Literary Horror discussion
Introductions
From Whitney, on the new GR privacy settings:Goodreads has changed everyone's privacy settings so that they can only receive private messages from GR friends. What this means for members is that announcements from the moderators on things like upcoming reads will no longer go out to everyone in the group.
To continue receiving group emails, you need to change your email settings for "Who Can Send Me Private Messages?" from "Just Friends" to "Anyone". This can be found by clicking on your profile picture, then 'Account Settings' from the drop down menu, then 'Settings' on the top bar.
Faith wrote: "Hiya, my name is Faith. I am trying to get back into reading as work has been really stressful and hectic so I will try to participate when I can. The most owned horror author I have is Stephen Kin..." Hello Faith, welcome to the group. If you get a moment to scan the threads you'll find all sorts of horror here. If you like Stephen King, have you tried James Herbert?
Welcome to Literary Horror, Faith. We have a couple monthly reads coming up (by Ramsey Campbell and Susan Neville), not sure if they'll be of interest to Stephen King fans. More info on the group homepage.
Faith wrote: "Hiya, my name is Faith. I am trying to get back into reading as work has been really stressful and hectic so I will try to participate when I can. The most owned horror author I have is Stephen Kin..."I think the upcoming Ramsey Campbell read would be a great choice for branching out more in horror. I haven't read The Searching Dead yet, but it's getting rave reviews from most of those who have.
Introducing myself - avid lover of horror cinema and literature. Stumbled upon this group after reading y'all's breakdown of the Abyss subprint publishing label. I'm currently reading The Cipher by Kathe Koja and adoring the attitude. It's not as irksome to me cuz I missed the 90's, mostly. Unfortunately I can't recommend anything from this year but I'm always eager to talk movies or The Marbled Swarm or Invisible Monsters or whatevz I have eked out, and I look forward to all the discussions and insights.
David wrote: "Introducing myself - avid lover of horror cinema and literature. Stumbled upon this group after reading y'all's breakdown of the Abyss subprint publishing label. I'm currently reading The Cipher by..." Hello David and welcome to our many and varied discussions.
Greetings! I joined a few months ago and thought it was about time I made an official "hello" to you all (I live in Florida, USA, so "y'all" is pretty standard). I love reading most fiction and some non-fiction. I've enjoyed the latest group reads with this group, and I'm looking forward to the next! My current read is Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Netanella wrote: "Greetings! I joined a few months ago and thought it was about time I made an official "hello" to you all (I live in Florida, USA, so "y'all" is pretty standard). I love reading most fiction and som..." And to complete my hat trick of greetings, hello to you too (albeit apparently belatedly)
Welcome to our recently-joined members!David, we read The Cypher as a monthly read last year (I think). I quite enjoyed The Marbled Swarm (Dennis Cooper's, I assume) as well. We have a forum area for horror movies. Are you on letterboxd?
Netanella, how are things going on The Searching Dead?
Finally, last call for November monthly read nominations. I'd like to have the poll up soon.
Yes! At first it was the hardcover's art in the library that drew me in - I looked it up on here and the divided reception to Koja's first novel immediately hooked me. Its angst works for me, it's looking like I'll finish reading it today and I already miss watching Nicholas' relationship to the funhole develop.Before this, I had put down House of Leaves because its humor just wasn't working for me; but now I feel like it was sort of influenced by Cortázar + Koja so... I may try to finish House of Leaves.
I'd love to opine on films! My letterboxd iz https://letterboxd.com/WorldForgot/
Perhaps I'll join y'all in an upcoming monthly read. Sounds fun.
Hi Everyone! Thank you for including me in the group. I live in Minnesota, USA. I love thrillers, suspense, horror and literary fiction. I'm looking forward to learning about new authors in the horror genre. I've recently started an Instagram review page and have gotten involved in NetGalley. I also speak German.
Hey everyone! Was recommended to join by someone on a horror subreddit. Been on a reading binge (actually mostly audiobooks!) but a lot of fantasy works. Recently read The Troop by Nick Cutter, Fevre Dream by GRRM (more fantasy really, steamboats and vampires, quite good!), The Long Walk and other stuff from King. Just started ‘Salem’s Lot.
Looking for good convo and some good horror recs, as I’ve only really read King and Koontz and a few random other works.
Hi there, I'm Joe (they/him) and been a huge horror fan since my childhood. I've gotten tired of the bland and direct prose a lot of modern mainstream authors go for and love seeking out genre fiction that's a bit more literarily stimulating so I'm glad to have found this group. I'm also a writer of horror and fantasy and looking to eventually put my work out there as well.
Welcome to the group, Kalee, Theonetruebrian, and Joe.We do tend to focus on less mainstream fare. As I mentioned, we vote in polls to determine our Monthly Reads. What we've been up to recently:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Our poll for December's monthly read will go up late Saturday. We're currently working out nominations:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Please check the poll page to vote:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...
Again, if you nominate and/or vote for a book, and it wins, we'd like you to commit to participating in the discussions.
Group members also get together informally for Buddy Reads. Some of these have been very active! See:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...
Hello. I am fairly new to reading horror; my job now allows me ample time for reading the dark and disturbing...usually. I've never done a collective read and discussion before. Sounds interesting
Video_ouija wrote: "Hello. I am fairly new to reading horror; my job now allows me ample time for reading the dark and disturbing...usually. I've never done a collective read and discussion before. Sounds interesting"Welcome to Literary Horror, Video_ouija. December's poll should be up later today.
Hello everyone - I live on Vancouver Island in Canada and I love stories and novels about the Supernatural, especially from the Victorian era. My fave authors are M.R, James, Shirley Jackson, Wilkie Collins etc... But I'm not completely stuck in the past! i recently discovered James Brogden and I now have a new favourite author! If you haven't read him then I suggest you stop reading my drivel and go search him out.
Hi everyone, My name is Sourav and I am an author. I have published books in different genres. The most popular book of mine is "Scary Stories to tell Your Children in the Dark" which is on Horror. I am also working as a technical writer in a farm implements manufacturing company. I hope to make some good and interesting friends here on goodreads.
Thanks & Merry Christmas
Hello both and welcome to Literary Horror. We are an interestingly diverse group of readers and writers who are readers. I hope you find something to interest, entertain and/or inform you here.
Hi everyone!I'm so happy to have found this group of other horror readers. I have already followed suggestions from this group and found some great new favorites. I absolutely love a good twist, no matter the genre.
Happy New Year!
Theonetruebrian wrote: "Hey everyone! Was recommended to join by someone on a horror subreddit. Been on a reading binge (actually mostly audiobooks!) but a lot of fantasy works. Recently read The Troop by Nick Cutter, F..."
I just read The Troop as well! I've been curious about Salem's Lot. Let me know what you think!
Good morning! I'm a teacher from Lexington, KY, and I've recently published my novel, Dead Echoes.A supernatural horror novel, Dead Echoes follows the events that span several decades involving a machine designed to contact the Dead. The moteur fantôme, taken from a farmhouse in WWII France, is brought by a soldier to a funeral home in Kentucky, is involved in a boy's disappearance in 1989, and brings two brothers together in the present day.
I look forward to participating in this group!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P5FF3VN
Rey wrote: "Good morning! I'm a teacher from Lexington, KY, and I've recently published my novel, Dead Echoes.A supernatural horror novel, Dead Echoes follows the events that span several decades involving a..."
Hello Rey!
Hi. I'm a grandma and mom from Wisconsin. I am definitely a horror novel fan. To pick just one author for me would be really difficult. I'm looking forward to reading new authors and yeah that about explains me.
Heather wrote: "Hi. I'm a grandma and mom from Wisconsin. I am definitely a horror novel fan. To pick just one author for me would be really difficult. I'm looking forward to reading new authors and yeah that abou..."Hi Heather, with so many books to choose from, there is no need to pick just one. Enjoy the multitude.
Hiii, i joined quite a while back but i was not active on Goodreads cos i always forget i have a Goodreads account.But hi, i'm Xuan. I love to read books and write, and i really enjoy writing horror so i am looking to learn more from literary horror books in order to understand how to further my writing skills. Plus horror nice and fun. Nice to meet you!
Hey ! I’m Zaina , I really love reading horror novels and I’ll be pleased to know more and expand my knowledge in any paranormal ,thriller or triggering book in the world ❤️❤️I’d love to have recommendations from you and I’m currently reading “ misery “ by Stephen king 🔥
Hello everyone. I am Evangelos and currently living in the UK. I just joined the group while looking for recommendations. I've always had an interest in horror, but mostly in film and movies. I want to read more and learn more in the form of discussions.
Hi Everyone,Hope as an author it's ok to post - obviously I'm a reader too! My introduction - today my book officially launched through my publisher, Cranthorpe Millner. I love horror of the supernatural and paranormal kind, and my favourite authors are M R James, and James Herbert. Great to being the group and looking forward to some great discussions.
Evangelos wrote: "Hello everyone. I am Evangelos and currently living in the UK. I just joined the group while looking for recommendations. I've always had an interest in horror, but mostly in film and movies."Welcome to Literary Horror, Evangelos. We have a forum area devoted to Cinematic Horror. Would be great to see your participation there too.
Ian wrote: "Hi Everyone,Hope as an author it's ok to post - obviously I'm a reader too! My introduction - today my book officially launched through my publisher, Cranthorpe Millner."
Welcome to the group, Ian. Perfectly fine for authors to post. For more specific information about your own work, we have a forum area for Author Promotions.
Hello. Came to this group by way of Bill mentioning the buddy read for Things We Lost in the Fire. Compulsive reader. Sporadic writer. Looking forward to reading with you all.
Marc wrote: "Hello. Came to this group by way of Bill mentioning the buddy read for Things We Lost in the Fire. Compulsive reader. Sporadic writer. Looking forward to reading with you all."Hi Marc! I just joined too. I am probably going to get the audio, just so I can juggle life while enjoying this title. Great to see you here. I haven't even introduced myself yet. lols.
Marc wrote: "Hello. Came to this group by way of Bill mentioning the buddy read for Things We Lost in the Fire. Compulsive reader. Sporadic writer. Looking forward to reading with you all."Marc, we have to stop meeting like this.
Excellent, Margaret!Ha, I should've known you were part of this group, Whitney---you know about all the good stuff before me. ; )
Bill wrote: "Welcome to Literary Horror, Marc and Margaret! See you guys in the buddy read."Yay! Nice to be here.
Hi, I saw your group comments on Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and wanted to find out more about you guys, your thoughts on stories and recommendations. Thanks for having me! Also, I like the fact you haven't got many rules.
Eli wrote: "Hi, I saw your group comments on Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and wanted to find out more about you guys, your thoughts on stories and recommendations. Thanks for having me! Also, I..." Hi Eli (and anyone else I haven't yet said "hi" to.
Hi! I'm Tyrone. I think I found this group because I saw there was a group read of Bonding, by Maggie Siebert, and I loved the discussion + the book. I also lurk around in the HOWL Society Discord (highly highly recommend!)
Books mentioned in this topic
One Tuesday, Early (other topics)Pale Shell: Book One: Part I (other topics)
Hunted Past Reason (other topics)
Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories (other topics)
Ancient Sorceries and Other Weird Stories (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Annalisa Crawford (other topics)Algernon Blackwood (other topics)
Algernon Blackwood (other topics)
Mieko Kanai (other topics)
Minae Mizumura (other topics)
More...







I'm ambivalent about body horror in fiction as well. But Maggie Siebert's approach in the first story is very effective. And yes, there's definitely a strong dream-like flavor.