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The Most Popular Horror Novels of the Past Five Years
Lucky us: We're in the midst of a bona fide horror renaissance. The genre has a way of graphically addressing our most deeply held anxieties, and the last five years have been, well, anxiety-inducing enough to make readers find solace in the terrifying.
Here are the biggest horror heavy hitters of the last five years, sorted by year and ranked by popularity among Goodreads members and average star ratings (nothing below a 3-star average made the cut).
Since 2016, readers have been consuming antiracist Lovecraft retellings, claustrophobic cave horror, dark Scooby-Doo riffs, and everything in between. And since this year isn't over yet, this year's selections are based on the top-rated books so far in 2021.
Scroll over the covers below to learn more about each book, and be sure to add the ones that pique your interest to your Want to Read shelf!
2016
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
2017
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
2018
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
2019
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
2020
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
2021
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
#11
#12
Which modern horror books are you obsessed with? Let us know in the comments below!
Comments Showing 1-50 of 62 (62 new)
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BeccaJBooks
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Oct 04, 2021 04:04AM
I wouldn't have said THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN was a horror, I'd have classified it as a thriller. Fantastic book though :)
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I've only read one off this list but want to read them all!
Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is.
BeccaJBooks wrote: "I wouldn't have said THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN was a horror, I'd have classified it as a thriller. Fantastic book though :)"i feel like a lot of books get miscategorized on goodreads in general, like someone else pointed out, most of the stephen king novels on this list are more drama and thriller, but since he's known for horror, they still end up on the horror lists.
Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I agree. Later has some horror elements but it's definitely more thriller.
Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I came down here to say the same thing. Imagine picking up "Elevation" thinking it's a horror book...
Brent wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I came down her..."
I have read multiple books off of this list... and I can't say that any single one of them is "Horror" .. Supernatural Thrillers, Thrillers... YES!!! But not Horror.. (I agree.. Elevation.. DEFINATELY NOT HORROR) it is a shame.. I was hoping to find something on this list to blow my head back this Spooky Season... guess not! It is a shame.. really!
Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I agree. Though LATER was definitely horror.
I only just started getting into horror in the last couple years. I love how one persons said it: Horror isn't a genre; it's a feeling. I like how subversive and groundbreaking horror can be in comparison to many other genres. To be able to harness emotions to make a reader feel disturbed or uncomfortable is no easy feat.
Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I agree. Elevation isn't even close to a horror book, it's a feel-good novella about a guy rapidly losing weight and a small town.
From this list I only read All's Well and Gwendy's Button Box, both last month.The Ballad of Black Tom is on my list for this month, along with My Heart Is a Chainsaw.
The fact that Elevation made this list is a bit laughable. I mean, every King novel isn't horror and it's a shame to pigeonhole him!
Sabrina wrote: "Brent wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I..."
what "horror" book would you recommend
As much as I love this overview, how is Elevation still classified as horror?
I think this is a really good list. I’ve read most, but I picked up a couple for TBR list and I’m thrilled-thank you!!
In what universe is Elevation a horror? Just, no.
I would highly recommend The Hollow Places and The Cabin at the End of the World. Both were satisfying horror reads with disturbing mess-with-your mind elements. Great balance of psychology horror and gory stuff. And both with very original plots. One of which actually had me philosophizing about people's reaction to the end of the world and still sticks with me more than a year since I've read the book.
The titles I have read on this list have been pretty disappointing. I only gave Mexican Gothic the highest rating out of all of them because of its historical fiction and basic journey from beginning to end. The horror parts of these books like Kill Creek and The Twisted Ones were not so gripping on me that I couldn't really give them any love.I did enjoy The Butterfly Garden as a story but not for its so-called "horror" when i've seen more terrifying movies in the same setting.
Most of the books in the Goodreads horror recommendations, are generally thrillers/crime, and here I am looking for intense horror, old school horror, yet with an original plot. By horror, I am talking about actual supernatural beings (ghosts, creatures etc, etc), not psychological horror. Though I am a big fan of psychological horror/thrillers, however, this season always makes me keen to go back to old school horror and typical creepy stuff. So does anyone have good recommendations of old school horror? Ps, some of my favourite horror movies are Conjuring, Insidious, Occulus, Ouija, Nun, The Ring (you get what kind of horror I am talking about here.)
I enjoy anything with a supernatural twist to it. Just finished reading Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan.
Whisper Man, Chalk Man and Chestnut Man all belong on that list. All creepy and perfect for October.
Sabrina wrote: "Brent wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I..."
Have you read Coldbrook by Tim Lebbon? It definitely takes a turn from your normal zombie read. I highly suggest that for a horror read to my friends. Not sure if you wanted a suggestion...but it's Goodreads...that's why we're here, right?
BeccaJBooks wrote: "I wouldn't have said THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN was a horror, I'd have classified it as a thriller. Fantastic book though :)"I read very little horror - just not my cup of tea since I was a teen (many, many years ago!), but I have this book TBR. I, too, consider its genre as a thriller; hence, why I have it to read.😊
I feel like the people who put this list together are the ones that like horror books only in October. They aren't fans, they just pretend for "spooky season" so they can look cool. This list is a fail for the most part. There's some good stuff, but thrillers are not horror, and everything Stephen King writes isn't' horror either.
I’m not really a horror reader, so I was surprised to see one of the books I enjoyed immensely last year was on the list. I guess just because it has the name Stephen King on it, it has to be horror. Well it’s my opinion that ‘The Institute’ is not horror, not even close.
Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."Yes, lately Stephen King has been milder on his so-called "horror" novels. The ones on this list I have read were not that scary at all!
Mexican Gothic, The Institute and Later are AMAZING! Hope I can get more stuff like those
Adrija wrote: "Most of the books in the Goodreads horror recommendations, are generally thrillers/crime, and here I am looking for intense horror, old school horror, yet with an original plot. By horror, I am tal..."I am not positive where my first comment was on this list 😅 lol, but almost all of my recs are like that! I think its a little further up! I gave a bunch of recs :)): That is the only type of horror I enjoy immensely. Seriously, I just finished The Devil Makes Three & HOLY FREAKING DEMONIC HORROR, BATMAN! lol The imagery is just hair raising, utterly chilling, and so vivid. It stayed with me for HOURS after I finished reading haha.
Adrija wrote: "Most of the books in the Goodreads horror recommendations, are generally thrillers/crime, and here I am looking for intense horror, old school horror, yet with an original plot. By horror, I am tal..."Ah! i found my other post (and totally realized that I had MEANT to reply to you earlier, but accidentally replied to a different comment, but ah, oh well. Here it is!)
I have a few recs off the top of my head! I've just read some great new horror books! It is REALLY hard to scare me, too, so just in case you're interested, here are some books that totally upped the horror game for me lately: The Last House on Needless Street, The Devil Makes Three (This one SERIOUSLY had me hanging on every word, scared out of my wits!), White Smoke, The River Has Teeth (SO GOOD!), The Girls Are Never Gone, The Mary Shelley Club, House of Hollow (this one is technically sort of a fairytale—but VERY dark & totally creepy... definitely a crossover)!
Stop giving me more suggestions for books to read. I feel like the guy in the Twilight Zone who breaks his glasses. Just kidding - but I do feel like him, I can't keep up with all these great reads! I read 36 books so far this year and my goal is to do more next year.
I wouldn't classify The Institute as horror, but it was a fantastic book. I'd say it's closer to a thriller.I actually wasn't a huge fan of I'm Thinking of Ending Things. I found the pacing odd and the story kind of boring.
Imaginary Friend was really good, but very long. Seemingly too drawn out in places and a little heavy on the religious themes.
Gina wrote: "The Ruins by Scott Smith is fantastic."I agree!
Mexican Gothic was not very good. I didn't even finish it. I can't figure out how it keeps ending up on lists.
Love this list! Im saving it for some reading challenges :D
Sabrina wrote: "Brent wrote: "Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."I..." I agree. I'm hopefully getting hold of some old Richard Laymon and Shaun Hutson for my spooks this Halloween.
I agree that many of the books in this list fit into the thriller genre better, though there are a few that seem to make the cut as true horror novels. All but one of the Stephen King books listed are more in the drama/thriller genre. I’d call this list “Horror Lite.”
Adrija wrote: "Most of the books in the Goodreads horror recommendations, are generally thrillers/crime, and here I am looking for intense horror, old school horror, yet with an original plot. By horror, I am tal..."The Haunting of Ashburn House is actual horror.
Horror vs terror. Why do people always confuse the two words.
Kim wrote: "Mexican Gothic was not very good. I didn't even finish it. I can't figure out how it keeps ending up on lists." Agree!!
Adrija wrote: "Most of the books in the Goodreads horror recommendations, are generally thrillers/crime, and here I am looking for intense horror, old school horror, yet with an original plot. By horror, I am tal..."I Am Legend by Richard Matheson...vampires, post apocalyptic world.
cool, I'm Reading Meddling Kids, so far the suspense is building up
I agree with everyone saying these Stephen King books aren't horror books and he is not a mostly horror writer, his movie adaptions are just mostly horror. I wouldn't even call "It" a horror book, i'd call it dark fantasy. Its like the witcher meets nightmare on elm street.
A lot of people have already mentioned that many of these aren't really horror, and I'll add Fellside to that as well. But it's an EXCELLENT book, with really interesting surrealism. I highly recommend it!
Arman wrote: "cool, I'm Reading Meddling Kids, so far the suspense is building up"Ooh, I own that one, but the mixed reviews have me a little worried... how was it?!
Sammy wrote: "Most of the King books on this list aren't horror... He's written very few horror books in recent years. But people will tag them horror simply because of who he is."Yeah Elevation was an enjoyable read, but far from "horror".
I agree with so many commenters - most of these aren’t “horror.” If you’re looking for real horror, something to make it hard to sleep at night, read Helminth . Best friends on a girls’ weekend to cheer up one of their friends. Spoiler: they don’t cheer her up.
Adrija wrote: "Most of the books in the Goodreads horror recommendations, are generally thrillers/crime, and here I am looking for intense horror, old school horror, yet with an original plot. By horror, I am tal..."Old school horror try John Shirley, Poppy Z. Brite or Clive Barker.
Tamra Conner wrote: "Stop giving me more suggestions for books to read. I feel like the guy in the Twilight Zone who breaks his glasses. Just kidding - but I do feel like him, I can't keep up with all these great reads..."I know, right?!
Thanks for the recommendations. I have mostly given up on horror as not onaly am I not easily scared, but I'm easily bored. I'll check out some of these - and if they aren't any good, I'm coming for you!!! (Only joking... maybe...)
