes a dark turn with the arrival of a mysterious intruder — one who is disturbingly thin, pale and hungry. Dubbed as Lord of the Flies meets 28 Days Later, this survival thriller is sure to make your skin crawl.

‘Things We Lost in the Fire’ by Mariana Enríquez

This short story collection packs chills in every form — haunted houses, black magic, superstition and gristly endings, just to name a few. Enríquez also weaves in Argentina’s complicated history in tales that are as sharp as they are scary.

‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ by Alvin Schwartz

This anthology of horror stories has been terrifying ‘90s kids for decades, but is sure to spook anyone, no matter their age. Composed of tales found by its folklorist author, this book is perfect to scare your friends with around a campfire (and if that’s not enough, its illustrations should do the trick).

‘The Between’ by Tananarive Due

As a child, Hilton was saved from dying by his grandmother, who sacrificed her life for him. Thirty years later, when his wife becomes the recipient of racist letters, and Hilton is haunted by bizarre and disturbing nightmares, he begins to wonder if he was really supposed to survive his accident.