Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you have to skip the spooky, haunting holiday season of entertainment. These are just a few, of many, excellent horror novels to consider for your next trip.

It, Stephen King

It is one of my favorite novels, let alone horror novels, of all time. The epic novel spans 27 years and the lives of seven distinct protagonists. Without diving deep into a literary analysis of the novel, it’s safe to say It has some of the most unsettling and downright creepy moments in any piece of fiction.

Ignoring one scene at the end of the book, It deals with cosmic horror in an adept way. From the one-off stories throughout, to the overarching meta-story, this one is a winner. Plus, its length alone could keep you busy all month long.

Frankenstein, Mary Shelley

Frankenstein is more in-line with traditional horror and viewed as a classic. The story within the pages is more about the horrors of humanity than the horrors the monster Frankenstein creates. This novel is a precursor to many modern horror stories we know and love, so consider tossing it into your bag on your next flight.

Dracula, Bram Stoker

Another horror classic, Dracula is actually credited with the popularization of the vampire character today. The story follows the titular character attempting to relocate and spread his curse. The novel is a classic for a reason, and worth diving into, even for cursory fans of horror and vampires.

The Shining, Stephen King

Getting away from vampires a bit, look toward King’s third novel, The Shining; his second, Salem’s Lot, could easily fit here just as well.

The Shining tells the tale of Jack Torrance’s attempt at redemption by his family. While you may be familiar with the plot after seeing the immensely popular classic film adaption by Stanley Kubrick, there are many departures from the film in the novel.

Torrance takes his family with him during his winter stay taking care of the Overlook Hotel. The hotel, as it turns out, is an evil, psychic entity bent on taking Jack’s son, Danny. It’s a great read for travel in October.

Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury

This book feels like an early Stephen King horror novel in a lot of ways. Of course, Bradbury came well before King. Something Wicked tells the story of an evil circus coming to town. The merry-go-round has the power to age people and the proprietors of the circus are not too kind, either. This is a shorter read that is guaranteed to make your hair stand on end.