20 best books on paranormal – 2023 reading list & recommendations

If you’re someone who is fascinated by the unexplained and the supernatural, then you’re in for a treat. We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best books about paranormal that are sure to send chills down your spine and make you question the boundaries of reality. From ghostly encounters and mysterious disappearances to psychic abilities and alien encounters, these books offer a mesmerizing exploration of the unknown. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these paranormal books are guaranteed to ignite your curiosity and keep you up all night, eagerly turning the pages.


The Institute

by Stephen King

The Institute by Stephen King is a spine-chilling book about the paranormal that will leave you breathless. This captivating novel delves into the sinister world of supernatural abilities, mysterious organizations, and the fight for survival.

The Silent Patient

by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a thrilling and mind-bending book about the paranormal. Set in the world of psychology, this gripping novel takes readers on a journey through the dark and mysterious mind of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who has been convicted of killing her husband.

What makes this paranormal book truly unique is Alicia’s silence. She hasn’t spoken a single word since the night of the murder, leaving everyone baffled and intrigued. Enter Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to unravel the secrets hidden within Alicia’s silent world.

As Theo delves deeper into Alicia’s past and attempts to uncover the truth, he finds himself entangled in a web of deception, obsession, and paranormal phenomena. The author skillfully combines psychological suspense with elements of the supernatural, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

The Silent Patient is a captivating and atmospheric book on the paranormal, exploring the depths of the human mind and the blurred boundaries between reality and illusion. With its masterful storytelling and unexpected twists, this novel is sure to leave readers questioning their own perceptions of truth and sanity.

Ninth House

by Leigh Bardugo

Ninth House is a spellbinding and mesmerizing book on the occult and supernatural, written by the talented Leigh Bardugo. Prepare to be transported into a world where the paranormal and the ordinary collide, where dark secrets lurk behind ivy-covered walls, and where the power of magic is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

The Whisper Man

by Alex North

The Whisper Man by Alex North is a spine-chilling book about the paranormal that will leave you on the edge of your seat. With an eerie atmosphere and a captivating plot, this paranormal book explores the dark depths of the human psyche.

The Invited

by Jennifer McMahon

The Invited is a captivating book on the paranormal that will take you on a chilling journey into the unknown. Jennifer McMahon, the master storyteller, weaves a tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The Outsider

by Stephen King

Welcome to the mysterious world of the supernatural, where reality and the unexplainable collide. In The Outsider by the master of horror himself, Stephen King, prepare to be captivated by a spine-tingling tale that delves deep into the realm of the paranormal.

As you turn the pages of this gripping book on the supernatural, you are introduced to a seemingly impossible crime: a beloved local figure is found dead, with all evidence pointing towards a respected member of the community. However, as the investigation unfolds, the lines between what is real and what is beyond comprehension begin to blur.

King’s masterful storytelling takes you on a rollercoaster ride of fear and suspense as you join the desperate search for the truth. With each revelation, you will find yourself questioning the very nature of reality, as the paranormal forces lurking in the shadows threaten to consume everything in their path.

Prepare to be entranced by King’s vivid descriptions and his ability to create characters that feel as real as your next-door neighbor. As you delve deeper into this paranormal book, you will find yourself on the edge of your seat, unable to tear your eyes away.

In The Outsider, Stephen King once again proves why he is hailed as the master of horror and the undisputed king of the supernatural genre. So, take a deep breath, brace yourself for the unknown, and immerse yourself in this spellbinding journey into the paranormal.

The Chalk Man

by C.J. Tudor

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor is a spine-chilling paranormal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This gripping and eerie tale follows a group of childhood friends who stumble upon a secret code involving supernatural phenomena.

Set in a small English town in the 1980s, the story alternates between the past and present, as the main character, Eddie, recalls the events that changed their lives forever. The group of friends used to communicate through a secret code involving chalk figures drawn on the ground.

However, what started as an innocent game soon takes a dark turn when they discover a dismembered body in the woods, with a chalk figure nearby. As the friends try to solve the mystery, they realize that something sinister is lurking in their town.

Fast-forward to the present day, and Eddie receives a letter with a chalk figure that mirrors the one from his childhood. Haunted by the past, he vows to uncover the truth behind the murder and the supernatural forces that have haunted him and his friends for decades.

The Chalk Man is a masterfully written paranormal book that combines elements of mystery, horror, and psychological suspense. With its atmospheric setting and complex characters, it explores themes of friendship, guilt, and the consequences of secrets.

If you’re a fan of books about paranormal phenomena and enjoy a good dose of spine-tingling suspense, The Chalk Man is a must-read. Prepare to be captivated by its chilling storyline and to question the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

The Broken Girls

by Simone St. James

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James is a spine-tingling book about the supernatural that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Set in a remote boarding school, this paranormal thriller weaves together the stories of four young girls who met a tragic end.

The Hunger

by Alma Katsu

The Hunger by Alma Katsu is an enthralling paranormal book that will send shivers down your spine. Set in the 19th century, this haunting tale follows the ill-fated journey of the Donner Party as they traverse through treacherous terrain on their way to California. But this is no ordinary historical fiction; it’s a book on the paranormal that weaves together elements of horror, suspense, and the supernatural.

The Woman in the Window

by A.J. Finn

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn is an electrifying paranormal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This gripping story follows Anna Fox, a recluse who spends her days inside her New York City home, peering out her window and spying on her neighbors.

But when Anna witnesses something shocking in the house across the street, her world is turned upside down. Convinced that a crime has been committed, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. As she delves deeper into the mystery, Anna’s sanity is called into question, blurring the lines between reality and the paranormal.

Finn’s masterful storytelling and atmospheric writing make this paranormal book a truly immersive experience. With each twist and turn, the tension builds, leaving you desperate to uncover the secrets hidden within the pages. The Woman in the Window is a chilling and addictive read that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.

The Shining

by Stephen King

The Shining, a bone-chilling masterpiece written by the legendary Stephen King, is a supernatural tour de force that delves deep into the realms of the inexplicable and the eerie. This hair-raising creation can be best described as a mesmerizing paranormal book, capturing readers with its sinister allure from the very first page.

The Girl Before

by J.P. Delaney

The Girl Before: A Gripping Tale of the Supernatural

Welcome to a world where the line between reality and the unknown is blurred. The Girl Before, written by J.P. Delaney, is a captivating book on the paranormal that will leave you questioning the very fabric of your existence.

In this compelling book about the supernatural, we follow the lives of two women living in the same house, but separated by time. Emma, the girl before, and Jane, the girl after, both become entangled in a web of secrets and mysteries that revolve around the enigmatic architect who designed the house they inhabit.

As the story unfolds, we delve into the unsettling world of obsession, desire, and the search for perfection. The house they live in, designed with an eerie minimalistic aesthetic, seems to have a mind of its own. Every corner holds a secret, every feature hides a mystery, and every choice they make has unforeseen consequences.

The paranormal book explores the very essence of what it means to be haunted. Is it the house that is haunted, or are the women haunted by their own pasts? Delaney takes us on a journey through their intertwined lives, slowly unraveling the truth with each turn of the page.

Prepare to be enthralled by Delaney’s masterful storytelling, as he weaves together a tale of suspense, love, and the unexplained. The Girl Before will leave you pondering the boundaries of reality and the power of the unknown.

The Haunting of Hill House

by Shirley Jackson

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a spine-chilling book on paranormal that will leave you with goosebumps. This masterpiece takes you on a thrilling journey into the depths of the supernatural, as four individuals gather at the notorious Hill House to investigate its paranormal activities. As they delve deeper into the mysteries of this haunted mansion, they soon realize that Hill House is alive with dark forces and hidden secrets. Jackson’s masterful storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat, with every page filled with eerie encounters, psychological terror, and a creeping sense of dread. Brace yourself for an unforgettable reading experience as you explore the dark corners of Hill House and uncover the paranormal truths that lie within.

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus: A Captivating Journey into the Enigmatic World of Enchantments

Step into a realm where magic dances between the shadows and dreams come to life. Welcome to the mesmerizing world of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a bewitching tale that transcends the boundaries of reality and immerses readers in a labyrinth of enchantments.

Brimming with wonder and mystery, this spellbinding novel takes us on an extraordinary journey into a clandestine competition. The Night Circus, a traveling carnival that emerges only at night, becomes the stage for a fierce contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who find themselves entangled in a dangerous game of love and magic.

As the circus unfolds its black and white tents, visitors are drawn into a world where time stands still, and the line between what is real and what is illusion blurs. Morgenstern’s rich prose paints vivid images of breathtaking performances and breathtakingly beautiful circus acts, making readers feel as if they are part of the audience, witnessing the impossible.

But behind the whimsy and wonder lies a deeper, darker secret. As Celia and Marco’s rivalry grows more intense, they discover that their lives are irrevocably intertwined, and that the stakes of the competition are far higher than they ever imagined. With the circus as their battleground, they must navigate the treacherous path of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.

The Night Circus is not just a book about the paranormal; it is a symphony of imagination, a tale that defies categorization. Morgenstern’s ethereal writing captures the essence of magic, allowing readers to escape into a world where anything is possible. It is a book that will leave you spellbound, its pages filled with enchantment and intrigue.

So, if you yearn for a journey through a realm where the extraordinary becomes ordinary and the impossible becomes reality, step right up and enter the enigmatic world of The Night Circus. Prepare to be captivated by the allure of this paranormal masterpiece that will leave you breathless and longing for more.

The Girl with All the Gifts

by M.R. Carey

The Girl with All the Gifts is an enthralling paranormal book that will captivate you from the very first page. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this gripping novel takes us on a thrilling journey where the line between good and evil is blurred.

The Thirteenth Tale

by Diane Setterfield

The Thirteenth Tale is an enthralling book on the paranormal that will transport you into a world of mystery, secrets, and haunted pasts. This captivating novel by Diane Setterfield weaves a spellbinding tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The Little Stranger

by Sarah Waters

The Little Stranger is a spine-chilling paranormal book that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Set in post-war England, this haunting tale follows the lives of the Ayres family, who reside in a decaying mansion called Hundreds Hall. Dr. Faraday, a country physician, becomes entangled with the family as they struggle to cope with the unsettling presence of a malevolent spirit that terrorizes them.

The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

Welcome to the mysterious world of The Historian, an enchanting tale that delves deep into the realms of the supernatural. This mesmerizing novel, penned by Elizabeth Kostova, is not just any ordinary book on the paranormal; it is a literary masterpiece that will leave you captivated from the very first page.

Prepare yourself for a thrilling adventure as you embark on a journey through centuries of hidden secrets and dark legends. Set against the backdrop of Eastern Europe, this spellbinding narrative weaves together history, mystery, and the supernatural in a way that will leave you breathless.

Uncover the secrets of Dracula, the infamous bloodthirsty vampire, as you follow the footsteps of a young historian on her quest to unearth the truth behind his existence. This is not just a book about the paranormal; it is a tale of obsession, a quest for knowledge, and a battle against the forces of darkness.

Immerse yourself in a world where the line between reality and the supernatural becomes blurred, where ancient texts hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the past, and where every twist and turn will keep you on the edge of your seat. The Historian is more than just a paranormal book; it is a gripping tale that will keep you guessing until the very end.

So, if you are ready to embark on a spine-chilling adventure through history, mythology, and the supernatural, then grab a copy of The Historian and prepare to be enthralled. This is not your average book on the paranormal; it is a literary gem that will leave you wanting more.

The Lovely Bones

by Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones is a mesmerizing book on the supernatural. It delves into the realm of the otherworldly, exploring the afterlife with a unique and haunting twist. Alice Sebold takes readers on a journey through the paranormal, unraveling a story that is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.

The Time Traveler’s Wife

by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler’s Wife is a captivating book on paranormal that will transport you through time and leave you mesmerized. This extraordinary tale, written by Audrey Niffenegger, explores the complexities of love, fate, and the enigmatic concept of time travel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of the supernatural and the unexplained, these 20 best books about paranormal will take you on a thrilling journey into the unknown. From ghostly encounters to psychic abilities, these books will leave you questioning the boundaries of our reality. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, these captivating reads will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the mysteries that lie beyond. So, grab a cup of tea, dim the lights, and get ready to delve into the fascinating world of the paranormal with these extraordinary books.