Task 1: Read a Horror Book

[Sophia]

Anyone considering The Library at Mount Char should give it a try! It's a very weird and unpredictable book. I loved it, easily one of my favorite reads from 2015.

I also read Slade House for this challenge. This was my first David Mitchell book - will definitely check out his other work. This one was a good blend of spooky and surreal and I especially liked how the story was told by a different narrator in each section.

[jillannjohn]

I read Bird Box. It was creepy and not the usual horror story. I really enjoyed it.

[Courtney]

I just finished The Girl with All the Gifts, I absolutely recommend it!

[Elle]

Courtney wrote: "I just finished The Girl with All the Gifts, I absolutely recommend it!"

I have this one down for another group's challenge. Good to hear positive reviews. I'm really looking forward to this book!

[Debs]

Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while.

[Bonnie G.]

Debs wrote: "Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while."

I don't think it could be described as horror. It's a super fun, basic mystery.

[Sarah]

Debs wrote: "Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while."

I don't think this counts as horror, but if you wanted something like that with a Holmesian bent, you could look at Gaslight Grimoire: Fantastic Tales of Sherlock Holmes, which is an anthology volume of supernatural tales with Holmes front and centre. It's entertaining stuff.

[Debs]

Bonnie wrote: "Debs wrote: "Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while."

I don't think it could be described as horror. It's a super fun, basic mystery."

Thanks for your help Bonnie!

[Debs]

Sarah wrote: "Debs wrote: "Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while."

I don't think this counts as horror, but if you wanted something like that wi..."

Thanks for the suggestion Sarah!

[B.reader]

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

I'm doing this one as well--actually won it from a BR giveaway and it has been staring at me from my shelf ever since. I am a little intimidated by the subject and how many WTFs it has gotten. Maybe we can have a support group!

[Bonnie G.]

Debs wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Debs wrote: "Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while."

I don't think it could be described as horror. It's a super fu..."

I am not a horror reader, so I really tried to think of a way this would qualify. I would definitely rather ready Sherlock Holmes than real horror! I am reading Slade House. Hopefully it will work for me. I loved The Bone Clocks (not horror) and I think Slade House involves some of the same characters.

[Debs]

Bonnie wrote: "Debs wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Debs wrote: "Would The Hound of the Baskervilles fit in this category? It's been on my shelf for a while."

I don't think it could be described as horror. It..."

I'm not usually a horror reader either so this category will definitely stretch me but that's a good thing! I hope you enjoy Slade House!

[quietprofanity]

I went a little off-beat with this challenge and read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. It didn't really scare me, but did disgust me. I loved the language but I didn't like how it was basically a "women get murdered and it's sexy" story. (You can read my review here.)

[quietprofanity]

Mirabai wrote: "Would anything from Anne Rice's catalogue count as horror? I read Interview with a Vampire many years ago, and I'm just not sure."

I think vampires counts as a horror trope so you should be fine. (I may try to get to Anno Dracula later in the year and I don't think that's a scary book per se.)

[quietprofanity]

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

I love "We Have Always Lived in the Castle!" Hope you enjoy.

[Heather]

I normally stay away from horror, even horror movies, so I'm trying to stay on the milder side for this challenge! Has anyone read Mr. Mercedes or Finders, Keepers by Stephen King? Would either count as horror? Thanks:)

[Jennifer]

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..."

I agree with you both! I went to my local indie bookstore and requested a recommendation for a horror book for someone who hates horror books. The person suggested The Shadow of the Wind, which I just finished. More gothic than straight horror, but just creepy enough to satisfy my idea of horror.

[Elle]

Glad you found one that to horror-ific. : ) And you went to an indie bookstore to find it - fantastic!

[Becky]

Doing the tasks in order so started with horror which I haven't read in years. Picked up "Heart-Shaped Box" by Joe Hill from the library. Only 40 pages in and am hooked.

[Molly]

I picked up Slasher Girls & Monster Boys from the library on a whim and really enjoyed it. I'm not usually a short story fan, but this collection featured several authors I love. Several five-star stories and only one real misfire.

[Janet]

Would the Grownup by Gillian Flynn be considered horror? I just picked up a copy at the library.

[quietprofanity]

Janet wrote: "Would the Grownup by Gillian Flynn be considered horror? I just picked up a copy at the library."

I read that (for last year's "Read a book from this year" challenge, actually!) when it was published as a part of Rogues. It's definitely horror.

[Renee]

I dislike horror books, they mess with my mind. That being said I read The Long Walk. Bachman is Stephen King, I could not stop reading this, was not over the top creepy. It probably qualifies as dytopian as well.

[Janet]

quietprofanity wrote: "Janet wrote: "Would the Grownup by Gillian Flynn be considered horror? I just picked up a copy at the library."

I read that (for last year's "Read a book from this year" challenge, actually!) when..."

Thanks!

[Joy]

I wound up reading NOS4A2 by Joe Hill to complete this challenge. I used to be a huge Stephen King fan but haven't read him in years; this was like coming home! Hill's writing is very reminiscent of his father's (and NOS4A2 includes a few references to King's works for those in the know). This was a fun, quick read - creepy, with enough twists to keep me wondering. Recommended.

[Samantha]

I read The Grownup by Gillian Flynn today! Loved it.

[Angela]

I finished Dolly by Susan Hill today. I usually love her short ghost/supernatural books, but this one was not as good as usual. She always creates a wonderful setting, but this time, the plot wasn't the best.

[Teresa]

I'm going with Goosebumps One Day in Horrorland. That's the extent of horror I can handle without nightmares.

[Jennifer]

So my days of loving horror have passed me by - so I read Coraline :)

[Elise]

Teresa wrote: "I'm going with Goosebumps One Day in Horrorland. That's the extent of horror I can handle without nightmares."

Goosebumps is a great idea for us non-horror types. Thanks!

[Carly]

I read Rosemary's Baby. I thought it was very good. Makes me want to see the movie now. I didn't see that twist at the end coming. I like how even though this book is not in the point of view of Rosemary that the author is still interactive in the story and we get a glimpse of her thoughts.

[Melissa]

Horror is hard for me because I don't enjoy scary things. I'm leaning toward the (I hope) softer horror books written for children and teens. My pick for the first task will be either The Graveyard Book or The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Both by Gaiman, so they're bound to be good.

[Jayanti]

I'm a coward. I've picked World War Z ... because Zombies...

[Leslie (updates on SG)]

I just finished Thomas Ott's wordless graphic novel, Cinema Panopticum by Thomas Ott, and enjoyed it. The book is not that scary - think O.Henry meets Twilight Zone - and the scratchboard art wonderfully complements the stories.

[[deleted user]]

I'm planning to read The Family Plot by Cherie Priest when it comes out in July.

[Katy]

I finished The Road (Cormac McCarthy) and am counting it toward this task, although it's not what I consider "horror" per se. It does have that tag on Goodreads, though, and since I'm a bit wimpy about more traditional horror, and honestly find the thought of trying to protect my child at the end of the world more terrifying than any ghost or monster, I'm going with it. Plus that leaves room for another dystopian novel on my challenge list, which is very much in my wheelhouse!

[Betsy]

I really dislike reading horror, because what I read invades my dreams: with al Qaeda, ISIL, active shooters, car accidents, and highly contagious and deadly infectious diseases in the news, I already have enough material for my nightmares. Silly me, a co-worker told me how good Dennis Lehane's books are, loaned me "Shutter Island" as a scary book, and I read it. Tore through it, because I wanted to make sure I finished it during the day. Mental hospitals, prisons, slave quarters – anyplace people are held against their will – creep me out; add murdered children, untrustworthy characters, unclear motives, a hurricane on a rocky island, insanity, and the book fits perfectly into the horror genre. I will not be sleeping well for the next few weeks. (I will copy this review on the book's page itself).

[Jules]

Jayanti wrote: "I'm a coward. I've picked World War Z ... because Zombies..."

Why would you call yourself a coward? Zombies are as horrific as anything :-) Good choice, I say --
Jules

[Victoria]

I'm going to read Slasher Girls and Monster Boys it seems really good

[Nikki]

Just finished Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes. A sensational read set in Detroit, the town of broken American dreams
and a fantastical serial killer. Fits the horror task perfectly and the writing is superb

[Bonnie G.]

Nikki wrote: "Just finished Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes. A sensational read set in Detroit, the town of broken American dreams
and a fantastical serial killer. Fits the horror task perfectly and the writin..."

OH! I have that and did not know it was horror or that it was set in my hometown! Thanks for the tip,

[Rachael]

I read The Border by Robert McCammon. It was less horror and more of a scifi read. Great for those who don't want something really intense or scary.

[Carol]

I read it was addictive. I don't think a book has taken over my life like this one did for years! I had to find out what happened next! This is good if you like your horror more spooky and suspenseful than gory too.

[Megan]

Would Robert Bloch's Psycho work for horror?

[Viv]

I'm reading The Three for this challenge. I anticipate some sleepless nights ahead!

[Kristine]

I read Slade House and quite enjoyed it. Recommend for David Mitchell fans and helps if you've read The Bone Clocks.

[Jo]

I had such plans, but I ended up reading The Black Tongue - it's translated from Finnish, and I didn't aways understand exactly what was happening, but it was SO creepy despite that.

[Megz]

Viv wrote: "I'm reading The Three for this challenge. I anticipate some sleepless nights ahead!"

I'm reading The Three too! I have to say it wasn't as terrifying as I anticipated, and I'm quite a scaredy cat. But I'm already lining up the sequel...

[Wellington]

I went with Deadly Messengers by Susan May for this challenge. What an interesting book. At first I was a bit put off by the graphic descriptions and the writing style. It felt a bit rushed at the end, but was still a good read.

[Jeanne]

The Institute by Kayla Howarth, living in constant fear, always looking over your shoulder that describes horror to me, so that is the book I am planning to read.