What are some of your favorite horror/scary stories?

Happy Friday, Blog Readers! What would Halloween be without a good scare? Horror fiction creates feelings of suspense and fear for readers. Its roots can be traced back to 18th century folklore and religious traditions, focusing on death and the afterlife, the supernatural, real-life situations, fear of the unknown, etc. 

Below are a few of my favorite horror/scary stories. Hope you get a chance to read some of these this weekend. Perhaps under a blanket in bed or by a cozy fireplace.

Do you have a favorite story you'd like to share?

1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (2002)

Coraline is a girl who's not content with her life at home. Living with working parents and feeling neglected, Coraline resorts to entertaining herself. One day while exploring, she discovers a secret door that leads to a tunnel. Once through, she finds an alternate world unlike her own, full of things she most desires. The couple that live there resemble her parents but have buttons for eyes.

2. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2008)

A story about a boy whose family has been murdered, but he escapes this terrible night and finds himself in a graveyard. From then on, he is raised by its inhabitants and learns their magical ways of living. Packed with adventure, mystery, adoptive family relationships, and close-nit friendships, this is a thrilling book from beginning to end!

3. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898)

A chilling and disturbing ghost story. I couldn't put it down. Told from the governess's POV who's the caretaker of two orphaned children. Soon she senses an evil presence in the house and thinks it's stalking the children. Is the evil real or could it be her imagination taking over?

4. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (1976)

Set in New Orleans, this is a story of Louis, a vampire, who tells a reporter of how he became a vampire at the hands of Lestat, another vampire. Lestat feeds on humans while Louis feeds on animals. Despite their differences, the two form a strong friendship, and together they find and raise a lost child named Claudia. But it is also a story of figuring out who you are and living with what you can never change about yourself. A very satisfying read.

5. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)

A chilling tale about a man in search of another identity. Dr. Jekyll concocts a potion that turns him into the monster, Mr. Hyde. Readers learn the horrific side of Mr. Hyde. The story is filled with suspense and plenty of unanswered questions along the way. 

6. Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)

Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer, travels to Transylvania at the request of Count Dracula. As he spends more time with the count, he discovers that the Count is not human. Then he becomes Dracula's prisoner. Jonathan is determined to escape the castle and to be united with his fiancée, Mina. But Count Dracula leaves for England and sees Mina who resembles his deceased wife, and she finds herself attracted to him and under his luring gaze. There are plenty of scary, suspensful, and seductive moments throughout the story.