It's officially SPOOOKY SEASON!!! we decided to do a series of Halloween themed posts, because October month is Halloween month don't @ us (LOL).
We're suckers for all things horror (even though A is terrified of the dark) so naturally our favorite Horror books, movies and series will be the first of the lot!
Now, there may be a lot of people who scoff at the idea of a spooky BOOK, and yes, there are a lot of books which have failed to be scary, but trust us, there are some seriously good ones out there! That being said, if you want to skip to the movies list, click here.
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1. The Shining by Stephen King
The Shining is a CLASSIC, and while the movie is good, the book is waaaaay better (but that's just a personal opinion heh). Stephen King is one of the best when it comes to the horror/supernatural genre and the Shining is a great place to kick off spooky month.
If you like this book, you should also check out his most recent one, The Outsider.
2. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Everyone has probably seen the Netflix series, but whether you've watched it or not, the book is definitely worth a read. Shirley Jackson is a pro at setting the mood, with her creepy and unique descriptions of the characters and their surroundings. If you enjoy the slow build up of suspense, you'll definitely like Shirley Jackson's novels.
We also recommend: We Have Always Lived In This Castle
3. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Coraline moves into a new house with her parents and discovers an alternate universe, which is her dream world... or is it?
This was made into an animated movie, which is also a must watch (after reading the book first, ofc). Neil Gaiman's novels might seem like they're for kids, but they can be enjoyed by all ages.
We also recommend: The Graveyard Book
4. The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand
This book is about Victoria, who goes searching for her best friend Lawrence, after he goes missing and no one can seem to remember him. When she finally does find him, in the Cavendish Home, something seems amiss...
The Cavendish Home is one haunted house we definitely don't want to end up in anytime soon!
If you liked this book you should also try The Sawkill Girls.
5. Bad Girls Don't Die series by Katie Alender
(T/W: death)
Katie Alender write the BEST Young Adult horror books, and the Bad Girls Don't Die series is amazing...
In the first book, Alexis and her family move into a new house, where her sister finds a doll... you get where this is heading right? The story doesn't end there... being a trilogy, the next two books not only deal with more supernatural beings, but also explore the aftereffects of the first book, and the toll they take on Alexis and her family.
We also recommend: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall
6. The Merciless by Danielle Vega
(T/W: death, violence)
This book is NOT for the faint of heart. Its super violent and has some pretty gory descriptions. But, it is also a classic tale of haunting and possessions and is definitely worth the read. There are more books in the series, with one of them being a prequel, explaining the origins of the events in the first book.
You can also try The Haunted.
7. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
(T/W: drug abuse)
Set in 1950s, Mexican Gothic is about Noemí Taboada, who goes to High Place, her brother-in-law's mansion, after her cousin sends her an alarming letter. High Place is huge and creepy and her brother-in-law's family are definitely quite strange.
Its not your typical haunted house book, and is a great read.
8. There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
(T/W: Death, Violence)
Okay, so this book doesn't have any ghosts BUT what's a horror list without a proper slasher novel?!
The title basically says it all; a bunch of students from Osborne High get killed off one by one, and it's up to the heroine to figure it out... before she gets killed. Also, it's not who you think it is :)
We also recommend: The Woods Are Always Watching
9. The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison
(T/W: rape, abduction, death, abuse)
Last, but not the least, this book doesn't have any ghosts as well, but is just as horrifying. The Butterfly Garden goes back and forth between the present and past. In the present, a survivor of the Garden, Maya, is recounting the tale of her capture by the Gardener, a man obsessed with "preserving" beauty. Its a jarring story, one which made us realise that sometimes, humans can be scarier than ghosts.
We also recommend the rest of the Collector Series, which follows each of the FBI agents introduced in this book.
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Also, since we're writing about spooky stories, we also recommend the Chai Bisket Podcast (Telugu), Radhe Govindha! A perfectly Haunting tale to snuggle up and listen to in the dark!
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Next up: Movies!
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