Task 1: Read a Horror Book

[Holly]

Holy crap! I just read The Bird Box by Josh Malerman for this one. So good! It's creepy without being overly gory. It's a quick read (250 pages) and I could not put it down!

[Martha]

Holly wrote: "Holy crap! I just read The Bird Box by Josh Malerman for this one. So good! It's creepy without being overly gory. It's a quick read (250 pages) and I could not put it down!"

I loved that book. I read it for the horror category last year.

[Mary]

I read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.

[Sarah]

Those of you who like Lovecraftian tales, but without the racism, I have 3 to recommend to you that fit this category nicely:
She Walks in Shadows is an anothlogy of Lovecraftian tales all written by women. An eclectic and excellent bag.

The Ballad of Black Tom is a short punchy novella that takes the racism of the time and punches it in the 'nads.

Carter & Lovecraft - I've only just started this but the main character has already ended up in Providence so I'm expecting things to go south pretty soon. Excellent so far and by the chap who wrote the Johannes Cabal books.

There's also Lovecraft Country but I've not got around to that one yet. I probably will by the end of the year though :)

[Sarah]

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

I'd say yes - more sciencey than her Newsflesh trilogy but still a nice line in body horror and the stuff that makes you shiver. I loved the first book, need to finish the series :)

[Chessa]

I just started reading Feed by Mira Grant - I'm pretty excited. A few friends are really big fans of the series, so I'm looking forward to it.

[Caitlin]

I read The Night Sister for this task--it was more suspenseful than really horrific, but that's what I like in my creepy books (and I liked this one in particular very, very much). Great read for anyone here interested in finding a book that's more spooky than gory for this part of the challenge.

[Emily]

I'm about to start Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry for this task. Has anyone read it?

[Britany]

Finished in record speed by David Mitchell-- 4 Stars.

Spooky, monster twins, and interweaving stories that give you more information with every turn on the page.

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jamie]

I finished Frankenstein by Mary Shelley for this category. Not my favorite but I made it through.

[Stina]

Jolynne wrote: "Bird Box
Bird Box, Bird Box and Bird Box.
This is just a tiny suggestion."

I concur. Excellent choice! I'd say it also counts as post-apocalyptic.

[Luella]

Christie wrote: "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 a..."

I read this and loved it! And ya I'd totally say it counts!!

[Taylor]

I'm starting The Turn of the Screw! We shall see, we shall see.

[Celina]

I'm not usually into horror but I loved Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer. Several reviewers say it falls into the category of Lovecraftian horror.

[Naz]

Never read a horror book before so went diving into the internet and saw that The Turn of the Screw, title doesn't give much away so I went for it hoping to be surprised....meh, it was ok.

[Rayne]

I can't do horror, so I'm going with something a bit tamer and choosing a psychological thriller. My pick for this category quite possibly will be No Longer Safe.

[Jessica]

I finally started listening to audiobooks last month, and my first was NOS4A2, which definitely qualifies for this category. Task 1 - complete!

[Erin]

The River Is Dark... It was a bit cliched, but a wild ride!

[Loreen ☕️]

I've just finishedRoomsby Lauren Oliver for task 1 read a horror book. Now, this book is a ghost story, but it's not scary? Has anyone else read it? Do you think it counts as a horror story?

[Bea]

Loreen wrote: "I've just finishedRoomsby Lauren Oliver for task 1 read a horror book. Now, this book is a ghost story, but it's not scary? Has anyone else read it? Do you think it counts as a horr..."

71 GR readers think so.

[Sophia]

Nicola wrote: "Instead of reading Dracula for this challenge like I chose to (as I want to take my time reading it) I read 4 short yet chilling horror stories...

The Witch - Shirley Jackson
Mirror, Mirror/The Ap..."

The Witch is one of the first Shirley Jackson stories I read. It's so simple and brief and yet so freaking creepy.

[Heidi]

Just finished Joe Hill's Heart Shaped Box. Scary and a really page turner. Recommend if you are still looking for a book to complete this task.

[Katie]

I'm reading House of Leaves for this one, and it is definitely quite unsettling thus far! Love the experimental format of the book, and I can't wait to continue to delve into it.

[Abigail]

I just finished reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. It felt pretty horrific as I was reading it, but not sure it technically would count as a horror book. looking for some advice on this one :)
Thanks!

[Bonnie G.]

Abigail wrote: "I just finished reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. It felt pretty horrific as I was reading it, but not sure it technically would count as a horror book. looking for some advice on this one :)
T..."

I would say its horror, but I am not much of a horror reader so maybe I am not a great judge.

[Sapiophial]

I'm planning on reading Joe Hill's The Fireman for this challenge. I am NOT a horror reader, but this one was already on my TBR list. Who knew Joe Hill was King progeny?

[Krista]

Not typically a horror reader. Decided to go with Bird Box. I just started it last night, at 11 pm, in a dark room. I'm 46 years old and I was THAT close to hiding under the covers. I read the first 3 chapters. It took me more than an hour to get to sleep. Oh, however will I finish.

[Rachel]

Does anyone know of any good horror graphic novels? I've been considering doing this challenge in addition to the two I'm already in the middle of, so I've been compiling a list of potential books. As an additional challenge to myself, I'm trying to read more graphic novels since it's a genre I really don't read that often.

[Doc.]

Rachel wrote: "Does anyone know of any good horror graphic novels? I've been considering doing this challenge in addition to the two I'm already in the middle of, so I've been compiling a list of potential books...."

Anya's Ghost would qualify, though it is not exactly scary. It's YA and the major theme is the immigrant experience. It's quite well done, however, and I really enjoyed both the art and the narration. Oh and Through the Woods is classic horror. I was really impressed by the artwork.

[Sophia]

Rachel wrote: "Does anyone know of any good horror graphic novels? I've been considering doing this challenge in addition to the two I'm already in the middle of, so I've been compiling a list of potential books...."

Joe Hill wrote a graphic novel series called Locke & Key, the first volume is Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft. Also there's always The Walking Dead, Vol. 01: Days Gone Bye.

[Doc.]

@Sophia Do you think someone could enjoy 'Locke & Key' if they hadn't read any Lovecraft (yet!)?

[Sophia]

S. wrote: "@Sophia Do you think someone could enjoy 'Locke & Key' if they hadn't read any Lovecraft (yet!)?"

I think so! I've only read a couple Lovecraft short stories, and I really liked the series. Of course, it's possible there were layers/nuances that I missed by not having read much Lovecraft. But it's intense and epic on its own.

[Doc.]

Sophia wrote: "I think so! I've only read a couple Lovecraft short stories, and I really liked the ser..."

Thanks, I'll check out the first volume soon. :) I can always re-read it later to see if I missed any allusions.

[Rachel]

S. wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Does anyone know of any good horror graphic novels? I've been considering doing this challenge in addition to the two I'm already in the middle of, so I've been compiling a list of p..."

I've actually read Anya's Ghost already, and it was amazing. I've been hearing a lot about Through the Woods also.

[Evyjo]

I was planning on reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer but I was wondering if The Girls would count as a horror book? Thanks!

[Caitlin]

S. wrote: "@Sophia Do you think someone could enjoy 'Locke & Key' if they hadn't read any Lovecraft (yet!)?"

Oh, definitely. I have read very little Lovecraft (with no interest in reading any more, to be honest), and I very much enjoyed Locke & Key.

[Doc.]

@Rachel I hope you enjoy it! :) I wasn't exactly spooked by the stories, but I was blown away by the art. Carroll is very talented.

@Caitlin Thanks, I'll be getting it within a few days! :)

[Ashley]

I finally got around to reading Alice for this challenge, and it totally lived up to the hype for me! I'm so excited for the sequel - come on July!!

[Tina]

Would Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders count for this challenge? Unless I missed it, I have not seen any true crime posted for this challenge. Thanks!

[Brandy]

Horror is one genre that I consider not my bag, but maybe I've not really given it a shot because I think that. I have read the classics, Frankenstein, Dracula etc.. the ones you get assigned in school.

Probably nothing else. So two suggestion list... for a total horror newb (but one that isn't squeemish if that makes a difference) what is the book that you were like OMG, must read more horror?

Or, an alternate path horror graphic novel? Cause I love me some graphic novels.

[Bonnie G.]

I am also not a fan of horror, and I recommend Slade House!

[Monica]

Just finished The Library at Mount Char. Surprised to say I found it enjoyable and interesting. Not the most horror filled book ever. Really just enough to classify it as horror and not one drop more...

[Theresa]

Tina wrote: "Would Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders count for this challenge? Unless I missed it, I have not seen any true crime posted for this challenge. Thanks!"

I don't see anything in the specific category listing that specifies that the book needs to be fiction or non-fiction, so it should count. And I can't imagine much that's more horrifying that this story.

[Tina]

Theresa wrote: "Tina wrote: "Would Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders count for this challenge? Unless I missed it, I have not seen any true crime posted for this challenge. Thanks!..."
Based on what I have read thus far, it is horrifying. I cannot believe what Manson and his "family" did. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

[Jaime]

Finished The Girl With All The Gifts. I enjoyed reading but wouldn't have selected it if I knew it was a zombie story. I love the zombie apocalypse but wanted to try something different. I'll read Bird Box or The Haunting of Hill House as a break between tasks 1 and 2 :)

[Rachel]

Would The Passage by Justin Cronin be considered a horror book? I don't usually read horror but I picked it up cheap at a book sale and it sounds scary!

[Judith]

Anyone else reading ?

[Ashley]

Judith wrote: "Anyone else reading ?"

I didn't read it for this challenge, but I did read it recently and really enjoyed it. I absolutely adore Ray Bradbury, so honestly I support reading him at any time :)

[Judith]

Ashley wrote: "Judith wrote: "Anyone else reading ?"

I didn't read it for this challenge, but I did read it recently and really enjoyed it. I absolutely adore Ra..."

Just finished it and loved it.

[Snowynight]

She Walks in Shadows is an amazing horror fiction anthology based on Cthluhu Mythos, all stories written by female writers and have women as protagonists. The quality of the stories is consistently high - rare do I come across an anthology that I love every stories - and they are disturbing, scary and imaginative. I really like the great variety of the characters and setting - who will think Cthlhu can be found in highschool cheerleading, libraries, or a biological lab?