It’s been a while (5 years!) since I updated the best ghost hunting books list. In the spirit of this 5-year update, find the 5 best books about ghosts, ghost hunting and paranormal investigation over that time.

I last published the best ghost hunting books list in 2014. In 5 years, I’ve acquired many new books, and the field has matured. There’s more advanced ghost hunters and paranormal investigators out there. This just means my last article is out-of-date. I still think all 2014 books deserve to be read. I also think these 5 books (in no particular order) belong on your bookshelf or on your e-reader.

By the way, I bought these books with my own cash, so no one expects a good review.

Best Ghost Hunting Books For 2019

Investigating Ghosts: The Scientific Search For Spirits by Benjamin Radford

Released in 2017, this is a follow-up to Paranormal Scientific Investigation on my original list. In this case, it’s focused on ghost hunting techniques, evidence analysis and practical advice for your investigation. It’s hard-hitting and shreds many assumptions and tactics used by ghost hunters. To me, this is the best ghost hunting book released over the last 5 years. Some of you will hate it: Others will love it, and you’ll start to use Radford’s recommendations. I bought 2 copies: one to keep in my library; the other to share. Get the full review.

© 2017 by Benjamin Radford. Published by Rhombus Publishing Company.

My Haunted Journal by Ross Allison

Allison released a slew of ghostly books over the past decade. This one is my favorite. Released in 2016, it’s partly a training manual for new ghost hunters, and the back half is a journal to record your evidence. The information comes from his lectures at universities across the country. It’s a concise, easy read. Some investigators may argue it doesn’t go into depth, but the audience is new ghost hunters. I think it’s ideal for that audience as well as advanced researchers.

© 2016 by Ross Allison. Published by Leprechaun Productions.

Ghostology: The Art Of The Ghost Hunter by Steven T. Parsons

This book is a procedural manual. It’s loaded with how-to’s, what’s this, don’t fall for that, and other important info for ghost hunters. It covers many broad topics about ghost hunting. It also has good info on how to run experiments, what type of gear to use, and how to analyze it. If you’re a well-read investigator, you’ve seen similar content in other places, but this is a comprehensive book. It may be the most complete guide to running a ghost hunt in the last five years.

© 2015 by Steven T. Parsons. Published by White Crow Books.

The Ghost Studies by Brandon Massullo

The Ghost Studies is a parapsychology guide that explores the mental and physical states of people who experience ghosts. To me, it’s like an internal psychological debunking guide. It can answer questions like, “Did I just imagine this ghostly experience?” For ghost hunters that rely on personal experiences, you’ll probably hate it. I think it fills a knowledge gap for paranormal investigators, and it’s worth a read.

© 2017 by Brandon Massullo. Published by New Page Books.

Ghosts: A Haunted History by Lisa Morton

Released in 2015, this book is exactly what it sounds like; a historic analysis of ghosts. It examines ghosts throughout time, and it has a good dose of pop culture (i.e., “Ghostbusters” and reality TV). Morton examines each ghostly topic in an objective — yet fun — manner. Plus, I found her prose to be top-notch!

© 2015 by Lisa Morton. Published by Reaktion Books.