Popular though it may be, horror isn’t a huge genre. Fans who go looking for reading recommendations may find themselves inundated with calls to read Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves, Michael McDowell’s The Elementals, or Joan Samson’s The Auctioneer. Don’t get me wrong; those books are fantastic. But if we spend too much time focusing on horror books from 20 years ago or more, we miss out on all the great works that have come out since. So let’s take a look at the best horror novels of the last decade. They’re bestsellers and fan favorites, trendsetters and movie-makers. I’ve divided the titles into five basic categories — yes, there is some overlap — for your next-read-searching needs. As an added bonus, you can turn this list into a spooky reading challenge for Halloween. Pick one book from each list, finish them during the month of October — or whenever, really, I’m not the boss of you — and rest easy knowing you’ve knocked five books off your TBR.
Ghost Stories & Haunted Houses
Witches, Werewolves, Vampires & More
Lovecraftian Stories, Body Horror & Cultists
Psychological Horror & Thrillers
Horror Collections
That’s it for the best horror books of the decade! Looking for more horror book recommendations? Check out these horror novels featuring cults. And, if you’re planning a movie marathon this Halloween, be sure to add these horror adaptations to your list!
