Top Recommended Horror Books to Add to your Reading List

Got a penchant for the thrill and excitement of being chased by uncanny creatures? Well, you’re not alone. Horror is among the top genres in the world, with huge award-winning authors like Stephen King taking the reins in writing some of the best horror books ever – but there are others too, with classic horror novels written long ago which have withstood the battering of time.

Here we have a list of the best recommendations in the horror genre for your reading list. Don’t wait till it’s dark out to get started on them, though!

‘The Shining’ by Stephen King (1977)

A haunted hotel, psychic powers, and a family isolated in the mountains make this one of Stephen King’s most iconic works. Jack Torrance’s descent into madness as he’s influenced by the Overlook Hotel is a chilling exploration of psychological and supernatural horror.

’It’ by Stephen King (1986)

In ‘It’, a group of children in the town of Derry faces off against an ancient evil, which often manifests as a clown named Pennywise. Alternating between their childhood and adulthood, the novel explores themes of trauma, fear, and friendship. ‘It’ has several movie adaptations and a TV series, giving life to the extremely creepy character of Pennywise and his story. A new movie is set to release, explaining the origin of the legendary killer clown himself.

‘Dracula’ by Bram Stoker (1897)

This gothic, truly timeless classic introduced the world to Count Dracula, a vampire who seeks to spread his undead curse to England. Told through journal entries and letters, ‘Dracula’ is a story of seduction, terror, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Perhaps not as ‘horror’ like as other books, but it certainly presents the concept of vampires in a different light.

‘Pet Sematary’ by Stephen King (1983)

When a grieving father uses an ancient burial ground to resurrect his deceased son, the consequences are far more horrifying than he ever imagined. ‘Pet Sematary’ explores the dark side of grief, death, and the cost of defying nature.  There have been several movie adaptations for the book, and I personally find it quite disturbing thanks to the animal ghosts presented in the story.

‘The Exorcist’ by William Peter Blatty (1971)

Inspired by a real-life exorcism, ‘The Exorcist’ tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demon and the desperate attempts of her mother and two priests to save her. This deeply unsettling novel delves into faith, evil, and the limits of human endurance. There is a movie adaptation for the book, released in 1973.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ by Shirley Jackson (1959)

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is a psychological horror that follows a group of people investigating a supposedly haunted mansion. As the house seems to exert its malevolent influence, the boundaries between reality and delusion blur, creating an atmosphere of palpable dread. For those sensible at heart who won’t willingly ever subject themselves to the horrors of a haunted house, this is the perfect read to judge others who put themselves in such a situation.

‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley (1818)

Often considered the first science fiction novel, another tale that has withstood the test of time, ‘Frankenstein’ tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates life but is horrified by the creature he has brought into the world. This eerie tale explores various themes, such as ambition, creation, and the consequences of playing God.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ by Thomas Harris (1988)

FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the help of the incarcerated serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to track down another murderer, known as Buffalo Bill. ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ blends psychological thriller with horror as it explores the minds of both killers and those who hunt them. This book is definitely always on any list of horror books, a must-read for the fledgling horror fan.

‘World War Z’ by Max Brooks (2006)

This oral history-style novel recounts the global fight against a zombie apocalypse – my personal favourite subgenre of horror.  Told through interviews with survivors from around the world, ‘World War Z’ offers a chillingly realistic portrayal of societal collapse and the human will to survive. There has been a movie made with the same name and almost the same plot which gained international recognition, as well as a game released on the storyline.

‘The Complete Fiction of H. P. Lovecraft’ by H. P. Lovecraft (1999)

Ah, Eldritch horror – a genre associated with the legendary writer H. P. Lovecraft. With a name like that, he was destined to become a famous author anyway. This collection gathers all of Lovecraft’s fiction, featuring his most famous works like ‘The Call of Cthulhu’ and ‘The Shadow over Innsmouth’. Lovecraft’s stories explore fear of the unknown and mankind’s insignificance in the universe. Very humbling.

And that concludes this list. If you find it a deep regret in your heart to be unable to read such chilling tales in your day-to-day life which presents its own horrors of boring jobs and chores, please don’t worry any more – Wizdom is here for you.

Wizdom is an app providing audio and bite-size summaries of thousands of books, which you can easily incorporate into your daily routine without any extra effort – no need to wait to sit down on a rainy day with a nice blanket and a cup of hot chocolate to actually read something. You can still do that, but on days when you can’t, you can still do your ‘reading’ with Wizdom.

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