Are you looking for a horror book to pick up this Halloween weekend? To help you get started, Style Weekend asked book influencers to share their favorite books that left them on the edge of their seats, scared, with hearts pounding like a drum.
My favorite horror book is Stephen King’s classic, Pet Sematary. A doctor and his family move into a small town with a ‘sematary’ where generations of kids have buried their pets who have passed on. Beyond this plot of land lies another burial ground that lures people in with terrifying promises and temptations. Dig deeper, and you’ll realize the book is not just about a magical cemetery—it’s about loss, grief, and the lengths a man will go to for love. The master of horror himself has called Pet Sematary his most disturbing book, and as a long-time King fan, I agree.—Koji Arsua
My favorite horror book at the moment is Ascension by Eliza Victoria. We follow a group of friends as they rekindle tragic memories involving a rotting house, a bizarre ritual, and the horrifying events that followed. Victoria blends the traditional setup for a haunted house story with Filipino folklore and superstition so well, it feels like you're reading the account of someone you know from your own barangay, which makes it extra spooky. If you like shows like The Haunting of Hill House, you’ll definitely love this. Overall, this book is atmospheric, creepy, and truly scary. I slept with the light on for a few days after finishing it.—Bea Bustamante
My favorite horror book is Seek Ye Whore by Yvette Tan. Growing up, I was always fascinated by my Lolo and Lola’s stories about different Filipino folklore, and discovering this book was a delight. Seek Ye Whore is an amazing anthology of different Filipino horror subgenres. From start to finish, this book had me hooked and was the perfect entry point to Filipino horror.—Demsu’s Nerd Life
If you love ghost stories inspired by Japanese folklore (Banchō Sarayashiki), I highly recommend The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco. It gives The Ring and Ju-On: The Grudge vibes—two of my favorite horror movies. This book gave me chills, and if you’re easily scared, don’t read it at night because it’s terrifying.
This novel is about Okiku, a vengeful ghost who murders people who abuse children. It’s her way of giving them justice and allowing their souls to rest. Unfortunately, Okiku’s soul remains on earth, still seeking peace after her own murder. When she senses danger around a teenage boy named Tark, she decides to protect him from an evil entity. Chupeco’s captivating writing will instantly hook you—whether you’re a horror fan or new to horror novels. This one is atmospheric, and you can picture everything vividly. It’s the perfect book for the spooky season.—Bea Masalunga
My favorite horror book is the Trese comic book series co-created by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. I love that the crime-fighting heroine Trese deals with characters inspired by Philippine horror myths and urban legends, with social commentary woven into the stories.—Diane Badillo
Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? You can—reach us via [email protected] or on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.