A great way to relax and wind down after school or over the weekend is to grab a good book and get lost in it. Some people truly enjoy getting into a great story and living through characters in a juicy novel. A perfect way to get into the fall spirit is to read a fall-themed book. We have picked out a few of our favorite horrifying books to be shared with you Verdict readers!
5. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
This is a book that many fans of horror and metafiction will enjoy. It contains many hidden meanings within the book and relies heavily on the reader’s interpretation. Will Navidson and his unmarried partner Karen Green, along with their 2 children, move into a small house on Ash Tree Lane. However, their house is bigger than it seems on the inside then outside, as random doors and rooms continue to randomly appear in the house. Most noticeably, the strange black hallway in their living room…
4. The Shining by Stephen King
There can’t be a horror book round up without at least one book by the king of horror himself, Stephen King. The book is a wonderful fantasy thriller that was later adapted into a movie. Jack Torrance’s new job at the Overlook Hotel cuts him and his family off from civilization for months. A perfect way to start over, and battle his alcoholism and anger issues. However, evil dwells in the Overlook Hotel as it has a long history of violence, and wishes to take Jack’s son Danny, who is discovered to be uniquely gifted.
3. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
While most know the popular title as a movie, not many know it was originally a novel. While the movie has been adjusted to be more child friendly, the novel, despite being written for children, is a lot more disturbing. A young girl by the name of Coraline moves into a new home with a mysterious locked door that is bricked up on the other side. One day Coraline unlocks the door to discover the brick wall gone and replaced with a pathway to another world. A better version of her own world with better parents, better food, a better life. Her other parents seem dotting and kind, that is until she rejects their offer to stay in the other world.
2. Bird Box by Josh Malerman
Adapted into a Netflix film, an amazing horrifying read that was nominated for good read’s best horror in 2014. A perfect book for fans of the film and fans of dystopian horrors. There’s something out ther—Monster? Man? Animal? Who knows…but whatever it is, it should not be seen. One glimpse and it’ll drive you into a violent insanity. Five years after its terror began, few survivors remain. Malorie and her two young children, one daughter, one son must survive their journey with nothing but their trained hearing and wits.
1. The Hunger by Alma Katsu
A retelling of a tragic and horrifying incident in American history, but with a supernatural addition. This is a book perfect for mystery and historical fiction fans. A group of travelers on a wagon train, also known as the Donner Party, begin to go insane as rations start depleting, fights break out and a little boy mysteriously dies. Is it just bad luck? Or is it a curse from the assumed witch Tamsen Donner?
