Best Ghost Books
There is something about ghost books that I love to read in the fall. Colder nights, crunchy leaves, and Halloween all scream ghost stories to me. This year, I read so many great ghost books that I could not wait to share them with you.
Whether the ghosts in these books are the main characters or make a small appearance, we read and loved every book on this list of paranormal books. If you are looking for The Best Witch Books, I have a list of those as well!
The Best Ghost Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre of ghost books. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Adult Ghost Book
On Fire Island by Jane L. Rosen- Jump to Section
The Best Creepy Ghost Book
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager- Jump to Section
The Best Ghost Romance Book
The Dead Romantics by Ashely Poston- Jump to Section
Best Award-Winning Ghost Book
Beloved by Toni Morrison- Jump to Section
Best Christmas Ghost Book
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle- Jump to Section
Best Teen Ghost Book
Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Adult Ghost Books
On Fire Island
Author: Jane L. Rosen
Year: 2023
Genre: Romance
More info: Part of the Fire Island series
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The book is narrated by Julia Moore, a book editor who died at thirty-seven. She follows her husband to Fire Island, her happy place, to spend one last summer with him and their friends on the Island.
Trigger Warnings
Cancer, Grief
Why Jackie loves it
I absolutely adored this magical realism book. Do not let the fact that it is a paranormal book throw you off if this is not your usual genre. This is a powerful story about love, friendship, and happiness.
Find this book in: Ghost Books / Best Beach Reads 2023
The Hotel Nantucket
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Year: 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
As usual, Elin’s storytelling revolves around a large cast of characters, this time employees of The Hotel Nantucket. As readers spend a summer with the staff and select hotel guests, we get to see what goes on behind the scenes of a luxury hotel. Romances unfold and fall apart, there are multiple scandals, demanding guests, and even a ghost!
Trigger Warnings
Infidelity, Animal Death
Why Kirsten loves it
This is my favorite Elin Hilderbrand EVER. I love how everyone’s stories folded together while revolving around the glorious hotel. If only I could visit this beach town resort this summer!
Find this book in: Hotel Novels / Ghost Books / Beach Reads 2022
Plot
Cordelia and Eustace are sisters who have inherited a large Victorian mansion. The catch? In order to collect their inheritance, they must live inside the quirky mansion.
With a dash of mystery, a touch of romance, and a sprinkle of spooky ancestors, the sisters must navigate the house, a captivating groundskeeper, and the secrets that have been haunting their family for generations. The sisters will need to embrace the powers that they have been taught to ignore in order to mend their bond, uncover the truth, and save themselves.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the witch books that is not only spooky but completely captivating from the first page. It was a unique story that felt like it was part mystery as the secrets of the mansion were revealed. I love the relationship between the sisters as well.
Find this book in: Best Ghost Books / Family Inheritance Novels
Creepy Ghost Books
The House Across the Lake
Author: Riley Sager
Year: 2022
Genre: thriller
More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Casey Fletcher is an actress fleeing bad press after the death of her beloved husband. She retreats to the family’s lake house, despite the fact that this is where he husband drowned.
Casey spends her days drinking and spying on the house across the lake. When she saves former supermodel, Katherine Royce from drowning, the two strike up a friendship, it becomes clear that Katherine and her husband are having some serious issues- after all, you find out a lot of things when watching the neighbors all day through binoculars.
Why Jackie likes it
Some points in the story moved slowly for me and at one point, the story nearly lost me. But, I am so glad that I kept reading. There were definitely surprises that I did not see coming. If you like a creepy thriller, this pick from Riley Sager books is for you.
Find this book in: Riley Sager Books Ranked/ Ghost Books / Novels Set on a Lake / Haunted House Books / Isolation Books
Plot
The story moves back and forth between Vermont in the 1950s and 2014. Idlewild Hall is a school where girls were sent to be forgotten. It was shut down decades ago and is rumored to be haunted but, is suddenly bought by an unknown benefactor who intends to restore it and reopen it.
Fiona Sheridan is a journalist, whose sister died on the property of Idlewild in the 90s. She cannot let go of the past and decides to write a story about the school and its history. What they discover on the property of Idlewild takes the reader on a thrilling mystery and Idlewild slowly gives up its dark secrets.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Antisemitism
Why Jackie loves it
I loved the mystery and could not put the book down. The paranormal component wasn’t over the top which made it readable with just the right amount of fear factor. There is something about ghost books that take place at schools that are extra creepy.
Find this book in: Best Ghost Books / Best Thriller Books / Dark Academia
Plot
Hannah has been summoned to her aunt’s sprawling castle in the Catskills when her aunt dies unexpectedly. Its the first time she’s been back since her sister disappeared more than 17 years ago. When human remains are found near the castle, Hannah is convinced they are her sister’s, so she starts to do some investigating into her disappearance.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Pedophilia
Why Kirsten loves it
Holy gothic thriller, batman. This haunted house book is literally the stuff of paranormal legend.
Missing girls, ghosts, murder, and a legit creepy castle where it all goes down? Cue images of me staying up past my bedtime as I tried to get over the scary things happening in this book. I had chills a few times while reading and is one of the scarier books on this list.
Find this book in: Ghost Books / Haunted House Books / Best Thrillers
Ghost Romance Books
The Dead Romantics
Author: Ashley Poston
Year: 2022
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: GMA Book Club Pick July 2022
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Florence Day is a ghostwriter for one of the most successful and well-known romance authors in the industry. The name is apt seeing as how she can also see ghosts. But, after a terrible break-up, she no longer believes in love.
When her new editor will not give her an extension on her deadline, she is in a panic and is on the verge of losing her career. Now, the unthinkable has happened. Her beloved father has died and she must return home to bury him. When she sees the ghost of her editor outside the funeral parlor, she cannot understand why he is there with her, and her life is turned upside down.
Why Jackie loves it
This book was a complete delight to read from the very first page. If you are looking for a book for fall, I love this adorable adult fantasy romance book that is totally unique. It reminds me a little of the 2005 movie starring Reese Witherspoon.
Find this book in: Ghost Books / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / GMA Book Club List 2022/ Romance Books About Books / Fiction With a Funeral / Ashley Poston Books Ranked
Crazy Spooky Love
Author: Josie Silver
Year: 2025
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: Melody Bittersweet Duology #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Melody Bittersweet comes from a long line of ghost-sensitive women, but unlike other members of her family, she wants to help them crossover. Her first case for the Girls’ Ghostbusting Agency, her new business venture, is an old house inhabited by the ghosts of the Scarborough brothers.
To make them leave the house, she will have to help them solve a murder. Unfortunately, her ex-boyfriend (and current rival) arrives at the house with a camera crew, and a handsome local reporter covering the case wants nothing more than to discredit Melody. A love triangle and ghosts? Count me in.
Why Kirsten loves it
This story is a reprint of a book written under Josie Silver’s pen name, Kitty French. The writing is clearly from her early days as an author, but you can see the Josie we know and love within the pages. It was a cute paranormal story that would be perfect to read around Halloween! The book embraces the scooby doo vibes with a vintage band, colorful assistants, and funny antics. Gifted by Ballantine.
Find this book in: Ghost Books / Cozy Fantasy Romance Books
Haunted Ever After
Author: Jen DeLuca
Year: August 2024
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Nick Royer owns the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop in Boneyard Key, Florida. He has lived there his whole life. In fact, he is a descendant of the founding families so learning to embrace ghost tourism is a must. Cassie just moved into a house and she definitely is not prepared for the fact that not all the ghost stories in the town are made up. The electricity in her new house is temperamental and the magnets on her fridge rearrange themselves when she is not looking.
As Nick and Cassie get to know each other, Nick wonders if Cassie will stay in Boneyard Key, even if her house has a ghost.
Why Jackie loves it
I love the unique storyline and the loveable characters in this book. The story flowed nicely without needless plot twists. Other than a few spicy romance scenes, this is a sweet ghost romance book.
Find this book in: Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Best Ghost Books / Haunted House Books
Rules for Ghosting
Author: Shelly Jay Shore
Year: 2024
Genre: LGBTQ Paranormal Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Ezra Friedman can see ghosts which is difficult when your family runs a funeral home. When Ezra loses his dream job (away from the family) and his mother decides to run away with the rabbi’s wife, Ezra reluctantly comes home to help his family and their dying business (no pun intended).
Ezra also has the unfortunate luck of having a crush on Jonathan who is a volunteer at the funeral home and whose dead husband Ben is a talking ghost who is haunting him.
Why Jackie likes it
I enjoyed the plot and thought it was a fun read. There were a few parts of the story that were left unanswered for me, but I liked the characters and their development
Find this book in: Books with a Funeral
Night for Day
Author: Roselle Lim
Year: 2024
Genre: Fantasy
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Ward and Camille never got over their relationship and there was never a clear reason why it ended. When they meet again in London while both applying for jobs, they reconnect and decide to give their relationship another try. Camille takes a job working at a strange antique dealer during the night shift and Ward’s job is at a high-end jeweler during the day.
When Camille starts her shift she realizes that the ghostly clientele is not what she had envisioned when she took the job. When her shift is over, she realizes she is stuck inside and cannot leave. Ward, on the other hand, is working with selfish and self-centered Gods. Somehow, he and Camille have found themselves trapped in a godly war with no escape other than the short time between night and day when they can speak with one another
Why Jackie loves it
Roselle Lim Never fails to write a creative and addicting story and this book was no exception. This adult fantasy is emotional as well as the characters come to terms with the people they were, the people they are, and who they want to be if they ever escape. This book was unputdownable and unlike any other book I have read.
Find this book in: Jewelry Novels / Best Ghost Books / Time Loop Books
Award-Winning Ghost Books
Beloved
Author: Toni Morrison
Year: 1987
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Pulitzer Prize Winner, New York Times Bestseller,
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Beloved, which is based on the true story of a runaway slave, haunted me while I was reading it. Set just after the Civil War, the story is about a formerly enslaved family whose home is haunted by an angry spirit. The family believes the spirit is the deceased child of Sethe, a nameless baby whose tomb says “Beloved”. The harrowing memories of her life before freedom haunt Sethe, too as Morrison examines the horrors of slavery.
Trigger Warnings
Slavery, Child Death
Why Kirsten loves it
HOW HAVE I NEVER READ TONI MORRISON BEFORE? I swear I thought I had read this book, but after reading The Toni Morrison Book Club, I realized I hadn’t. When my library hold finally came up for this one, I was so excited to read it. Morrison is easily one of the most gifted writers I’ve ever read.
Find this book in: Magical Realism Books / Best Classic Books / Books about Motherhood / Ghost Books / Historical Fantasy Books
Sing, Unburied, Sing
Author: Jesmyn Ward
Year: 2017
Genre: Literary Fiction
More info: *Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This book is an award winner and the writing is undeniably wonderful. The story itself has elements of magic that add to the difficult subject matter. Jojo’s mother, Leonie, is Black woman who packs up her kids in the car to pick up Jojo’s father, Michael, from prison. Michael is a white man who has been absent from Joo’s life. In the car is the ghost of a 13-year-old boy. It is his voice that teaches Jojo about relationships, life, and love.
Trigger Warnings
Drugs, Violence, Poverty
Why Jackie loves it
The characters did not develop throughout the story as much as I would have liked, but this ghost book is a worthwhile read when considering the wonderful writing. The paranormal aspect makes this a great book for fall.
Find this book in: Jazz Age Books / Ghost Books / Books About Road Trips
Lincoln in the Bardo
Author: George Saunders
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Man Booker Prize Winner
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Strange, but probably one of the most imaginative novels I have ever experienced. It’s about the night that Abraham Lincoln buried his son and takes place entirely in the cemetery.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Kirsten loves it
I listened to this full cast audiobook which was great because it used 166 voices including David Sedaris, Lena Dunham, Ben Stiller, Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon, Kat Dennings, and Don Cheadle among others. As ghost books go, this one is not to be missed! it’s truly one of the best fantasy audiobooks ever! If you are looking for a book for fall, this pick is fantastic.
Find this book in: Fiction With a Funeral /Best Audiobooks / Best Full Cast Audiobooks / Best Ghost Stories / Best Books of 2017
Under the Whispering Door
Author: T.J Klune
Year: 2021
Genre: Fantasy
More info: New York Times Bestseller, Locus Awards Top Ten Finalist for Fantasy Novel
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Wallace is dead. When the reaper collects him at his funeral and brings him to a strange tea shop, Hugo is waiting with the promise of helping him cross over.
Wallace is not happy to be dead which is not surprising considering he was never happy when he was alive. This light fantasy will make you smile until the last page.
Why Jackie loves it
How many stars can I give? T.J. Klune has done it again with the wonderful book. House on the Cerulean Sea was my favorite book last year. I read this paranormal book in a day and loved every minute of this wonderful family drama book that is truly about found family. The character development feels real as Wallace finds himself and discovers what life is all about.
Find this book in: Best Books of 2021 / Best Ghost Books / Cozy Fall Books / Fiction With a Funeral / Cozy Fantasy Romance Books
Tokyo Ueno Station
Author: Miri Yu
Year: 2020
Genre: Literary Fiction/ Magical Realism
More info: Winner of the 2020 National Book Award in Translated Literature
Age Range:16+
Plot
Kazu is dead, but he can’t find peace in the afterlife so he haunts Tokyo’s Ueno Station.
We learn about his life, his family, and how they faired during some of Japan’s most important moments in modern history from the Tokyo Olympics to the recent tsunami.
Trigger Warnings
Death
Why Kirsten loves it
This book was incredibly well-written, utterly captivating, and rather depressing. While you have to be in the mood for a sad book, it is worth the read.
Find this book in: Best Books in Translation / Books Set in Japan / Ghost Books
Christmas Books with Ghosts
Just Like Magic
Author: Sarah Hogle
Year: 2022
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
If you only read one Christmas book this holiday season, let it be Just Like Magic. I adored this funny paranormal romance book! The premise is amazing. Down-on-her-luck Bettie Hughes accidentally summons the magical Holiday Spirit, who can’t leave her until he raises her spirit level. So going by the name of Hal, he poses as her boyfriend for her week-long family Christmas vacation.
Why Kirsten loves it
Hal’s use of magic throughout the week is hysterical. It also helps that the chemistry between Hal and Bettie crackles. It’s unlike any other Christmas story I’ve read in the best way possible! #gifted by Putnam
Find this book in: Fantasy Christmas Books / Best Christmas Books Of All Time / Christmas Books for 2022 / Ghost Books / Best Books of 2022 / Best Holiday Books
Plot
This YA book was quite clever as a modern retelling of Dicken’s classic. 17-year-old Holly was visited by the ghosts of Christmas because she was a total scrooge. But she woke up unaffected by the visit and died shortly thereafter. Now she has to work for Operation Scrooge as she tries to help other poor scrooges like herself.
She’s been the ghost of Christmas past for 5 years now but this year is different…this year something changes…and it might just be her!Â
Why Kirsten loves it
This paranormal book is such a great read for teens looking to be exposed to Dicken’s classic in a more modern setting.
Find this book in: Classic Book Retellings / Ghost Books / YA Christmas Books / Fantasy Christmas Books
Teen Ghost Books
Storm and Fury
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Year: 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance
More info: Harbinger book 1 of 3
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
It’s actually a spin-off of one of Armentrout’s other YA fantasy book series, which I didn’t know until after I read the story. I didn’t feel like I missed anything having read this first. Gargoyles are Wardens out to fight demons and protect humans, and one special human in particular. This urban fantasy is as much romance as fantasy.
Trinity can see and communicate with ghosts. This is the reason she has had to have protection from the wardens. Demons will want to absorb her powers! Trinity will have to learn to trust herself and Zayne who has a secret of his own
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved the Disney cartoon Gargoyles when I was a little girl, so when I saw a YA Fantasy book that is also a paranormal romance book, I knew I needed it. I read this to help ease me out of my House of Earth and Blood book hangover and it was a perfect read.
Find this book in: Popular Fantasy Series / Urban Fantasy Books / Books Like Zodiac Academy / Ultimate List of YA Fantasy / Best YA Romance Books / Young Adult Fantasy Romance Books
Strange the Dreamer
Author: Laini Taylor
Year: 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: National Book Award Finalist, Book 1 of 2
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This book started so strong for me, I was completely enraptured with this world. As the story continued, I found the story changed tones. What was once a hopeful story, slowly became a story of unreachable love.
200 years ago Weep was cut off from the world, so much so that nobody can even remember the city’s real name. When Lazio starts dreaming of a blue-skinned woman, he cannot forget her.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Child
Why Kirsten likes it
This YA fantasy book has warriors and magic, but is it also a completely original paranormal book. It is unlike any other.
Find this book in: Ghost Books / Long Books / YA Fantasy Books / Fantasy Duology Books
Expert Tip
There is a huge variety when choosing a ghost book. Kirsten and I divided the books into categories to help you find a book that you want to read.
- Some ghost books are horrors or gothic. Kirsten and I do not read a lot of horror thrillers but if you are looking for some great ones, I have a list.
- Have a look at the descriptions to see if there is a book that you are interested in reading.
- Some ghost books are actually feel-good books (like Jane L. Rosen). Do not assume all ghost books are scary or creepy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ghost books horror books?
Some ghost books are horrors, some are “creepy” ghost books, and others are romance books. Not all ghost books are scary or horror. I classified the ghost books on this list accordingly. You can also read Kirsten and my descriptions of the books to see if it is a book you want to read.
Related Content
Epilogue
What is your favorite ghost book?
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