Grew up on Stephen King (I'm 60) but didn't branch out on horror much, other than Poe. Reading had dwindled to just a handful of books a year til my kids convinced me to try audiobooks this year. (I'm on book 57) I create much of my Hoopla and Libby audiobook lists from your suggestions lately so finally decided to subscribe. Thank you so much!
there was an interesting video by TaleFoundry a few days ago about why cosmic horror is sometimes not scary, but rather can trigger a feeling of awe or what some people call "the sublime". Very insightful I think as why a lot of us love the genre...it isn't actually for the sake of fear, pessimism, etc.
That's what my favorite story, 'At The Mountains of Madness' did to me. I'll never forget the feeling it gave me. I can't really explain it, though. Maybe it was awe. It evoked the feeling that I was learning something that nobody else knows about the nature of our existence
👻NOS4A2 was AMAZING! Super creeped me out last year. I loved it and “Salem’s Lot”; I’m not a big vampire person either but man. Those two books were done right!
Just want to say you are a BLESSING to have found 😭 I’m new to booktube and am loving the community and the recommendations. Just ordered NOS4A2 and book of accidents excited !
Pet Semetary(this book kicks me in the heart every time), The Exorcist, The Shining and Rosemary's Baby are my favourite horrors of all time. The Book Of Accidents sounds intriguing! I might also have to read NOS4A2!
Great list. I have not read most of them, so will give them a try. Have read most of Stephen King, and love the original Dracula by Bram Stoker. A couple I like - The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, The House Next Door by Anne River Siddons, and Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco.
LOVED this lineup!! tender of the flesh just hit different; one of the few books that genuinely disgusted me while reading it. i had to take breaks! and there's so much on here that's still on my TBR, which makes me so motivated to read. happy october! 👻🧛♂🎃
Two of my all-timers mentioned here: Exorcist and Pet Semetary! I loved them! I enjoyed Book of Accidents too, it was my first Chuck Wendig read, and now I want to try his book Wanderers some time. A few other of my own horror favorites would be: Dan Simmons Carrion Comfort (that's a huge read tho) and Summer of Night; Peter Straub's Ghost Story; And now my NEW favorite Fracassi's "... with Strangers" (YT won't let me post a comment with the full title, it seems)
I haven't seen all of your videos yet (I'm working through the back-catalog), so I apologize if you have reviewed this author before, but it's possible that Mona Awad might be up your alley. She's ours (Canadian), and her books are such a smart otherworldly manic fever-dream twisting of reality, fantasy and horror. I've read Bunny, All's Well, and Rouge this year, and they are all on my best of all time list. Impossible to categorize. Sit with you for days after you finish reading.
A few of my faves from your list : The Changeling and NOS4A2. Others are Salem's Lot and Let The Right One In. I have Red X and Book of Accidents on my TBR!
Read The Dark by James Herbert. It will definitely make a spot on your list. A fantastic novel. Dark, scary, disturbing.....nightmare fuel for sure. Enjoy!
Nice list! I Am Legend is one of my favorites too, don't think I read any of the others here bar Tender Is the Flesh (also really enjoyed it). The Changeling and Wendig (will read Black River Orchard first) are on my radar, thanks for the recs.
Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi. Remember reading it when I was younger and liking it. It’s defined as a mystery set in Venice and has a supernatural vibe to it. Short read…worth it.
I think for my favourites I would definitely include all 5 volumes of The Books of Blood by Clive Barker. I also love We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry and Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant.
As someone who reads almost exclusively horror, I find these lists filled with books already on the TBR or read. And this list gave me like 5 new recs! Amazing!!
Ooo your comment made my day! I know what you mean. As someone who reads so much horror, I rarely find books on these kinds of lists I haven't read or at least heard of
Just started Tender is the Flesh. About 50ish pages in and already having to do some deep decompressing sighs. It's A LOT™. But I'm so glad I'm reading it. Also, I can imagine going into Rosemary's Baby blind would be a treat, but I'll definitely vouch that even having had seen the film prior to my reading it, all of the moments that were meant to hit still hit so I hope people who've seen the movie give it a shot regardless.
Also you made me want to finally crack open The Exorcist. I've seen the movie so many times and it's been sitting on my shelf exuding an accusatory aura for not having been read yet, but this endorsement may have pushed it near the top of my TBR.
Great list, you have great taste! If you like joe hill you’ll like nick cutter and Grady hendrix. I also think you would like jack ketchum, Anya ahlborn, and Tim Curran if you like that really intense stuff. Thanks for the video 😊
Ive read a few of these and my current read is The Book of accidents . Im really loving it so far. Pet Cemetery is also one of my Favourite Kings along with Needful things. Thanks for the recommendations, there are definitely some there that I have added to my list !
When I reread 'The Exorcist' earlier this year it lead to first reads of 'Jaws' and 'The Amityville Horror'. Not sure why didn't think of adding 'Rosemary's Baby' to that cycle of reading. I been meaning to read that and 'The Body Snatchers'. Maybe 2024 sometime. Some of the books that are among my fave horror books that aren't on your list are: 'Skin' - Kathe Koja, 'Carrion Comfort' - Dan Simmons, 'Damnation Game' - Clive Barker, 'Lost Souls' - Poppy Z Brite, 'Swan Song' - Robert R McCammon, 'The Red Tree' - Caitlin R Kiernan
Tender is the Flesh and The Exorcist are also in my top ten! I also enjoyed a number of other books you mentioned but there are definitely a couple you mentioned that I haven't read yet but will have to keep an eye out for. A couple of other ones that are really high up on my list are Penpal and A Short Stay in Hell (though, the latter is a novella).
I've had The Book of accidents on my Kindle since years!! I will put up higher on my list if you have it as one of your top horror books!!! I had the chance to read Tender is the Flesh in Spanish, since it's my first language and the original of this book... one of the best books I've ever read!
Awesome list! American Psycho is one of my favorite books of all time. Idk if you’ve read any Clive Barker but I definitely recommend checking out The Hellbound Heart, The Thief of Always and The Books of blood. And if your ever in the mood for a total gore fest check out Off Season by Jack Ketchum!
I am into my seventh decade on this earth, and as a child I was raised as a Roman Catholic. Catholic dogma, like the dogma of any other religion, is not meant to be questioned by its members, and for this reason I think the impact of the movie (and novel) _The Exorcist_ was given a certain validity which other horror stories do not achieve. This was chiefly, in my opinion, experienced most deeply by Roman Catholics, but the actual practice of exorcism added a new dimension to the believability of the story to all who read the novel or viewed the movie. It was this element of believability which I think accounts for the fantastic interest and reception this story generated upon its release as well as the documented physical reactions exhibited by many who experienced the story.
Listening to Ghost Radio now on your recommendation- it is very different, I think it will be worth a reread in the future but very interesting story so far!! I love your list as a whole- lots of great horror that I have read and loved and lots of new to me books that I cannot wait to check out :)
It was great, finished a few days ago and still thinking about it- so definitely a win and one I never would have known about without your recommendation. So thank you!! :) @@TheShadesofOrange
I loved this and will definitely be checking these out. I am also Into Creepy Doll books. What is the book behind you called the doll collection. I am reading K.R. Alexander Gallowgate he's a middle grade horror author the sixth book of his I read.
Fantastic list! Pet Sematary was a reread for me and made the number one spot on my revised list. It’s such a great book. I am Legend is so good and I must reread it soon as well. N0S4A2 is also a favourite of mine. I should reread it for Christmas.
Read NOS4A2 last Christmas... fantastic book. Instant 5 star for me and one i'll definitely be coming back to as well. The TV adaptation they did of it was really really great also if you haven't seen it.
i was hoping american psycho was on it, i listened it as audio book one of the few books that was really gruesome i had to oause it sometimes to take it in
I’ve had NOS4A2 on my shelf for two years now, but I still haven’t read it. I guess I’m expecting the son of Stephen King to disappoint me. 😅 But I suppose I will have to read it this year! Have you read Swan Song by Robert McCammon? It’s my favorite, and the audiobook is fantastic.
I have either read a lot of these or have them on my list. I think she and I could be good friends. Edit: I love this list. This woman has great taste in literature.
Grew up on Stephen King (I'm 60) but didn't branch out on horror much, other than Poe. Reading had dwindled to just a handful of books a year til my kids convinced me to try audiobooks this year. (I'm on book 57) I create much of my Hoopla and Libby audiobook lists from your suggestions lately so finally decided to subscribe. Thank you so much!
Happy to give you some new ideas
Same. But the being 60 and the kids, but getting book ideas from her. Not many others doing anything of value with new books
there was an interesting video by TaleFoundry a few days ago about why cosmic horror is sometimes not scary, but rather can trigger a feeling of awe or what some people call "the sublime". Very insightful I think as why a lot of us love the genre...it isn't actually for the sake of fear, pessimism, etc.
I'll have to look that one up
That's what my favorite story, 'At The Mountains of Madness' did to me. I'll never forget the feeling it gave me. I can't really explain it, though. Maybe it was awe. It evoked the feeling that I was learning something that nobody else knows about the nature of our existence
👻NOS4A2 was AMAZING! Super creeped me out last year. I loved it and “Salem’s Lot”; I’m not a big vampire person either but man. Those two books were done right!
Glad you also love NOS4A2
Just want to say you are a BLESSING to have found 😭 I’m new to booktube and am loving the community and the recommendations. Just ordered NOS4A2 and book of accidents excited !
Aw thanks!
Pet Semetary(this book kicks me in the heart every time), The Exorcist, The Shining and Rosemary's Baby are my favourite horrors of all time. The Book Of Accidents sounds intriguing! I might also have to read NOS4A2!
Love that we share so many favourites
Give “haunting of hill house” and “house of leaves” a try….if you want to be horrifyingly unnerved.
“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”-Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
A true masterpiece beside which most other horror novels pale.
Had no idea Rosemary’s Baby was based on a book that’s probably my favorite horror movie so definitely need to check that one out!
You're in for a treat!
Great list. I have not read most of them, so will give them a try. Have read most of Stephen King, and love the original Dracula by Bram Stoker. A couple I like - The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, The House Next Door by Anne River Siddons, and Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco.
Love reading your list
LOVED this lineup!! tender of the flesh just hit different; one of the few books that genuinely disgusted me while reading it. i had to take breaks! and there's so much on here that's still on my TBR, which makes me so motivated to read. happy october! 👻🧛♂🎃
Yes Tender definitely hits different
Very cool! Thanks for this. Have you read Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman?
Not yet! I'm hoping to read it this winter
Nice list!
I don't read too much but two that I loved and have kept are.
Phantoms by Dean Koontz
Tales of an Ancient City by Tad Williams
Classic, almost forgotten favorites are the men in the jungle by Norman Spinrad, the maze of death, by Philip K Dick, and the plague by Albert Camus
Two of my all-timers mentioned here: Exorcist and Pet Semetary! I loved them!
I enjoyed Book of Accidents too, it was my first Chuck Wendig read, and now I want to try his book Wanderers some time.
A few other of my own horror favorites would be:
Dan Simmons Carrion Comfort (that's a huge read tho) and Summer of Night;
Peter Straub's Ghost Story;
And now my NEW favorite Fracassi's "... with Strangers" (YT won't let me post a comment with the full title, it seems)
Glad we share some favourite and I love reading about the other books you love!
Pet Sematary is my favorite Stephen King book as well as my first book I ever got.
So good!
These all sound amazing. I now have 15 new books on my reading list
Yay!
Not a shameless plug or anything like that... but I promise my novel will scare the hell out of you. Spooked me. Fulcrum by Jason Alan Patterson
I love these list videos! Thank you!!!
I haven't seen all of your videos yet (I'm working through the back-catalog), so I apologize if you have reviewed this author before, but it's possible that Mona Awad might be up your alley. She's ours (Canadian), and her books are such a smart otherworldly manic fever-dream twisting of reality, fantasy and horror. I've read Bunny, All's Well, and Rouge this year, and they are all on my best of all time list. Impossible to categorize. Sit with you for days after you finish reading.
Oh no I've heard of her but haven't read her. I had no idea she was Canadian
A few of my faves from your list : The Changeling and NOS4A2. Others are Salem's Lot and Let The Right One In. I have Red X and Book of Accidents on my TBR!
Love reading about your favourites
Read The Dark by James Herbert. It will definitely make a spot on your list. A fantastic novel. Dark, scary, disturbing.....nightmare fuel for sure. Enjoy!
Nice list! I Am Legend is one of my favorites too, don't think I read any of the others here bar Tender Is the Flesh (also really enjoyed it). The Changeling and Wendig (will read Black River Orchard first) are on my radar, thanks for the recs.
I hope you enjoy them
Thank you so much for a great video,i have had a few of your picks on my wishlist i can hardly wait to read them .
I hope you enjoy them
Thanks, Rachel! Did you know that 'Cabin In the Woods' was made into a movie? Also, I have to push my fav Stephen King - 'Bag Of Bones'.
Oh yes I still haven't seen it though
Kindred, I loved. It's the kind of vampires I wish were real.
Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi. Remember reading it when I was younger and liking it. It’s defined as a mystery set in Venice and has a supernatural vibe to it. Short read…worth it.
Lots of great choices for October spooky reads! 🎃👻🧛♂️
I think for my favourites I would definitely include all 5 volumes of The Books of Blood by Clive Barker. I also love We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry and Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant.
Love reading your favourites!
This is such an awesome list! Some of my favorites are on here, and some new to check out! Thanks so much!
Yay!
As someone who reads almost exclusively horror, I find these lists filled with books already on the TBR or read. And this list gave me like 5 new recs! Amazing!!
Ooo your comment made my day! I know what you mean. As someone who reads so much horror, I rarely find books on these kinds of lists I haven't read or at least heard of
love thissss, thank you!
highly recommend Ligotti to any horror fans that haven't read his work!
also, gonna check out Tender is the Flesh and NOS4A2 from this list. Both sound awesome!
Thank you for your courage.
I had to read Red X twice as well, because several things went over my head. But such a fascinating, truly scary horror novel.
Great list!! ✌🏻
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! I feel like not enough people have read it
Tender is the Flesh broke my brain when I first read it😅 But thenI realized it's the kind of horror I love!!
Omg yes that book is brain breaking!
👻 🦇. Always enjoy your ranking videos! I read The Book of Accidents this year and agree it's a very good complex story.
Glad you also enjoyed it
What a great list! I've read and loved 10 out of the 15 you mentioned, I'll definitely check out the other ones
It sounds like you have wonderful tastes
I'm not a real horror reader, but "requiem for a dream" movie made me question everything. Is there any of these like that?
Just started Tender is the Flesh. About 50ish pages in and already having to do some deep decompressing sighs. It's A LOT™. But I'm so glad I'm reading it. Also, I can imagine going into Rosemary's Baby blind would be a treat, but I'll definitely vouch that even having had seen the film prior to my reading it, all of the moments that were meant to hit still hit so I hope people who've seen the movie give it a shot regardless.
Also you made me want to finally crack open The Exorcist. I've seen the movie so many times and it's been sitting on my shelf exuding an accusatory aura for not having been read yet, but this endorsement may have pushed it near the top of my TBR.
I just finished Tender Is The Flesh, it's A Lot but I felt like it accomplished what it was trying to do well.
Yeah it's definitely a lot!!
Great list, you have great taste! If you like joe hill you’ll like nick cutter and Grady hendrix. I also think you would like jack ketchum, Anya ahlborn, and Tim Curran if you like that really intense stuff. Thanks for the video 😊
Yes lots of good authors who just missed out on my top 15
Ive read a few of these and my current read is The Book of accidents . Im really loving it so far. Pet Cemetery is also one of my Favourite Kings along with Needful things. Thanks for the recommendations, there are definitely some there that I have added to my list !
Glad you're enjoying Book of Accidents so far!
Great list ! Have you read "The Good House" by Tananarive Due ? Good book, fun author.
Yes I really liked it. It would probably be in a top 25
I’m new to reading books for pleasure. I’ve been trying to find some real scary stories. Can’t wait to read these.
I hope you enjoy some of these
That thumbnail is terrifying! I love it! 😱😂
About to listen to Ghost Radio! 👻
Thank you! I was quite happy with this thumbnail so I hoped people would enjoy it too!
When I reread 'The Exorcist' earlier this year it lead to first reads of 'Jaws' and 'The Amityville Horror'. Not sure why didn't think of adding 'Rosemary's Baby' to that cycle of reading. I been meaning to read that and 'The Body Snatchers'. Maybe 2024 sometime.
Some of the books that are among my fave horror books that aren't on your list are:
'Skin' - Kathe Koja, 'Carrion Comfort' - Dan Simmons, 'Damnation Game' - Clive Barker, 'Lost Souls' - Poppy Z Brite, 'Swan Song' - Robert R McCammon, 'The Red Tree' - Caitlin R Kiernan
Love reading your favourites!
Tender is the Flesh and The Exorcist are also in my top ten! I also enjoyed a number of other books you mentioned but there are definitely a couple you mentioned that I haven't read yet but will have to keep an eye out for. A couple of other ones that are really high up on my list are Penpal and A Short Stay in Hell (though, the latter is a novella).
Sounds like we have some similar tastes! That is awesome
All I read is horror, and there are a lot of items on this list I have not heard of. I will be watching more videos!
Oh thank you
Happy spooky season!! 👻
I've had The Book of accidents on my Kindle since years!! I will put up higher on my list if you have it as one of your top horror books!!! I had the chance to read Tender is the Flesh in Spanish, since it's my first language and the original of this book... one of the best books I've ever read!
I hope you love it!
Tender is the Flesh made me stop eating meat for weeks!
Yeah 😅
yeah! all time top..something is what I need from life 🤩
Woo!
NOS4A2! Love the audio book by Kate Mulgrew - thanks for that recommendation. Also like Pet Semetary. Thanks for the video!
Amazing narrator!
Awesome list! American Psycho is one of my favorite books of all time. Idk if you’ve read any Clive Barker but I definitely recommend checking out The Hellbound Heart, The Thief of Always and The Books of blood. And if your ever in the mood for a total gore fest check out Off Season by Jack Ketchum!
Thanks. I've read Hellbound & Weaveworld but definitely need to read more
I am into my seventh decade on this earth, and as a child I was raised as a Roman Catholic. Catholic dogma, like the dogma of any other religion, is not meant to be questioned by its members, and for this reason I think the impact of the movie (and novel) _The Exorcist_ was given a certain validity which other horror stories do not achieve. This was chiefly, in my opinion, experienced most deeply by Roman Catholics, but the actual practice of exorcism added a new dimension to the believability of the story to all who read the novel or viewed the movie. It was this element of believability which I think accounts for the fantastic interest and reception this story generated upon its release as well as the documented physical reactions exhibited by many who experienced the story.
Booktube subtle reminding me i still need to read Fledgling on my physical tbr. 🙈
Do it!!
Listening to Ghost Radio now on your recommendation- it is very different, I think it will be worth a reread in the future but very interesting story so far!! I love your list as a whole- lots of great horror that I have read and loved and lots of new to me books that I cannot wait to check out :)
It's a slow build... I hope it works for you!
It was great, finished a few days ago and still thinking about it- so definitely a win and one I never would have known about without your recommendation. So thank you!! :) @@TheShadesofOrange
I loved this and will definitely be checking these out. I am also Into Creepy Doll books. What is the book behind you called the doll collection. I am reading K.R. Alexander Gallowgate he's a middle grade horror author the sixth book of his I read.
The Doll Collection is an anthology edited by Ellen Datlow. Definitely recommend
Fantastic list! Pet Sematary was a reread for me and made the number one spot on my revised list. It’s such a great book. I am Legend is so good and I must reread it soon as well. N0S4A2 is also a favourite of mine. I should reread it for Christmas.
Happy we share so many favourites!
WOW! That thumbnail’s Amazing!✨I think you’ve finally convinced me to read N0S4A2!✨
Thank you! I was quite happy with this thumbnail so I hoped people would enjoy it too!
Thanks for this amazing list! (and Tender Is The Flesh Is quite creepy)
Glad you feel the same way with Tender
Love the cover of Rosemary's Baby. That one sticks out at me for some reason ...
It's a good one!
If you havent read Bird Box, please do!
Oh yes I have
Funnily enough, I read Tender is the Flesh on the 8th October 2022 and stopped eating meat! Still a vegetarian today!!!
I kinda believe it. The book certainly got me questioning my habits as a meat eater
Lots of good books here! I need to reevaluate my faves for a list for sure.
Love to see a new list from you
“It’s disturbing and messed up which is why I like it” LMFAOOOOOO subscribed bc same
Haha love finding like minded readers
NOS4A2 is my number one too! I’ve never reread it though, I definitely need to!
I'm glad you love it too!
Ghost Radio sounds good. I still have to read Piñata as well.
Be interested to see if you like them
Read NOS4A2 last Christmas... fantastic book. Instant 5 star for me and one i'll definitely be coming back to as well. The TV adaptation they did of it was really really great also if you haven't seen it.
So happy you also love the book!
Lavalle’s books are all fantastic, but Changeling is my favourite. Similar feel to Night Film
Oo Night Film is good too
Have you ever done a top 10 best short stories collections?
No I haven't at this point
Alright, let me grab a pen!
I am Legend. The vampire women do try to lure Neville with their sexuality.
Oh doh, you are absolutely right 🤦♀️
My favourite horror novel is Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez, have you read that one yet?
I have
Great list!
Love a good haunted house book
The pet sematary audio book with michael c hall is something down right special
So good!
Shades! Make a video of "If You Like Nos4a2 or IT, You Might Like"... please!
You could make a Top 50 list and I'd buy all of them.
I don't think your wallet would appreciate me making that video 😅
Horror novels have brought you here😂😂
Loved the caretaker of Lorne fields and I ended up loving Rosemarys baby!!❤❤
Yay!
Damn, I did not know American Psycho was a novel. Will be reading that one, thanks :D
You are in for a treat!
It just hit me that the pet cemetery in Pet Sematary is just a red herring..
Yeah it's a good one!
i was hoping american psycho was on it, i listened it as audio book one of the few books that was really gruesome i had to oause it sometimes to take it in
Such a good one!
have read five or six of the books on the list but not the top two which are now on my tbr must-read list⚛😀
Woo hoo!
I got incredibly board with tender is the flesh in and put it down only a third of the way in but maybe ill give it another go.
It has gut punch ending but it also just might not be your thing which is okay
I’ve had NOS4A2 on my shelf for two years now, but I still haven’t read it. I guess I’m expecting the son of Stephen King to disappoint me. 😅 But I suppose I will have to read it this year!
Have you read Swan Song by Robert McCammon? It’s my favorite, and the audiobook is fantastic.
No I haven't done Swan Song yet
Pet Sematary .... her voice grating, full of dirt.... makes me shiver.
I just got Living Dead, after that.. i'll check out tender is the flesh. sounds disturbing
I am legend the movie was phenomenal. Will Smith is the character love love love this movie.
Stop doing this to me! October is too short to fit in all the horror novels I now want to read. Your videos should come with a disclaimer.
I'll work on that disclaimer 😅
Love peter Straub
👻 Need to re-read NOS4R2 (as it's titled over here in the UK) for sure
Oh I didn't know about the title difference
@@TheShadesofOrange Now you know 🧛
Did you start the show The Changeling yet? Lakeith Stanfield is in it and hes wonderful!
No I don't have the channel 😔
I have either read a lot of these or have them on my list. I think she and I could be good friends.
Edit:
I love this list. This woman has great taste in literature.
Aw glad we have similar tastes!
Now this is my kinda list (:
NOS4A2 was great but would have been even better at half the length!
You’re awesome!
Holy crap u remind me of books and bao so much 😂😂
Love them!
I hope the first one has man eating plants lol there needs to be more of them imo.
I like how you think
Man eating plants ? "Day of the Triffids" by John Wyndham !
Ghost Radio sounds good
It really is
Nice list
Why thanks