It’s spooky season, and if you’re looking for a great way to scare yourself silly, try reading horror novels. Here are four ghastly books that are sure to give you nightmares this Halloween.

House of Leaves

House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a creepy tale told from two perspectives. One follows a young family moving into an unsettling house. The other tracks a man as he obsessively puts together the pieces of a mystery left behind by an eccentric neighbor. House of Leaves was one of the first mixed-media books to make the mainstream, and it delivers an interactive experience that transports the reader directly into the mystery.

The Shining

If you’re looking for a good scare this Halloween, Stephen King’s works of fiction are a good place to start. In particular, The Shining will definitely stick with you after you close the book and try to get some sleep. The story follows Jack Torrance, a struggling writer who starts a new job as a caretaker at an isolated and haunted hotel. Sanity faces off against supernatural forces, with terrifying results.

The Hunger

The Hunger by Alma Katsu is a disturbing retelling of the Donner Party saga with a spooky supernatural twist. Yeah, that Donner Party. Stephen King himself warns readers of The Hunger not to open it up after dark. Try it and see what happens. Stephen can’t stop you.

Stolen Tongues

The internet is a dark place for spooky tales. One subreddit known as Nosleep has been the source of popular horror short stories and novels over the years. While there are a few good ones out there, if you’re looking for a true sleep-with-the-light-on-scary book, Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell is your nightmare fuel. It starts with a romantic cabin getaway in the woods and a dark figure looming in the windows at night.

Looking for more frightening fun? Check out the Olympus Corsair blog.