First off, I adore Coraline. Great book, great movie. I just read The Return and loved it. Great mix of relationships, trauma and horror. Also reading Jordan Peele's new anthology collection called Out There Screaming and it is fantastic!
You should start with The Hellbound Heart and Coraline. They're both short easy reads that will creep you out. The Hellbound Heart has the same basic story as Hellraiser but there's a bunch of small differences that make it feel unique. Same thing with Coraline actually. Coraline is like a darker Goosebumps book.
Awesome list! Absolutely love Coraline, both the book and movie. Highly recommend the movie, which I've watched so many times. Skeleton Crew is my favorite short story collection by Stephen King,. Survivor type is one of the most messed up disturbing stories I've ever read. Hellbound Heart is such an awesome horror novella. Psycho is a true horror classic. I would definitely start with the books I've mentioned, the bonus being that they are all fairly short. Happy Reading!
not sure if you have read it already or not, but if you didnt, definitely try Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. probably not 100% gothic but still enjoyable. and it does have spooky old buildings and stuff. the story itself is not that good if you re-read it, but simply not knowing what happens next (because nothing really did) and the twist makes you forget it
I am currently reading The Rules of Magic (the 2nd book, chronologically, of the Practical Magic series). I wanted to highly recommend Magic Lessons, which is the 1st book (again, chronologically). There's another that comes after Practical Magic, called The Book of Magic... if you want to expand your Practical Magic world 😄 (That's a lot of *magic* lol)
I love small town tales, would start with Small Town Monsters ! Not many books for me this season, Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig and Cunning Folk by Adam Nevill.
The Thief of Always by Clive Barker is a fun and quick read with some cool Halloween imagery. It might be written for all ages, but it’s still from Clive Barker’s twisted mind
I have a huge TBR but definitely going to add Coraline to the list and Mexican Gothic I just finished the haunting by Natasha Preston going to read Escape by KR Alexander
I'm one of those who didn't like A head full of Ghosts, couldn't tell you why tho. But since it's supposed to be a modern take on the Exorcist, I picked an old Blatty book for this Halloween: Elsewhere. I think it's his only haunted house book. I'm halfway through and loving it so far.
Not very "spooky season" but currently reading Perfume again. Still haven't managed to find a copy of Slaughterhouse Five though :( Edit: another copy. Mine was lost.
i'd start with skeleton crew and flip back and forth from that to the novels, since it's short stories. i think you'll get through about 4 books. i think i'm the only 1 that finds paul tremblay to be incredibly dull and pointless.
@@mandysmorgueofhorror you might like it but don't go into thinking it's going to be like the movie. Think of it as another witchy story with a similar plot.
I think you should read Skeleton Crew first! That way even if you're not into one of the stories, it's not a slog to get through. Plus it has one of my favorite stories from King ever, The Reach. It's so different from his other works being more gothic horror.
Rebecca is a slow burn. I didn't really appreciate it until it was done and I could think about the whole thing. The revelation of the title character, though, oh my!
The Clackity is really cute & actually super creepy at times! The visuals give me Coraline vibes and I wish someone would make an animated/stop-motion version of this lovely world. Kid-me would have loved this book so much. Adult-me thought it was great!
Great video Mandy. You should read Dracula it's good. I also want to read Rebecca. Mexican Gothic was a good book, definitely worth reading. I love practical magic, skeleton crew and psycho. The rest look very good.😊
You may have read this already, but I recently read Stolen Tongues from a Facebook horror group rec. I’ve never been scared of what was going to happen next when reading before. It was seriously creepy. That book kept me on the edge of my seat. I don’t fully understand the ending, so if you read it I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. I’m reading The Watchers right now. It’s a gothic horror story. It’s pretty good so far.
I did read Stolen Tongues! I loved the beginning of the book and thought it was super scary, but I think it was too long for me. I honestly don’t remember the ending 😂
Great list Mandy ... and not too uber scary, so most people could read and enjoy these books. You reminded me that I need to watch "stir of echoes" again ... such a good movie. I watched "smile" (2022) recently and loved it. Kevin Bacon's daughter not only looks exactly like him, but she certainly inherited his acting talent too.
First off, I adore Coraline. Great book, great movie. I just read The Return and loved it. Great mix of relationships, trauma and horror. Also reading Jordan Peele's new anthology collection called Out There Screaming and it is fantastic!
I’m interested in the Jordan Peele anthology too!
Sounds like a pretty awesome list of Gothic Goodness!
You should start with The Hellbound Heart and Coraline. They're both short easy reads that will creep you out. The Hellbound Heart has the same basic story as Hellraiser but there's a bunch of small differences that make it feel unique. Same thing with Coraline actually. Coraline is like a darker Goosebumps book.
Thanks - that’s what I was thinking of doing!
This is a great fall tbr. I loved Mexican Gothic and Coraline.
so true!
So many great books in this list! I loved Mexican Gothic it was great! I hope you enjoy all of them
Clive Barker is amazing! Also, loved Skeleton Crew, I think there’s a story in there called Survivor Type that really stayed with me 😬
You’ll get through 3. I would read Coraline, Dowry of Blood, and Psycho.
Thank you for believing in me 😂
Great list! I'm planning on reading Becoming the Boogyman by Richard Chizmar. Can't wait
Rebecca is one of my all-time favorite books
I'd start with the shortest, most light-hearted books first before getting to the denser stuff. Just to get some reading momentum going.
The Hellbound heart and Skeleton Crew
Awesome list! Absolutely love Coraline, both the book and movie. Highly recommend the movie, which I've watched so many times. Skeleton Crew is my favorite short story collection by Stephen King,. Survivor type is one of the most messed up disturbing stories I've ever read. Hellbound Heart is such an awesome horror novella. Psycho is a true horror classic. I would definitely start with the books I've mentioned, the bonus being that they are all fairly short. Happy Reading!
I’m getting excited about Skeleton Crew now. I feel like no one talks about it enough!
I hope you enjoy it, stunning collection imo.@@mandysmorgueofhorror
I really enjoyed A Head Full of Ghosts. I hope you love it too! Great list🖤
Infected. Scott Sigler
3 books in the series
I have read them aleast 3times, great
I got Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Treasury….all 3 books in one hard back with the original illustrations 😂
Awesome! I have a collection too that I need to finish reading
not sure if you have read it already or not, but if you didnt, definitely try Lock Every Door by Riley Sager. probably not 100% gothic but still enjoyable. and it does have spooky old buildings and stuff. the story itself is not that good if you re-read it, but simply not knowing what happens next (because nothing really did) and the twist makes you forget it
I am currently reading The Rules of Magic (the 2nd book, chronologically, of the Practical Magic series). I wanted to highly recommend Magic Lessons, which is the 1st book (again, chronologically). There's another that comes after Practical Magic, called The Book of Magic... if you want to expand your Practical Magic world 😄 (That's a lot of *magic* lol)
I love small town tales, would start with Small Town Monsters !
Not many books for me this season, Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig and Cunning Folk by Adam Nevill.
The Thief of Always by Clive Barker is a fun and quick read with some cool Halloween imagery. It might be written for all ages, but it’s still from Clive Barker’s twisted mind
Ohhh I actually have this one too. I might have to add it to my tbr!
"Dead of Winter" by Darcey Coates was good
I have a huge TBR but definitely going to add Coraline to the list and Mexican Gothic I just finished the haunting by Natasha Preston going to read Escape by KR Alexander
Planned Halloween TBR: 25. Actual that I will likely get to: 5.
If you haven’t read them I highly recommend The Books of Blood by Clive Barker.
I'm one of those who didn't like A head full of Ghosts, couldn't tell you why tho. But since it's supposed to be a modern take on the Exorcist, I picked an old Blatty book for this Halloween: Elsewhere. I think it's his only haunted house book. I'm halfway through and loving it so far.
Ohhh I didn’t know he wrote a haunted house book. I’ll have to add it to my tbr!
Enjoy!!!@@mandysmorgueofhorror
The best spooy book I've read is Vampires of El Norte. Sooo creepy!
I’m intrigued by that one too! I have The Hacienda which I think is by the same author.
I love your videos and content.
Thanks!
I saw the movie Coraline. It's really creepy! TW: lots of bugs.
Not very "spooky season" but currently reading Perfume again. Still haven't managed to find a copy of Slaughterhouse Five though :(
Edit: another copy. Mine was lost.
i'd start with skeleton crew and flip back and forth from that to the novels, since it's short stories. i think you'll get through about 4 books.
i think i'm the only 1 that finds paul tremblay to be incredibly dull and pointless.
my bet is 3 books
Practical Magic. Movie was wayyyyy better. If you want Practical Magic movie vibes in a book, try Spells For Forgetting.
Thanks - I think I’ve heard the book isn’t the same as the movie which is making me a little more hesitant to read it
@@mandysmorgueofhorror you might like it but don't go into thinking it's going to be like the movie. Think of it as another witchy story with a similar plot.
Mexican Gothic, Rebecca and Dowry of Blood are all favorite books of all time for me! Hope you enjoy them
I think you should read Skeleton Crew first! That way even if you're not into one of the stories, it's not a slog to get through. Plus it has one of my favorite stories from King ever, The Reach. It's so different from his other works being more gothic horror.
Noted - thanks!
Rebecca is a slow burn. I didn't really appreciate it until it was done and I could think about the whole thing. The revelation of the title character, though, oh my!
totally agree! I had no idea where it was going...
The Clackity is really cute & actually super creepy at times! The visuals give me Coraline vibes and I wish someone would make an animated/stop-motion version of this lovely world. Kid-me would have loved this book so much. Adult-me thought it was great!
So glad to hear that. It sounds super creepy!
Great video Mandy. You should read Dracula it's good. I also want to read Rebecca. Mexican Gothic was a good book, definitely worth reading. I love practical magic, skeleton crew and psycho. The rest look very good.😊
Coraline is such a beautiful but simple, and understated horror. I hope you enjoyed it! x
recently found your channel - love it! genuine emotions and passion for the subject.
You may have read this already, but I recently read Stolen Tongues from a Facebook horror group rec. I’ve never been scared of what was going to happen next when reading before. It was seriously creepy. That book kept me on the edge of my seat. I don’t fully understand the ending, so if you read it I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. I’m reading The Watchers right now. It’s a gothic horror story. It’s pretty good so far.
I did read Stolen Tongues! I loved the beginning of the book and thought it was super scary, but I think it was too long for me. I honestly don’t remember the ending 😂
Me neither because I had no idea what was happening lol!!! I agree it was long.
Great list Mandy ... and not too uber scary, so most people could read and enjoy these books. You reminded me that I need to watch "stir of echoes" again ... such a good movie. I watched "smile" (2022) recently and loved it. Kevin Bacon's daughter not only looks exactly like him, but she certainly inherited his acting talent too.
She’s amazing! I also love watching their family TikToks occasionally 😂