I just recently discovered your channel. I like how even though you’re more horror focused from what I can tell, I can see several books on your shelves from other genres and authors that I love. I find many booktubers stick to just whatever their niche is. Loved what I’ve seen so far.
Awww, the Turn of the Screw was one of my favorite books. We All Lived in the Castle, The Woman in Black, and the Yellow Wallpaper were all so chilling to me. Haunting, but not in the extremity gore way, but in the atmospheric sense. Like when you're walking in a familiar room, but it's different somehow. Changed. Like the shadows seem out of place, but you can't figure out what's different, or why. Or maybe the room was always that way, and there's something wrong with you. Or in the case of the Yellow Wallpaper, the possibility of being gaslit by the one you're supposed to love and trust the most, and never knowing if it's them, or you. Sure, it's not extreme horror like the ones reviewed on this channel (which are now all on my reading list, lol) but there's a quaint place in my heart for those ghostly classics.
How to Sell A Haunted House gave me Goosebumps vibes and I enjoyed it for that but it was a let down compared to say, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampire Slaying.
Have you read "A head full of ghosts" by Paul Tremblay? It's a book that I pick up every time I go to Barnes and Noble and end up putting back because idk it just sounds tame, but I hear SO MANY ppl love this book and say it is amazing and worth a read and I'm curious if you have any input on it?
The Haunting of Hill House is a story of a woman and her depression being manifested thru poltergeist's and you literally have explanation for 'almost'(by 'almost' I think there is a little bit of fiction added in there) every happening you just have to think about it a little bit, and that is the problem with this story because everybody's favorite book from Shirley Jackson is 'We have always lived in the castle' because is digestible but I think Haunting is better just because it's more satisfying when you connect the dots you're self or read somebodies essay on it to make you're reading more interesting 😄
Coming to We Have Always Lived in the Castle cold, as a kid, I had no knowledge or expectations of it and the slow realization we have about the unreliable narrator is creepy as hell. Freaked me out at age 14!
Kind of a new sub and dig the content you are laying down. Keep up the great work. If I have to say a book that, to me, was so unsettling was Mark Danielewski's book - House of Leaves. Not just the story itself but the context by which the story is conveyed. The set up is simple enough. But once you get into what exactly is wrong with the house, it is just unnerving. I always recommend it to anyone looking for new horror in a unique format.
Firstly I wanted to say thank you for this video, I've only recently discovered your channel and I've now added a whole lot of books to my current TBR. Secondly I'm so glad to have found your channel, it's really nice to see a booktuber that has very similar reading interests to mine (and not one just stuck on romance novels, which I personally can't stand). I would highly recommend any of C J Tudor's books if you haven't already read any of her things, she's my current favourite horror/thriller author and all of her books are amazing!
Thank you for watching! I'm glad to have you here. I haven't read any of her books before. I'll definitely have to check them out. Thanks for the suggestion!
I loved Ghost Story as a teen and I made that clear in my video on favorite horror novels. The fact that I remember nothing about the novel is interesting in that I might see Peter Straub in a very different light if I try to re-read him today. So glad in not being alone feeling underwhelmed about The Haunting of Hill House. I love Joe Hill but I would recommend NOS4A2, such a menacing tale. The Shining 😀 awesome! Thanks for the Darcy Coates recommendations, you have given me a good starting point.
'The Haunting of Hill House' is a masterpiece. 'Home Before Dark' was a fun popcorn read, nothing groundbreaking. I wouldn't say it added anything to the genre, but it did what it did tolerably well, even though the last reveal was a bit of a stretch and pretty much defied all logic. I also have a question: what is the haunted house genre? Which books according to you are seminal works in the genre, which books led to the creation of its well-loved tropes? Unless we first determine what the genre actually is, what are its tropes, and which books made these tropes, it can be a bit counterintuitive to think of books which add to the genre, and which simply derive from it, and are, therefore, derivative. Personally, I think 'The Haunting of Hill House' did add a lot to the genre, and there are some very interesting themes.
I agree about The Haunting of Hill House. I'm admittedly way more of a literary horror fan than a horror-horror fan, so I love Shirley Jackson in general, but Hill House has stuck with me in ways no other haunted house book has. Other haunted house books are fun, but feel deriviative and pop-corn-y, versus the quiet, melancholy horror of Hill House and Eleanor's loneliness.
@@wormdoodlesI like very few books that are considered literary works, but I love The Haunting of Hill House. I’m also a huge fan of derivative, popcorn haunted house books too, but The Haunting of Hill House is in another league.
@@JeantheSecond-ip7qm Have you read Beloved? It's another one that's up there. I associate those two books in my mind as being haunted house stories that broke the mold completely.
Joe Hill is one of my “new” favorites. 20th Century Ghosts is a book of short stories that I will read often. Heart-shaped Box was the first of his books I had read.
This is so interesting to me! The things you describe not enjoying (lack of grounding in reality/rules, etc) are exactly the things that frighten me the most in horror! The unknown, the blurred lines between real/unreal, the implications of an unraveling mind vs. the influence of an external spirit.... scary stuff! But I love hearing other perspectives! Hearing you say you are not a fantasy fan makes this all make a lot of sense hahaha
Totally agree about How to Sell a Haunted House! Dolls are my least favorite horror story trope and definitely enjoyed the complicated family dynamics more than the horror
I LOVED Heart Shaped Box! I just started with Bentley Little books. I finished The Town last week. It has some uncomfortable elements in it, but that aside, I really liked it. Next of his I’ll be reading is The Store. It seems to have a SK Needful Things feel to it. Let’s see! But right now I’m midway through Broken Girls and I’m loving it❤ Fabulous video! You have given me a few suggestions I put on my list!
A good haunted house or ghost story is difficult to find for me, so this is incredibly helpful. I have been getting a lot of recommendations for Adam Nevill's No One Gets Out Alive, and also his book The Last Days.
My favorite Haunted House story is a novella length story by Oliver Onions called "The Beckoning Fair One", written near the turn of the 19th century but so atmospheric and creepy. His new apartment starts to exert a power over him, and creepy stuff follows.
Not sure if someone already mentioned this, but when you were describing Ghost Story I immediately thought about The Breathing Method (Different Seasons). It sounds like Ghost Story (‘79) might have inspired King to write it(‘82). [TBM is easily my favorite piece of writing by Stephen King. I feel like I saw you with a copy of it in one of your videos. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Also, watching your extreme horror videos got me back into reading, so THANK YOU!]
You look SO MUCH like Alison Lohman, the actress from White Oleander, Big Fish, Drag Me to Hell, etc. Great reviews! I also barely got through Turn of the Screw
I am a Darcy Coates fan, and I gotta say, the early scene in The Haunting of Leigh Harker (with the closet), scared the crap out of me. I also enjoyed Darcy’s Carrow Haunt, and Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark. I like Simone St. James’s books, as well. I’ve also read The Shining, Salem’s Lot, and Ghost Story way back when, and several of the others too.
I just bought "Home Before Dark" after watching this video. Thanks for the recommendation! I loved a trilogy by London Clarke -- "The Meadows", "Whickering Place," and "Nocturne House." The character development is fantastic, and their stories could stand alone outside of the hauntings.
Perhaps early September is a trifle premature but the daddy of all ghost stories must surely be "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens which I re-read ever couple of years. A yuletide readalong review would be eagerly anticipated!
I got so excited when you mentioned The Turn of the Screw! I hated that book. It was so wildly disappointing. And I love The Haunting of Hill House but I agree with you, that it’s my second favorite Shirley Jackson novel after We Have Always Lived in this Castle.
House of Leaves is the weirdest haunted house story ever written and is worth your time just to see what it’s all about. A real experiment in what that type of story can be. Not for everyone, and you might hate it, but check it out.
Im not sure if this is really a haunted house story, but i think House of leaves is just awesome. Its one of those books that just lingers in your head. Maybe its just me, but i find myself thinking about it once every couple of weeks. Its more like a puzzle than a book really. Not for everyone, but definitely unique.
First off, I LOVE YOUR SHIRT! Thank you for this video. I needed all of these for spooky season. I’m so ready. I loved the Sun Down Motel and Home Before Dark is sitting on my shelf. I’m definitely picking it up now that it’s fall 😊 I just read Ghost Eaters. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Heavily suggest Adam Neville's "No One Gets Out Alive". Scariest book I've ever read, the moment-to-moment horror is basically unrivaled, imo. Totally agree with Turn of the Screw and Hill House and Hell House (Hell House was probably the best of the bunch, imo), authors back then were terrified that audiences wouldn't "believe" in the world they created so they steeped their stories in so much "rational science" and subtext the books almost come off as apologetic for even BEING ghost stories in the first place. Fuck that. I signed up for a goshdang ghost story! "No One Gets Out Alive" gives you the ghosts.
The reason people read Henry James is because of the long sentences. They are like flowing masterpieces of improbable grammar that are as beautiful as they are brilliant. Just hearing you recite them was breathtaking. You've got a great voice. Peter Straub is one of the best horror writers ever. I love every single one of his books, especially those he cowrote with Stephen King. If you can avoid a ghost simply by leaving a haunted place then why wouldn't people just do that? It's much scarier if it's not that easy. Shirley Jackson is another one of my favorites. The book is meant to be disturbing and confusing as it follows the perspective of a very disturbed and confused person and is a tour de force at it. Much of modern horror just seems like graceless schlock compared to the classics. Joe Hill is one of the few newer writers that I can stand to read. Wonderful and informative video. Thanks for all your work.
I love Henry James - but can see why he isn’t for everyone. Have you read “Julia” by Peter Straub? I think it was his first or second novel. Probably one of my favorite ghost stories.
Yeah, the early supernatural stories of Peter Straub were great. Julia, If You Could See Me Now, Floating Dragon, & Shadowland, which is my favourite by him. I also like the works of Robert Aikman & Ramsey Campbell. I agree with her on Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco though; it was excellent.
I remember liking Turn of the screw, but I probably read it translated. The first line (was it?) of The Haunting of hill house is outstanding (philosophical even). The show was also amazing. p.s. For no reason at all, honestly I don't know why, I thought of "Punster McPunstein" on YT.
looking a few of the books up from your videos, I've noticed Darcy Coates books have all been removed from audible (UK at least). Even Hunted, which was in my library!? gah.
Great review. Do like the novellete The Shunned House by Lovecraft? By the way, ghouls are not the same as ghosts. Also , although it is a short story, I consider it is very effective "The Old Portrait" by Hume Nisbet.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the ghost stories of M.R.James (no relation to Henry James!) His classic tales of the supernatural are ideal for the spooky season so perhaps wait a month or two before delving in!
I just finished The Turn of the Screw and felt the same infuriation with the writing style! The story itself was dark, mildly perverted and slightly horrific at times, but the author made each page feel like a screw literally drilling into my skull. However, after hearing you read the first two sentences aloud with your natural inflection and deliberate pauses, I realized TTOTS might actually make for a great audiobook experience!
I don't read much these days, but I do enjoy a solid audio book and there's one called The Elementals that's definitely got a cool vibe... There's also a newer Nick Cutter (read The Troop if you haven't) book called The Breach which might count as a haunted house.
I would like to see your opinion on House of Leaves, it is a haunted house story for the most part but with some original ideas and with an interesting narrative that either people love or hate.
I have a weird relation with haunted house books. Some I enjoy, and some I hate... But I myself have had written a haunted houses book, but mine was pretty much about my personal experiences investigating haunted places. I mean, public buildings, hospitals, hotels, and even some very few private properties. - But I wrote it as a observer, sharing the experiences, and inviting people to go to those haunted sites, so it's kinda different from writing fiction. And by my real life experiences that I rate some of those fictional stories, so the ones that sound real I end liking... I mean, when they have a solid plot, a background that you can relate, something that actually could be real, and not just a work of fiction.
Episode Thirteen was a good "haunted house" story too I thought. One of my favorites anyway. Of course I love the greek myth of Sisyphus, so I am a bit biased. I know some people didn't like the ending, but I loved it.
I hate the novella + shorts thing too! The one that got me the worst was Cabal by Clive Barker. The version of it I read didn't even make it that clear that the first story had ended and that we were on to another story so it was extra confusing lol
If you've not read it yet, I recommend The Cockroach King by Andrew Cull. It's a haunted house novella, only the haunting isn't ghosts (the title kinda clues you in.)
I wholeheartedly agree with your take on "The Turn of the Screw." I find it to be overly pretentious and infuriating to read. Although, after a while, with some dedication, one does get accustomed to it.
I love The Shining. There’s a book I was obsessed with when I was growing up called Ghost House, by Clare McNally. It’s about a house haunted by the ghost of a jilted lover who seduces women who move in, believing they are the woman who was ripped away from him, while also trying to destroy those women’s families. It’s scary and romantic at the same time. 😂 Too bad most of her books are out of print now. I’d reread them all if I could. If you can find it, I recommend giving it a try.
Hill House was the first Shirley Jackson novel I read, and I found it underwhelming. (And was then blown away by We Have Always Lived in the Castle.) I reread it after reading the rest of Jackson's novels and a good chunk of her short stories and found it much more engaging. It's a very psychological novel, so while I think it's fair to say the ghosts aren't that impressive, there is a way to vibe with it that's a lot of fun. A recent haunted house novel I'd recommend is Sarah Gailey's Just Like Home.
I buy a lot from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. My used bookstore is just in LA and they don't have their half off sale anymore (which is how I was lucky enough to have such a large book selection).
We have Always Lived in the Castle is my favorite Shirley Jackson book. I always recommend it . Ghost Story is still a fun one for me, but I admit that it may seem a little dated by current standards, I admit horror comedy is not for everyone. However, I loved Grady Hendricks How to Sell a Haunted House. It was soooo much fun to read. I might make my own Pupkin doll for display this Halloween.
I read the Sundown Motel. I read it as a bookclub book and we all love all things haunted and not one person gave it more than a 2.75 🌟 I do love Darcy Coates books.
I personally DNF’d The Shining😅😅ive read two other Stephen king books but i just really don’t like his writing lol but i love that people love his stuff. Also, The Haunting of Hill House is weird. There were moments i thought something was going to happen and then it would just totally deflate and i didn’t really like the ending. Mike Flannigan did an awesome adaptation tho
Wholeheartedly agree with you about "The Turn Of The Screw" by Henry James. Unbearably tedious and for a relatively short novella it seems to go on forever! Ironically all of the film versions are vastly superior to the original, perhaps the best being "The Innocents" from 1961, starring Deborah Kerr.
Don’t worry, I kinda felt the same way about “Hill House.” I still really liked it and found it entertaining, but it wasn’t quite the MASTERPIECE that everyone was talking about.
I’m a huge Grady Hendrix fan but his work is definitely more horror comedy than straight horror but I’d say the one that scared me the most was “Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires” or “We Sold Our Souls”
"The Beckoning Fair One" by Oliver Onions is, without a doubt, the single greatest ghost ever written! (Well, at least in my opinion, right?) It's not a novel--it's also not a short story. It's looong enough!
I know you don't do film reviews, but I humbly suggest the following. A little bit different, films based on ghost/haunted house books; The Haunting (1963) based on The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson The Stone Tape (1972) (only one not based on a book) tv film written by Nigel Kneale, creator of Quatermass. The Legend of Hell House (1973) screenplay by Richard Matheson based on his book Hell House The Woman in Black (1989) tv film based on The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. Ignore the Daniel Ratcliffe version 2012. Haunted (1995) based on the book Haunted by James Herbert hope you can find time to watch them
The Turn of the Screw and Ghost Story are two books that I DNF'd. I know they're classics and people love them, but I couldn't get into either of them. However, I do love the movie The Innocents from the 1960's which is an adaptation of Turn of the Screw. Also, I agree with you on The Haunting of Hill House and Hell House. Both are very similar, and they aren't necessarily bad but I'm not the biggest fan. A few of my favorite "haunted house" type of books: Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe, The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, Haunted by James Herbert.
The Turn of the Screw bored me to tears. I agree that it wasn't the story itself, it was the writing. Who writes like that. I read it because The Haunting of Bly Manor was gonna be released soon (didn't care for that either). I loved Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I will say that it took me a second try to get through it. The first time I felt bored and disappointed. But I'm glad I stuck through it. How to Sell a Haunted House: Haven't read yet, but I have yet to be disappointed by the author 🙂 Haunting of Hill House: Show was much better. Book wasn't bad. Hell House: Liked a lot of it. I really did. I don't consider it a Top 5 but I liked the history and location. And what they were trying to do to solve the haunting. Darcy Coates books- I haven't read, reviews weren't promising. May give one a chance. Burnt Offerings: Started, haven't finished. Castle of Otranto: Never even heard of it until now. Doesn't sound like my kind of thing either lol. I typically struggle to enjoy older books (before 1970). Especially if how thw characters behave is entirely foreign to me. Dead Lake: Never heard of, never read. Sounds interesting minus the addition of other short stories. Kill Creek: On my list, several videos have recommended this one. Heart-Shaped Book: The haunting itself disappointed me. But I didn't feel bored reading it. The Haunted: Haven't heard of. Sounds like it might be good though. The Shining: Awesome read. The movie really fell flat in comparison. Home Before Dark: Sounds really good. I may read this sooner rather than later. Simone St. James: Also haven't read. But that last one sounds good. Thanks for the recommendations.
I’m so glad others think that The Turn of the Screw is boring. I think it’s kinda funny because I personally hated every movie/show rendition of this book.
I agree you with The Haunting of Hill House. I was so disappointed with it. Everyone claimed it was sooo terrifying and the scariest book ever written. I wasn't even unsettled or creeped out by it. Absolute snoozefest 😂😂😂
Please don't judge Bently little by The Haunted, he's one of the best authors I've read.. The mailman and The store won't leave my mind and never will. I've bought ever Darcy Coates book I can find because of u (not too well known in UK) and will dive into them from now till Halloween. Ghost story rec from me is Horrorstor by G Hendrix. ❤👻
The Turn of the Screw is the book I measure all other ghost stories by. Yes, James is very wordy, the book is not easy to read, but it is still one of the best. I think Straub paid Stephen King to endorse Ghost Story. Probably they did it for each other. That book is so overrated, in my opinion. But Peter Straub’s second novel, “Julia” - also a ghost story, is one of my favorites.
Thank you for the lists! I was super disappointed in Shirley Jackson's haunting of hill house because I saw the netflix show first (mistake #1) and the book didn't scare me at all. I feel like I would have enjoyed the book if I didn't have high expectations to have my pants scared off. I LOVE the movie series Rose Red so I bought The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer. I used to love it so much. I haven't read it in years, so I don't know if I would still like it today (I was a young teen). I'm getting a nice list going for spooky season!
Personally, I can't stand the show for Hill House because I think it completely missed the point of the book, but yeah, don't ever go into a Shirley Jackson book expecting to be scared. She's much more on the Gothic, literary side of horror, which I happen to love but is very... quiet compared to typical horror. If you're still interested in her, I'd recommend Hangsaman or We Have Always Lived in the Castle as good jumping off points.
So I agree with you about our Western established rules of hauntings. They are locational, they are limited in their power by their location, and they can be defeated if the protagonist is strong enough. We follow the rule that if the ghost is too powerful it IS NOT A GHOST! It is a DEMON, lol. Bring better tools! But other cultures don't follow those rules, for instance in Japan, a person is haunted, not a place. Our rules don't apply in Japanese horror. Ghost Story was wildly popular when it came out, and was seen as a wonderful throwback with modern elements. I agree with you about Henry James' writing; his relative M.R. James did it much better.
LMAO!!! My sister rants how much she thought Henry James's Turn of the Screw and Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables were BORING!! I'll tell her about this vid and that she's not alone 😂😂😂
I find it kinda funny that there’s so many books called “the haunting of _____ house”.
Yes! Same here!
She's got a million of them 😂
I just recently discovered your channel. I like how even though you’re more horror focused from what I can tell, I can see several books on your shelves from other genres and authors that I love. I find many booktubers stick to just whatever their niche is.
Loved what I’ve seen so far.
This comment actually made me think I should make a video about my favorite non horror books/authors. Thank you!
Awww, the Turn of the Screw was one of my favorite books. We All Lived in the Castle, The Woman in Black, and the Yellow Wallpaper were all so chilling to me. Haunting, but not in the extremity gore way, but in the atmospheric sense. Like when you're walking in a familiar room, but it's different somehow. Changed. Like the shadows seem out of place, but you can't figure out what's different, or why. Or maybe the room was always that way, and there's something wrong with you. Or in the case of the Yellow Wallpaper, the possibility of being gaslit by the one you're supposed to love and trust the most, and never knowing if it's them, or you. Sure, it's not extreme horror like the ones reviewed on this channel (which are now all on my reading list, lol) but there's a quaint place in my heart for those ghostly classics.
These classics are wonderful. I love each one of them.
How to Sell A Haunted House gave me Goosebumps vibes and I enjoyed it for that but it was a let down compared to say, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampire Slaying.
Have you read "A head full of ghosts" by Paul Tremblay? It's a book that I pick up every time I go to Barnes and Noble and end up putting back because idk it just sounds tame, but I hear SO MANY ppl love this book and say it is amazing and worth a read and I'm curious if you have any input on it?
The Haunting of Hill House is a story of a woman and her depression being manifested thru poltergeist's and you literally have explanation for 'almost'(by 'almost' I think there is a little bit of fiction added in there) every happening you just have to think about it a little bit, and that is the problem with this story because everybody's favorite book from Shirley Jackson is 'We have always lived in the castle' because is digestible but I think Haunting is better just because it's more satisfying when you connect the dots you're self or read somebodies essay on it to make you're reading more interesting 😄
Maybe I'll have to give it another read.
Coming to We Have Always Lived in the Castle cold, as a kid, I had no knowledge or expectations of it and the slow realization we have about the unreliable narrator is creepy as hell. Freaked me out at age 14!
Dope shirt!
Kind of a new sub and dig the content you are laying down. Keep up the great work. If I have to say a book that, to me, was so unsettling was Mark Danielewski's book - House of Leaves. Not just the story itself but the context by which the story is conveyed. The set up is simple enough. But once you get into what exactly is wrong with the house, it is just unnerving. I always recommend it to anyone looking for new horror in a unique format.
Firstly I wanted to say thank you for this video, I've only recently discovered your channel and I've now added a whole lot of books to my current TBR. Secondly I'm so glad to have found your channel, it's really nice to see a booktuber that has very similar reading interests to mine (and not one just stuck on romance novels, which I personally can't stand). I would highly recommend any of C J Tudor's books if you haven't already read any of her things, she's my current favourite horror/thriller author and all of her books are amazing!
Thank you for watching! I'm glad to have you here. I haven't read any of her books before. I'll definitely have to check them out. Thanks for the suggestion!
I loved Ghost Story as a teen and I made that clear in my video on favorite horror novels. The fact that I remember nothing about the novel is interesting in that I might see Peter Straub in a very different light if I try to re-read him today. So glad in not being alone feeling underwhelmed about The Haunting of Hill House. I love Joe Hill but I would recommend NOS4A2, such a menacing tale. The Shining 😀 awesome! Thanks for the Darcy Coates recommendations, you have given me a good starting point.
I have NOS4A2 but I haven't gotten to it. I'll have to get to it soon!
NOS4A2 is very christmas centric so if you want to plan to read it around the holidays it would be fun!
'The Haunting of Hill House' is a masterpiece. 'Home Before Dark' was a fun popcorn read, nothing groundbreaking. I wouldn't say it added anything to the genre, but it did what it did tolerably well, even though the last reveal was a bit of a stretch and pretty much defied all logic.
I also have a question: what is the haunted house genre? Which books according to you are seminal works in the genre, which books led to the creation of its well-loved tropes? Unless we first determine what the genre actually is, what are its tropes, and which books made these tropes, it can be a bit counterintuitive to think of books which add to the genre, and which simply derive from it, and are, therefore, derivative.
Personally, I think 'The Haunting of Hill House' did add a lot to the genre, and there are some very interesting themes.
I agree about The Haunting of Hill House. I'm admittedly way more of a literary horror fan than a horror-horror fan, so I love Shirley Jackson in general, but Hill House has stuck with me in ways no other haunted house book has. Other haunted house books are fun, but feel deriviative and pop-corn-y, versus the quiet, melancholy horror of Hill House and Eleanor's loneliness.
The Haunting of Hill House is awesome.
@@wormdoodlesI like very few books that are considered literary works, but I love The Haunting of Hill House. I’m also a huge fan of derivative, popcorn haunted house books too, but The Haunting of Hill House is in another league.
@@JeantheSecond-ip7qm Have you read Beloved? It's another one that's up there. I associate those two books in my mind as being haunted house stories that broke the mold completely.
Joe Hill is one of my “new” favorites. 20th Century Ghosts is a book of short stories that I will read often. Heart-shaped Box was the first of his books I had read.
This is so interesting to me! The things you describe not enjoying (lack of grounding in reality/rules, etc) are exactly the things that frighten me the most in horror! The unknown, the blurred lines between real/unreal, the implications of an unraveling mind vs. the influence of an external spirit.... scary stuff! But I love hearing other perspectives! Hearing you say you are not a fantasy fan makes this all make a lot of sense hahaha
I have House of Leaves but every time I pick it up, I get so intimidated. I really have to make time to read this soon. Thanks for the suggestion!
Totally agree about How to Sell a Haunted House!
Dolls are my least favorite horror story trope and definitely enjoyed the complicated family dynamics more than the horror
Finding your channel at the start of spooky season - perfect!
I LOVED Heart Shaped Box! I just started with Bentley Little books. I finished The Town last week. It has some uncomfortable elements in it, but that aside, I really liked it. Next of his I’ll be reading is The Store. It seems to have a SK Needful Things feel to it. Let’s see! But right now I’m midway through Broken Girls and I’m loving it❤ Fabulous video! You have given me a few suggestions I put on my list!
A good haunted house or ghost story is difficult to find for me, so this is incredibly helpful. I have been getting a lot of recommendations for Adam Nevill's No One Gets Out Alive, and also his book The Last Days.
The Secret of Crickley Hall was fun, I thought! A bit of a slow build, but really good reveal at the end! 😊
My favorite Haunted House story is a novella length story by Oliver Onions called "The Beckoning Fair One", written near the turn of the 19th century but so atmospheric and creepy. His new apartment starts to exert a power over him, and creepy stuff follows.
Not sure if someone already mentioned this, but when you were describing Ghost Story I immediately thought about The Breathing Method (Different Seasons). It sounds like Ghost Story (‘79) might have inspired King to write it(‘82).
[TBM is easily my favorite piece of writing by Stephen King. I feel like I saw you with a copy of it in one of your videos. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Also, watching your extreme horror videos got me back into reading, so THANK YOU!]
You look SO MUCH like Alison Lohman, the actress from White Oleander, Big Fish, Drag Me to Hell, etc. Great reviews! I also barely got through Turn of the Screw
I am a Darcy Coates fan, and I gotta say, the early scene in The Haunting of Leigh Harker (with the closet), scared the crap out of me. I also enjoyed Darcy’s Carrow Haunt, and Riley Sager’s Home Before Dark. I like Simone St. James’s books, as well. I’ve also read The Shining, Salem’s Lot, and Ghost Story way back when, and several of the others too.
That first Leigh Harker scene actually made it hard for me to sleep, & I thought I left that kind of fear behind decades ago! Great book!
I just bought "Home Before Dark" after watching this video. Thanks for the recommendation! I loved a trilogy by London Clarke -- "The Meadows", "Whickering Place," and "Nocturne House." The character development is fantastic, and their stories could stand alone outside of the hauntings.
I just recently purchased Darcy Coates’ The Haunting of Blackwood House and I’m so excited to read it! Thank you for the recommendation 🥳🥳🥳
Perhaps early September is a trifle premature but the daddy of all ghost stories must surely be "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens which I re-read ever couple of years. A yuletide readalong review would be eagerly anticipated!
I got so excited when you mentioned The Turn of the Screw! I hated that book. It was so wildly disappointing. And I love The Haunting of Hill House but I agree with you, that it’s my second favorite Shirley Jackson novel after We Have Always Lived in this Castle.
Would you consider doing a Kindle Unlimited horror books ranking ? I would love that!
Just found your channel a few days ago and I’m hooked!
Another great vid. Love your outfit as always
House of Leaves is the weirdest haunted house story ever written and is worth your time just to see what it’s all about. A real experiment in what that type of story can be. Not for everyone, and you might hate it, but check it out.
Im not sure if this is really a haunted house story, but i think House of leaves is just awesome. Its one of those books that just lingers in your head. Maybe its just me, but i find myself thinking about it once every couple of weeks. Its more like a puzzle than a book really. Not for everyone, but definitely unique.
It's actually wild how many cinematic takes there's been on The Turn of the Screw.
Yes. And none of them come close to the 1962 Deborah Kerr one.
First off, I LOVE YOUR SHIRT!
Thank you for this video. I needed all of these for spooky season. I’m so ready.
I loved the Sun Down Motel and Home Before Dark is sitting on my shelf. I’m definitely picking it up now that it’s fall 😊
I just read Ghost Eaters. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Heavily suggest Adam Neville's "No One Gets Out Alive". Scariest book I've ever read, the moment-to-moment horror is basically unrivaled, imo. Totally agree with Turn of the Screw and Hill House and Hell House (Hell House was probably the best of the bunch, imo), authors back then were terrified that audiences wouldn't "believe" in the world they created so they steeped their stories in so much "rational science" and subtext the books almost come off as apologetic for even BEING ghost stories in the first place. Fuck that. I signed up for a goshdang ghost story! "No One Gets Out Alive" gives you the ghosts.
I second this. Adam Neville is so underrated and 'No One Gets Out-' may be his scariest book to date.
I've come across No One Gets Out Alive but I've never purchased it. I'll have to pick it up. Thanks for the suggestion!
The reason people read Henry James is because of the long sentences. They are like flowing masterpieces of improbable grammar that are as beautiful as they are brilliant. Just hearing you recite them was breathtaking. You've got a great voice.
Peter Straub is one of the best horror writers ever. I love every single one of his books, especially those he cowrote with Stephen King. If you can avoid a ghost simply by leaving a haunted place then why wouldn't people just do that? It's much scarier if it's not that easy.
Shirley Jackson is another one of my favorites. The book is meant to be disturbing and confusing as it follows the perspective of a very disturbed and confused person and is a tour de force at it.
Much of modern horror just seems like graceless schlock compared to the classics. Joe Hill is one of the few newer writers that I can stand to read. Wonderful and informative video. Thanks for all your work.
I love Henry James - but can see why he isn’t for everyone. Have you read “Julia” by Peter Straub? I think it was his first or second novel. Probably one of my favorite ghost stories.
Yeah, the early supernatural stories of Peter Straub were great. Julia, If You Could See Me Now, Floating Dragon, & Shadowland, which is my favourite by him. I also like the works of Robert Aikman & Ramsey Campbell. I agree with her on Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco though; it was excellent.
I remember liking Turn of the screw, but I probably read it translated. The first line (was it?) of The Haunting of hill house is outstanding (philosophical even). The show was also amazing. p.s. For no reason at all, honestly I don't know why, I thought of "Punster McPunstein" on YT.
looking a few of the books up from your videos, I've noticed Darcy Coates books have all been removed from audible (UK at least). Even Hunted, which was in my library!? gah.
Great review. Do like the novellete The Shunned House by Lovecraft? By the way, ghouls are not the same as ghosts. Also , although it is a short story, I consider it is very effective "The Old Portrait" by Hume Nisbet.
Home before Dark's audio book is amazing.
The "you are sixteen going on seventeen" plays out in my head randomly still
You should watch the miniseries version of The Shining. Much more like the book! Hard to find, though. 😉
Would love to hear your thoughts on the ghost stories of M.R.James (no relation to Henry James!) His classic tales of the supernatural are ideal for the spooky season so perhaps wait a month or two before delving in!
I love your outfits and humour!! Your videos have been very helpful to me. Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
I just finished The Turn of the Screw and felt the same infuriation with the writing style! The story itself was dark, mildly perverted and slightly horrific at times, but the author made each page feel like a screw literally drilling into my skull. However, after hearing you read the first two sentences aloud with your natural inflection and deliberate pauses, I realized TTOTS might actually make for a great audiobook experience!
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons is an original haunted house novel. Stephen King really rated in an old interview I read.
I’m so excited about this video!! Thank you so much for making this 🎉
I’m so glad you loved Home Before Dark!!
I don't read much these days, but I do enjoy a solid audio book and there's one called The Elementals that's definitely got a cool vibe... There's also a newer Nick Cutter (read The Troop if you haven't) book called The Breach which might count as a haunted house.
The Good House by Tananarive Due is an absolute gem 🤓💕
I would like to see your opinion on House of Leaves, it is a haunted house story for the most part but with some original ideas and with an interesting narrative that either people love or hate.
I have this book but every time I pick it up, I get a little intimidated. I'll have to get to it soon though.
I have a weird relation with haunted house books. Some I enjoy, and some I hate... But I myself have had written a haunted houses book, but mine was pretty much about my personal experiences investigating haunted places. I mean, public buildings, hospitals, hotels, and even some very few private properties. - But I wrote it as a observer, sharing the experiences, and inviting people to go to those haunted sites, so it's kinda different from writing fiction. And by my real life experiences that I rate some of those fictional stories, so the ones that sound real I end liking... I mean, when they have a solid plot, a background that you can relate, something that actually could be real, and not just a work of fiction.
Episode Thirteen was a good "haunted house" story too I thought. One of my favorites anyway. Of course I love the greek myth of Sisyphus, so I am a bit biased. I know some people didn't like the ending, but I loved it.
I really enjoyed Suffer the Children so I'll have to give this one a read. Thanks for the suggestion!
Have you tried Hunter Shea’s The Jessica Backman trilogy.
I hate the novella + shorts thing too! The one that got me the worst was Cabal by Clive Barker. The version of it I read didn't even make it that clear that the first story had ended and that we were on to another story so it was extra confusing lol
Oh, and Joe Hill's "20th Century Ghost" I love! It's a short story, right? It's set in a movie theatre...
Can u do a bookshelf tour , where u show every book u own , it will be amazing ❤❤❤
If you've not read it yet, I recommend The Cockroach King by Andrew Cull. It's a haunted house novella, only the haunting isn't ghosts (the title kinda clues you in.)
I wholeheartedly agree with your take on "The Turn of the Screw." I find it to be overly pretentious and infuriating to read. Although, after a while, with some dedication, one does get accustomed to it.
I once put every haunted house book from my TBR onto my reading list for October. Big mistake. 😂 Thanks for putting this review together! ❤
Home Before Dark is such a great read. It was my introduction to Riley Sager and I'm glad that I picked that one up.
I just started reading his books this year and I can't believe it took me so long! I've really enjoyed them all.
I love The Shining.
There’s a book I was obsessed with when I was growing up called Ghost House, by Clare McNally. It’s about a house haunted by the ghost of a jilted lover who seduces women who move in, believing they are the woman who was ripped away from him, while also trying to destroy those women’s families. It’s scary and romantic at the same time. 😂
Too bad most of her books are out of print now. I’d reread them all if I could. If you can find it, I recommend giving it a try.
You: “Hello creeps”
Me: “I’m home.”
Hill House was the first Shirley Jackson novel I read, and I found it underwhelming. (And was then blown away by We Have Always Lived in the Castle.) I reread it after reading the rest of Jackson's novels and a good chunk of her short stories and found it much more engaging. It's a very psychological novel, so while I think it's fair to say the ghosts aren't that impressive, there is a way to vibe with it that's a lot of fun.
A recent haunted house novel I'd recommend is Sarah Gailey's Just Like Home.
Love ur channel
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Where do you find your books at? Any store recommendations?? Thank you 😊
I buy a lot from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. My used bookstore is just in LA and they don't have their half off sale anymore (which is how I was lucky enough to have such a large book selection).
We have Always Lived in the Castle is my favorite Shirley Jackson book. I always recommend it . Ghost Story is still a fun one for me, but I admit that it may seem a little dated by current standards, I admit horror comedy is not for everyone. However, I loved Grady Hendricks How to Sell a Haunted House. It was soooo much fun to read. I might make my own Pupkin doll for display this Halloween.
I would recommend Hell House by Richard Matheson and The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
I've actually never read The Amityville Horror book. I really want to pick it up. Thanks for the suggestion!
I read the Sundown Motel. I read it as a bookclub book and we all love all things haunted and not one person gave it more than a 2.75 🌟 I do love Darcy Coates books.
I personally DNF’d The Shining😅😅ive read two other Stephen king books but i just really don’t like his writing lol but i love that people love his stuff. Also, The Haunting of Hill House is weird. There were moments i thought something was going to happen and then it would just totally deflate and i didn’t really like the ending. Mike Flannigan did an awesome adaptation tho
Wholeheartedly agree with you about "The Turn Of The Screw" by Henry James. Unbearably tedious and for a relatively short novella it seems to go on forever! Ironically all of the film versions are vastly superior to the original, perhaps the best being "The Innocents" from 1961, starring Deborah Kerr.
I agree with you as I have a hard time with haunted house stories. Movies I can do more with, as opposed to reading such stories.
A good haunted sunken ship story is From Below by Darcy Coates. I would LOVE to see that book adapted to 3D film 😳🙈😆
i just got that one
I hope it is! I'd see it opening day.
@@MistressMary...22-u9j I loved it! 5⭐ all time favorite.
Anyone read the exorcists house by nick Roberts?
Don’t worry, I kinda felt the same way about “Hill House.” I still really liked it and found it entertaining, but it wasn’t quite the MASTERPIECE that everyone was talking about.
I’m a huge Grady Hendrix fan but his work is definitely more horror comedy than straight horror but I’d say the one that scared me the most was “Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires” or “We Sold Our Souls”
"The Beckoning Fair One" by Oliver Onions is, without a doubt, the single greatest ghost ever written! (Well, at least in my opinion, right?) It's not a novel--it's also not a short story. It's looong enough!
Recommend-The Mansion by Boone, Dead Silence by Barnes
I know you don't do film reviews, but I humbly suggest the following.
A little bit different, films based on ghost/haunted house books;
The Haunting (1963) based on The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Stone Tape (1972) (only one not based on a book) tv film written by Nigel Kneale, creator of Quatermass.
The Legend of Hell House (1973) screenplay by Richard Matheson based on his book Hell House
The Woman in Black (1989) tv film based on The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. Ignore the Daniel Ratcliffe version 2012.
Haunted (1995) based on the book Haunted by James Herbert
hope you can find time to watch them
yay Haunted Houses! One of my favorites 😁
Amityville Horror is a classic. It doesn't matter if it's true or not, it's just a great creepy read.
The Turn of the Screw and Ghost Story are two books that I DNF'd. I know they're classics and people love them, but I couldn't get into either of them. However, I do love the movie The Innocents from the 1960's which is an adaptation of Turn of the Screw. Also, I agree with you on The Haunting of Hill House and Hell House. Both are very similar, and they aren't necessarily bad but I'm not the biggest fan. A few of my favorite "haunted house" type of books: Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe, The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, Haunted by James Herbert.
I wish a movie adaptation of one of Darcy Coate's books would be made!
Hopefully one day!
I started The Turn Of The Screw once and had to give up, because of the run on sentences. I’ll try again one of these days.
lol i was in pain just listening to those run-on sentences.
I LOVE Simone St. James!!
Also, not related to haunted houses, but long , flowing sentences might be an issue for you with some of Blood Meridian. But it's so woth it!
I just bought this so hopefully I like it more than Henry James haha.
Love Love Love Darcy
The Turn of the Screw bored me to tears. I agree that it wasn't the story itself, it was the writing. Who writes like that. I read it because The Haunting of Bly Manor was gonna be released soon (didn't care for that either).
I loved Ghost Story by Peter Straub. I will say that it took me a second try to get through it. The first time I felt bored and disappointed. But I'm glad I stuck through it.
How to Sell a Haunted House: Haven't read yet, but I have yet to be disappointed by the author 🙂
Haunting of Hill House: Show was much better. Book wasn't bad.
Hell House: Liked a lot of it. I really did. I don't consider it a Top 5 but I liked the history and location. And what they were trying to do to solve the haunting.
Darcy Coates books- I haven't read, reviews weren't promising. May give one a chance.
Burnt Offerings: Started, haven't finished.
Castle of Otranto: Never even heard of it until now. Doesn't sound like my kind of thing either lol. I typically struggle to enjoy older books (before 1970). Especially if how thw characters behave is entirely foreign to me.
Dead Lake: Never heard of, never read. Sounds interesting minus the addition of other short stories.
Kill Creek: On my list, several videos have recommended this one.
Heart-Shaped Book: The haunting itself disappointed me. But I didn't feel bored reading it.
The Haunted: Haven't heard of. Sounds like it might be good though.
The Shining: Awesome read. The movie really fell flat in comparison.
Home Before Dark: Sounds really good. I may read this sooner rather than later.
Simone St. James: Also haven't read. But that last one sounds good. Thanks for the recommendations.
I am so glad you feel this way about Turn of the screw, awful book in my opinion 🤣
YESSS THE SHINING IS THE GREATEST!!!
I’m so glad others think that The Turn of the Screw is boring. I think it’s kinda funny because I personally hated every movie/show rendition of this book.
that flannel tho
I agree you with The Haunting of Hill House. I was so disappointed with it. Everyone claimed it was sooo terrifying and the scariest book ever written. I wasn't even unsettled or creeped out by it. Absolute snoozefest 😂😂😂
i was definitely unsettled by the haunting of hill house,but it was still not one i liked
I love Darcy Coates books
Algernon Blackwood. Most od his works.
I loved Ghost Story. The movie is really good and it stars Fred Astaire!
I didn't know it had a movie. I'll have to check it out and see how I feel about it. Thanks for the info!
Please don't judge Bently little by The Haunted, he's one of the best authors I've read.. The mailman and The store won't leave my mind and never will. I've bought ever Darcy Coates book I can find because of u (not too well known in UK) and will dive into them from now till Halloween. Ghost story rec from me is Horrorstor by G Hendrix. ❤👻
Thanks for letting me know! I'll have to get another one of his books and see if I enjoy it more.
The Turn of the Screw is the book I measure all other ghost stories by. Yes, James is very wordy, the book is not easy to read, but it is still one of the best.
I think Straub paid Stephen King to endorse Ghost Story. Probably they did it for each other. That book is so overrated, in my opinion. But Peter Straub’s second novel, “Julia” - also a ghost story, is one of my favorites.
Thank you for the lists! I was super disappointed in Shirley Jackson's haunting of hill house because I saw the netflix show first (mistake #1) and the book didn't scare me at all. I feel like I would have enjoyed the book if I didn't have high expectations to have my pants scared off. I LOVE the movie series Rose Red so I bought The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer. I used to love it so much. I haven't read it in years, so I don't know if I would still like it today (I was a young teen). I'm getting a nice list going for spooky season!
Personally, I can't stand the show for Hill House because I think it completely missed the point of the book, but yeah, don't ever go into a Shirley Jackson book expecting to be scared. She's much more on the Gothic, literary side of horror, which I happen to love but is very... quiet compared to typical horror. If you're still interested in her, I'd recommend Hangsaman or We Have Always Lived in the Castle as good jumping off points.
@@wormdoodles I think I will try reading something else from her and come at it differently than last time. I love a good gothic vibe.
So I agree with you about our Western established rules of hauntings. They are locational, they are limited in their power by their location, and they can be defeated if the protagonist is strong enough. We follow the rule that if the ghost is too powerful it IS NOT A GHOST! It is a DEMON, lol. Bring better tools! But other cultures don't follow those rules, for instance in Japan, a person is haunted, not a place. Our rules don't apply in Japanese horror. Ghost Story was wildly popular when it came out, and was seen as a wonderful throwback with modern elements. I agree with you about Henry James' writing; his relative M.R. James did it much better.
The film Ghost story was pritty creepy, it came out in the early 80s
Dolls WILL scare you when one comes running at you with a knife.
LMAO!!! My sister rants how much she thought Henry James's Turn of the Screw and Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables were BORING!! I'll tell her about this vid and that she's not alone 😂😂😂
awww, I adored House of the Seven Gables as a teen, but even then I remember it being messy AF lol