10 Best Scary Books That Will Keep You Up at Night

Because sleep is overrated when you have a good horror book.

So, you think you’re brave? You think you can handle a spooky story without sleeping with the lights on? Well, let’s put that confidence to the test with this list of 10 terrifying books that will have you questioning every shadow in your room. Whether you love psychological horror, supernatural scares, or just straight-up nightmare fuel, there’s something here to send shivers down your spine.

Fair warning: Don’t read these alone at night. Or do. I’m not your mom.

1. The Shining – Stephen King

"Come play with us, Danny."

You knew this was going to be on the list, didn’t you? Stephen King is the king (pun intended) of horror, and The Shining is one of his most chilling works. A family moves into an isolated hotel for the winter, and, well… let’s just say things go downhill fast. Ghosts, a descent into madness, creepy twin girls—this book has all the nightmare fuel you could ever want.

Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻👻

Why You Should Read It: It’s a classic, and once you’ve finished, you can argue with your friends about whether the movie did it justice.

2. House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski

"This is not for you."

Ever read a book that messes with your mind so much, you’re not even sure if you exist anymore? That’s House of Leaves. This experimental horror novel tells the story of a family who moves into a house that’s bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. What follows is a descent into madness, complete with weird footnotes, strange text formatting, and enough psychological horror to keep you paranoid for weeks.

Scare Factor: 😱😱😱😱

Why You Should Read It: If you love books that make you feel like you’re losing your grip on reality, this one’s for you.

3. The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson

"No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality."

If you love haunted house stories, this is the mother of them all. Four people come to investigate the famously haunted Hill House, and let’s just say things do not go well. Shirley Jackson’s slow-burn horror builds tension so expertly that by the time you get to the truly terrifying parts, you’ll be a bundle of nerves.

Scare Factor: 👀👀👀👀

Why You Should Read It: It’s one of the greatest haunted house stories ever written. Plus, the Netflix adaptation was amazing—though very different.

4. Pet Sematary – Stephen King

"Sometimes, dead is better."

Another Stephen King novel, because, honestly, the man knows horror. This book will make you rethink every decision you’ve ever made about life and death. A grieving father discovers a burial ground that brings the dead back to life, but they don’t come back… quite right. This one is deeply unsettling, and if you have pets, it might ruin you.

Scare Factor: 🪦🪦🪦🪦🪦

Why You Should Read It: It’s horrifying in the best way, and it makes you think about grief, loss, and the price of playing god.

5. Bird Box – Josh Malerman

"Don't open your eyes."

What’s scarier than monsters? Monsters you can’t even look at. In Bird Box, society collapses after strange entities appear—anyone who sees them instantly goes insane. The story follows a mother trying to get her children to safety, all while navigating the world blindfolded. If you liked the Netflix movie, trust me—the book is way better.

Scare Factor: 😨😨😨😨

Why You Should Read It: It’s an intense, suspenseful ride that will have you holding your breath with every turn of the page.

6. The Silence of the Lambs – Thomas Harris

"I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner."

Okay, so this is more thriller than horror, but let’s be real—Hannibal Lecter is one of the scariest characters in fiction. This book follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she seeks the help of the brilliant (but completely psychotic) Lecter to catch another serial killer. It’s disturbing, twisted, and will probably make you think twice before accepting dinner invitations.

Scare Factor: 🍽️🍽️🍽️🍽️

Why You Should Read It: Hannibal Lecter is one of the greatest villains of all time. Period.

7. The Girl Next Door – Jack Ketchum

"Horror that makes you sick to your stomach."

Not all horror comes from ghosts or monsters—sometimes, real people are the scariest. The Girl Next Door is loosely based on a true crime case, and it’s one of the most disturbing books you’ll ever read. It tells the story of a girl who is tortured by her caretaker and neighborhood kids. It’s brutal, haunting, and deeply unsettling.

Scare Factor: 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

Why You Should Read It: If you think psychological horror is scarier than supernatural horror, this one will wreck you.

8. The Exorcist – William Peter Blatty

"The power of Christ compels you!"

Demonic possession? Check. A terrifying exorcism? Check. A book that makes you deeply uncomfortable? Check. This book was so horrifying when it was first published that people fainted while reading it. If you think the movie was scary, the book is somehow even worse.

Scare Factor: 😈😈😈😈😈

Why You Should Read It: It’s the possession horror story, and it will make you want to sleep with holy water next to your bed.

9. Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury

"Beware the carnival at midnight."

This is a more poetic, eerie type of horror. A traveling carnival arrives in town, but it’s not your typical Ferris wheel and cotton candy situation. Instead, it grants wishes… at a terrible cost. Bradbury’s writing is hauntingly beautiful, and the atmosphere in this book will stay with you long after you finish it.

Scare Factor: 🎪🎪🎪🎪

Why You Should Read It: If you love creepy settings and beautifully written horror, this one is a must-read.

10. Hell House – Richard Matheson

"Welcome to the most haunted house in the world."

A group of researchers is sent to investigate the legendary Belasco House, aka "Hell House." What follows is one of the most terrifying haunted house stories ever. This book doesn’t hold back on the horror—it’s creepy, gory, and full of pure terror.

Scare Factor: 🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️

Why You Should Read It: If you love haunted house stories, this is one of the scariest ever written.

Final Thoughts

So, are you brave enough to tackle this list? Or are you already double-checking your locks and leaving the lights on tonight? Horror books are the best way to get a thrill without actually risking your life, so pick one up and prepare to get scared.

 What’s the scariest book you’ve ever read? Drop your recommendations in the comments—if you dare! 👀📖💀