nursenblack Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 In celebration of Halloween, I plan to read nothing but scary, creepy, spooky novels in October. The only problem is: which books? I only have Ghost Story by Peter Straub lined up. I don't read alot of horror except the occassional Stephen King. Last year for Halloween I read Interview with a Vampire and The Halloween Tree (neither were scary, just a little creepy). I thought about Agatha Christie's Halloween Party, but not sure if it would be scary enough. Maybe The Stand by King? I would love a good novel that takes place during Halloween, but can't seem to think of any. Something offbeat and not too mainstream would be great. Anyone who reads my list knows what I like, but I'm not afraid to try something different. So, can anyone recommend some books that will give me chills and make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 The Stand isn't really a horror novel - it's more a post-apocalyptic vision of America. It is, however, one of my all-time favourite boks and I highly recommend it! If you want a gore-fest, try some Richard Laymon. It's very schlocky but you may get a few shivers down your spine from them. He's incredibly graphic and ther's lots of violence and usually some sex in there too - sometimes combining the two. Try the Beast House Chronicles: The Cellar The Beast House The Midnight Tour Friday Night in the Beast House Others you might find creepy by Laymon are: The Night Show Night Games Funland Blood Games Endless Night Bite The Travelling Vampire Show Or you might like some James Herbert. He's had some creepfests in the past. Try some of these: The Dark Others The Fog The Secret of Crickley Hall You might also like The Magic Cottage and Once by James Herbert, but they're not really horror - more slightly scary fairytale-type stories. Both are excellent and should be read in that order. Lightning by Dean Koontz is another favourite of mine, but not really scary. However, you might like to try the following for some thrills: Phantoms The Bad Place Midnight Hideaway Sole Survivor Some other fantastic horror-themed books you may like to include (by various authors) that I have loved are: Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin The Wicker Man by Robin Hardy Dracula by Bram Stoker Carmilla by J Sjeridan LeFanu Frankenstein by Mary Shelley The Omen by David Seltzer The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson The Entity by Frank De Felitta I hope that's given you a few to consider and I wish you a chill-tastic October! Bwahahahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursenblack Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Thanks Kell! I'll definitely check into your suggestions. I'm hoping I can find some of them at the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawnbirduk Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I also like reading books relevant to current season/festivals, especially halloween and christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 You might like to try Bill Hussey, who has a few fans on here. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/4247-bill-hussey/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueK Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 If you like your books a little gothic or Victorian you could try Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, The Mist in the Mirror or the Man in the Picture and more recently, The Small Hand - they are a tad creepy. Also The Turn of the Screw by Henry James is pretty jumpy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsty_S Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I would also recommend Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, I borrowed it from my library recently and I really enjoyed it, it was very atmospheric. I would also recommend James Herberts, The Haunted and The ghosts of Sleath. Also Adam L G Nevill's Banquet for the Damned, it is a creepy book, a little difficult to get into but I thought it was worth the perseverance. Plus it is set in my home town of St. Andrews in Scotland, I was scared to go home for a while after reading it. I also have Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist, I've not read it yet, it is in the to be read pile, but if the film is any indication it will have a few chills in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixie Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 (edited) I would love a good novel that takes place during Halloween, but can't seem to think of any. Something offbeat and not too mainstream would be great. Anyone who reads my list knows what I like, but I'm not afraid to try something different. So, can anyone recommend some books that will give me chills and make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up? This is the one book that comes to mind that you can't go wrong with. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, and it does take place in October. The one you chose, Ghost Story, by Peter Straub is excellent as well. Edited October 11, 2011 by Pixie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooshie Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 I have just started The Golem by Gustav Meyrink - I am about 30 pages in and really starting to enjoy the atmosphere of it A Sunday Times Review - from Amazon A superbly atmospheric story set in the old Prague ghetto featuring The Golem, a kind of rabbinical Frankenstein's monster, which manifests iitself every 33 years in a room without a door. Stranger still, it seems to have the same face as the narrator. Made into a film in 1920, this extraordinary book combines uncanny psychology of doppelganger stories with expressionism and more than a little melodrama... Meyrink's old Prague - like Dicken's London - is one of the great creations of City writing, an eerie, claustrophobic and fantastical underworld where anything can happen.' I'm planning to read Frankenstein later in the month, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirsty_S Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I think I need to get that book, I knew joining this forum was going to be expensive haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 I have just started The Golem by Gustav Meyrink - I am about 30 pages in and really starting to enjoy the atmosphere of it A Sunday Times Review - from Amazon A superbly atmospheric story set in the old Prague ghetto featuring The Golem, a kind of rabbinical Frankenstein's monster, which manifests iitself every 33 years in a room without a door. Stranger still, it seems to have the same face as the narrator. Made into a film in 1920, this extraordinary book combines uncanny psychology of doppelganger stories with expressionism and more than a little melodrama... Meyrink's old Prague - like Dicken's London - is one of the great creations of City writing, an eerie, claustrophobic and fantastical underworld where anything can happen.' I'm planning to read Frankenstein later in the month, too. Thanks Ooshie, I just added 'The Golem' to my wishlist, it sounds excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 (edited) In celebration of Halloween, I plan to read nothing but scary, creepy, spooky novels in October. The only problem is: which books? I only have Ghost Story by Peter Straub lined up. I don't read alot of horror except the occassional Stephen King. Last year for Halloween I read Interview with a Vampire and The Halloween Tree (neither were scary, just a little creepy). I thought about Agatha Christie's Halloween Party, but not sure if it would be scary enough. Maybe The Stand by King? I would love a good novel that takes place during Halloween, but can't seem to think of any. Something offbeat and not too mainstream would be great. Anyone who reads my list knows what I like, but I'm not afraid to try something different. So, can anyone recommend some books that will give me chills and make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up? Ring by Koji Suzuki ~ very creepy! Edited October 16, 2011 by Weave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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