Books With Ghosts 👻 Faves + TBR 🖤 | The Book Castle | 2024

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  • Опубліковано 28 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 200

  • @SarahEsmaeWolfe
    @SarahEsmaeWolfe 3 місяці тому +16

    Whenever I hear people talk about Mexican Gothic who haven't read it yet I feel an evil laugh bubbling up inside me 😂 One of my all time favorite books and it is best to go in blind. I'm happy it hasn't been spoiled to most people yet because the twist is WILD.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Oooh that makes me even more intrigued 👀🖤

    • @dawnnicholson9675
      @dawnnicholson9675 3 місяці тому +1

      I need to read Mexican Gothic!

    • @marleyfa845
      @marleyfa845 3 місяці тому +2

      I`m very sorry asking this but...why? Like, how? I read the book expecting this nice gothic modern classic. Instead it was written so mediocre, the twist wasn?t anything unexpected and the chacters fell flat. What did I miss? I don`t mean to be harsh, I`m just genuinely curious.

    • @deliasl4021
      @deliasl4021 3 місяці тому +2

      Your comment made me bought it two days ago. Got it yesterday. Finished it today. I can share the evil laugh now with you.!

  • @autumn9483
    @autumn9483 3 місяці тому +9

    She is a warrior in spirit, elegant in appearance.

  • @vesch5083
    @vesch5083 3 місяці тому +11

    The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is a lovely ghost story. The movie is great as well

  • @BrookeReadsBooks333
    @BrookeReadsBooks333 3 місяці тому +14

    Wuthering Heights is my ALL time favorite book! It’s perfection! Great recommendations, as I head out on this cold , rainy day in NY to go book shopping! 🤍🍂🍃🍁

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +2

      Hope you had a great day book shopping and got loads of cool books! 🥰🖤

    • @bonnieleary1197
      @bonnieleary1197 3 місяці тому +1

      I tried to read it over the summer and I just couldn’t. I had a hard time, I was so confused!

    • @BrookeReadsBooks333
      @BrookeReadsBooks333 3 місяці тому +1

      @@bonnieleary1197 they make some pretty good movie adaptations of it! Sometimes with classics, it can be a little easier to watch movie before book, just to get the plot line. Classics are definitely not easy at times to read, for sure.

  • @s.l.perrin5424
    @s.l.perrin5424 3 місяці тому +9

    Darcy Coates is great for cozy horror. The Haunting of Ashburn House is one of my favorites. Also, I scored V.E. Schwab's middle-grade horror City of Ghosts trilogy. It came in one chonky volume.
    The Diviners sounds like something I would love. Thank you for the recommendation.

    • @marynuttall163
      @marynuttall163 3 місяці тому

      You really liked The Haunting of Ashburn House? What do you consider to be that author's best book? I read/own the book. It was good, yet very frustrating to me. I was worried about her being able to get out and about her cat being possibly hurt or left behind.
      I can't do animal violence. I don't think it's scary just sick, cruel, and cheap. That's why I can't get through a Stephen King book.

    • @Irene-vz7sw
      @Irene-vz7sw 3 місяці тому

      Cozy? Wait how did you survive reading that book? I been frustrated with the insufferable, brat and childish main character throughout the whole book. It doesn't feel cozy.

  • @candacenagle505
    @candacenagle505 3 місяці тому +6

    I first read Haunting of Hillhouse when I was 12 years old. It was Thanksgiving, and I recall smelling the delicious feast cooking and that my entire body was tense while reading the book. The contrast of cozy vibes and scary content was a memorable experience. It has remained my all time favorite. Recently I read September House, by Carissa Orlando (her first book), and absolutely loved it. I don't like heavy scary stuff. The September House was scary but with an edge of humor and such a lovable heroin...I was totally immersed in it...can't wait to read the author's next book.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      Oooh I’ve been eyeing The September House, glad to hear you liked it! 🍂🖤

    • @candacenagle505
      @candacenagle505 3 місяці тому

      @@TheBookCastle It has so much humor and the main characters are so interesting that the scary/gory aspects feel mild.

    • @coleenmorgan431
      @coleenmorgan431 3 місяці тому +1

      I'm going to second the recommendation of The September House by Carissa Orlando. Fair warning though there is a little bit of gore but it isn't extreme at all.
      It was my favorite read of 2023. I even reread it this year during September of course.

    • @tfrailey7722
      @tfrailey7722 3 місяці тому

      Love ghost books! I picked up Briefly, a Delicious Life. The premise sounded so good. A ghost hanging around for hundreds of years, telling us her experiences….I’m all in. I liked the book but didn’t love it. It felt very superficial in its story telling, almost like it was trying to do too much. It missed the opportunity for more depth. Still glad I read it, it was enjoyable. Thanks for spotlighting so many great supernatural themed books!

  • @AnnaRak423
    @AnnaRak423 3 місяці тому +8

    I recently read "A House with Good Bones" by T. Kingfisher, I think if you like her writing style you will enjoy this book. Very odd story but I love her originality. Currently reading Home Before Dark by Riley Sager and so far I am enjoying it. Haunted house with paranormal happenings (not too scary yet but I am only about 1/3 into the book so far). BTW Ninth House creeped me out so much, you are much braver than you know!! Thinking about it still gives me the ick! Happy Reading!

    • @dark.and.planty
      @dark.and.planty 3 місяці тому

      How scary is A House with Good Bones? I love T. Kingfisher ‘s writing but I am very scared of ghosts lol

    • @AnnaRak423
      @AnnaRak423 3 місяці тому +2

      @@dark.and.planty Not really scary just very weird, it's hard to describe because it's very unique.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      I really want to read House with Good Bones, glad to hear you think I’ll like it! 🥰 Also, there is stuff from Ninth House that gives me the ick too, that book is daaaaark 😅

  • @darcyzarnowski6383
    @darcyzarnowski6383 3 місяці тому +4

    Loved The Silent Companions!

  • @maritzelcastillon1969
    @maritzelcastillon1969 3 місяці тому +3

    I also love ghost stories, will definitely look into your suggestions. My recommendation is, The Ghost Bride by Yangzse Choo, this is about a young woman who is to be married with the son of a rich and powerful family in Malaysia in the 1910s. But the problem is that that man is dead, so they basically want to marry her with a ghost, there is an adventure in the after life, there is a Dragon/god/protector involved, its rich in Malay folklore, traditions regarding the death and after life and it even has a little bit of a love story in there.

  • @melissamoonchild9216
    @melissamoonchild9216 3 місяці тому +2

    wow your white blonde hair with the blood red lip and shirt is so beautifully striking! 🥀

  • @Lucid88-l4s
    @Lucid88-l4s 3 місяці тому +7

    Arthur Conan Doyle is my idol. These books are masterpieces!

  • @annaglowy
    @annaglowy 3 місяці тому +5

    I recomment Elementals by Michael McDowell. It really surprised me, I will never see sand the same again

  • @chigangrel
    @chigangrel 3 місяці тому +3

    Mexican Gothic is one of my favorite books and is what put me onto Silvia Moreno-Garcia - like she's easily one of my favorite modern authors, probably tied with Alix E. Harrow! I will say, it's not exactly a ghost story... but worth a read! Very spooky gothic vibes.
    I also loved The Thirteenth Tale and anything by Shirley Jackson. Everything else I need to read still! I love horror of all kinds lol
    Also, I used to live near the Timberline Lodge, which is the exterior of the Overlook Hotel for The Shining movie! Had to go take pics of course. It's one of my favorite movies but I still haven't gotten around to reading the book, though it's on my list for Christmas break this year.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Awesome! So cool that you live close to that hotel 👻👀🖤

  • @LakhanmanjhiManjhi
    @LakhanmanjhiManjhi 3 місяці тому +2

    you're my favorite content creator love

  • @cherylclough4309
    @cherylclough4309 3 місяці тому +2

    I loved everyone of Diane Sutterfeld’s books. Enjoy. Reading The Ninth House now and enjoying it. Not so much Mexican Gothic. But it might work for you. If you don’t mind older books, I recommend The Uninvited by Dorothy Macardle. It was written in the 1940s and actually was made into a movie with Ray Milland. It made me love Mimosa perfume forever.

  • @AnoukeSu
    @AnoukeSu 3 місяці тому +1

    I would highly recommend Lincoln in the Bardo as an excellent ghostly book. The format takes a minute to get used to but after you get into the swing of it it’s absolutely enthralling. I would also recommend, for a bit of difference, looking up (even right here on UA-cam) the books of the late, great Kathryn Tucker Windham. She collected ghost stories from all over the southern United States. The stories are “true” folk tales and if you also watch the videos of her storytelling you get a sweet little old lady with a thick Southern accent telling you stories that can make you really question the normality of the world around you. 😉 Both these suggestions are a little outside the norm, but they might be a fun stretch of your ghosty curiosity.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you so much for sharing! 🖤 I didn’t realise Lincoln in the Bardo was a ghostly book, that makes me very intrigued to read it 👀

    • @AnoukeSu
      @AnoukeSu 3 місяці тому

      @@TheBookCastle oh one more note, neither Lincoln in the Bardo nor the books by Kathryn Tucker Windham are what I would call scary. So you’re good there.

  • @ghouling1111
    @ghouling1111 3 місяці тому

    A ghost story I recommend is ‘Anna dressed in blood’ by Kendare Blake. It’s YA but I still found it well written, compelling, draws me in even on rereads. It has romantic under tones but it’s sweet. It’s still one of my fav stories even 13yrs later. I reread it once a year. My original copy got foxing so had to replace it. I wish it would get a reprint as copies in good condition are hard to find. Iys really sad story. TW for child abuse.

  • @3geesplay236
    @3geesplay236 3 місяці тому

    I have always loved ghost books and read a lot of good ones that weren’t too scary as a kid. One that Is more of a kid book that I only recently read is The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn and I loved it. Ms. Hahn’s take on ghosts in this story is so unique and it is also very touching. It has an element of ghost children telling of how they passed and then watching what their parents went through looking for them and finally having to leave the house behind, never knowing what happened. As a mother, that really got to me and I totally ugly cried, lol!

  • @Edidin
    @Edidin 3 місяці тому +2

    I'm pretty easily scared, too, but I found that YA ghost stories are my jam. The Gateway Trilogy by E.E. Holmes had me hooked from beginning to end. Mix of ghosts and action/adventure.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      I haven’t heard of that, sounds right up my alley! 😃

  • @Ecabezas
    @Ecabezas 3 місяці тому +1

    I recently read The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. This one is a good haunted house/ghost story.
    Though I remember truly enjoying The Thirteenth Tale, I don’t remember much of it…I did read it back in 2007 so that could be why lol!

    • @catsandbats77
      @catsandbats77 3 місяці тому +1

      The Hacienda is my favorite ghost story

  • @LoveShannon
    @LoveShannon 3 місяці тому +1

    There have only been 2 books in my long life that I just could not wait to be able to sit down and continue reading. One of them was The Shining, so definitely read that one. The movie is completely different, though, so keep that in mind if you get around to watching it eventually. (Stephen King reportedly did not like the movie at all.)
    Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz is a fun "ghost" read. It has the vibe of a mass market mystery, but with a thriller edge, supernatural activity, a touch of campiness, and you will definitely have strong feelings at the end.

    • @surpriseitsus9622
      @surpriseitsus9622 3 місяці тому +1

      Love Koontz books. My favorite was Twilight Eyes. Thanks for bringing that up.

  • @munglejoela
    @munglejoela 3 місяці тому +1

    One of my favourite subjects/book genres! If you love The Silent Companions you'll probably like her other books, there are quite a few now and they're all really good. I also love Diane Setterfield's book Bellman and Black - not a ghost book, but very spooky feeling and unsettling.
    My favourite ghost stories are by MR James, he really is the master of the creepy ghost story where you never really see anything. I think you've probably read Michelle Paver's ghost stories, Thin Air and Dark Matter, but those are two of my all time favourites, so creepy. I also really liked The Lost Ones by Anita Frank.

    • @lisapoe888
      @lisapoe888 3 місяці тому +1

      M.R James really sets the standard for really creepy ghost stories🖤

  • @ambrazamuner9847
    @ambrazamuner9847 3 місяці тому +1

    Aand here we go, I've finished "We've always lived in the castle" last evening! This is crazy! I loved it by the way, read it in two days... Awesome gothic writing. Shirley Jackson wrote it in the sixties and I'm impressed about the flow, excellent grip on the reader and you're right in the beginning I also thought it was a ghost story, the vibe is there... 'till the end🕯️🌙

  • @starlasell5698
    @starlasell5698 3 місяці тому

    ❤️📚👻❤️
    I really enjoyed Gallant! Enjoy your ghostly reads!

  • @susanpuckett4521
    @susanpuckett4521 3 місяці тому +3

    Anything by Simone St James for ghosts is great!! Especially good on audio is The Sundown Hotel by Simone St James. I think all of her books feature ghosts. And my IRL book club just discussed The Thirteenth Tale yesterday at book club! We loved it! One of our members has a birthday in October (on Halloween actually!) and I always give each member a couple of books (usually used!) during their birthday month. I gave our October birthday girl Ninth House and it's sequel Hell Bent yesterday! You can't go wrong with Stephen King. Many of his titles are not horror or too scary as most people think! You can go stay at the hotel in Colorado where they filmed the movie. Interestingly, Stephen King actually HATES the movie version of The Shining! He feels like the director took too many liberties with his story! Can't wait to hear what you think! Booktuber Alexandra Roselyn did a vlog of her reading The Shining while staying in a local hotel in her town. It's very good and she is a scardy cat like me! You may like her vlog about The Shining! Happy spooky reading!

    • @hellopaulie
      @hellopaulie 3 місяці тому +2

      I just picked up The Haunting of Maddy Clare at a thrift sale. It had an autumnal cover and I like ghost stories so I thought I'd give it a try. Simone St. James is a Canadian author and I am Canadian so it's about time that I gave her a read. Good to see her books recommended here. That's a good sign that I stumbled upon something good.

  • @clairehansen5677
    @clairehansen5677 3 місяці тому +1

    Dr sleep, the shinings sequel is also amazing!!

  • @munajedski
    @munajedski 3 місяці тому +1

    The Silent Companians was very good! Almost too much for me, but exactly how you described it, the last third got creepier and creepier. I couldn't stop reading!

  • @shellkay
    @shellkay 3 місяці тому

    I think you’ll enjoy The Thirteenth Tale. It’s among my favorites. I also just finished The Broken Girls (Simone St. James) & loved the atmosphere, ghostly vibes, & dual timeline.

  • @astoldbykat
    @astoldbykat 3 місяці тому

    Definitely adding a few of these to my F/W TBR. I have plenty of witchy and vampire books, but not enough ghost books.

  • @britaccent4352
    @britaccent4352 3 місяці тому

    Ghost stories are my favorite! I adore E.F. Benson, M.R. James, Elizabeth Gaskell, Charlotte Riddell, Edith Wharton and many more! So many great recommendations here already but I wonder if anyone has mentioned A Sudden Light by Garth Stein? I loved the beauty of the location and ran to read John Muir afterwards. The Pacific Northwest just evokes spooky vibes for me!
    This was my first time watching your videos and I’ve subscribed!

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Amazing, thank you for sharing! 🥰 And welcome to the channel, happy to have you here! 😃

  • @ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged
    @ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged 3 місяці тому

    The Thirteenth Tale is so good!

  • @eileennielsen5165
    @eileennielsen5165 3 місяці тому

    Thanks Alice. I love Wuthering g Heights. I collect different editions of it. When I had surgery in June (still recouping!!! Ugh!) A nurse recommended Mexican Gothic to me. Have a nice rest of the week-end!🤗

  • @louisemurray873
    @louisemurray873 3 місяці тому

    Currently reading Salems lot in time for the movie! The Shinning is on my list for Winter as i think theres a bit of a winter scene. Id loved to know what you think!!!! Lovely recommendations my firdt video ive seen of yours. Proud to say i have subscribed and rxcited to see more ❤

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you so much!! Happy to have you here! 🥰🖤

  • @frenchbookthief
    @frenchbookthief 3 місяці тому

    Just discovered your channel… and know I am binge watching every video you ever made 🥰♥️

  • @catsandbats77
    @catsandbats77 3 місяці тому

    I really liked Mexican Gothic. I also liked Silvia Moreno Garcia's book Silver Nitrate. I'm currently reading Gallant, but I'm not that far into it yet. I absolutely adore The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas. A ghost book that freaked me out is The Ghost That Haunted Itself which is about the Mackenzie Poltergeist in Greyfriers Cemetery in Edinburgh.

  • @julieg9847
    @julieg9847 3 місяці тому

    I'm currently reading The Haunting of Blackwood House by Darcy Coates. It is definitely one I cannot read before bed! The creepiest ghost story I have read is Night Stalks the Mansion by Constance Westbie and Harold Cameron. It's an allegedly true story of a family who lived in this house. It takes place in my home state of Pennsylvania. I have even been to the outside of the house as a kid. It has been torn down now but the story is my favorite.

  • @zubooks
    @zubooks 3 місяці тому

    Thank you for your video, Alice! I've read Wuthering Heights and four books of your list are already on my TBR. The one I'm most afraid to pick up is The Silent Companions :) I'm currently reading The Broken Girls by Simone St James and quite liking it! For now, the ghost scenes are creepy but not too scary

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      I’m reading The Broken Girls now too! Just about to finish it 👀

    • @zubooks
      @zubooks 3 місяці тому

      @@TheBookCastle Very nice :) looking forward to hear your thoughts!

  • @lindahart5038
    @lindahart5038 3 місяці тому

    The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favorite books. When you mentioned Wuthering Heights I thought you might also mention Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, another classic.

  • @franziskaloser3088
    @franziskaloser3088 3 місяці тому

    The Diviners mentioned! 😍
    Also, HIGHLY recommend The Death of Jane Lawrence! Super atmospheric gothic ghost story set in a slightly magical (parallel ?) world from ours.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      I really need to read Jane Lawrence, it looks so good!! 😍

  • @dbchan
    @dbchan 3 місяці тому

    I just finished Mexican Gothic and it was very intense. Reminded me of a book I read years ago called "Nyctophobia", scared the pants off me.
    For lighter spooky fare, pick up "Ghostly" compiled by Audrey Niffeneger.

  • @Kimberly-oneminut
    @Kimberly-oneminut 3 місяці тому

    Great recommendations 💙

  • @elizabethgardner6832
    @elizabethgardner6832 2 місяці тому

    I'm a scardy-cat in that I can't handle any gore or violence at all... but I do like middle grade stories with friendly ghosts: Greenglass house series and Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba. Ghost stories I've not read yet but want to: Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde (not a friendly ghost but it's supposed to be funny) and The Haunted Bookstore - Gateway to a Parallel Universe (Light Novel) Series by Shinobumaru.

  • @carolpingel39
    @carolpingel39 3 місяці тому

    “Diavola” is a good ghost story I finished last week. Not too scary, but definitely creepy!

  • @believe53787
    @believe53787 2 місяці тому

    Great summary! Thanks for sharing when the characters are unlikeable. I can’t stand those, so thanks for keeping it off my list!

  • @deliasl4021
    @deliasl4021 3 місяці тому

    I read the silent companions… I have never been scared by reading a book. Damn!

  • @amyirbybooks
    @amyirbybooks 3 місяці тому

    Love this list, I am also a scaredy cat. 😂 I love a spooky story though and definitely want to check these out. Mexican Gothic is a bit disturbing but well written. Gallant was spooky and quirky.

  • @kaieasthammer8243
    @kaieasthammer8243 3 місяці тому

    The greatest ghost supernatural stories are the ones the reader can relate to and believe themselves in. Nothing more frightening than the human imagination. The greatest ghost stories were written by M.R.James.

  • @ch.ramanach.ramana494
    @ch.ramanach.ramana494 3 місяці тому

    this format of videos suits me a lot

  • @bujobyfilo
    @bujobyfilo 3 місяці тому

    Ooo 👻 nice list! I would add The Phantom of the opera, Pedro Páramo, and The fall of the house of Usher

  • @MichelleP-t7o
    @MichelleP-t7o 3 місяці тому +1

    The shining is great, also, i know it's not a ghost book but Salem's Lot is good

  • @ridingwilding760
    @ridingwilding760 3 місяці тому +1

    Charlaine Harris has lots of spooky/ mystery series. I really enjoyed her Harper Connelly series and her Midnight Texas series.
    If you like a ghost/cozy mystery with humor E.J Copperman series A Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries

  • @creepypapermultipack
    @creepypapermultipack 3 місяці тому

    I saw The Shining when I was waaaaay too young. Like, 7 or 8 and I have been haunted by it ever since. I’ve never read the book because I heard it was way scarier than the movie. But I could be wrong!

  • @SecretSanctuary7191
    @SecretSanctuary7191 3 місяці тому

    The Thirteenth Tale is one of my favorite Books, I hope you like it! Julian's House and The Little Stranger are good and unique Ghost Books imo. But as far as I know, only available second hand or as ebook.

    • @munajedski
      @munajedski 3 місяці тому +1

      @SecretSanctuary7191 The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters? I have all her books! They're all very dark, and a little disturbing, but her writing...so good!

    • @SecretSanctuary7191
      @SecretSanctuary7191 3 місяці тому +1

      @@munajedski Yes! I should check out her other books.

    • @munajedski
      @munajedski 3 місяці тому +1

      @SecretSanctuary7191 if you liked The Little Stranger, you will like the others. 😊

  • @Nicole-dh3um
    @Nicole-dh3um 3 місяці тому +1

    Thin Air or Dark Matter: A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver. Thin Air is my personal favourite but they are both really atmospheric and creepy.

  • @Jessi_the_bookish
    @Jessi_the_bookish 3 місяці тому

    I just picked up The Silent Companions based on your summary! Sounds right up my alley. 🙌 have you read any Darcy Coates? She's pretty good with her ghostly /haunted stories. They're perfect for spooky season. New subscriber here & I'm loving your fall book recommendations! 🍂

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Oooh I hope you like it! 🖤 I’ve read one book by Coates but I definitely want to read more

  • @Darkpumpkinspice
    @Darkpumpkinspice 3 місяці тому

    This makes me wanna read Ninth House even more! Oh and I loved loved loved The Shining and believe me, I get scared really easily too so watch it with a friend just in case. But it is really worth it ( and I am usually not a Stephen King fan except for 2-3 books that I liked). It is less scary than It or Misery I think.

  • @DWor-
    @DWor- 2 місяці тому

    I feel like The Haunting of Hill House highlights was the dialogue and the two ladies paling around and joking about the gloomy caretakers and that kind of thing. I’m kind of like the first “reel” is my thing with that book, just the first half until things just start falling apart as the fun fizzles out.

  • @joyceredman2136
    @joyceredman2136 3 місяці тому +1

    I liked Mexican Gothic, I started to read the 13th Tale but put it down for two mystery books (What Happened to the Bennetts? by Lisa Scottoline and Madam, Will You Talk by Mary Stewart (she created the genre of romantic suspense mysteries)) because they are faster reads. I will probably come back to it. I would recommend the author, Sarah Addison Allen, as most of her books are magical or other worldly (other people think there must be ghosts)-The best one I read by her is Other Birds but I also liked The Girl Who Chased the Moon. I bought but have not read The Selected Ghost Stories of E. Nesbit: Victorian Tales of the Macabre on my Kindle. It says in the introduction: Edith Nesbit's grim tales are historically overlooked when measured against her prolific career as a children's book author, but this collection of 18 macabre stories will set the record straight on this master of gothic horror...Most notable works are Man-Size in Marble, Uncle Abraham's Wedding and The House of Silence...this collection will do much to re-establish her as one of the most accomplished and entertaining ghost story writer." In college I read some of the original gothic tales which were weird and funny like The Castle of Otrano by Horace Walpole. The story makes no sense, has no logic and is quite silly. But definitely atmospheric. Some of the ghost story collections I started to read but did not think much of were by Elizabeth Gaskell and Edith Wharton. They were kind of boring.

    • @michellehyland3675
      @michellehyland3675 3 місяці тому

      The Castle of Otranto is mad stuff. While reading it I was 🤯🤯

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      Oooh I’ll have to check out Nesbit! Thank you for sharing 🖤

  • @melbelle1989
    @melbelle1989 3 місяці тому

    I loved Mexican Gothic until the end 😢 I mean I still love it but the ending was....interesting. I loved the haunting vibes though!! A favorite ghost story of mine is The Haunting of Alejandra. Idk if it's a "ghost" story but it has haunting vibes!!

  • @GelaMarie83
    @GelaMarie83 2 місяці тому

    I think you'd like Starling House by Alex E Harrow

  • @arpitabhawal7359
    @arpitabhawal7359 2 місяці тому

    Read the new one, fantastic, The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell.

  • @Kathkira
    @Kathkira 3 місяці тому

    I'm reading Mexican Gothic right now (I skipped over that part of the video since I don't want to heard anything about it til I'm done hehe. I'm not terrible far in, she's just arrived at the house) Before this I was reading one that might fit. It's a Victoria Schwab (V.E. Schwab) middle-grade/YA? called City of Ghosts. Girl can see ghosts, she and parents go to Edinburgh. It was pretty good, I've definitely got the next one of the series on my TBR ("Tunnel of Bones" set in Paris, and "Bridge of Souls" set in New Orleans). I also read one a while back called Grave Matter by Juno Dawson with illustrations by Alex T Smith. It's pretty dark and more generally paranormal than specifically ghostly but might be of interest. It's quite short as well.
    When I finish Mexican Gothic I've got Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier and a few other books lined up on the immediate TBR.

  • @coleenmorgan431
    @coleenmorgan431 3 місяці тому

    I'm on the side of loving Mexican Gothic. It actually made me pick up more of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work. As others have said The Hacienda by Isabel Canas is really good and so was The September House by Carissa Orlando.
    The Whispering Dead by Darcy Coates. Start of her Gravekeeper series
    And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich YA haunted creepy deliciousness

  • @anissarosario22
    @anissarosario22 3 місяці тому

    What lipstick do you wear? It's so stunning! The perfect autumn burgundy colour!

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +2

      It’s from Charlotte Tilbury, in the shade Glastonberry 🥰🖤

  • @TheGummiRose
    @TheGummiRose 3 місяці тому

    Alexis Aaron' Haunted series. The main character Mia just crawled deep into my heart. For me this is a must read, the characters just come alive and take you with them on their ghost hunts and paranormal experiences ❤❤

  • @heyitslori
    @heyitslori 3 місяці тому

    Fun video Alice! Some recommendations for you: The September House by Carissa Orlando, This House is Haunted by John Boyne, Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell, and Rooms by Lauren Oliver. 😊

  • @spexi513
    @spexi513 3 місяці тому

    Really liked Briefly A Delicious Life

  • @carlyy2
    @carlyy2 3 місяці тому

    The Shining is one of my favorite books, and it is pretty scary. Scarier than the movie! At least in my opinion. I recently read "The September House" which was a creepy, darkly humorous ghost book! I recommend it!

  • @kimo2608
    @kimo2608 3 місяці тому

    You could try Winter People by Jennifer MacMahon, paranormal, more wintery if you want to try it in a couple months. It is about as creepy as I can tolerate! I too have Thirteenth Tale on my fall TBR. Enjoy 👻👻!

  • @JeantheSecond-ip7qm
    @JeantheSecond-ip7qm 3 місяці тому

    Recs for good ghost stories:
    Mild: Gravekeeper series and The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates, Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud, Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake, Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
    Spicy: The Good House by Tanararive Due, September House by Carissa Orlando, Elementals by Michael McDowell

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      Ooooh amazing, thank you for sharing! 🖤🥰

  • @jackiesliterarycorner
    @jackiesliterarycorner 3 місяці тому

    In all honesty, movies scare me more than books, but The Shining is good. I vaguely recall liking The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry and The Turn of the Screw by Henry James is another good one. The House with Good Bones is a bit of a ghost story that was fun.

  • @petra2676
    @petra2676 3 місяці тому

    Dark Matter by Michelle Paver is the perfect ghost story and by the way, you look beautiful 🙂

  • @AbiofPellinor
    @AbiofPellinor 3 місяці тому

    I *keep* hearing about Mexican Gothic!

  • @ReadingNymph
    @ReadingNymph 3 місяці тому

    I recently read A Good House for Children which is a creepy haunted house story

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Oooh I’ll have to check that out! 🖤

  • @Horrorbabe4
    @Horrorbabe4 3 місяці тому

    The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones scared me. It was spookiest to me because the main character, the protagonist, loses control of reality in a really sad way. It's a claustrophobic and eery story. There's definitely ghosts in the story. In the middle of the book, it starts to get quite gross as far as body horror, self-harm, and murders that are described.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Oh gosh, sounds very spooky indeed! 😅

    • @Horrorbabe4
      @Horrorbabe4 3 місяці тому

      ​@TheBookCastle yes lol scared me. btw for you or anyone considering reading it, the self harm isn't because the character has a mental disorder/is unwell. It's like...required for the ...task she has to do. [It was also my least favorite element of the book while I was reading it lol but in retrospect, I think it was genius]

  • @dreams0fdragons
    @dreams0fdragons 3 місяці тому

    Was going to recommend the shining before it came up but I will say if the movie scares you, the book is worse. It's great though 💓

  • @heatherbenza5185
    @heatherbenza5185 3 місяці тому

    I didn’t realize there was a lot dislike of Mexican gothic. I read it because of you tube recommendations and now she’s an auto buy author for me.

  • @matth_ew_k
    @matth_ew_k 3 місяці тому

    Loved this list! For more non-scary ghost stories with a bit of a lighter tone, I recommend Oscar Wilde's short story 'The Canterville Ghost'. It has Scooby Doo vibes and it's also a great place to start with Wilde if you've never read any of his work before 🧡🦇

  • @SarveshKumar-xo7vu
    @SarveshKumar-xo7vu 3 місяці тому

    you got a new sub

  • @JTL447
    @JTL447 3 місяці тому +6

    Have you read any Darcy Coates books? She does a lot of ghost/haunting stories but they’re pretty “cozy” in a sense.

    • @Alex_0823
      @Alex_0823 3 місяці тому +1

      Same author I was thinking. I’ve only read Craven Manor and From Below- but you can’t go wrong with either one. From Below was a little more nerve-wracking. 😅

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +2

      I’ve read the Haunting of Ashburn House by her! 😊

    • @lisapoe888
      @lisapoe888 3 місяці тому +1

      She has zombies /ghouls is that cozy? 😮She’s amazing anyway🖤

  • @MangaGhoul
    @MangaGhoul 3 місяці тому

    I read the first few chapters of the silent companions and I DNFed it because I felt the main character was unlikeable. But everyone says its so good so maybe I should give it more of a chance.

  • @marynuttall163
    @marynuttall163 3 місяці тому

    I will say I don't do super scary either.
    I have read some I won't share because they were meh or I don't think you'd like them.
    You may like
    The Invited. It's a haunted house book, however the twist is that it's a haunted house being built. I'm currently reading Kill Creek and it's good. It's a haunted house and 4 horror authors go to visit it together. I prefer gothic horror to having the stuffing scared out of me. I also think you may enjoy the series The Haunting of Aveline Jones. It's just right. 👌🏼

  • @Ivy-the-Gizmo
    @Ivy-the-Gizmo 3 місяці тому

    Where do you get your outfits_ They look so amazing! (I live in Norway)

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      Thank you! A little all over the place, sometimes secondhand, sometimes just regular stores ❤️

  • @Ms.SpookyNerd
    @Ms.SpookyNerd 3 місяці тому

    Hope you enjoy your reads and great recs! I have sheets, can't wait to check it out.🎃🍂🍁🦇👻📚☕

  • @dark.and.planty
    @dark.and.planty 3 місяці тому

    I tried reading Gallant but I was too spooked! 👻 i am extremely scared of ghosts though 😅
    I did enjoy Belladonna! YA romance/mistery/very gothic mansion vibes. Fun. Spooky but not scary. I will be reading the other two books!

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      I hope I can deal with Gallant 👀😅

  • @natalied3279
    @natalied3279 3 місяці тому

    I recommend The Small Hand by Susan Hill. (The author of The Woman in Black.) Creepy more than scary.

  • @FaeryLaume
    @FaeryLaume 3 місяці тому

    I just finished reading The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox - ghosts, lots of atmosphere, low level spooky. The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alverez - lovely magical realism literary story, the ghosts are not spooky. The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes - this book and the other two in the series are middle grade but the ghosts are actually a bit scary. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo - I really enjoyed this different cultural take on ghosts and the main characters adventures - not too spooky. Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier - a heart filling middle grade graphic novel - not spooky. And two anthologies edited by Bridget Collins, both filled with short stories from some of my favorite authors, are perfect for the winter holiday ghost story season - The Haunting Season: Ghostly Tales for Long Winter Nights, and The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights.

  • @sams5963
    @sams5963 3 місяці тому

    Assuming you haven't read them I would recommend the following: The Spite House by Johnny Compton, and
    Sundown Motel and The Broken Girls both by Simone St James. 👻👻

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      I’m currently reading The Broken Girls! 👻

  • @theclotheserinsews
    @theclotheserinsews 3 місяці тому

    Hi Alice! I have been loving your reviews and recommendations, so thank you for these great videos. I think you might like "Tuesday Mooney Talks To Ghosts" by Kate Racculia and "The Ghosts of Beatrice Bird" by Louisa Morgan. Neither are too scary, but they are creepy and exciting at the climax. I hope you like them!

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      Thank you so much! And thank you for sharing those recs, I’ll check them out 🥰🖤

  • @ValerieHowell-ly6of
    @ValerieHowell-ly6of 3 місяці тому

    I have 3 recommendations: The legend of sleepy hollow by Washington Irving. It's a short story, its atmospheric, and just the right amount of spooky without gore or horror. 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃👻👻👻👻👻Also, the book version of ParaNorman, delightful, a little creepy and of lot of fun!!! Lastly, try the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, its short, decidedly spooky, creepy and the ambience of the moors is chilling! Not too scary, but a perfect October read.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      Amazing, thank you for sharing! 🖤

  • @pauieeepau
    @pauieeepau 2 місяці тому

    I enjoyed She is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran. It has a haunted house plus ghosts and some bug horror. It isn't that scary, but it's atmospheric and kinda gross, depending on your icks.

  • @shaikarshad2025
    @shaikarshad2025 3 місяці тому

    best!!

  • @flowerpixel
    @flowerpixel 3 місяці тому

    Oh gosh I can't remember if I read the shining but if it's anything like the movie, you'll be too scared lol

    • @Horrorbabe4
      @Horrorbabe4 3 місяці тому

      I haven't read the book but from what I've seen written about it on reddit, it isn't gory. It's also very different from the movie. It's my favorite horror movie. Stephen King doesn't like the movie. [The Shining [1980]]

    • @flowerpixel
      @flowerpixel 3 місяці тому

      @@Horrorbabe4 that's funny bc the movie is a masterpiece

    • @Horrorbabe4
      @Horrorbabe4 3 місяці тому +1

      ​@@flowerpixelyes it is. I don't write books but I'd probably be mad if the movie version of my book wasn't like the book I worked so hard on. That's basically why Stephen King doesn't like it.

  • @latebloomerdiaries4219
    @latebloomerdiaries4219 3 місяці тому +1

    The Thirteenth Tale *is* amazing, and I highly recommend it. It was assigned reading during my senior year of high school and even 15-ish years later, it still has a place on my bookshelf, and I’ve read it multiple times. Very, very good.

    • @munajedski
      @munajedski 3 місяці тому

      @@latebloomerdiaries4219 I am adding to my list!

    • @lisapoe888
      @lisapoe888 3 місяці тому

      I don’t remember it being spooky at all more drama🤔

  • @LeanneRose
    @LeanneRose 3 місяці тому

    👻 🖤

  • @artemis2520
    @artemis2520 3 місяці тому

    This doesn't have ghosts in it but it is a strange book that is more psychological horror than anything else... House of Leaves.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      I really want to read that one! 🥰

    • @artemis2520
      @artemis2520 3 місяці тому

      @TheBookCastle It'll take some work... clear your schedule for that one. Lol. It's not the kind of book that you curl up on the couch with... good luck when you do decide read it 👍

  • @catrionamurray1381
    @catrionamurray1381 3 місяці тому +4

    I LOVE ghost stories and would always recommend ‘The Woman in Black’ by Susan Hill (miles better than the awful film). Also ‘The Turn of the Screw’ by Henry James, with its spooky kids. You can’t get much better than the short stories of MR James if you want a quick burst of spookiness, and the BBC made some very atmospheric adaptations of these.

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому

      Oooh amazing! 😍

    • @lisapoe888
      @lisapoe888 3 місяці тому

      The movie was great 👍🏻

    • @jillbartos8893
      @jillbartos8893 3 місяці тому

      @@lisapoe888 The 1989 film was my favorite, so creepy, it gave me nightmares for awhile!

  • @kayliemcintosh7841
    @kayliemcintosh7841 3 місяці тому +1

    The Thirteen Tale is fantastic. It’s haunting.

  • @KMort
    @KMort 3 місяці тому

    I don't even get scared easily but I don't like horror because I feel it often leans into gore rather than dread, I'm not looking to be nauseous but uncomfortable 😂

    • @Horrorbabe4
      @Horrorbabe4 3 місяці тому

      I guess Terrifier isn't for you then lol

    • @TheBookCastle
      @TheBookCastle  3 місяці тому +1

      I totally get what you mean by uncomfortable instead of nauseous!! I feel the same!

  • @offdreaminginmusic81
    @offdreaminginmusic81 3 місяці тому

    Now hear me out! Unpopular opinion but Layla by Colleen Hoover was a really fun read with kinda ghosts 🤍