Horror Aficionados discussion

But its rare anything can scare me. I started reading Bentley Little and i like his stuff so far. I dont like Stephen King his stuff isnt scary. Im like paranormal scares, ghosts, strange monsters, Lovecraftian macabre type stuff. I really love Lovecrafts stuff but wish he wrote in a better prose, it was hard to understand a little. I just ordered Monstrosity by Edward Lee so when that gets in I'll see how that is..but i need other author suggestions. I also really liked Brian Keene, i just wish his books were longer.

The Ruins was really creepy, also House of Leaves is pretty terrifying. That one is a little unorthodox, but it will stay with you for hours after closing the book.

Vicious wrote: "The Ruins was really creepy, also House of Leaves is pretty terrifying. That one is a little unorthodox, but it will stay with you for hours after closing the book."

I tried to like House of Leaves but didnt lol couldnt finish it cause of how unorthadox and weird it was written. Is the ruins book better than that crappy movie? lol

Yeah, the Ruins book is better than that. I had trouble with the weirdness of House of Leaves, but I stuck it out, and truth told, I still haven't finished it. Once I got going in those long passages about the actual explorations, I was totally creeped out.

Naomi's Room is also really scary.

The Ruins is one of the two scariest books I've ever read.

Now I definitely need to buy The Ruins.

There's just no comparison between book and movie on that one - so much of the terror happens inside the thoughts of the characters.

Vicious wrote: "There's just no comparison between book and movie on that one - so much of the terror happens inside the thoughts of the characters."

I saw the movie but had no idea it was based on a book. I don't remember how I felt about it, I guess it wasn't that memorable.

The book had me looking at our trumpeter vine in a whole new light.

The ruins has also something to do with archaeology? Now I want to read it too, and also want to watch the movie. So many books. Is it bad if I watch the movie first??!

Not in my opinion. But I have a strict policy of always reading the book AFTER I see the movie. It cuts back on my aggravation.

I usually try to read books first, it also depends on how much I care about it. But I understand what you're saying. Sometimes they meke me so mad.

I watched the Ruins movie first - also because I didn't know it was a book (my bad!) but the book is so much more rich that the movie just sort of falls away. Even the characters' appearances as I was reading weren't pigeonholed as the actors I'd already seen (which is what usually happens with movie-first).

Monica - not so much "archaeology" as "dumbass kids trying to find something unique to do on Spring Break" and finding some very old ruins.

Mmmm understood. I should probably read the book first then.

Seed by Ania Ahlborn was a great read and creepy.

it is always interesting how what one person finds frightening another may bore someone else. I recently read IT by King and was left disappointed. On the other hand some of Simon Clark's stuff or Laymond knocks me out.

Stewart wrote: "it is always interesting how what one person finds frightening another may bore someone else. I recently read IT by King and was left disappointed. On the other hand some of Simon Clark's stuff o..."

I laughed at how silly IT was lol I haven't tried Laymond or Clark yet tho.

James Herbert work can be very creepy. Also try Jack Ketchum work, his books are thought provoking.

Carlos wrote: "Seed by Ania Ahlborn was a great read and creepy."

Yes, Seed is an excellent creepy story about demon possession. So is Come Closer.

Tressa wrote: "Carlos wrote: "Seed by Ania Ahlborn was a great read and creepy."

Yes, Seed is an excellent creepy story about demon possession. So is Come Closer."

And her newest book, The Bird Eater , takes it to the next level.

The reviews for that book are not very good overall. But you liked it and recommend it?

Summer Of Night is great.

Stephen King has some scares. Try Salem Lot, Night Shift, The Shining and more.

The Exorcist. One scene specifically. Ack!!

Zombette wrote: "Summer Of Night is great.

Stephen King has some scares. Try Salem Lot, Night Shift, The Shining and more.

The Exorcist. One scene specifically. Ack!!"
well as I said, King can't scare me. I've read The Shining and Salem's Lot, along with It, and Pet Sematary and none came close to scaring me lol

I liked the Bleeding Room by Barry Napier.

Laymon scares the crap outta me. I bought every book of his i could get my hands on. The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon creeped me out. I also find that John Saul writes some scary stuff.

Personally, King never scared me. So I started reading more of Keene, Saul, Laymon, Ketchum. In fact, Offspring by Jack Ketchum was great!

Helter Skelter was fantastic! Have you tried In Cold Blood! Or Hand-carved Coffins by Capote?

Sometimes the atmosphere helps contribute to the fear. Make sure you read the book late at night when you are alone. That should make things more exciting :-)

In non-fiction I would suggest - " Killer Clown " about John Gacy. There are few things in fiction that come close to what human beings can do to one another.Chilling.

DARK NEIGHBORHOODS Paranormal novel (Kindle or Cloud Reader)

Alex Jacobs interviews Dr. Harper Paget

Alex: "By the way, Harper, I understand that you lost some loved ones before you ever came to Atlanta."
Harper: "Yes. I lost my wife out in San Diego, California, and, later, an Indonesian lady friend in China. Both were killed by these entities to get at me."
Alex: "Where did this all start?"
Harper: "Centuries ago. Since ancient Greece with the lamiae and the kuntilanak in Indonesia. They came to Atlanta, to the DARK NEIGHBORHOODS, because we may have brought them here."
Alex: "Where did it start for you?"
Harper: "In a little farmhouse back in Illinois. Some of my friends think we brought them to this dimension through the Ouija board. I think they have been wanting to come to this time and place because they have been enemies of my ancestors for centuries. They know about my publications that try to warn the world about them."
Alex: "And they want to stop you, of course."
Harper: "Yes. And if they do, we will have many DARK NEIGHBORHOODS."

http://the-dark-journeys-trilogy.stri...

http://www.amazon.com/Charles-Justus-...

Not the right place for this, Charles.

Sorry. I thought I had seen others do this, including large ads. My mistake.

No worries. Check out the Author Promo threads and you can post it there.

I am on the same quest and have seen some great suggestions on this thread so thank you everyone :)

I've just read Walkers by Graham Masterton, that was very enjoyable, not terrifying (although according to the person that recommended it, I'm obviously broken for not finding it so) but definitely captivating and creepy :)

Of the current group read nominations for What book would you like to read with HA in March 2015?

- (if you have already read any of them) Which ones actually scared you?
- Me: Zombie books, Terrorism books, may be fascinating - but not scary. so anyone care to recommend "Scary" books.

Sci Fi / Horror:
Anyone read Blindsight by Peter Watts OR
Revelation Space series (by Alastair Reynolds)
recommended at https://outtherebooks.wordpress.com/2...

Ryan wrote: " I want to be scared."

Boo!

Check out a sample from my audiobook... it's pretty scary.

http://smile.amazon.com/Dead-Rain-Tal...

One of the Odd Thomas books scared the shit out of me, I think the 3rd and 4th more than any others. Pretty hard to freak me out though. the things that do scare me, like infanticide, I avoid like the plague

The Bird Eater scared me silly, although the reviews are mixed, I for one, found it to be a solid story.

"The Whisperer" (short story) by Brian Lumley; "The Mailman" (novel) by Bentley little; pretty much ANYTHING by Thomas Ligotti.... just to name a few....

Some great suggestions in this thread. I've got some reading to do!

Clive Barker is creepy to the extreme.

Cold in July The Girl Next Door


Those two scared me.

"Scary" often comes down to personal triggers/prefernces. Differences exist across individuals and even within individuals at different stages in their lives. If you have an idea of authors, story lines, themes, categories (slasher, ghost story), etc. you can follow those leads. Or follow the suggestions of others who report similar titles. I, for one, like many Peter Straub titles - others in this group are not fans. It all comes down to preference. I happen to like the understated, creepy, supernatural tales. Gore leaves me cold.
Anyhow, some lesser known authors who write good scary tales, in my opinion, include Greg Gifune, Keith Deininger, Gary Fry, Brian Moreland, and Justin Evans. There's probably others, but I am drawing a blank at the moment.

Anthony: Thanks. I agree with "Gore leaves me cold."
I will check out Peter Straub
and the lessor known: Greg Gifune, Keith Deininger, Gary Fry, Brian Moreland, and Justin Evans
I "still" wanna be scared, cuz 4 me - tis fun

William:
Straub's best is Ghost Story, although you will find quite a range of opinions on it in this group discussion board. I think it is terrifying. Two other favorites that I read in high school when they were published in '71 or '72 (I'm a little on the old side) are The Other by Tryon and The Exorcist by Blatty. They may be a tad dated now - as in less jolting by today's standards - but they are classics. Have fun with your reading

Yeah, but they're still better written than today's standards.

Anthony wrote: "William:
Straub's best is Ghost Story, although you will find quite a range of opinions on it in this group discussion board. I think it is terrifying. Two other favorites that I read ..."

Three of my favorites. Just good, solid reads.