What are some of the most popular horror novels of all time? I asked myself this question and did a little digging on Goodreads to find the answer. A lot of the books I found were expected, but some were a bit surprising!
1. Stephen King Novels
King’s novels are by far and away the most popular horror novels. I would say at least 10 of his novels are in the top 20 most popular. So instead of making this list a list about him, I’ve decided to lump all his novels into the #1 spot.
I’ve only read one Stephen King novel (The Long Walk), and I read it as a 12-year-old (what sort of sick child was I??). I’ve never really been that into any of his other books. I tried to read Under the Dome semi-recently, but I hated a character in that book too much to continue.
2. Dracula by Bram Stoker
Well DUH this is high on the list. This book is fantastic!
3. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
I am currently reading (and loving) this one!
4. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Um, I’ve never even heard of this one until now! MUST ADD TO TBR.
5. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
6. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I read this one and thought it was okay. It barely counts as horror, and since that’s what my expectation was, I was disappointed.
7. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Confession time: I started this book and maybe got 1/3 of the way through. I was bored out of my mind so I DNF’d it.
8. Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin
9. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
Another one I’ve never heard of but will be adding to my TBR ASAP.
10. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Ah, son of Stephen King. As far as I’m concerned, that’s just too much talent for one family. They need to share the talent-wealth with the rest of us.
11. World War Z by Max Brooks
I loved this movie, but have heard that the book is not exactly what you’d expect (it’s essentially a series of military documents/communications). It sounded a little too dry for my taste, so I have yet to pick it up.
12. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Am I the only one who didn’t know this book was considered a horror novel?
13. Swan Song by Robert McCammon
I’ll be honest, this cover makes me laugh more than it wants to make me scream… but if the masses say it’s good, I suppose I should give it a try one of these days!
Have you read any of these? Which would you recommend?
A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.
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Bethany Stewart
Okay, I don’t know if this counts as HORROR specifically, but I like reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell around Halloween! It’s a very dark, fantasy, magic based story and I adore it!!
Ali
I think anything dark counts as a good Halloween read! I will have to look into it, as I’ve never heard of it until now!
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight
I’ve read Dracula, Interview (just reread this one actually), and Frankenstein. I don’t remember Frankenstein though because I read it in high school for required reading and hated it lol. I wonder how I’d feel now, but I don’t want to slog through it again just to find out. The rest of these are prob too scary for me! (Although I have seen Silence of the Lambs, so maybe I could handle that one.)
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Anna
To be honest World War Z is MUCH less dry than you’d think! It outlines various outbreaks of the zombie virus across the globe through interviews, documents, diary entries, etc, in stead of following one character. It’s actually terrifying (although that’s always my favorite part of a zombie story- the outbreak).
Ali
Well that’s good to know!! I think I will have to read it then! I really wanted to, but some people deterred me. So now it’s back on the TBR! thanks Anna!
Maraia
I’ve actually read two of these, woohoo! I read It earlier this year and loved it up until a certain scene that really disturbed me (and not in an “I’m scared” way) and knocked off a whole star from my rating. I also read Frankenstein back in high school, but I don’t remember much besides not hating it. 😂
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Ali
Hahahaha about Frankenstein! A lot of King’s books have really disturbing stuff in it that I don’t like (usually it’s real-life possibilities, so they make me uncomfortable), which is why I find myself never reading his books (or starting them and not finishing them). So I’m not surprised about what you said about It!
Catherine D.
The Silence of the Lambs. *applause applause Bloody, critical and heart-stopping.