(SHARE THE HORROR) MY BEST OF 2017
There are always so many great books I miss out on during their year of release (this year, Grady Hendrix’s MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM meets that criteria—such a fun book from 2016).
I did manage to squeeze in a few more in the early weeks of January that I’d been interested in. As always, you don’t have to be the most original, the best writer in town, or the scariest MFer on the planet to make my list. Just have your book come out in 2017 and entertain the heck out of me. So, here is my list of the Top 12 horror books of 2017.
[image error]
12. THE SOUND OF BROKEN RIBS by EDWARD LORN Despite our differences, I still enjoyed this novel from Mr. Lorn. A bit like a lost Laymon or Ketchum novel, maybe not THE CELLAR or OFF SEASON, but a good one.
[image error]
11. BLACK MAD WHEEL by JOSH MALERMAN This one started off slow, got really, really good, and then fizzled out. But that good center was really good. Different without being obnoxiously so.
[image error]
10. WE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING by HUNTER SHEA Shea always delivers the goods. This has some of his best characters yet.
[image error]
9. EXORCIST FALLS by JONATHAN JANZ My most-anticipated read of 2017 and my favorite book cover of the year. Not what I expected–it went in a different direction than I thought–but still an awesome, action-packed thrill-ride.
[image error]
8. THOSE WHO FOLLOW by MICHELLE GARZA & MELISSA LASON Just as crazy and weird and fun as their debut, The Sisters of Slaughter give us another deliciously macabre offering.
[image error]
7. WHAT DO MONSTERS FEAR? By MATT HAYWARD Another favorite cover of mine, Matt Hayward’s debut novel is a cool mash-up of ...Cukoo’s Nest and The Thing….Beware PHOBOS!
[image error]
6. FUNGOID by WILLIAM MEIKLE Meikle does horror/sci-fi so freaking well. The spores will spread…. (This one is currently out of print. Go find a used copy, or message the author!)
[image error]
5. WE CAME BACK by PATRICK LACEY Lacey’s deeply personal novel showcases his growing talent and dares you not to become a fan.
[image error]
4. AGENTS OF DREAMLAND by CAITLIN R. KIERNAN I’ve never been so enthralled, yet so confused by a book in all my life. AoD is terrific horror/sci-fi madness.
[image error]
3. THE WARBLERS by AMBER FALLON I read this just after reading Joe R. Lansdale’s THE BOTTOMS. Had you taken the name off the cover, I would have thought this was another one of his books. Blew me away. Just the style and voice.
[image error]
2. CAVERN OF THE DAMNED by RUSSELL JAMES I haven’t seen many people talking about this one, but if you miss Samhain Publishing or Leisure Books, you should buy this now. You will LOVE it. My favorite book from Russell James yet. And the most fun I had with horror this year.
[image error]
1. BONE WHITE by RONALD MALFI Hands down my favorite read of the year. Malfi is one of THE best writers out there. Malfi casts his spell from the first page on and you will have no choice but to go up into these Alaskan hills…. Soooo good!
Honorable Mentions:
SYMBIOSIS by TIM CURRAN
THE BOULEVARD MONSTER by JEREMY HEPLER
FAIRY LIGHTS by EDWARD LORN
THE LUCKY ONES DIED FIRST by JACK BANTRY
Also,
You should read PAPERBACKS FROM HELL by GRADY HENDRIX (non-fiction) Excellent stuff, and it will make you seek out more books for your TBR pile.
PS: Most of my friends and followers may be surprised to find one of these authors on my list. I know. Haters gonna hate. That said, if I read a book (all the way through, mind you) and I enjoy it, I’m going to say so.
Here’s to another great year of reading!
There are always disappointments and other good books that didn’t make the cut….
To see all the books I read go to 2017 HERE and 2018 HERE
#ShareTheHorror #StayTrue #GrudgeFreeCommunity #KeepItOnThePos #RonaldMalfiFanClub #BestOf2017
