Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted at The Broke and the Bookish. Today's topic is a Halloween freebie. Since I really like horror, I'm going to stick with a very basic list of ten favorite horror novels. As always, links go to my reviews.
1. Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics
This was my favorite book I read in 2015. It's a teen novel about a pioneer family who come across a new homestead and shit is just not right in that place. It's super creepy and you should read it immediately if you haven't already. Or read it again - I imagine I would like it just as much if I read it a second time.
I mean, there are SO MANY of his novels that could go on this list. I read all the classics in high school and then discovered other authors and didn't read anything of his for a while. I read a couple here and there, like Lisey's Story, but there were different from his old stuff. Then in 2007 I read Cell and it felt SO like old-school Stephen King in the best way possible.
3. 14 by Peter Clines
This started off as a totally delicious creepy-house story (except it was actually an apartment building), but turned into something very unique and unexpected. I have really got to read this guy's other novel, The Fold.
4. The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
One of the most unusual books I've ever read, both horrifying and satisfying.
Hill seems to have inherited talent from his father, Stephen King. If you like horror, definitely check out his books. I'm way behind but I've read a few of them and want to read more.
6. House of Leaves by Mark L. Danielewski
This is such a weird book to recommend because I didn't totally love it, but certain aspects were so effective and it was very unusual in its style and format. Although it's not widely known, I've seen it appear on several lists over the years and a lot of people consider it their favorite horror novel.
7. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
I read this a lot of times when I was a teenager. Although I haven't read it again as an adult, I think it deserves a spot on this list because I always think of it when I think about classic horror novels and what I read growing up. I bet it's still creepy. I mean, the flies.
Isn't Shirley Jackson the best? Yes, she is.
9. The Passage by Justin Cronin
Somehow I don't usually think of this as horror, but it is, isn't it? I waited so long for him to finish the second book that I couldn't remember this first one, and I have't even tried the third for the same reason. My fantasy is that I will someday read all three in a row to get the full effect.
10. Carrie by Stephen King
It would be weird if he only appeared once on any list related to horror. I read this a few years ago for the first time since high school and it really held up.
What are your favorite horror novels? Please share your recommendations in the comments!
4 comments:
The Haunting of Hill House is one of my favorites!
I had never even heard of "House of Leaves" until recently -- but I guess the consensus is that it's terrifying. I added it to my to-read list; it sounds like a good choice for next fall. I also haven't read anything by Shirley Jackson, though I have noted down a book or two of hers over the years.
I had a similar experience with "The Passage." I would like read the second and third books, but I only have the barest remembrance of the plot details in the first book. And it was so long that a re-read seems daunting, even though I know I absolutely loved it the first time around. I'm not one to re-read books (other than Harry Potter) so who knows if I'll ever get around to finishing the series. Perhaps one day I'll just dive into "The Twelve" and see if it all starts coming back to me.
I believe The Twelve has a synopsis of The Passage at the end, but of course I didn't discover that until I was already most of the way through.
House of Leaves wasn't as terrifying as I'd like, but it was definitely weird with a super creepy storyline.
I also had a similar experience with "The Passage" - i really enjoyed it, but I was so fatigued from reading such a long book that I couldn't bring myself to read another one right after it. But I love your fantasy about a time when you can read all three in a row...someday!
My TTT: http://girlaboutlibrary.blogspot.com/2016/10/five-haunting-books-you-should-read-top.html
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