Horror Aficionados discussion

Hello Horror Aficionados! It's time to start thinking about what books we'd like to read for our February Group Read. There has been some interest recently in a "Classic Horror" theme, so that is what we are going to go with for February.

For added clarification, here are some guidelines as to what we're looking for in this theme:
--"Traditional Classic Horror"--a book that's endured through the years (ex. Dracula), or
--a modern author writing in the "classic style"--specifically focusing on atmospheric, quiet horror, especially in regards to ghosts/haunted houses. (An example of this--although not eligible since it was a recent group read--is Michael McDowell's THE ELEMENTALS).

**Please do NOT nominate books that we've read in the past 6 months, and as always, authors may NOT nominate or promote their own books in this section.

**Feel free to second, third, etc. any books mentioned. Books with more than one nomination are more likely to make it into our final poll.

HAVE FUN!!!

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

I second The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Hmmmmm...... I'm not sure how best to define a classic horror novel but I like the idea. How about some H.P. Lovecraft At the Mountains of Madness or Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby? Would one of those fit the theme?

I third The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Have you done The Woman in Black by Susan Hill? I'm still in my first 30 days so I do not know if this is recent. I read Drood in 2014 and it was good but it is 775 grueling pages long. I think we should take that into consideration!

What about the short stories of M R James?

I second Rosemary's Baby.

Would Hell House qualify?

The haunting of hill house by Shirley Jackson

-- I will cast a vote for "The Asylum" published May 21, 2013 written by John Harwood - review - "“A richly textured . . . [and] masterfully constructed narrative . . . Readers are guaranteed a thoroughly diverting time in Harwood’s not-to-be-trusted hands.”—The Independent (UK) "

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

--

I second Hell House

I second MR James short stories

It would be awesome if we read The Exorcist in memory of William Peter Blatty who sadly passed away.

The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. Unless it's already been read of the month, of course. One of the classics IMO.

John wrote: "The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum. Unless it's already been read of the month, of course. One of the classics IMO."

The Girl Next Door, by Jack Ketchum does not fit the criteria for this month's read. Please feel free to suggest another.

I can see how some may disagree that my vote is exactly what we're looking for, but it is a horror classic in my opinion. I'm just suggesting perhaps Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley?

And of course, any good Poe novel!

The Invisible Man by HG Wells

I also strongly agree to Nickronomicon!!!

I second Rosemary's Baby

Also: The Mysteries of Udolpho

Là-Bas

The Devil's Dictionary

Black Magic

The Devil Rides Out

The Day of the Triffids

The Rats

Charnel House

Wolfen

Nickronomicon wrote: "Hmmmmm...... I'm not sure how best to define a classic horror novel but I like the idea. How about some H.P. Lovecraft At the Mountains of Madness or Ira Levin's [book:Rosemary's Baby|..."

Both of those are great suggestions--and Rosemary's Baby hasn't been a group read in over a year, so it does qualify.

The Birds By Daphne Du Maurier
Incarnate by Ramsey Campbell

I nominate:

Vampyrrhic

Psycho

Parable of the Sower

I'll toss in Sweetheart, Sweetheart, by Bernard Taylor.

Veronica wrote: "Would Hell House qualify?"

I would think so, it's a haunted house story.

ok, I third some M.R. James and i'll narrow it down to the mezzotint and the ash tree.
Drood sounds good, too. As does Incarnate. I think I have Vampyrrhic but I know I haven't read it yet.

I put in fourth on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - I have never read it and it would be a good classic :)

Lovecraft or Edgar Allan Poe

I'd like to second Sweetheart, Sweetheart and fifth?The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Bark's Book Nonsense wrote: "I'd like to second Sweetheart, Sweetheart and fifth?The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"

I third Sweetheart, Sweetheart.

ROSEMARY'S BABY!!!

I'm with Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde

three lighting fast responses and they're all different! ?_?

The Dwelling by Susie Moloney.
Or...whatever takes the vote:D.

Veronica wrote: "Would Hell House qualify?"

Definitely, classic and haunted house. M.R. James is a personal favorite for the older horror masters.

Latasha wrote: "ok, I third some M.R. James and i'll narrow it down to the mezzotint and the ash tree.
Drood sounds good, too. As does Incarnate. I think I have Vampyrrhic but I know I haven't read it yet."

Those last three all look good, and I haven't read any of them!

Rosemary's Baby please.

Drood is huge; I have it, but not sure I could read it with all my challenges...mmmmm

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sounds good to me!

How about something by the recently deceased William Peter Blatty?

Alondra wrote: "Drood is huge; I have it, but not sure I could read it with all my challenges...mmmmm"

And it is a grueling, very slow read. It is a good book, but it is a beast!

I actually just got through reading "Child of God" by Cormac McCarthy, which to me came off just as disturbing at times, as Ellis's "American Psycho." It's a great example, too, of a modern author writing in the classical style.

Nickolas wrote: "How about something by the recently deceased William Peter Blatty?"

I would suggest Legion since I think many of us may have read The Exorcist already.

And for an older classic, how about Varney the Vampire.

Another vote for Sweetheart, Sweetheart. I already have it on my Kindle, and was hoping to read it soon anyway. Plus....being that Valentine's Day is in Feb., the title certainly would be fitting;-).

Legion is fantastic.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!!!

Myst wrote: "Nickolas wrote: "How about something by the recently deceased William Peter Blatty?"

I would suggest Legion since I think many of us may have read The Exorcist already.

And for an older classic, ..."

I would agree on Varney the Vampire but the edition I most want is a little pricey :I

This House is Haunted by John Boyne

Exorcist or Lilith

I second The Exorcist. (The audiobook is available on Hoopla.)