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What Are You Scared Of? A Guide to the Ghastly Subgenres of Horror
Genres can be defined by what's waiting around the corner. In a romance book, it's happily ever after; in a mystery novel, it's the culprit. For horror fans, death is always near—and knowing that is half the fun.
In order to uncover truly terrifying reads, we delved into the rich and grotesque world of horror subgenres, focusing on the mayhem makers that turn dread into an art form. We narrowed down our recommendations to the books that have been added the most to Goodreads members' shelves and that have at least a 3.7 average rating.
Something wicked this way comes, readers. Which books will you be adding to your Want to Read shelf?
In order to uncover truly terrifying reads, we delved into the rich and grotesque world of horror subgenres, focusing on the mayhem makers that turn dread into an art form. We narrowed down our recommendations to the books that have been added the most to Goodreads members' shelves and that have at least a 3.7 average rating.
Something wicked this way comes, readers. Which books will you be adding to your Want to Read shelf?
What's your favorite kind of horror story? Tell us in the comments!
Check out the complete coverage of Horror Week:
Let's Play: Conjure Your Worst Nightmare
50 Most Popular Horror Novels on Goodreads
The Most Popular Book-to-Scream Adaptations
Check out the complete coverage of Horror Week:
Let's Play: Conjure Your Worst Nightmare
50 Most Popular Horror Novels on Goodreads
The Most Popular Book-to-Scream Adaptations
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Ghost Story isn't actually about a ghost. It's about an ancient, shape-shifting entity.
Romance. Romance is my favorite kind of horror story. Romance between highly dysfunctional people. *shudder*
Patrick wrote: "There was a book I read some years ago, that I would like to revisit but cannot remember the name or the author. I must have read it in the early 2000's and it was the story of a house flipper who ..."Sounds like
by Orson Scott Card published in 1998?
Maybe Stephen King should have his own week here on GR so that all his fans can discuss his works to their hearts content. Then, during Horror Week we could focus on all the other horror authors and not have to discuss SK all the time.
What's the scariest book everyone has read then ?
Holly wrote: "Patrick wrote: "There was a book I read some years ago, that I would like to revisit but cannot remember the name or the author. I must have read it in the early 2000's and it was the story of a ho..."YES! That's it! Thank you!
Didn't see any monsters from the deep on the list. Those are my favorites.
Well, Joe Hill is my favorite horror author and my favorite book of his is Horns. What category would that fall under? I do like horror featuring the devil or demonic phenomena.
M wrote: "Didn't see any monsters from the deep on the list. Those are my favorites."Deeper by James A Moore or Pressure by Brian Keene.
Douglas Van Kleek wrote: "M wrote: "Didn't see any monsters from the deep on the list. Those are my favorites."Deeper by James A Moore or Pressure by Brian Keene."
Ok, thanks. I'll look for them.
I don't think I saw Sarah Rayne mentioned anywhere -- but her books will creep you right out! I particularly enjoyed (if that's the right word for being scared out of my wits) A Dark Dividing. Her work is sometimes called "Gothic" or "suspense", but I think it's straight-up horror as well.
What? Nothing on cosmicism, Lovecraftian horror, or weird fiction general? =P
Where is Tommyknockers - Stephen King - ? Did I miss that somewhere? 'Cause that one is too much for me.Also, what about Woman in Black - Susan Hill - ? Book & movie - jump scares, nightmares ... Sigh.
And .... The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson - atmospheric ghost story. Maybe I have different tastes?
Another two novels which I love:The Descent by Jeff Long and Nothing but the Night by John Blackburn.
Alan wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Anything by Richard Laymon. His stories are very creepy and bizarre! The stories will stay in your mind and around the dark room at night!"I agree."
Most of his books are great but for me The Traveling Vampire show was such a disappointment...
Holly wrote: "Maybe Stephen King should have his own week here on GR so that all his fans can discuss his works to their hearts content. Then, during Horror Week we could focus on all the other horror authors ..."
Seconded.
BauerRAT wrote: "What's the scariest book everyone has read then ?"'World War Z' and one called 'Silence'. Fast, intelligent zombie books freak me out.
Nettie wrote: "Any good (post) apocalyptic recommendations? I havent read a good horror in years, I want one that I need to read with the lights on."Short story, found in *Prime Evil* by David Morell: "Orange is For Anguish, Blue is for Insanity." BRRRR! Not post apoc, but my, does it twist your brain.
I love horror that involves animals/insects or mysterious creatures. examples: Cujo, The Mist, by Stephen King, Watchers by Dean Koontz, The Uninvited by William Johnstone. Also like sci-fi horror, end of world, like Stephen King's The Stand, Robert McCammons Swan Song and Stinger, and Justin Cronin's The Passage, though that could also fall into vampire, medical genre.
Samantha wrote: "Well, Joe Hill is my favorite horror author and my favorite book of his is Horns. What category would that fall under? I do like horror featuring the devil or demonic phenomena."You might like Bless the Child by Cathy Cash Spellman. O the book I'm reading at the moment, Gates by Iain Robb Wright has demons/fallen angels in it.
While not scary, Amy Cross can be a bit weird. Kim Wilkins is good for a bit of thriller horror.
Rhiannon Frater for soft mushy vampire and zombies
Michaelbent Collins for fast action horror and thriller
Kelley Armstrong for a good story with all sorts (vampires, werewolves, demons) but not scary.
John Ajvide Lindqvist - Let the Right One In was the best vampire book I've ever read.
Nettie wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Well, Joe Hill is my favorite horror author and my favorite book of his is Horns. What category would that fall under? I do like horror featuring the devil or demonic phenomena."..."
Horns is not my type but I hope you will like The Omen by David Seltzer. For me it is a great book, same as the movie.
Whatever happened to Robert McCammon? He wrote several really good creepy books and then disappeared.
Maggie wrote: "My favorite horror sub-genre is the haunted house / ghost story but it's hard to find good ones. So many authors write ghosts as metaphors or symptoms of mental illness, it's hard to find a modern ..."Absolutely agree - a wonderfully atmospheric book, one of my favourite ghost books.
One of my favourite ghost/haunted house/dark psychological books is 'The Haunting of Hill House' by Shirley Jackson. A superb author who can create a genuinely unsettling atmosphere. Highly recommend. Another good ghost story is 'The Turn of the Screw' (Henry James), and also love two of Michelle Pavers adult horror books (I think she might mostly be a children's author but her adult horror books are brilliant).
David wrote: "Whatever happened to Robert McCammon? He wrote several really good creepy books and then disappeared."He's still writing https://www.robertmccammon.com/books/....
I'd like to see a list of dread virus/disease/pandemic thrillers!
William wrote: "David wrote: "Whatever happened to Robert McCammon? He wrote several really good creepy books and then disappeared."He's still https://www.robertmccammon.com/books/...."
Thanks, William. I really appreciate the info.
Dan wrote: "Maggie wrote: "My favorite horror sub-genre is the haunted house / ghost story but it's hard to find good ones. So many authors write ghosts as metaphors or symptoms of mental illness, it's hard to..."Dan wrote: "Maggie wrote: "My favorite horror sub-genre is the haunted house / ghost story but it's hard to find good ones. So many authors write ghosts as metaphors or symptoms of mental illness, it's hard to..."
i will have to agree with dear Dan. where is the horror atmosphere of the good old novels?how about the Viy or The mysterious Stranger?
Anything by Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Douglas Clegg, William Blatty, H. P. Lovecraft, Richard Matheson and Peter Straub
My favorite horror is psychological horror. Also realistic horror. Not gory blood and guts. What is scary about gore?
Ive given Hex a go thanks to this page , loving it
Vladimir wrote: "My favorite horror novels are:It and Salem's Lot by Stephen King;
Carrion Comfort, Summer of Night, Song of Kali by Dam Simmons;
Stinger by Robert McCammon;
The Totem by David Morrell;
Dracula by ..."
Summer of Night was fantastic!
Nettie wrote: "While not scary, Amy Cross can be a bit weird. Kim Wilkins is good for a bit of thriller horror.
Rhiannon Frater for soft mushy vampire and zombies
Michaelbent Collins for fast action horror and ..."
Ditto on Lindqvist.
The best werewolf book(s) for me are “The Last Werewolf” series by Glen Duncan. Hands (paws) down. They are unique, filthy and violent. Thanks to those who mentioned Richard Laymon. “Endless Night” on order.
Wolf Hunt by Jeff Strand is a fun horror book and very well done - recommended!"
I believe Thor was made into the movie called "Bad Moon Rising".