This week’s TTT is a Halloween themed freebie. For my list I am choosing my favorite scary books. These are not all horror reads, but they all gave me the chills.
Top 10 Scary/Creepy Books
1. 
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
This one takes places in an asylum for the criminally insane during the 1950’s. Author Lehane sets the atmosphere perfectly. This is more of a psychological thriller than a horror story but I thought both the novel and the film were very good.
2. 
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
I could easily say that Pet Sematary is the scariest book I have ever read. Even King says that after he was done writing it he put it away in a drawer for years because he thought he had finally crossed the line. This one merits a re-read, but I have to be brave enough.
3. 
The Countess: A Novel of Elizabeth Bathory by Rebecca Johns
I actually read this book in one day as part of the 24 Hour Read-a-Thon years ago. Set in the 1600’s, this historical thriller chronicles the life of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory who is said to be the world’s first known female serial killer. It is a work of fiction based on a real life monster. As the Countess narrates, you do not want to believe her version of the gruesome story.
4. 
The Shining by Stephen King
It is really no surprise that I could make this entire list all King novels. It took me a while to work the nerve up to finally read The Shining because the movie scared me so much. What really stands out is that The Overlook hotel is its own character here, a menacing presence that these characters cannot escape. Just the thought of Wendy not knowing that her husband was slowly losing his mind was terrifying enough, but that the hotel was haunted just made this the stuff of nightmares.
5. 
The Ruins by Scott Smith
A Mexican jungle, a group of friends, ancient ruins… I think you might guess what comes next. Both the film and book are big on the cringe and gore factor and I liked it.
6. 
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
I have never read a more beautifully written vampire story. Anne Rice just breathes life into these characters and the setting is rich and vivid. I loved the movie too. Perfect casting.
7. 
Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke
Taking place on a snowy Christmas morning while a mother and daughter are home alone during a blizzard, this one chilled me to the bone because of the unexpected twist. I thought about it for days after.
8. 
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Coraline is a beautifully creepy story. The illustrations in the book just add to it and there is a subtleness about the writing, where you don’t realize you are scared until you turn the lights out for bed later.
9. 
The Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
I am a big fan of Poe and his macabre writing. I feel like his protagonists are intense and dark and Poe creates a fantastically tense atmosphere. My copy of this book is well read and enjoyed.
10. 
Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill
When I read this one I was really happy to discover that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree in regards to Stephen King’s son being able to write a scary story really well.
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That is my Top 10 List of Scary Books. I love a good, creepy story. What are some of your favorites?
Thank you for stopping by, enjoy your week and Happy Halloween 🙂
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disclaimer: Nothing in this post is available for download. The photo above is my own.
the bookworm 
Naida, some of your choices have me intrigued, though Pet Sematary might be too scary for me! I will keep these books in mind, especially during the dark days of autumn.
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Hi Susan, King is definitely a good choice for those cold autumn nights 🙂
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I enjoyed reading your list, Naida! Shutter Island was creepy, I agree. I’ve always preferred psychological thrillers to horror–so it definitely is more my style than most of Stephen King’s novels. I’ve never really been interested in Pet Semetery and I thought The Shining was only okay. I really liked Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box though. And Interview with a Vampire! I loved that book. I haven’t yet read Coraline, but I want to.
I’m glad you mentioned Mind Of Winter. That really is a great book for this time of year. I really liked it.
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Hi Literary. Yes, Mind Of Winter was really creepy, I enjoy a good psychological thriller as well.
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Nice scary books 😀 No more for me this fall though
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This is a great list.
Though it has been a while since I read it, Pet Cemetery is indeed an effective book. Poe is also in a class by himself.
I have not read as much horror as I would like to.
I would however classify the short stories of both HP Lovecraft as well as Thomas Ligotti as great horror,
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BTW – This is Brian Joseph. Book Girl was someone that I helped with a problem with her account around four years ago. Occasionally her name pops up when I try to comment. This is so bizarre. I need to get this straitened out. Sorry for the confusion!
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And lol about the who Book Girl mixup. I was thinking I had a new blogging friend…lol!
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BTW – This is Brian Joseph. Book girl is someone who I helped with an problem on her account about 4 years ago. Occasionally when I try to leave a comment her name pops up. Very bizarre! I need to get this straightened out! Sorry for the confusion!
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Hi Brian, I have read and enjoyed some Lovecraft in the past.
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I can remember Pet Sematary scaring me but not nearly as much as It did, now there’s a book I’ll never forget.
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Hi Naida,
I haven’t read any pure horror books for some time now and looking at your impressive top ten list, makes me realise just how much i have missed them!
I had no idea that Stephen King’s son was a write, so ‘Heart-Shaped Box’ looks like a great place to check him out!
‘Mind Of Winter’ also sounds intriguing and ever so slightly spooky.
I have never read the book, however like yourself, I thoroughly enjoyed the film of ‘Interview With The Vampire’ – excellent casting, great script and fantastic acting 🙂
Thanks for all the lovely comments you left for me, I shall get around to all the replies ASAP, I promise 🙂
Yvonne.
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Hi Yvonne, yes, I was happy to see King’s son write as well. It does run in that family.
If you ever read Mind Of Winter I’d love to read your thoughts on it, it took me by surprise.
Interview With The Vampire is a good one, I heard Anne Rice took part in the film production so she really wanted it to stay true to the novel. That is one of the best book to film adaptations I have seen.
Enjoy your week and don’t worry about the comments. I have been off the grid myself for a few weeks. These colder Fall days have me in my pajamas and either curled up reading or crocheting rather than at the computer.
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I have read 6 of your list, 1 on my tbr I think. This month I re read the stand, uncut, 2 zombie books & I would like to reread another Stephen King before October finishes 😀
Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
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Hi Lainy, I know you enjoy King as well. Happy reading!
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Yes, great list! Pet Sematary and The Shining were sooo scary. Interview with the Vampire is one of my all-time faves. And, of course, Edgar Allan Poe rocks!!
Happy Halloween!
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Hi Diana, we share a few of the same favs then 🙂 Hope your Halloween was a spooky and fun one.
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Great list, Naida! I enjoyed reading Shutter Island and watching its film adaptation as well. I need to read King’s older books as well; I especially miss reading The Shining and IT.
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Hi Melody. I remember missing the characters in IT after I was done reading. I lived inside that book for several weeks.
Have a nice week my friend 🙂
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