Remember the childhood thrill of spooky stories told around a campfire or whispered in the dark at a slumber party?
Sure, horror movies are great, but there's something especially chilling about a scary story told aloud. They allow your imagination to conjure images that reflect your worst fears, not a director's. After all, the possibility of the monster in the dark will always be scarier than the monster itself.
While you may not have the opportunity to swap spooky stories with your friends this October, you can get the next best thing by listening to these blood-curdling audio books. Each of these titles is available on Libby, OverDrive's one-tap reading app. Whether you're on your way home from work on a blustery October eve, or just looking for an eerie bedtime story, these are the top horror stories to check out this Halloween.
IT by Stephen King
Overdrive
You may have seen the movie, but this terrifying masterpiece is best enjoyed by reading or listening to the horror master's original words. Download the unabridged audio version of IT to unfold what's happening in the ominous town of Derry, Maine.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Overdrive
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a thriller that follows five siblings from childhood to adulthood as they experience the lifelong repercussions of spending their formative years in "America's most haunted house."
The Devil In Silver by Victor Lavall
Overdrive
The Devil In Silver by Victor Lavall takes place in the New Hyde mental hospital in Queens, NY. The dark tale follows the abuse and horrifying experiences of the patients who reside there, promising new sets of chills for fans of the asylum-horror genre.
Hell House by Richard Matheson
Overdrive
Hell House by Richard Matheson is a classic haunted house tale from the 70s, only the eponymous Hell House is "the Mt.Everest of haunted houses," with one set of investigators dead set on uncovering its mysteries once and for all.
Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice
Overdrive
Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice is a seminal read in the vampire genre. This book cemented Anne Rice as the queen of bloodlust with the introduction of Lestat and his immortal crimes.
Psycho by Robert Bloch
Overdrive
Psycho by Robert Bloch became an iconic story with Hitchcock's infamous film adaptation. But if you think the motel was scary on screen, give an intimate listen to the unabridged story of Norman Bates and his bizarre, complex relationship with his mother.
The Cabin at the End Of the World by Paul Tremblay
Overdrive
In The Cabin at the End Of the World, Paul Tremblay turns the standard home invasion horror plot on its head and takes his readers through a crazy plot of apocalypse and human sacrifice.
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Overdrive
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix combines 80s pop culture, teenage angst and satanism by exploring the bizarre question: What would you do if your best friend was possessed by a demon?
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Kevin
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Rosemary's Baby by Ira Kevin is another cult classic story on the silver screen. But the book slowly unfolds the horror of an Upper West Side Manhattanite in a closer look at the nightmare.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
Overdrive
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson is based on the supposedly true story of the haunting of the Lutz family in 1975. The terror results from overlapping family drama, supernatural thrill, and the helpless feeling of having your loved ones threatened by forces beyond your control.