Top Ten Tuesday / Books from My Favorite Genre

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is Books from My Favorite Genre. I can’t decide on my favorite genre, so I’m focusing on my top favorite horror books. By horror I mean the truly terrifying, creepy as hell stories that stay with you long after you finish reading it. Several of my choices are classics but I’ve also sprinkled in a few more recent novels.

The Damnation Game by Clive Barker

The story follows a gambling addict who, upon his recent release from prison, is hired to be the personal bodyguard of one of the wealthiest men in the world. The job proves to be much more dangerous and complicated than he anticipated. The Damnation Game is crazy as hell and a bunch of batshit occurrences take place. The Damnation Game on Goodreads.

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

You all know this story: a young girl suffers from a demonic possession and two priests attempt to exorcise the demon. This book, along with the original 1970s film, is fantastic. I definitely recommend it for horror fans. The Exorcist on Goodreads.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Like The Exorcist, we all know this story - a young, obsessed scientist who creates a hideous human-like creature using stolen body parts. The book is excellent; the plot of the novel is constantly distorted in mainstream media from terrible, misinformed film adaptions and popular references. Frankenstein on Goodreads.

Handling the Undead by John Ajvide Lindqvist

In this novel, the author of which is known as the Swedish Stephen King, thousands of recently deceased are reanimated. It's a very beautiful, yet spooky story about grief. Handling the Undead on Goodreads.

Into the Rolling Deep by Mira Grant

Seven years ago a documentary crew disappears while attempting to find evidence of ancient sea creatures. Now, a new crew assembles to finish what was started. Whether it was a hoax or a true terrible tragedy, the truth can only be found in the waves. The writing is addicting and very lyrical. Though it's classified as a sci fi, I consider Into the Drowning to be horror because of it's subject matter and the dark, super creepy atmosphere it has. Check out my full review here. Into the Drowning Deep on Goodreads.

Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin

Rosemary Woodhouse and struggling husband Guy move into an old apartment building where they meet the Castvets, an elderly couple. Despite Rosemary's reservations and the increasing strange noises she hears at night, Guy takes a shine to the couple. Rosemary becomes pregnant and the Castvets take a special interest that isn't all that it may seem. Rosemary's Baby is a classic that, like Frankenstein, is constantly made into terrible remakes. Stick with the originals, trust me. Rosemary's Baby on Goodreads.

'Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

When discussing horror, we, of course, have to mention Stephen King. 'Salem's Lot is one of my favorite of his books. It's about a writer who moves to Maine and discovers all the town's residents are slowly turning into vampires. The book literally gave me nightmares which usually never happens to me. It's a great read! 'Salem's Lot on Goodreads.

The Shining by Stephen King

Another Stephen King novel that probably almost everyone in a first world country knows. It's terrifying, creepy and awesome. The Shining on Goodreads.

Swan Song by Robert R. McCammon

The Swan Song is post-apocalyptic story following the aftermath of a nuclear war. It's a long one - 900+ - but definitely worth it. It reminds me of Stephen King's The Stand, but I feel like Swan Song is more of a horror novel than The Stand. Swan Song on Goodreads.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

We Have Always Lived in the Castle is incredibly creepy. It's told from the perspective of Merricat Blackwood who lives with her sister and sick uncle on a family estate. Six years earlier, Merricat's family went through a tragedy that left them isolated from the rest of the village. The book is mind-blowing and incredibly spooky. We Have Always Lived in the Castle on Goodreads.