I don’t read much horror but I really liked The Shining by Stephen King. I’m not interested in gory horror but it’s not a deal breaker. Any suggestions?
That said, horror is a wide genre. If you’re looking for modern, easily readable stuff like King (and that’s not a knock on him. Man is a freaking genius.) I’d suggest Paul Tremblay and Chuck Wendig (Black River Orchard specifically). I’d also recommend checking out some anthologies to get an idea for whose style you like. Dark Stars edited by John FD Taff or anything edited by Ellen Datlow would be great places to dip your toe in.
I’d be remiss not to recommend Valancourt’s Paperbacks from Hell series for reprints as well. Lots of reprints of fun books from the 70s and 80s.
Wooster182 on
My book club is currently reading Ghost Story by Peter Straub.
I really enjoyed Audition by Ryu Murakami. The movie is insane.
I’m also currently reading Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas has been fun. Kind of like Like Water from Chocolate with monsters.
I’m also reading The Watchers by Dean Koontz and it starts off pretty chilling.
CaptainLaCroix on
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Unusual-Historian360 on
It by Stephen King is probably the best horror book I’ve ever read (I also read The Shining and really liked it). It’s very different than those movies that came out. They literally only kept like 10-15% of the book and everything else was changed to be different.
I highly recommend it. The characters are so well written you will grow attached and really care about them. The setting is also incredibly well realized and makes you feel like you’re there.
Bluesbunny33 on
you might also want to check out r/horrorlit but I would say most of Stephen Kings books are relatively light on like gore horror but I would recommend his son Joe Hill for more thoughtful horror like really creepy not downright gore horror.
auyamazo on
Leech by Hiron Ennes was pretty good. It’s in the sci fi/horror genre. Not much, more creepy.
Taste_the__Rainbow on
Another vote for IT. Seriously hard to top.
KMack_64 on
The scariest book I have ever read was Pet Semetary by the King himself. I was literally afraid to have the book on the nightstand at bedtime.
PhilzeeTheElder on
Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. His Twilight Eyes is a one off but really creepy.
DiscordDucky on
Horns by Joe Hill
The Child Theif by Brom
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
moopsoup3 on
Stephan King’s Changing Seasons is fun! 4 novellas
12 Comments
Check out r/horrorlit
That said, horror is a wide genre. If you’re looking for modern, easily readable stuff like King (and that’s not a knock on him. Man is a freaking genius.) I’d suggest Paul Tremblay and Chuck Wendig (Black River Orchard specifically). I’d also recommend checking out some anthologies to get an idea for whose style you like. Dark Stars edited by John FD Taff or anything edited by Ellen Datlow would be great places to dip your toe in.
I’d be remiss not to recommend Valancourt’s Paperbacks from Hell series for reprints as well. Lots of reprints of fun books from the 70s and 80s.
My book club is currently reading Ghost Story by Peter Straub.
I really enjoyed Audition by Ryu Murakami. The movie is insane.
I’m also currently reading Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas has been fun. Kind of like Like Water from Chocolate with monsters.
I’m also reading The Watchers by Dean Koontz and it starts off pretty chilling.
The Terror by Dan Simmons
It by Stephen King is probably the best horror book I’ve ever read (I also read The Shining and really liked it). It’s very different than those movies that came out. They literally only kept like 10-15% of the book and everything else was changed to be different.
I highly recommend it. The characters are so well written you will grow attached and really care about them. The setting is also incredibly well realized and makes you feel like you’re there.
you might also want to check out r/horrorlit but I would say most of Stephen Kings books are relatively light on like gore horror but I would recommend his son Joe Hill for more thoughtful horror like really creepy not downright gore horror.
Leech by Hiron Ennes was pretty good. It’s in the sci fi/horror genre. Not much, more creepy.
Another vote for IT. Seriously hard to top.
The scariest book I have ever read was Pet Semetary by the King himself. I was literally afraid to have the book on the nightstand at bedtime.
Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. His Twilight Eyes is a one off but really creepy.
Horns by Joe Hill
The Child Theif by Brom
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
Stephan King’s Changing Seasons is fun! 4 novellas
How to sell a haunted house by Grady Hendrix
The hollow places by T kingfisher
Dweller on the Threshold by Skyla Dawn Cameron