Task 1: Read a Horror Book

[Olga]

I honestly had no idea what to pick for this task, but, thanks to the previous suggestions, I chose The Shining by Stephen King. I actually can't wait to start!

[Jenn T Rogers]

SibylM wrote: "I'm thinking either Bird Box or Slade House for this one. Probably whichever I can get first from the library!"

Bird Box= so much yes! I listened to it on audio and it was CREEE-PPPY. Loved it!

[Natalie]

Now thinking of reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I think that counts as a horror, right?

[Natalie]

Now thinking of reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I think that counts as a horror, right?

[Bobby]

I plan to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, or perhaps Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury.

[CaitGreens]

I am doing The Haunting of Hill House and my boyfriend picked American Psycho

[Kate]

This category is going to be difficult for me, since I'm not at all a horror fan. Reading some of the synopses totally freaks me out.

Do y'all think Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances would count?

[Bea]

Kate wrote: "This category is going to be difficult for me, since I'm not at all a horror fan. Reading some of the synopses totally freaks me out.

Do y'all think [book:Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Distu..."

Yes, definitely.

[Melanie]

Trigger Warnings is not horror, sorry. You might consider The Girl With All the Gifts. It's a horror book that's not too scary.

[Meghan]

Kate wrote: "This category is going to be difficult for me, since I'm not at all a horror fan. Reading some of the synopses totally freaks me out.

Do y'all think [book:Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Distu..."

Definitely!!! Neil Gaiman is wonderful!

[Miz]

A Face in the Crowd It fits me in more than one category.

[Kate]

Getting started a little before the turn of the year but my choice for 2016's Task #1 (Horror) is from my personal king of the genre: BAZAAR OF BAD DREAMS by Stephen King.

[Lisa]

Kelli wrote: "Would Mr. Mercedes (Steven King) count as horror? I've read some of his classics - It, The Stand, The Shining, but I'm not sure about some of his more recent stuff. I read 11/22/63, but not sure I'..."
I don't know that I'd count Mr. Mercedes as horror...more suspense...but still a pretty good read. I LOVED 11/22/63, but again, not really horror.

[Lou]

How about Ghostly: Short Stories by Audrey Niffenegger. It's tagged under Horror but as she's not a horror writer I just question it.

[Lisa]

Would Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Seth Grahame-Smith) count as horror? It's on my list and would love to count it as the horror selection. This is my first Read Harder challenge and I'm so excited!

[Kathy]

I'll be reading Frankenstein. I want to read classics and since I don't usually read horror, this choice will be good.

[Beachesnbooks]

I've been thinking and I'm either going to go with Let the Right One In or Fledgling for this task. Both are sitting on my TBR shelf and look great.

[Patricia]

I think the term horror is very subjective. I always have a hard time with this category. It actually remained uncompleted for the 2015 challenge because I couldn't find anything to fit. What one person may consider "horror" I may find gross or blah or just suspenseful and vise versa. So, I think if YOU consider it horror go with it; that's what I'm doing anyway.

[Patricia]

Kathy wrote: "I'll be reading Frankenstein. I want to read classics and since I don't usually read horror, this choice will be good."

I listened to this last summer for one of the other categories and was surprised to find how much I enjoyed it!

[Britta]

I have never read any Dean Koontz, so I will pick one of his books for this challenge, maybe Midnight. Or does anyone have another suggestion, i.e another Koontz-book to start with?

[Bea]

Britta, I am also reading Midnight for this task, but I would recommend Breathless also.

[Alice]

I'm hoping Horrorstör will fit as horror! It's one I'm going to read for another group, so it'd be awesome to get both done with one book.
Meghan - I'm planning to read Feed for my apocalypse book!

[Bryony]

Horrorstör is a fantastic book, Alice! I really enjoyed it!

[Carmen]

Horrorstör is amazing, I agree. I hope you like it, Alice!

[Alice]

Now I'm *really* excited! :D

[Rokkan]

Natalie wrote: "Think I'm going to go with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs"

Ah, great, I was wondering what to put in my horror section, having already read Frankenstein, Dracula and all the King/Koontz on my kindle! This is on my TBR list too, so ticks another challenge.

[Nicole]

I recommend The Exorcist for those still looking for a book to fulfill this task. Read it a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. I would even recommend it to those who are fans of the movie!

[Monica]

Christmas Day Amazon had a kindle book sale. I picked up Blindness by José Saramago. I think it will work well for this task.

[Nicole]

Monica wrote: "Christmas Day Amazon had a kindle book sale. I picked up Blindness by José Saramago. I think it will work well for this task."

I was thinking of reading that for my post-apocalyptic choice. Thanks for the reminder!

[Lindsay]

Girl with All the Gifts is a great listen! Feed is a phenomenal series. Neal Shusterman has some great YA horror series. I suggest Unwind!

[Christie]

Alice wrote: "I'm hoping Horrorstör will fit as horror! It's one I'm going to read for another group, so it'd be awesome to get both done with one book.
Meghan - I'm planning to read Feed for my apocalypse book..."

I'm planning on reading Horrorstör as well. So you will be in good company.

[Elle]

Kate wrote: "This category is going to be difficult for me, since I'm not at all a horror fan. Reading some of the synopses totally freaks me out.

I'm with you Kate. "Horror" is really not my thing. But I agree with others - horror is subjective. And I might add, like spiciness in food, there are varying degrees and types. I'm prefer the "bland to mild" end of the horror spectrum.

I'm going with Neil Gaiman's American Gods for this task. It's urban fantasy and sci-fi with some mythology and horror mixed in - helps make the medicine go down for me. Plus it's Neil Gaiman - can't go wrong with Gaiman.

[Britta]

Bea wrote: "Britta, I am also reading Midnight for this task, but I would recommend Breathless also."

Thanx! I think I will then read Midnight, great that I am not 'alone' with this book: When are you planning on starting?

[SibylM]

Kate wrote: "This category is going to be difficult for me, since I'm not at all a horror fan. Reading some of the synopses totally freaks me out.

I'm not a big fan of horror either, so I decided to look at books that fit in both the humor & horror categories -- there is a link in the initial post. I think I'm going with My Life as a White Trash Zombie.

[booksweread]

I love me some horror, so thanks for those resources, quite a few creepy looking ones I have not heard of. I've just started The Turn of the Screw, so will use that for this task. Happy reading!

[Kate]

Elle wrote: "Kate wrote: "This category is going to be difficult for me, since I'm not at all a horror fan. Reading some of the synopses totally freaks me out.

I'm with you Kate. "Horror" is really not my thin..."

Yeah, I can't really handle trailers for horror movies, so I definitely need to be on the mild end of the spectrum!

American Gods is so. good. :)

[Rainey]

I cant handle the trailers either. This is why I am reading The Library at Mount Char. I think this one won't give me nightmares.

[Dee]

Episode four of the Get Booked Podcast is all horror books and Amanda recommends several books that are mild.

[Kristi]

I think I'm going with The Historian. I think it works since it's a modern twist on Dracula.

[Bea]

Britta wrote: "Bea wrote: "Britta, I am also reading Midnight for this task, but I would recommend Breathless also."

Thanx! I think I will then read Midnight, great that I am not 'alo..."

As I own the book, I am flexible with a start date.

[Daena]

I'm going with Slade House. On my TBR, which is a bonus!

[Jessica]

Jaleenajo wrote: "I've been thinking and I'm either going to go with Let the Right One In or Fledgling for this task. Both are sitting on my TBR shelf and look great."
I loved that book.

[Jessica]

Kristi wrote: "I think I'm going with The Historian. I think it works since it's a modern twist on Dracula."
I picked this book up in a tiny bookstore in the Luxor in Vegas. Loved it so much I've read it a few times.

[Carolyn]

I'm going to read a book by Laura Kasischke. Probably "The Raising". (I read "Mind of Winter" earlier this year.)

[Kristi]

Jessica wrote: "Kristi wrote: "I think I'm going with The Historian. I think it works since it's a modern twist on Dracula."
I picked this book up in a tiny bookstore in the Luxor in Vegas. Loved it s..."

that's good to hear, thanks!! Can't wait to get started

[Astrid]

Based on the recommendation of a friend, I am thinking of going with False Memory by Dean Koontz although the Killing Lessons by Saul Black sounds good too. I am a bit new to this category, but don't mind a little horror reading.

[Sandra]

I have never read horror because it is not my favorite genre. I want to use this challenge to stretch myself and I thought I would choose a book by Stephen King or Dean Koontz, but I really don't know which book to choose. I would prefer something short and available on audiobook. Any recommendations?

[Caitlin]

I moved to Barcelona in 2015 and have promised myself that I'd read books by authors from Catalonia so I'm going to read Cold Skin by Albert Sanchez Pinol for this task.

[Sarah]

What are folks' thoughts on the Parasitology series by Mira Grant? Would those count?

[Naznin]

Not a horror fan at all, but this is why I wanted to do a challenge! Gonna read Girl on a Train - hope this qualifies??