We thought we’d find out from our Facebook fans what the scariest book they’d ever read was. Not necessarily a horror book but just a book that unnerved and discomfited you and left you looking over your shoulder and checking under the bed.
More than a thousand replies and over 100 titles later, here are your top 20 books to read with the light on, the windows closed and a big stick by the side of your bed.
The King of modern horror is also the King of our poll with several titles appearing in our top 20, the first of which is The Shining. A tale of a family man trying to provide for his family and his descent into madness. If you’ve only ever watched the film, you’ve no idea of the true horrors that the story portrays, give the book a go.
King again, IT this time and I have to agree, Pennywise is one scary Clown.
.. And Salem’s Lot completes our Stephen King dominated top three; a story of vampires proper you’ll find nothing sparkling here.
In fourth place we have The Bible, or to be more specific a book within the Bible. Revelations is unnerving in its description of the apocalypse.
And after that blip we’re back to Mr Stephen King. Pet Sematary is your fourth placed choice for a good scare.
William Peter Blatty brings King’s domination to a close with his horrifying tale of a little girl possessed. Be warned this books pulls no punches and is truly terrifying.
Eighth place sees a return to the King family’s domination of this poll; it’s the younger generation this time with Joe Hill’s petrifying novel Heart Shaped Box.
In ninth? Helter Skelter, a true account of The Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi.
Our final spot goes to Dean Koontz with his fast paced and truly shocking novel Intensity where a young girl and a serial killer are locked in a battle of wits with the outcome meaning death for the loser.
The next ten books, in the order of nomination are:
House of Leaves ~ Mark Z. Danielewski
Silence of the Lambs ~ Thomas Harris
American Psycho ~ Bret Easton Ellis
The Stand ~ Stephen King
Rats Trilogy ~ James Herbert
Dracula ~ Bram Stoker
The Amityville Horror ~ Jay Anson
Christine ~ Stephen King
N0s4A2 ~ Joe Hill
The Bone collector ~ Jeffery Deaver
I was really surprised that H.P. Lovecraft did not make the top 20. Several people mentioned him as an author but failed to nominate a novel and only two people nominated The Call of Cthulhu.
I’ve read all but The Historian and The House of Leaves from this poll list and I have to say I agree with you. These really are books to read with the light on.
Sweet dreams all.
10 of 2024’s Most Anticipated Reads
The For Reading Addicts Book of the Year 2023
Are You Willing to Unite Against Book Bans?
Roald Dahl Censorship Creates Grotesque Versions of Classics
For Reading Addicts Book of the Year 2022
Only 6 from Steven King? I know a lot more that should make this list
Wow, if I’d known this poll was going on, I would have nominated ‘Rats In The Walls’ by Lovecraft. Yuck!
The picture of Helter Skelter isn’t the actual book, Helter SKelter. It’s of a completely different book by George Stimson. Look at the cover!
Am I the only one who needs a thriller to go to bed?? Truth be told, I haven’t found a thriller, yet, to loose my sleep over…
The name of the last book in the Bible is “Revelation”, not “Revelations”.