What are the creepiest/most thrilling books you’ve read that aren’t boring or filled with exposition? Books have to dive right in and be well-paced to hold my attention (ADHD). I have read a few psychological thrillers that I really liked, I don’t think I’ve actually read any “horror”. I mostly read sci-fi, fantasy, or romance. But I LOVE horror movies. I’ve seen pretty much all of them so I don’t scare or shock easily. What do you guys recommend? Thanks!
by bebeealligator
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314 series
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill (a novella that stays with you long after the story is over)
I just finished The Shining by Stephen King and just started the sequel Doctor Sleep. I highly recommend both books especially during this season. I have ADD as well and my attention has been focused as the writing is excellent and the scenes are highly dramatic and scary.
If you’ve seen the Kubrick movie The Shining, you only glimpsed a shallow telling of the story. The book is much deeper and involves a more complex study of the individual characters. I would give these two a try if you are looking for something creepy and thrilling.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez is a great collection of creepy short stories.
Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes was a good sci-fi horror.
Older favorites are:
“Penpal” by Dathan Auerbach (2012)
“The Hollow Places” by T. Kingfisher (2020 – her most recent horror novel is “A House with Good Bones”)
“Just Like Home” by Sarah Gailey (2022 – best horror novel I read last year)
“All the Murmuring Bones” by A. G. Slatter (2021)
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Favorites from THIS year are:
“The September House” by Carissa Orlando
“The Shadows” by Alex North
“We Don’t Swim Here” by Vincent Tirado
“Rubicon” by J.S. Dewes (horror-adjacent)
“The Crane Husband” by Kelly Barnhill
“The Scourge Between Stars” by Ness Brown
“The Salt Grows Heavy” by Cassandra Khaw (novella)
“Rose House” by Arkady Martine (novella)