Horror Reading Recs of Every Kind! 🪓 (fantasy, sci-fi, body horror, light horror...)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

As an inexperienced horror reader, I appreciate this video very much. Thanks, Brittany!

[@BookswithBrittany]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@xWursty]

Some of my favorite horror books include, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, Southern Gods by John Hornor Jacobs, The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne, and of course House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I need to check out those first 3!

[@carlosbranca8080]

Man i need to get House of Leaves! Everybody raves about it.

[@xWursty]

@@carlosbranca8080 it's honestly worth it just for the unique reading experience. And it was one of the only books I became unsettled by and didn't want to read at night lol

[@crbranca06]

@@xWursty thats the best recommendation for a horror book! Jaja

[@SINW]

After making my way through 3 trades of Harrow County, I can HIGHLY recommend it as a horror comic. It is definitely southern gothic inspired and a great 5/5 read for me. It has just the right amount of disconcerting vibes. I'm confident you will enjoy it. The basic premise is a young girl (and this happens basically in the very first issue of the comic) is about to reach 18 when towns people become concerned she is the reincarnation of a witch they hung years before that promises to return for her revenge. Honestly, you would love it based on your prior opinions.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Sounds interesting!

[@19Burgandy]

i love most of these books! thank you so much cause ive been having a hard time finding books i like

[@annasophistication3846]

'Tender is the flesh' is one of my favorite books, too 💕 The ending is so amazing! I couldn't agree more. Thx for all the great recommendations!

[@BookswithBrittany]

You're so welcome!

[@yissnakklives8866]

John Dies at the End. Best Horror-Comedy absurdist book on this plane of existence....

[@bobshop7770]

Loved lost gods all of Broms work is phenomenal!

[@Ohsnapitzann]

When it comes to books I love a mix of horror and fantasy content.

[@CliffsDarkGems]

Awesome video! I think reading horror short stories and novellas are a great introduction to the genre. I am starting to read more Sci-Fi Horror. The Stand is my favorite King novel, almost entirely as a result of the characterization, but then there are themes, plot, setting and just awesome storytelling. I think The Shining is possibly his most terrifying offering, and Cujo messed me up bad! World War Z is one of my favorite books, criminally underrated, Carmilla is the original vampire tale but Dracula is the most iconic.

[@horrorghoul]

If you're going to read The Body, Apt Pupil, or Shawshank then just get the book(s) with the story collections and save money.

[@odditycat6233]

Glad for this video! I used to mainly be into horror but you’ve kinda gotten me more into sci fi and fantasy again. But I definitely prefer them with darker themes.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I prefer my SFF to have horror or dark elements too!

[@blackforge1374]

I just finished Carmilla and I LOVED it. Especially in comparison to Dracula. We’re both reading Frankenstein this month, too!

[@BookswithBrittany]

So glad to hear that!

[@andup4936]

This is the perfect video for me! I'm an easily scared person,but I always wanted to try horror! Thank you for this video and all the content you put out,your videos always make my day better!

[@BookswithBrittany]

Aw so glad to hear that! ☺️

[@TheHumbleRoots]

Clive barker is the King of Fantasy Horror.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Seems to be the case so far!

[@redjarl]

Washington Irving's novella is full of humour on superstition and not so scary. It is fun❤ The movie adaptation is something else entirely. Love Washington Irving's Alhambra also. There are great ghost stories there.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I’ll have to look it up!

[@GemmaBernal]

Hello! I really love Stephen King but I’ve DNF It twice because I got too scared, jaja, maybe I should try it again cause really loved the movies. I didn’t know the Expanse series got horror element, that really makes me want to get into that saga ASAP

[@BookswithBrittany]

They are a bit scary at times !

[@uncledubpowermetal]

The entire light horror section should read, as follows: Darcy Coates. That is all lol not a single fright or even a mild jostle in her whole catalog, light is right 😂

[@melsbookshelves]

The Devil all the Time is my favorite book I read last year!! I feel like it’s not recommended enough and it might be one of my favorite books ever. I am definitely do for a reread as well. These are great recommendations!!!

[@BookswithBrittany]

Thank you! And I agree. Now if I could just find something similar

[@nikkiholly3591]

Into the Drowning Deep was 5 star for me. It was just spooky enough for me 🙂 Anything ghostly / demonic I just can't do 😆 I do have The Last House on Needless Street to read tho.

[@MagusMarquillin]

"King has so many books you could never start at the beginning and work your way forward or you'd literally never be done or read anything other then King." Wow, called me out, that's precisely what I'm attempting! I've collected more then half of his books from used book stores already (always a good chance you'll find one). I don't know if it'll work - I'm certainly going to read other then his books - but I'm compelled to try and glean as much context as possible out of Dark Tower when I get to it. To be fair, his best reputation is with his early books - hit after hit - so no harm starting with Carrie to see how it goes. I just finished the Shinning in September - loved it really hard, but think I enjoyed Salem's Lot a little more. I hope I can fit something horror in this month - I'm striving mightily to read at least the first half of Dune before the movie arrives - evocative writing but a little exhausting. Probably will slip at least a Stephen King short story, or get back to Lovecraft (whom I'm also reading the complete works, lol!) or maybe I'll try Le Fanu?

[@BookswithBrittany]

I admire that goal! I really enjoy his books but I know all aren’t for me ☺️

[@carlosbranca8080]

I'm doing the same with Dune, rereading it for the third time before the movie. Will reread Pet Sematary before Halloween, its one of his best and is pretty short for King's standards. Le Fanu is one of my favorites, read not only Carmilla but his collection of stories,amazing writer.

[@MagusMarquillin]

@@carlosbranca8080 First time reading Dune for me; Paul and the Duke are just getting their first areal tour of the desert from Kynes (since I'm generally imagining the films cast, Kynes keeps changing from a white man to a black woman! lol). I've got a "best ghost stories of J.S. Le Fanu" which still includes Carmilla - I suppose I'll start with that one since it's so famous. As for King, I've got to catch up with Night Shift and Skeleton Crew and some Bachman novellas before I get to the Stand. Looking forward to Pet Sematary for all the praise it gets.

[@cipriansirbu3699]

I started yesterday my journey through King's books with Carrie and I love it (60% done).Until the end of the month I also plan to read Salem's Lot.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I can’t wait to read carrie!

[@tkuhel12]

Thanks for the recommendations! I just ordered two of your recs- tender is the flesh & things have gotten worse since we last spoke. Currently I am reading Head Full of Ghosts which is pretty good so far. I don’t scare easily, as I’ve been a fan of horror movies my entire life. But I just recently got back into reading. I have some good ones on my TBR- Dark Matter, I’ll be gone in the dark, The Shining.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I hope you enjoy them! ☺️

[@DylanDoesBooks]

I tried to find Lost Gods today in the book shop but could not see it, ill keep my eye out! I just happened to find Leviathan Wakes in a second hand shop today for 50p, i've been interested in the series for a while so I cannot wait to try it. Frankenstein also blew my mind it was great! It was somehow better than my already high expectations. 🛀

[@BookswithBrittany]

Aw bummer, it’s so good! I’m really hoping to enjoy Frankenstein!

[@samreadsbooks_13]

I would like a deeper explanation on the turtle from IT. Not sure what my favorite King is. I love Rose Madder, Bag of Bones, The Green Mile

[@BookswithBrittany]

I need to pick green mile back up!

[@elowen7287]

I haven't read The Devil All The Time or watched the movie yet, but the description reminds me of a book by Cormac McCarthy called "Child of God." Like, nasty people, nasty things, an all around trainwreck fest of human behavior. And as its name would suggest, it does have themes of religion too.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Thanks for the rec!

[@IzzyRain]

I think Into The Drowning Deep is a good one for starters too!

[@soniciris]

If you like humor in your horror and you don't mind some body horror try T Kingfisher! Not as terrifying as some like but a nice change of pace imo. The Twisted Ones is a good shout!

[@BookswithBrittany]

I’ll check that one out :)

[@jessienube7034]

Love your bookshelf!

[@samanthapatton3724]

Lost Gods is one of my all time favorite books. I want to reread soon.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I need to reread too!

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

I owe you a big apology for not watching your videos so sorry as i am dealing with my spine injections as it’s not good please stay safe and enjoy your reading 📖 love your honesty love your number one Australia fan John ❤️❤️

[@daphnefallz2489]

This year I read The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins after having it recommended to me a lot and it was fantastic weird contemporary fantasy/horror. One scene in particular will haunt you forever. I love books that make you feel like "what is going on right now". It definitely has those vibes. It is definitely one that you may need content warnings for though.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I love that book! It was in my fall reading recs video ☺️

[@daphnefallz2489]

@@BookswithBrittany It is so underrated! I would definitely read a sequel if the author ever gets around to writing one because it really left me wanting more of the characters. I also like that there is enough humor to take the edge off the more gruesome parts of the book.

[@BookswithBrittany]

@@daphnefallz2489 ah I would LOVE a sequel too!

[@dmbfreak123]

I always recommend The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker for something like this. Also, thank you for mentioning Annihilation. It’s extremely creepy with a sense of dread throughout. I love that book.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I’m planning to read Hellbound heart this month!

[@dmbfreak123]

@@BookswithBrittany it’s so good and it’s a novella you can probably finish in an hour or so.

[@lorbito155]

I bought the same edition of Dracula and will be reading it soon!

[@BookswithBrittany]

Enjoy!

[@oogie_boogie9663]

I just read No One Gets Out Alive by Adam Neville and thought it was fantastic. It genuinely scared me from the first page, and I loved the direction the author took.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Oh I need to look that up!

[@laurensantos3093]

I’m currently reading IT, which is actually my first read of King’s despite the fact that I grew up watching adaptations of his work lol 🛁

[@BookswithBrittany]

Such a good one!

[@angelaholmes8888]

I started reading king by trying his short book collection full dark no stars I really enjoyed it

[@BookswithBrittany]

I need to look that up!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Yay, thank you for all the recs! I am definitely still new to the horror genre, but I am excited to try some of these out. I hope you will find some new faves this spooky season ;) Also, I have been meaning to mention how freaking cool this eerie intro and outro are. I mean, I love the rock vibe, but this is also just great and 100% fits your with your channel in general imo. Halloween vibes for the win!! 🛁🤍

[@BookswithBrittany]

Aw thanks so much! ☺️🤍

[@safinan8008]

Happy spooky reading to you!! 📖🍁🍂😊👻☠️

[@BookswithBrittany]

You too!

[@ryan72232]

Misery by Stephen king is a good one 💯

[@FreyaWarr]

I just finished middle game and I’m looking for a good spooky read!

[@clancyconnolly495]

🚰: Our taste in books can be so similar! I’ve read a lot of these recommendations and they are really fantastic suggestions!!! I definitely have to read Brom though, seems absolutely perfect for a spooky atmospheric read. Love the video and love the books added to my TBR 😁

[@BookswithBrittany]

Glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@lenapakalniski2632]

I've been really wanting to dive into horror and your recs are the best! Right at what I think I'll love! I certainly do love The Devil All The Time 🕷🛁 I fell like I could never reread It (🤡), just because I also didn't like the ending, with the paranormal stuff and that scene that grosses me every time I remember this book, but I truly think that the characterizations are some of the best I ever read as well. And so, any time I want to revisit the characters I just go for the movie 😂😂

[@BookswithBrittany]

The movie scared me more than the book 😅 Glad you enjoy the recs!

[@carlosbranca8080]

My two favorite horror novels are T.E.D. klein's The Ceremonies and Peter Straub's Ghost Story. Unlike you i need the supernatural element in my horror. But i can not recommend these enough. Good video!

[@DJF7819]

T.E.D Klein is a master craftsman.

[@Lokster71]

Thanks for the video. I'm making my third attempt at Dracula this month. Hopefully I'll finish it this time.

[@BookswithBrittany]

It was a bit of a disappointment for me :/

[@magicalkittens]

Ok I need to read Devil All the Time now

[@BookswithBrittany]

It’s so good!

[@LarryHasOpinions]

i agree on annihilation, such a brilliant book, i bought tender is the flesh a couple of weeks ago, hopefully i'll get around to it soon(ish) :-D

[@BookswithBrittany]

It’s interesting haha. I really enjoyed it though

[@tomryan3768]

Annihilation is one of the few movies that really captures the mood of the book, I think it improved on the book by combining two locations into one.

[@MrLGDUK]

Haha. One of my alpha-readers doesn't like horror in her Fantasy. I thought there were some horror bits in my fantasy, but she didn't have a problem with any of it!! Clearly I've failed at writing horror into my book (so far) 😓

[@BookswithBrittany]

Maybe she like horror and doesn’t know it!

[@MrLGDUK]

@@BookswithBrittany Hahaha! I wish. Thank you for being supportive 😄

[@nadiatanya]

After listening to this list I’m curious what you feel about Hollow Kingdom? One of my fav books I recommend it to everyone but I have an unusual taste lol

[@BookswithBrittany]

I just reviewed that in my last wrap up and gave it 5 ⭐️☺️

[@jonathonholm8737]

Read Graveyard Shift by Stephen King out of the short story collection Night Shift and you won't ever wanna go into a basement again 🐀

[@BookswithBrittany]

Immediately added that to my TBR!

[@josephcarrel7202]

We are are very scary down here in Ohio lol. I really want to read Bram Stoker's Dracula. I've always thought the cover looked amazing.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I was a little disappointed by it 😬

[@josephcarrel7202]

@@BookswithBrittany oh no 😭

[@michaelokeke4976]

Never really got into Stephen King’s prose that much. I tried Misery, The Stand, Eyes of the Dragon and The Dark Tower saga…none were my cup of tea. But to each his own. My opinion doesn’t take anything away from his talent though because he can spin a good yarn. I’m more of a Neil Gaiman dude 🙂. But great recommendations. Still rereading Scary Stories for Young Foxes

[@BookswithBrittany]

What’s your fav Gaiman book?

[@michaelokeke4976]

@@BookswithBrittany My favorites include The Graveyard Book( Coraline is cool too but I like Graveyard better), Ocean at the End of the Lane( my first intro to the Gaiman), Norse Mythology, Anansi Boys, Neverwhere and Fortunately the Milk. Stardust would have been among my favorites but I got sort of meh on it but maybe that was because I watched the movie before reading the book. I do like how it reads like a pre-Tolkien “fairytale for adults.”

[@11proseb4hoes11]

Brittany if you haven’t read Woom by Duncan Ralston yet I think you will really enjoy it. It’s in the same vain as I’m thinking of ending things and things have gotten worse

[@BookswithBrittany]

Ah it’s on my list! So glad to hear ☺️

[@jazmynesimington7773]

I watched I’m thinking of ending things and I didn’t understand it at all I was just like wtf did I just watch 😂😂 Also, I watched it Stephen king but I didn’t enjoy it. Is the book better?

[@BookswithBrittany]

I think the new adaptation is excellent tbh. But the book is better

[@jazmynesimington7773]

@@BookswithBrittany oh yeah I watched the classic it I haven’t seen the newer one

[@LeppardLadyRN]

🛁

[@EhsJaySaunders]

As much as I'm not usually a horror guy, it was the protomolecule stuff that interested me the most in The Expanse.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Yes, me too!

[@mr.marxscat3506]

Great video. I would recommend Caitlin R. Kiernan. She's heavily influenced by HP Lovecraft in a lot of her work but without all the racial baggage (in fact, she's very LGBQT+ positive). You could start with Threshold or The Daughter of Hounds but I started with Alabaster, a collection of short stories about Dancy Flammarion, who's been tasked with killing monsters by an archangel. And, despite the racism, HP Lovecraft remains the king of tentacled, slime-covered horrors from beyond time and space. If you can overlook the racism, "The Shadow Over Innsmouth," "The Dunwich Horror," "Dreams in the Witch House," "The Thing on the Doorstep" and others are classics. Laird Barron is good in this respect as well. And the graphic novel Neonomicon by Alan Moore is a brilliant modern update of the Cthulhu mythos. Stephen King-wise, there's a guilty pleasure in his vampire novel 'Salem's Lot (adapted for TV in the '80s w/ David Soul and Bonnie Bedelia). His vampire Marlowe is a mixture of Nosferatu and Dracula. Plus, it's only around 250 pages in case an 1100-page doorstop like IT is too formidable. (Honorable mention to King's short-story collection Nightshift.) Sticking with vampires, Nancy Collins' Sonja Blue series (starting with Sunglasses After Dark) is good. And then there's Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's long-running Saint-Germain series of vampire novels, though they're more historical fiction w/ vampires than straight-up horror. A real tale of terror would be her post-apocalyptic novel False Dawn.

[@BookswithBrittany]

Thank you for the suggestions! :)

[@sheyslibrary]

🛁 interested to hear your thoughts on the legend of sleep hollow. I read it a few years ago and gave it a generous 2 stars😅

[@BookswithBrittany]

Oh nooo! What was it you didn’t like? Maybe I’ll pass!

[@MagusMarquillin]

I tried it a few years ago and gave up half way through - despite it being some 25 pages! Just the prose is so verbose and, I imagine, trying to sound older then when it was written in 1820 - I found it's contemporary Frankenstein much easier! I'll give it another try after I train some more on Lovecraft and Victorian classics.

[@Sehestedtify]

Curious if you'll enjoy FRANKENSTEIN. I think it has moments of really powerful brilliance surrounded by pages and pages and pages of navel-gazing.

[@BookswithBrittany]

I’m curious to see what I’ll think too, I’m not sure what to expect