What better way to indulge my haunted fall fantasy than with witchy tales, or ghost stories on audio?
If you’re like me, Halloween preparations begin well before the actual day. And while I would love to go for a dark and mysterious walk in the woods to set the mood, sometimes the weather has other, sunnier plans. Alas, I am determined to have a terrifying time when I so desire. (Scary season is a mindset, y’all.)
From classic horror to creepy camp, we’ve put together a list of halloween audiobooks recommended by our bookselling partners to give you all the chills.
The Lamb
“A gothic coming-of-age story that simultaneously turned my stomach and made me giggle. Margot and her mama live in the forest and have a taste for something a bit more exotic than a forest-dwelling rabbit. “Strays” are those who have ventured too far into the woods and seek sanctuary from the overly welcoming mother and daughter. They receive comfort and wine. What they lose is what makes this book so disgustingly fun.”
— Suzanne, The Underground Bookshop
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Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep
“This one is weird in the best way possible. Paul Tremblay takes a heavy near-future premise and makes it incredibly entertaining through immersive sound design. You are literally cast in the story as Bernie, a remote-controlled corpse navigating a strange reality with zero memories and rooms full of eerie “clicks.” Meanwhile, your handler Julia dictates your every move while constantly quoting The Big Lebowski. You’re stepping into a world of pain, but the audio production really ties the whole bizarre premise together.”
— Crystal, Fehmerling Books
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They Bloom at Night
“A total gut punch of a horror novel! Tran has seamlessly woven a slimy, eerie tale from threads of the USA’s abysmal disaster relief responses, Vietnamese American history, Algae blooms, and queer southern teen-hood. The result is something truly for the folks that love Jeff Vandermeer and Andrew Joseph White.”
— Lara, Side Quest Books & Games
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Something Followed Us Home
“Great anthology with a variety of Latiné horror perspectives. The authors blend folklore and history to deliver chilling tales rooted in the very real horrors of colonialism and patriarchy. These stories share a creeping quality to their horror, slowly painting the whole picture while your unease grows.”
— Lucas, Wolfe & Kron Books
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Make Me a Monster
“As a mortuary assistant, Meka thinks she’s used to the grief that surrounds death and funerals…until tragedy hits very close to home and she’s left working through losing someone she loves and encountering secrets that rock her sense of family. This book was a modern take on a classic Frankenstein tale, and it’s a story that makes you question who the monsters really are in our lives. Well done, Kalynn Bayron. What a star of an author.”
— Annastasia, The Bottom Knox
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Veal
“I love the commentary regarding grief and loss wound up in the ball of ‘good for her’ horror. This was a quick read, but I couldn’t stop listening. I just loved this band of girls that set out to fight their own personal monster.”
— Bee, Tomorrow Bookstore
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The Possession of Alba Díaz
“This was a stunning novel of possession, religious persecution, guilt, and romance. Cañas weaves a beautifully haunting gothic which feels both refreshing and perfectly antiquated. The Possession of Alba Diaz is not one you want to miss.”
— George • Arkana Books
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Murder at the Black Cat Cafe
“Super fast listen, reminded me of a black and white detective movie but set in 40s Japan or an old radio program. No, I didn’t solve it before the reveal, which is refreshing!! This has a bonus story and it was interesting as well.”
— Judi, Artisans Books & Coffee
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Witch of the Wolves
“Clever witches, sultry werewolves, and layers of family deception come together beautifully in this dark and steamy romantasy. With a touch or gore and a bit of adventure, it’s a perfect read to get you in the mood for Halloween, especially if you prefer a quicker read. As a reader who struggles when FMCs make one bad decision after another, I genuinely appreciated Cordelia’s thoughtful inner monologue.”
— Moonstone & Mist Bookshop • Moonstone & Mist Bookshop
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Wake Up and Open Your Eyes
“FAX news is brainwashing our nation. Noah Fairchild no longer recognizes his parents… “The Great Reawakening” has invaded far-right news and social media in the most terrifying way possible as family turns on family, neighbor on neighbor. Part apocalyptic but mostly slap you in the face metaphorical, this book is 1000% my jam! If I am looking for grotesque, shocking, controversial, skin crawling imagery, then I have to look no further than the modern horror master, Clay McLeod Chapman.”
— Suzanne • The Underground Bookshop
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You Should Have Been Nicer to My Mom
“The Abreus are an absolute dumpster fire of rich caricatures and contributions that immediately put you on young Xiomara’s side as a will reading turns perilous for all involved. A Dominican take on “family trapped in a house” horror, with plenty of twists and a deliciously satisfying ending.”
— Mattie, BookPeople
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The Boy in the Suitcase
“Starting with a phone call that leads to a child, drugged but alive in a suitcase, this Danish mystery is a perfect blend of Tanya French and Stieg Larsson—as psychologically driven as it is plot driven-a page turner so riveting that you may want to gear up if you plan to sit within arm’s length to this book’s reader.”
— SMC • Bookshop Santa Cruz
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The Bewitching
“The Bewitching is an ensnaring multi-timeline gothic novel full of little haunts and dread. A little bit of an academia vibe + creepy things happening = an intriguing story. If you like dark gothic novels, horror, or witchy things, give this a listen! “
— Claire • Mostly Books
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Weyward
“Weyward celebrates the strength women carry in their bones, even when the world tries to silence them. Across three timelines, each woman learns to trust her instincts, protect her own freedom, and draw power from the lineage she never knew she had. If you’re drawn to stories about women reclaiming their voices and honoring intuition, you will find this novel deeply satisfying.”
— Simone, Plott Hound Books
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White Smoke
“White Smoke was spooky and a very enjoyable audiobook experience. It had all the classic elements of a scary movie with mysteriously disappearing items, a girl who claims to talk to a ghost, abandoned houses, and a creepy town history. Jackson builds the intrigue up nicely and narrator Marcella Cox does a great job of keeping up suspense. Perfect for scary movie fans (even scary movie fans lite) and especially those that like rich historical backstory.”
— Kimi • Buttonwood Books and Toys
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Wolf Worm
“Upon arriving in North Carolina, Sonia is met with tales of blood thieves and the devil, and warnings to avoid the woods. Then come murder, a missing woman, and parasitic larvae. Visceral and mesmerizing, Wolf Worm will burrow under your skin and haunt you.”
— Nancy, Raven Book Store
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A Little Too Haunted
“I didn’t read scary stories as a kid, but as an adult who’s finally into horror books, I really, really loved this book. Totally age-appropriate for middle-grade readers, wonderful queer representation, some skin-crawling creepy moments, and such a fun twist to the ‘move into a haunted house’ trope. And there are cats! “
— Ashley • The Little Gay Shop
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Zomromcom
“I normally avoid zombie related books at all costs, but I am so happy to have picked this one up! I cannot recommend this enough to those looking for a TRUE romantic comedy that still manages to tug on your heart strings, and keep you on the edge of your seat wondering when the zombies may attack.”
— Cameron • Quail Ridge Books
View the audiobookGhosts and spirits, monsters and witches, pick your poison! These audiobooks have it all.
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