Ten Horror Novels Every Horror Fan Should Read

Spooky Season is upon us! This year, I’m offering ten of my favorite horror novels from various sub-genres and eras. These books have stuck with me long after I finished reading the last pages within their covers. Read with care and enjoy, my friends.

1. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – Finally got around to reading this novel this year. It explores deception and themes of power and gender roles within a marriage. Du Maurier’s writing is so very special. A classic that should be on everyone’s must read list.
2. The Devil Crept In by Ania Ahlborn – Have you discovered Ania Ahlborn yet? This was the first novel of hers that I picked up, and I have continued to be a huge fan of hers ever since. It follows a young boy whose friend goes missing and he discovers a terrifying creature when he goes searching for his friend. A creature feature of a novel that you will have a hard time putting down.
3. Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin – This book has spawned several adaptations over the years, the 1968 film of the same name being most popular. The book explores the terror of pregnancy and the erasure of a woman’s identity under the constraints of sexism in our society. A good read, to be certain.
4. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury – You can never go wrong with Ray Bradbury during Spooky Season. It explores the consequences of giving into temptation and learning to accept yourself. With fantastical horror imagery, of course.
5. Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco – This is the novel that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining, and rightfully so. This haunted house story about a family escaping NYC for the summer in an old house in the country is as unnerving as it is readable.
6. Psycho by Robert Bloch – You’ve seen Hitchcock’s adaptation. Now read the novel that inspired it. Bloch’s writing is succinct and to the point. This book is every bit as good as the movie.
7. The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix – If you haven’t discovered Grady Hendrix, then start with this novel. It is perfectly crafted and filled with unforgettable imagery and a villain so great it is hard not to root for him whilst also rooting for the protaganist.
8. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones – Jones, a Native American from Texas, writes horror novels filled with Native American lore and gruesome imagery. This particular novel was unputdownable for me.
9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – I’ll never not include this one on my list. Shelley’s novel about loneliness and discovering who the real monsters are in life is as timeless as it gets. If you have not read this, check it out. And then watch Universal’s Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein. Classics in their own right.
10. The Ruins by Scott Smith – Scott Smith has written exactly two novels, and both are absolute bangers. This one, the inspiration for a movie by the same name, tells the story of four college kids on a Mexican vacation who visit some ruins and end up trapped there. This novel is the Jaws of carnivorous plant novels. Seriously, check this one out. And check out Smith’s other novel, A Simple Plan.

I know, I left out Stephen King. Gasp. I left out King because he is the obvious choice for a horror novel list. If you are looking for a new King novel to check out (who isn’t, right), I recommend some of his lesser known novels. Joyland, Duma Key, and The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon are my faves.