15 Best horror books that can keep you up at night

Some may say that horror books do not have the same effect as horror films. If you feel like you are ready to put that to the test, here are a few horror book recommendations that might keep you up at night. The list includes books by world-renowned horror authors to debut horror books.

1) Bunny by Mona Awad

Bunny is a mix of Mean Girls and The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It explores the dark, mysterious world of cliques that turns into a cult. Here is a quote from the book to draw you in: "We were just these innocent girls in the night trying to make something beautiful. We nearly died. We very nearly did, didn't we?"

2) The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

This book takes family secrets to a whole new level. The book explores the lives of three characters: a teenage girl, a drunk man, and a cat who reads the Bible. They are bound together by a deep dark, secret that threatens to spill when a new neighbor moves in. What are they hiding?

3) How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Another horror book that features a haunted house. How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is a book about Louise, who has to go back home to deal with the death of her parents and confront a brother who resents her. But how does she let go if the house does not want to let go of Louise?

4) The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

The title is quite a mouthful. The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is another horror novel by Grady Hendrix. It is set in Southern America in the 90s. The drama begins when local children start missing after the arrival of a new neighbor. Is he a serial killer or worse?

5) What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is a historical fiction, gothic, horror, and fantasy novel rolled into one. It explores the mysterious occurrences happening in the home of the Ushers. Madeline is dying, her brother Roderick is sick, and their home is infested with fungal growths. What happened to the house of the Ushers?

6) A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

A Certain Hunger is Chelsea G. Summers' debut novel. This book may not be for everyone, but if you do not shy away from cannibalism, it might be a great read for you. A Certain Hunger explores the life of Dorothy Daniels, who is not your average food critic. This is not just a horror novel but is a "satire of early foodieism, a critique of how gender is defined."

7) The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

What do you do if you see the words "Pray they are hungry" at your uncle's house? Kara's curiosity gets the better of her after seeing these words in the bunker of her uncle's home. She finds a portal to a place where creatures hear your very thoughts, and if you are afraid, they are coming for you.

8) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

One of the original horror novels and a classic that remains timeless to this day. Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley decades ago, in 1818, and to this day, it has been used as a blueprint for numerous horror books, shows, and films. If you want to read classic literature with elements of gothic and science fiction, we are sure this book will make you cry towards the end.

9) The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon was a Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror in 2019. What makes this book different from the usual "haunted house" plot is they do not move into a haunted house. They built one. And it is not just the homeowners who are in danger. Their neighbors, too! What have they invited into their home?

10) Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison explores the story of how the "black sheep" of the family, Vesper, returns to her oppressive religious community. She faces her "forever ice queen" mother and discovers a horrible secret that forces her to navigate a terrifying reckoning with her past and identity.

11) The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay is a Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror in 2018. Here is an excerpt from the book's description to grab your attention: "Leonard and Wen talk and play until Leonard abruptly apologizes and tells Wen, "None of what’s going to happen is your fault... Your dads won’t want to let us in, Wen. But they have to. We need your help to save the world."

12) The Ruins by Scott Smith

Imagine going on a Mexican vacation, exploring the forests of Mexico with your friends, only to realize you are trapped and there is an unexplainable horror lurking around you, watching your every move. Do you think you can still escape?

13) Mary by Nat Cassidy

Mary is the story of a woman who returns to her hometown to "find herself" after being fired from her job. However, strange things have been happening, and Mary starts "auto-writing strange thoughts and phrases." She later discovers these are the "experiences are echoes of an infamous serial killer."

14) Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

The Never Whistle at Night Anthology is a collection of short stories from over 25 authors. You can expect stories about "ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge" in this collection.

15) House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland was nominated in 2021 for the Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction. This book feels like a mix between a fever dream and Jeffrey Eugenides' book The Virgin Suicides. It explores a dark and terrible secret the eldest sister of the house has been keeping for years.