Horror movies tend to get all the glory around this time of the year. But what about all you freakish bookworms? Fret not – we’ve rounded up some of our favourite (and scariest) classic reads to dive into this Halloween.

THE EXCORCIST If you’re a fan of the 1973 film adaption of the same name, you’re going to love the original source material by William Peter Blatty. The Exorcist found inspiration from a 1949 real-life (alleged) case of demonic possession and exorcism that William came across as a uni student. In short, the story follows the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl – and for anyone who has ever been a 12-year-old girl, you know just how scary that can be. William also wrote The Exorcist’s screenplay, so lovers of the movie will lap this one up.

FRANKENSTEIN A classic among classics, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is the monster story to start all monster stories. If you’ve never flirted with this cannon read, the spooky season is about the perfect time to dip your toes into this murky well of classic literature. As haunting as ever, even over 200 (!) years on, this is as stalwart a scary story as there could ever be.

THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE From early 1800s Europe to mid-century American, Mary Shelley walked so Shirley Jackson could run. And run she did, straight toward the most haunted of houses. Shirley’s 1959 gothic horror novel The Haunting of Hill House is another inspired-by-real-life work of art, this time born from a group of psychic researchers who studied a haunted house. Shirley encountered her fair share of ghosts in her own life – supposedly awaking one morning to the words “DEAD DEAD” written in her own handwriting on her desk, with no memory of doing so – and so you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll find a horror thrill in this read.

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE A debut novel for the ages, Anne Rice’s 1976 Interview with the Vampire is based on a short story Anne originally wrote around 1968. The gothic horror novel makes use of one of the scariest (and sexiest?) monsters known to mortal beings – vampires! Born out of a tragedy in Anne’s own life – having lost her young daughter Michele, who then inspired the child-vampire of Claudia in the book – we probably wouldn’t have the likes of Twilight if it weren’t for Anne’s classic novel. And that’s scary stuff.

CARRIE A list of classic scary books isn’t complete without mentioning Stephen King. While the writing machine disguised as a man has penned 72 novels, novellas and non-fiction books – including over 200 short stories and a bunch of screenplays – it’s his debut horror story that continues to be one of his best. Carrie follows the trials and tribulations of a lonely teenage girl who uses her telekinetic powers to survive her abusive home, school bullies and, frankly, puberty. A revengeful prom night filled with blood and guts? Say no more.

Hungry for more scary stuff? Feast your eyes on these witchy flicks or have a squiz at our favourite final girls on the silver screen. Plus, sign up to our newsletter for more rad reads and movies.