13 SCARY Stories for Halloween

Edgar just hopes the bird doesn't poop.

In honor of Halloween (the greatest holiday ever invented), I thought I'd present a list of some of thirteen classic scary, short stories. I hope you don't mind that all of my choices come from American Literature. It's not because I'm intentionally favoring American Literature (which I am), but it's because I believe America that successfully co-opted Halloween with Pumpkins, Edgar Allan Poe, and Hershey's chocolate.

1. "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner
2. "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe
3. "Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving 
4. "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne
5. "The Golden Arm" by Mark Twain
6. "Hop-Frog" by Edgar Allan Poe
7. "The Minister's Black Veil" by Nathaniel Hawthorne 
8. "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
9. "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
10. "A Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
11. "Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?" by Joyce Carol Oats
12. "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
13. "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving

But if you're looking for a good, American novel to read—one that will subtly frighten you with hellfire and damnation until you repent—I recommend "The Scarlet Letter." It's quite literally my favorite book. 

Here's some music that will talk your ears into talking your eyes into reading the book.