The statement that blood and gore in a book was the equivalent of a jump scare was brilliant. It's the same way for me. I'd rather have a creeping sense of dread, subtext and psychological horror. That's not to say I dislike blood and gore on occasion, but it doesn't belong in **every** story. :-)
Refreshing. Saw that King wasn’t included and immediately clicked. As much as I like king, everybody knows him so it is easier to find and experience new authors and novels.
The Ruins is an incredible book. It's gross, dark and super depressing. I admire the fact that it unnerved me so bad that I never want to read it again.
Matt Stryker the Ruins is a great metaphor for modern man suffering at the hands of primordial elements, the cell phone part he mentions is genuinely dark and hopeless.
Just picked it up after reading this thread. I saw the movie in elementary school and thought it was cool but I haven't seen it since so the overall story totally went over my head. I could rewatch the movie and it would seem like a new movie to me so it's a perfect time to read the book.
I'm finishing up American psycho by Brett Ellis.....some disturbingly awesome parts....it's way better than the movie...read the book first if you haven't watched the movie...recommended
I'm so excited. Half of these are already on my TBR. You are the first person I hear mention the PiloFamily Circus. I came across this when researching circus books and immediately put it on my TBR. Also, I tried reading Ghost Story over 10 years ago but couldn't get into the writing style and DNFed it. Wish I hadn't unhauled it because I've been wanting to pick it up again.
Glad you mentioned Drood by Dan Simmons, I adored it, he got the Victorian Opium den underworld simply brilliantly, and I loved The Terror too. I want to read the rest of his works on the strength of both of these. Ghost Story is one of my favourites too. More recently, I adored Hex. It scared the eeby jeebies out of me, that witch ( shudders), oh and last year Neville’s The Ritual was pretty damn terrifying too. There is one scene in the middle of the woods, one of those what’s out there moments, when I had to stop listening to the audiobook at night in the dark and was sat upright, all lights a blazing scared rigid! That rarely happens.......
I'm starting to get back into reading books more. It takes me a little longer to read than most people I know, and that's probably the reason why I haven't read more in a recreational sense. In my reading history, I have digested mostly science-fiction, but I'm getting more involved. I've read some Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Michael Crichton. I love horror movies, so what the heck. I like your videos, so I'll be checking more of them out. Thanks.
Love this! Just what I needed this year. It would have been helpful if you would have just held the book still in front of the camera for a few moments, but with pausing at the right time, I could catch a glimpse of the cover and author name spelling. Great list!
The Terror is in my top 10 favorite books! Like you said, even though it is so long it just flies by. When I reread it I always find myself reading it in 100+ page chunks at a time haha. Such a gripping book
The Ruins was awesome. Almost quit after about the first 50-pages. Mathias wasn't a bad dude, though. Probably the ONLY genuine character in it. -chirp chirp chirp-
I love your lists--you make me want to devour these books again...and buy the ones that I haven't. (Just bought three of your recommendations while watching this!) The Terror--Amen brother! Thanks for mentioning the Drood; I loved that book! So glad you mention Peter Straub, but did you read Floating Dragon? It's one of my all time favorites. Also, what about Clive Barker? I think Imagica and Great and Secret Show are two of the coolest horror novels of all time. Read them if you haven't already!
The terror is not only a book its an experience ,no amount of words would describe how good is this book to me , i dont know but this book set my imagination into motion when i was readin it , its a cinematic book
You seem so nice! I just stumbled across you because I saw you holding up The Ruins! Thats one of my faves & I knew you'd have good taste in books if that was on there! So happy I found a cool new channel to subscribe to!
Hi, I am just starting out in the horror fiction genre and I am quite impressed by your list compared to other book tubers out there. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for horror books that are centered around creepy children? Thank you for your videos.
Hell of a list. Got some names for you: Christopher Slatsky, Richard Gavin, Clint Smith, and Nathan Ballingrud. The fiction addiction is a cruel mistress but completely worth it lol Enjoy!
I am always intimidated by long, slow burn novels. But I love 'The Thing' and am willing to try any horror book set in the arctic. I am going to pick 'The Terror' from your list and will start reading tonight. I hope I won't be disappointed. Thanks for the recommendation. I think you are my fav booktuber!
I am actually not a reader currently (haven't had the time since school has had me focusing on math non-stop). All the books I read are in the single digits. Now that I have a job, I want to get into reading, and since I am a horror fan, I thought I would start with horror. Are there any books that are similar to the paranoia filled-type story similar to John Carpenter's The Thing, or stories where the great turns out to be humans becoming monsters due to fear (like King's The Mist)? Psychological and cosmic horror are definitely my favorite. Also planning on looking for some horror manga. Japanese sure know how to make quality horror. I am definitely subbing cause I think your channel can help me throughout
Check out my Manga playlist. For horror lit, maybe try Hailey Piper's THE WORM AND HIS KINGS. It's cosmic horror. If I can think of something similar to THE THING, I'll let you know.
You can find all kinds of really cool bookmarks in old books at thrift stores. Letters between lovers, family pictures are what I found. My personal favorite was a hippy letter from the 60's along with a guitar string and a couple of greyhound bus tickets around the same era. On topic: I haven't been real impressed with contemporary horror writing, I've read some of those authors. Maybe I just changed over the years and it doesn't interest me anymore. But I think also, a lot of these "horror" books are trending towards torture and cruelty themes, which seems to be the trend in horror movies over last several years as well. and that turns me off.
Jack Ketchum, "Off Season"; Thomas Emson, "Skarlet" (+ it's two sequels); Guy N. Smith, "Crabs"; James Herbert, "The Rats"; Clive Barker, "Books of Blood".
Just found your channel, E. Great stuff! I totally agree with you on “Ruins”. I read it a couple years ago and some of those scenes are still with me. Also, I thing the author wrapped it up perfectly. Very satisfying ending, at least for me.
Awesome video! I was pleasantly surprised to see Night Film! Night Film was an impulse buy for me as well, at B&N way back around it’s release. Stanislas Cordova was a character so awesome, I wished he was real.
- mounting sense of dread... check! - subtext... check! plus - fleshed-out characters who develop over the course of the novel, - an exciting and unpredictable, yet believable plot, - relevance, - and most of all: a fitting language. put all that together, and you will most probably have a good (horror) novel.
p.s.: Talking about 'mounting sense of dread' - that could be the title for almost all of the Kealan Patrick Burke novellas I have read so far (most of all 'Blanky', of course, thanks again for the recommendation).
Edward Lorn Just in case I haven't mentioned it (and I know I have a thousand times, sorry): mounting dread + subtext = 'The Visible Filth' by Nathan Ballingrud.
Thanks again for the recommendation of 'The Terror', E.! İt's an amazing novel with a very dense atmosphere and interesting characters. İ read the first 200 or more pages in a rush, but then my vacation ended and İ didn't find the time to continue. Now I'm at it again, halfway through, and boy does this get dark. My personal highlight so far was the morbid party they have. From the beginning of the description of the differently colored rooms and the masks of the participants İ knew this was a direct reference to one of Poe's both shortest and most beautiful stories: 'The Masque Of The Red Death'. Haunting!
Great video! Absolutely agree on The Terror! I can't wait to start Drood next as I've been looking forward to that one for awhile now. I'm dying to read Kin, The Ruins & Night Film. Kin sounds amazing & right up my alley. I also agree on Straub, I enjoy his work but he is so vague. Often times I have no idea what I just read & wish he would be a little more forward. I couldn't agree more with The Terror though, I'm nearly finished & it does not feel like I've read nearly 1000 pages at all. IT by King was the same way. Have you ever heard of the Dyatlov Pass Incident? Man, that's an eerie true story & I would love to see Simmons tackle that. I also have to agree on what you find horrifying & what you like best in your fiction. I read King for years & only recently began to branch out, & I've tried to go according to reviews & recommendations but all the "body horror" stuff loaded with gore I keep getting turned toward doesn't do it for me. I've found my definition of "horror" to be different from others. Sure it has it's place but I'll watch a slasher movie if I want that. Everyone keeps saying Laymon Laymon or you must read Jack Ketchum & yes I respect their work & what they've done for the genre but jeez.. I'll take The Terror over that stuff any day or even Bone White by Malfi. By the way I've heard great things about Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, especially if you enjoyed The Terror. It's a ghostly tale taking place during an expedition in the 1930's I believe, and she also has a story called Thin Air taking place in the 30's during a climb to the Himalayas, if I'm not mistaken. Thanks for the video sir & the rec's!!
Thanks for giving me some new authors to check out. I slightly disagree on Dan Simmons. I’ve read both ‘The Terror’ and ‘Drood’ the former I loved the latter was frustrating. Sometime after I had read both I happened to pick up one of those paperback horrors from the “eighties” also written by Dan Simmons. ‘Carrion Comfort’ knocked my socks off! One of the best if not the best horror novels I’ve read. Give it a try if you get the chance. I highly recommend it.
I liked The Ruins. I like how the author had the characters think 'I shouldn't say this' or 'do this' but did it anyway, or as they did it. I want to like Straub, but it's hard for me to. You ever read Bryan Smith? The author of Freakshow, or Strange Ways. He is also on Kindle and affordable. I dig him.
@@EdwardLorn My sense of those characters were that although they may have been unlikeable most of them were characters you can relate to and also from their points of view he, to me made them believable though it took a little while. I think it is a credit to him that he made the somewhat ludicrous in the light of day storyline believable too. Certainly a sacrifice to the supernatural powers and the powers of a haunted place is a trope because either there is something to it or because it's an archetype that helped us at one time. Anyway, I was utterly drawn into that book and could not believe when it came out that it was not another best seller along the lines of Silence of the Lambs.
Good recommendations, I really need to branch out past SK so some of these will work swimmingly! So one good turn,I recommend ColdHeart Canyon-Clive Barker (Barker is hard to get into, but this was familiar) And best Non-Horror I've found in a long time Ready Player One-Ernest Clive (Skip Player Two)
Thanks and congrats for such a professional video. These days It is hard to find a low key, convincing and informative video on readings. Hope to see more videos. Regards from Spain!
I finished “The Ruins” today. I’m with you in thinking it’s a great horror, pretty original and pretty damn creepy. I did not expect the thing that is the horror to be as disturbing as they are. Loved the ending too.
this video inspired me to read "The Grip of It" and i could not be happier. thank you sincerely for the recommendation, and i very much look forward to watching more of your videos
Thank you so much for this list! I'm looking for good Horror in the same way you like it. Dread, and the like. Added all of these to my list. Thank you!
The Terror has got to be one of the best books I've read. There is so much information density, and I think this must be in part due to the reality that the story is based on.
Mad respect for including Ghost Story. I truly can't understand why other you tubers are not mentioning this book in their lists. Maybe they skip the book after watching the horrible movie version first or they don't understand that Ghost Story is a, umm, ghost story like Cabin in the Woods is about a haunted cabin.
Just found this video nealry four years after it went up! I was glad to see "The Grip of It". I read it and could hardly stop reading it. I like how another booktuber broughtup the question about whether "The Grip of It" is a story about the supernatural or about the death of a marriage. This may not be easy to find but Stephen King said that Anne Rivers Siddons "The House Next Door" from 1974 is one the most frightening books he ever read. I've never read Ms. Siddons's other work but my understanding is that her novels are about what might be called society people in Atlanta. Ms. Siddons has another early, scary novel called "Bad Dirt". I have a copy but haven't read it yet. I'm a great fan of "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. I"m intrigued with "Night Film", sounds especially interesting.
Just watched your video for the first time. I've watched several book reviews, and I think I like yours the best. I like the way you specified this video as best horror novels not by Stephen King." Have to find out how those film negatives turned out. I copy down titles and the authors, in a search for more books to read. If you could hold the books up so they're easy to view for a few seconds longer, that would be great. Otherwise, its all good, nice smooth delivery, easily understood dialogue, good explanations!
My favorite horror is also a growing sense of dread. However most of the time I find that it’s best when the dread is caused by an actual person or not a haunted spirit. For instance I read Hell House and yes it’s kind of disturbing but I was never actually scared or spooked too much reading it. But I love Dracula’s suspense and setup style of horror. Any suggestions for me?
The terror sounds so good, i mean every book on this list sounds interesting, i only heard of night film before and it's on my tbr so thank you for this video!
I read THREE of he books on your list and they’re my top favorite as well so for sure I will be buying your reconditions because I too love dread. Try HOUSE OF LEAVES and the newer book is THE APARTMENT by sl grey. The apartment you can read it a day, it’s a peace of cake and interesting. House of leaves you won’t read in a day but it will stick with you!
Great list. I really need to finally read The Ruins. I'm going to buy Kin soon. I finished Blanky and enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty good. Ooh, I'll have to check out Ghost Story too. A homie gave me a ton of Dan Simmons books, and I'm really hyped to get into his work. I just added Night Film to my wishlist.
+mspoetic888 I will Dan Simmons is not always good. He's always engaging. Also he can be preachier than King, but in the opposite direction. That comes through in some books and not others tho.
I'm glad you got Dan Simmons on this but wish you could have included other contemporary greats. Campbell, Files, Langan, Ligotti, Neville, Barron, and Kiernan to name a few.
Good list! I think a favorite sort of non king horror for me was NOS4A2 (but does it really count as non King). Dracula is another favorite of mine especially the audio version with Tim Curry.
Great list man will be definitely reading some of those specially The Terror and Night Film. Also I'm quite curious what's your opinion on Paul Tremblay as a writer?
Love your videos. Just stumbled upon it. Everywhere I look it seems that Stephen king books are the only ones spoken about. I love him but as a indie author that writes Horror and supernatural thriller it’s hard to find anyone that is interested In reading works from authors that are not traditionally published. Thank you for opening up to reading books that are not part of a publishing company.
So as I was picking some horror novels to read for Halloween month this year, The Ruins came across my mind for some reason. I ended up buying it, not remembering where I had heard of this book from, but remembered someone liking it. I ended up reading it and really liking it. Finally figured out where I had heard of this book from. It was you from this video. Thank you. That book was very enjoyable!
I will definitely check out Kin, The Grip of It, and The Terror. Have you heard of Nasser Rabadi? He's got a horror trilogy that I really enjoyed. Another recommendation is They'll Get You by Mark Pelligrini.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this video. Every horror recommendation video I see is full of Stephen King books and I’m over it. He’s not the only horror writer!
just found you!! thanks so much for the "best Horror Novels NOT Written by Stephen King"...I have read all his books (except the dark tower series...not for me). I will say, that after reading "The Institute" and didn't finish it I was done with all things Stephen King. His latest book? As if I am going to spend 28.00 bucks. The man is loaded. He should be giving his books away by now because they are so awful. So yeah, I am subbing so I can see your other recommendations! Hope you are doing well during this delightful time we are in. Weirded out by the dystopia we are living in here in Canada. Alyssa
Hey man thanks to your channel I just finished Night Film. Wow I loved it great suggestion. I'm at the book store now revisiting this video for another suggestion. Keep up the great work - Justin Levi
I liked The Ballad of Black Tom. I love how he fleshed out the short story from Lovecraft. Have you checked out Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff? I really enjoyed it. Going with the Lovecraft theme, what do you think of some of his stories. The Dunwich Horror, The Shadow over Innsmouth, and The Colour Out of Space are a few of my favorites.
I've never enjoyed Lovecraft whatsoever. He bores me to death. I usually stay away from anything with his mythos but I read everything LaValle writes so I had to in this case. Glad I did. 😁
Peter Straub is a peculiar author. I think you're right about him being vague in his stories, however he strikes a chord with people who have encountered the kind of people in his novels. I first read Koko and because he nailed the disconnect with society that people who have been in the armed forces experience I was caught up in the book. It's not exactly a horror story although one gets the feeling that the villain in the story, Dengler, has achieved some sort of supernatural capacity.
Man, you've such a likeable personality.
Thank you!
Agreed! He is just adorable.
And original...at a time when many are beginning to look and sound the same...
I agree :)
When the filmstrip fell out, it was like the beginning of a Creepypasta.
UncannyValleyVideos HA!
I thought for sure it was part of the review to add suspense... but nothing happened!
Lol!
If it was a videoconference, you could make a scared face and say "What's THAT right behind you ?"
When the film roll dropped from the book, that legit felt like the start of a horror story.
I was creeped out, for sure lol
Agree, it will be a clue for sure!!
The statement that blood and gore in a book was the equivalent of a jump scare was brilliant. It's the same way for me. I'd rather have a creeping sense of dread, subtext and psychological horror. That's not to say I dislike blood and gore on occasion, but it doesn't belong in **every** story. :-)
"What I find horrific is a mounting sense of dread."
Was just thinking that. Subscribed.
Refreshing. Saw that King wasn’t included and immediately clicked. As much as I like king, everybody knows him so it is easier to find and experience new authors and novels.
I am a simple man:
Edward Lorn recommends, I buy.
+laertesdd I'm honored 😊
Yes I just purchased blankly by kealan Patrick Burke from amazon.
+pjwchung that's great!
The Ruins is an incredible book. It's gross, dark and super depressing. I admire the fact that it unnerved me so bad that I never want to read it again.
Matt Stryker the Ruins is a great metaphor for modern man suffering at the hands of primordial elements, the cell phone part he mentions is genuinely dark and hopeless.
@Fhjthnl Lol Iuyo the ruins made me physically widen my eyes, TWICE. great book
@Fhjthnl Lol Iuyo ive read offseason by ketchum as well. I don't really remember it, but I'm glad you liked the Ruins!
Just picked it up after reading this thread. I saw the movie in elementary school and thought it was cool but I haven't seen it since so the overall story totally went over my head. I could rewatch the movie and it would seem like a new movie to me so it's a perfect time to read the book.
is it better than the movie? i didn´t like the movie at all
do top 10 disturbing scenes from books youve read
+Salemcards that's a good one! Thanks for the suggestion!
Ooh, yes please,
I'm finishing up American psycho by Brett Ellis.....some disturbingly awesome parts....it's way better than the movie...read the book first if you haven't watched the movie...recommended
*they're
The girl next door. The whole book is disturbing. Doesn’t help that it’s a true story too
What up E! The Ruins is my ALL time favorite "non King" horror...LOVE IT!!!
+K&C Rocks awesome! It was damn good, wasn't it? 😁
King himself recommended it highly!
I know I'm 2 years late but I love your personality!!! Can't wait to watch your other videos
I am binge-watching your channel today! Keep up the quality content, E!
+Rhiannon & Silas Russell thank you so much! 😁
I'm so excited. Half of these are already on my TBR. You are the first person I hear mention the PiloFamily Circus. I came across this when researching circus books and immediately put it on my TBR. Also, I tried reading Ghost Story over 10 years ago but couldn't get into the writing style and DNFed it. Wish I hadn't unhauled it because I've been wanting to pick it up again.
+monilily GHOST STORY is EXTREMELY hard to finish but worth the effort by the end. His best novel not written with King, for sure.
Glad you mentioned Drood by Dan Simmons, I adored it, he got the Victorian Opium den underworld simply brilliantly, and I loved The Terror too. I want to read the rest of his works on the strength of both of these. Ghost Story is one of my favourites too. More recently, I adored Hex. It scared the eeby jeebies out of me, that witch ( shudders), oh and last year Neville’s The Ritual was pretty damn terrifying too. There is one scene in the middle of the woods, one of those what’s out there moments, when I had to stop listening to the audiobook at night in the dark and was sat upright, all lights a blazing scared rigid! That rarely happens.......
+Amanda nicholls I enjoyed HEX. Haven't read THE RITUAL yet but it's definitely on my radar.
If you haven’t already done it, I’d love to see your top ten list with all genres included. Thanks and keep doing what you’re doing.
I have a five part top 20, five books per episode, if you're interested. ruclips.net/video/vfJ5bnkm9Uc/видео.html
Thank you! This is an awesome list. My goal this year is to read more than last year & this list is perfect place to start. Great video.
+Weird Ass Candy Review youre welcome. Always happy to help. 😁
I'm starting to get back into reading books more. It takes me a little longer to read than most people I know, and that's probably the reason why I haven't read more in a recreational sense. In my reading history, I have digested mostly science-fiction, but I'm getting more involved. I've read some Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Michael Crichton. I love horror movies, so what the heck. I like your videos, so I'll be checking more of them out. Thanks.
Thanks for your suggestion for The Ruins...listened to it on Audible and enjoyed it thoroughly. Enjoyed your video.
Love this! Just what I needed this year. It would have been helpful if you would have just held the book still in front of the camera for a few moments, but with pausing at the right time, I could catch a glimpse of the cover and author name spelling. Great list!
The Terror is in my top 10 favorite books! Like you said, even though it is so long it just flies by. When I reread it I always find myself reading it in 100+ page chunks at a time haha. Such a gripping book
I'm that way with King's IT 😁
(2:53) It's called 'Schadenfreude' (meaning enjoying the damage done to others).
+laertesdd yes, yes! That's the word I was looking for. Thank you!
schade
The Ruins was awesome. Almost quit after about the first 50-pages.
Mathias wasn't a bad dude, though. Probably the ONLY genuine character in it.
-chirp chirp chirp-
I’m a long term fan from Goodreads and randomly came across your video while putting together my October TBR. What a coincidence!
*waves* Hey, Taryn! 😁
I love your lists--you make me want to devour these books again...and buy the ones that I haven't. (Just bought three of your recommendations while watching this!) The Terror--Amen brother! Thanks for mentioning the Drood; I loved that book! So glad you mention Peter Straub, but did you read Floating Dragon? It's one of my all time favorites. Also, what about Clive Barker? I think Imagica and Great and Secret Show are two of the coolest horror novels of all time. Read them if you haven't already!
Thanks for this video. Added a few more books to my TBR pile!
The Terror is one of my favorite books ever. Love seeing it on your list!
The terror is not only a book its an experience ,no amount of words would describe how good is this book to me , i dont know but this book set my imagination into motion when i was readin it , its a cinematic book
@@reneperez2126 I agree. It’s one of the best book I’ve ever read.
You seem so nice! I just stumbled across you because I saw you holding up The Ruins! Thats one of my faves & I knew you'd have good taste in books if that was on there! So happy I found a cool new channel to subscribe to!
Hi, I am just starting out in the horror fiction genre and I am quite impressed by your list compared to other book tubers out there. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for horror books that are centered around creepy children? Thank you for your videos.
Try LET THE RIGHT ONE IN and PET SEMATARY (it's spelled wrong on purpose).
Heather Nicole lost boys don’t remember author, this book will brake your heart
Suffer the children by Craig Dilouie
try reading Baby Teeth
BABY TEETH is a great book but I wouldn't call it horror
Hell of a list. Got some names for you: Christopher Slatsky, Richard Gavin, Clint Smith, and Nathan Ballingrud. The fiction addiction is a cruel mistress but completely worth it lol Enjoy!
I am always intimidated by long, slow burn novels. But I love 'The Thing' and am willing to try any horror book set in the arctic. I am going to pick 'The Terror' from your list and will start reading tonight. I hope I won't be disappointed. Thanks for the recommendation. I think you are my fav booktuber!
I am actually not a reader currently (haven't had the time since school has had me focusing on math non-stop). All the books I read are in the single digits. Now that I have a job, I want to get into reading, and since I am a horror fan, I thought I would start with horror. Are there any books that are similar to the paranoia filled-type story similar to John Carpenter's The Thing, or stories where the great turns out to be humans becoming monsters due to fear (like King's The Mist)? Psychological and cosmic horror are definitely my favorite. Also planning on looking for some horror manga. Japanese sure know how to make quality horror. I am definitely subbing cause I think your channel can help me throughout
Check out my Manga playlist. For horror lit, maybe try Hailey Piper's THE WORM AND HIS KINGS. It's cosmic horror. If I can think of something similar to THE THING, I'll let you know.
@@EdwardLorn Thanks! Also, definitely will check out your manga vids later. Cool that you also have manga material
So nice to find someone who likes reads that I do! Looking forward to The Grip…
Great list! I loved the Ruins and Night Film though that does seem to be an unpopular opinion too! I need to get to the Terror
+That's What She Read THE TERROR is amazing. If it wasn't so long I'd reread it right now.
@alprazolam1mgs Did you watch the tv series? Absolutely stunning.
You absolutely nailed it with Ghost Story! I absolutely love this book!
I just found your channel and was pleased that you featured The Terror. I've been a Dan Simmons fan for years, and this book does not disappoint.
You can find all kinds of really cool bookmarks in old books at thrift stores. Letters between lovers, family pictures are what I found. My personal favorite was a hippy letter from the 60's along with a guitar string and a couple of greyhound bus tickets around the same era. On topic: I haven't been real impressed with contemporary horror writing, I've read some of those authors. Maybe I just changed over the years and it doesn't interest me anymore. But I think also, a lot of these "horror" books are trending towards torture and cruelty themes, which seems to be the trend in horror movies over last several years as well. and that turns me off.
Yes! I have found a cute Christmas photo, a construction-paper love letter, a clipping of someone's baseball team's win, and (creepy) a ponytail.
All your recommendations are awesome! Thanks for making these videos! Looking forward to many many more 👍
Thank you for watching😁
Jack Ketchum, "Off Season"; Thomas Emson, "Skarlet" (+ it's two sequels); Guy N. Smith, "Crabs"; James Herbert, "The Rats"; Clive Barker, "Books of Blood".
"Naomi's room" by Jonathan Aycliffe is a forgotten classic, lean, mean (it's about 200 pages) and scary as feck…
That was a wonderful video, thank you. I loved Ghost Story but I also could not get into any of Peter Straub's other work.
Just found your channel, E. Great stuff! I totally agree with you on “Ruins”. I read it a couple years ago and some of those scenes are still with me. Also, I thing the author wrapped it up perfectly. Very satisfying ending, at least for me.
Awesome video! I was pleasantly surprised to see Night Film! Night Film was an impulse buy for me as well, at B&N way back around it’s release. Stanislas Cordova was a character so awesome, I wished he was real.
Thank you for the recommendations. Definitely going to check some of them out!
I'm glad I found this video, seems like our taste overlaps a lot, so I think I'm going to have a real good time with these :)
- mounting sense of dread... check!
- subtext... check!
plus
- fleshed-out characters who develop over the course of the novel,
- an exciting and unpredictable, yet believable plot,
- relevance,
- and most of all: a fitting language.
put all that together, and you will most probably have a good (horror) novel.
p.s.:
Talking about 'mounting sense of dread' - that could be the title for almost all of the Kealan Patrick Burke novellas I have read so far (most of all 'Blanky', of course, thanks again for the recommendation).
+laertesdd agreed on all counts!
+laertesdd you're very welcome! So glad you liked them. He's a terrific author!
Edward Lorn
Just in case I haven't mentioned it (and I know I have a thousand times, sorry):
mounting dread
+
subtext
=
'The Visible Filth'
by Nathan Ballingrud.
great suggestions. will follow your advises
Thanks again for the recommendation of 'The Terror', E.! İt's an amazing novel with a very dense atmosphere and interesting characters.
İ read the first 200 or more pages in a rush, but then my vacation ended and İ didn't find the time to continue. Now I'm at it again, halfway through, and boy does this get dark.
My personal highlight so far was the morbid party they have. From the beginning of the description of the differently colored rooms and the masks of the participants İ knew this was a direct reference to one of Poe's both shortest and most beautiful stories: 'The Masque Of The Red Death'.
Haunting!
Hey, Laertes! Long time to chat. You're welcome. Glad you're enjoying the book and I hope the second half is just as good for you. 😁
Great video! Absolutely agree on The Terror! I can't wait to start Drood next as I've been looking forward to that one for awhile now. I'm dying to read Kin, The Ruins & Night Film. Kin sounds amazing & right up my alley. I also agree on Straub, I enjoy his work but he is so vague. Often times I have no idea what I just read & wish he would be a little more forward.
I couldn't agree more with The Terror though, I'm nearly finished & it does not feel like I've read nearly 1000 pages at all. IT by King was the same way. Have you ever heard of the Dyatlov Pass Incident? Man, that's an eerie true story & I would love to see Simmons tackle that.
I also have to agree on what you find horrifying & what you like best in your fiction. I read King for years & only recently began to branch out, & I've tried to go according to reviews & recommendations but all the "body horror" stuff loaded with gore I keep getting turned toward doesn't do it for me. I've found my definition of "horror" to be different from others. Sure it has it's place but I'll watch a slasher movie if I want that. Everyone keeps saying Laymon Laymon or you must read Jack Ketchum & yes I respect their work & what they've done for the genre but jeez.. I'll take The Terror over that stuff any day or even Bone White by Malfi.
By the way I've heard great things about Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, especially if you enjoyed The Terror. It's a ghostly tale taking place during an expedition in the 1930's I believe, and she also has a story called Thin Air taking place in the 30's during a climb to the Himalayas, if I'm not mistaken. Thanks for the video sir & the rec's!!
+Howbout Demboys BONE WHITE was exceptional! I'll definitely look into DARK MATTER. Thanks!
Sorry for so many comments but I LOVE YOU! You have a new subscriber! Yayyyy!
Thanks for giving me some new authors to check out. I slightly disagree on Dan Simmons. I’ve read both ‘The Terror’ and ‘Drood’ the former I loved the latter was frustrating. Sometime after I had read both I happened to pick up one of those paperback horrors from the “eighties” also written by Dan Simmons. ‘Carrion Comfort’ knocked my socks off! One of the best if not the best horror novels I’ve read. Give it a try if you get the chance. I highly recommend it.
I liked The Ruins. I like how the author had the characters think 'I shouldn't say this' or 'do this' but did it anyway, or as they did it.
I want to like Straub, but it's hard for me to.
You ever read Bryan Smith? The author of Freakshow, or Strange Ways. He is also on Kindle and affordable. I dig him.
Yep. One of my favorite parts of THE RUINS were the unlikeable characters.
@@EdwardLorn My sense of those characters were that although they may have been unlikeable most of them were characters you can relate to and also from their points of view he, to me made them believable though it took a little while. I think it is a credit to him that he made the somewhat ludicrous in the light of day storyline believable too. Certainly a sacrifice to the supernatural powers and the powers of a haunted place is a trope because either there is something to it or because it's an archetype that helped us at one time. Anyway, I was utterly drawn into that book and could not believe when it came out that it was not another best seller along the lines of Silence of the Lambs.
Good recommendations, I really need to branch out past SK so some of these will work swimmingly!
So one good turn,I recommend ColdHeart Canyon-Clive Barker (Barker is hard to get into, but this was familiar)
And best Non-Horror I've found in a long time Ready Player One-Ernest Clive (Skip Player Two)
Thanks and congrats for such a professional video. These days It is hard to find a low key, convincing and informative video on readings. Hope to see more videos. Regards from Spain!
I finished “The Ruins” today. I’m with you in thinking it’s a great horror, pretty original and pretty damn creepy. I did not expect the thing that is the horror to be as disturbing as they are. Loved the ending too.
+Amanda nicholls agreed on all accounts.
this video inspired me to read "The Grip of It" and i could not be happier. thank you sincerely for the recommendation, and i very much look forward to watching more of your videos
Thanks! Hope you find other videos you enjoy! 😁
Thanx for including Ghost Story
The Grip of It. I still think about this book. I’m not sure of all that happens it in or if it’s supposed to make sense but it was oddly satisfying.
Great list. God, I love The Ruins.
Thank you so much for this list! I'm looking for good Horror in the same way you like it. Dread, and the like.
Added all of these to my list.
Thank you!
The Terror has got to be one of the best books I've read. There is so much information density, and I think this must be in part due to the reality that the story is based on.
Mad respect for including Ghost Story. I truly can't understand why other you tubers are not mentioning this book in their lists. Maybe they skip the book after watching the horrible movie version first or they don't understand that Ghost Story is a, umm, ghost story like Cabin in the Woods is about a haunted cabin.
I think it has more to do with popularity. People still say Talisman, by Stephen King and don't mention Straub at all.
@@EdwardLornStraub's best writing can be found in his Washington Irving like If You Could See Me Now. And it is one of Stephen King's favorites too.
Thanks man...just ordered The Terror based off of your recommendation.
After you mentioning Dan Simmons "the terror" it made me run into the local bookstore in my town to look for it.
I heard you speak for two seconds and immediatly subscribed 😂 I love your personality and your content! ♥
Just found this video nealry four years after it went up! I was glad to see "The Grip of It". I read it and could hardly stop reading it. I like how another booktuber broughtup the question about whether "The Grip of It" is a story about the supernatural or about the death of a marriage.
This may not be easy to find but Stephen King said that Anne Rivers Siddons "The House Next Door" from 1974 is one the most frightening books he ever read. I've never read Ms. Siddons's other work but my understanding is that her novels are about what might be called society people in Atlanta. Ms. Siddons has another early, scary novel called "Bad Dirt". I have a copy but haven't read it yet.
I'm a great fan of "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson.
I"m intrigued with "Night Film", sounds especially interesting.
The Terror is my FAVOURITE NOVEL OF ALL TIME!!!!!! I can’t believe you shared this. It is perfection
Just watched your video for the first time. I've watched several book reviews, and I think I like yours the best. I like the way you specified this video as best horror novels not by Stephen King." Have to find out how those film negatives turned out. I copy down titles and the authors, in a search for more books to read. If you could hold the books up so they're easy to view for a few seconds longer, that would be great. Otherwise, its all good, nice smooth delivery, easily understood dialogue, good explanations!
Thanks for the recommendations I just ordered my first kealan patrick burke novel.
My favorite horror is also a growing sense of dread. However most of the time I find that it’s best when the dread is caused by an actual person or not a haunted spirit.
For instance I read Hell House and yes it’s kind of disturbing but I was never actually scared or spooked too much reading it.
But I love Dracula’s suspense and setup style of horror.
Any suggestions for me?
ur taste in books is god-tier!!!!! the ruins disturbed me in the best way possible and it put a smile on my face to see someone else raving abt it!!!
The terror sounds so good, i mean every book on this list sounds interesting, i only heard of night film before and it's on my tbr so thank you for this video!
I read THREE of he books on your list and they’re my top favorite as well so for sure I will be buying your reconditions because I too love dread. Try HOUSE OF LEAVES and the newer book is THE APARTMENT by sl grey. The apartment you can read it a day, it’s a peace of cake and interesting. House of leaves you won’t read in a day but it will stick with you!
Awesomeness me. Thanks for the recs! 😁
Awesome video dude!!! Love your work!!!!!
I just found your channel and I love you already! I love your personality too. I really want to check out The Grip of It.
Great list. I really need to finally read The Ruins. I'm going to buy Kin soon. I finished Blanky and enjoyed it. I thought it was pretty good. Ooh, I'll have to check out Ghost Story too. A homie gave me a ton of Dan Simmons books, and I'm really hyped to get into his work. I just added Night Film to my wishlist.
+mspoetic888 I will Dan Simmons is not always good. He's always engaging. Also he can be preachier than King, but in the opposite direction. That comes through in some books and not others tho.
"Night Film" is one of my FAVORITE books. I have yet to find a book that makes me feel the same way!!
I'm glad you got Dan Simmons on this but wish you could have included other contemporary greats. Campbell, Files, Langan, Ligotti, Neville, Barron, and Kiernan to name a few.
Looks like you should make a list 😉
@@EdwardLorn that was it! Lol
I like your reviews because you’re honest and we have the same taste in books
I adore you so much! Thanks for the suggestions x
Such a fun and honest review. I ordered two books after watching your video. Thank you.. (Night Film and Kin)
Awesome. Hope you dig them!
The Ruins is one of my all time favorite books ever! It was very well written.
Good list! I think a favorite sort of non king horror for me was NOS4A2 (but does it really count as non King). Dracula is another favorite of mine especially the audio version with Tim Curry.
It definitely counts as a King book lol
Great list man will be definitely reading some of those specially The Terror and Night Film. Also I'm quite curious what's your opinion on Paul Tremblay as a writer?
Picked up a couple of these. Thanks!
Night Film was really fun and addictive. Loved the world the author created.
+Paperback Mania same here. The films and the lore were really what made the book believable.
Love your videos. Just stumbled upon it. Everywhere I look it seems that Stephen king books are the only ones spoken about. I love him but as a indie author that writes Horror and supernatural thriller it’s hard to find anyone that is interested In reading works from authors that are not traditionally published. Thank you for opening up to reading books that are not part of a publishing company.
If you need a list of horror BookTubers that focus on indies, lemme know.
@@EdwardLorn hi Edward, yes that would be fantastic. Thank you so much ☺️
"welcome to the discovery channel" thats hilarious!
Going to add all these books to my must read list.
So as I was picking some horror novels to read for Halloween month this year, The Ruins came across my mind for some reason. I ended up buying it, not remembering where I had heard of this book from, but remembered someone liking it. I ended up reading it and really liking it. Finally figured out where I had heard of this book from. It was you from this video. Thank you. That book was very enjoyable!
You're welcome 😁
The Ruins was pretty solid
I read The Ruins based on your recommendation. I really liked it. Thank you.
thank you for all these recs! also, you're like a sunshine of a person (: will be checking out your other videos as well!
I will definitely check out Kin, The Grip of It, and The Terror.
Have you heard of Nasser Rabadi? He's got a horror trilogy that I really enjoyed. Another recommendation is They'll Get You by Mark Pelligrini.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this video. Every horror recommendation video I see is full of Stephen King books and I’m over it. He’s not the only horror writer!
Damn, your opinions are spot on for me!
just found you!! thanks so much for the "best Horror Novels NOT Written by Stephen King"...I have read all his books (except the dark tower series...not for me). I will say, that after reading "The Institute" and didn't finish it I was done with all things Stephen King. His latest book? As if I am going to spend 28.00 bucks. The man is loaded. He should be giving his books away by now because they are so awful. So yeah, I am subbing so I can see your other recommendations! Hope you are doing well during this delightful time we are in.
Weirded out by the dystopia we are living in here in Canada.
Alyssa
Hey man thanks to your channel I just finished Night Film. Wow I loved it great suggestion. I'm at the book store now revisiting this video for another suggestion. Keep up the great work - Justin Levi
Awesome! Always happy to hear when people dog my suggestions. What did you end up choosing?
Good reads! I'm gonna try a couple of those.
I liked The Ballad of Black Tom. I love how he fleshed out the short story from Lovecraft. Have you checked out Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff? I really enjoyed it. Going with the Lovecraft theme, what do you think of some of his stories. The Dunwich Horror, The Shadow over Innsmouth, and The Colour Out of Space are a few of my favorites.
I've never enjoyed Lovecraft whatsoever. He bores me to death. I usually stay away from anything with his mythos but I read everything LaValle writes so I had to in this case. Glad I did. 😁
I do recommend Lovecraft Country. It deals with the horrors of Jim Crow and a touch of supernatural horror.
Cool. I'll look into it. Thanks for the rec 😁
Wow, the ballad of black tom is in my Kindle. I’ll definitely read it soon
Peter Straub is a peculiar author. I think you're right about him being vague in his stories, however he strikes a chord with people who have encountered the kind of people in his novels. I first read Koko and because he nailed the disconnect with society that people who have been in the armed forces experience I was caught up in the book. It's not exactly a horror story although one gets the feeling that the villain in the story, Dengler, has achieved some sort of supernatural capacity.