Looking for a good scare this October as we gear up for Halloween?
It’s one thing to watch a scary movie, but there is something about reading a truly terrifying horror book that stays with you much longer than any movie jump-scares.
And while Halloween is a great time to read something spooky, the really good stuff can be picked up anytime of year.
Ranker, a website that collates votes of internet users from around the world, listed some of the scariest horror-fiction of all time in 2020.
While some time has passed since the list was last updated, good horror holds up for years, even decades after it first tops the charts.
So if you’re after a real scare this October or just want to pick up a new book you’ve never tried before, these are the novels you need to flick through.
But fair warning; you may want to invest in a nightlight while you read them…
The top 10 scariest books of all time
It: Stephen King
It by Stephen King comes in at number one, and it’s no surprise given the novel’s history in pop culture. It was the 2017 movie everyone was talking about and the book every horror enthusiast needs to read.
Pet Sematary: Stephen King
Pet Sematary by Stephen King (again) came in second, because only a horror genius like King could turn your pet into a horrifying entity.
Salem’s Lot: Stephen King
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King is number three on the list, and you’ll see his name again soon.
The Exorcist: William Peter Blatty
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty took fourth place. You may have seen the movie, but you haven’t been truly scared until you’ve read the book.
The Shining: Stephen King
The Shining by Stephen King came in at number five – spoiler alert, King took out sixth and seveth place too. This man really is the king of horror.
Misery: Stephen King
Misery by Stephen King was ranked at number six. While the movie starring Kathy Bates is intense enough as is, the book manages to be even more horrifying.
The Stand: Stephen King
The Stand by Stephen King is seventh and it really is post-apocalyptic horror/fantasy at its best.
Dracula: Bram Stoker
Dracula by Bram Stoker takes eighth place. Read it to discover why this 1897 novel remains of the most iconic and well-known horror books of all time.
The Haunting of Hill House: Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson has jumped to ninth on the list, party due to the popular Netflix show of the same name. Trust us when we say the book is so much scarier.
The Amityville Horror: Jay Anson
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson rounds off the list in tenth place, but don’t think it will be any less horrifying than the books above it.
