10 Horror Books I Haven't Read...Yet

[@mikesbookreviews]

Update: Read Swan Song (loved it!) Reading Let The Right One In, The Exorcist this October Delayed House of Leaves another year due to time commitment

[@danielcorey2156]

Swan Song is an absolute monster of a book. That was an instant “top five books of all time” read for me. McCammon is an absolutely incredible writer. He’s in the same league as King, and I don’t say that lightly.

[@shawnturpin197]

Swan Song gets compared to The Stand a lot. Swan Song is by far the superior book.

[@chrisw6164]

Swan Song is an all time favorite for me, still holds up 30 years later.

[@Patrick.__]

@@shawnturpin197 I feel the same way, The Stand is amazing for the first half, but really drags in the latter half in my opinion. Swan Song is a much more consistent read.

[@danielcorey2156]

I’ll take Swan Song over The Stand as well, but I have tons of love for both.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

I'll put it to you this way. The Stand was fantastic, but I've only read it once. I've read Swan Song perhaps 5 times, and will I'm planning on giving it another go next year. That's how much I love Swan Song.

[@teksnotdead902]

Read House of Leaves about 12 years ago and it’s one I still think about. It was a chore to read because of its presentation but a chore that felt worth it and added to its vibe tremendously.

[@katieamarsh]

Swan Song is definitely on my radar too.

[@xWursty]

Just reread House of Leaves this October and it is a ride for sure. Sometimes it reads like a critical analysis of art work and the next it's the most immersive horror story you've ever read. So it will be interesting to see how you feel about it. Either way, it is, without a doubt, the most unique reading experience I've ever had. Easily my favorite horror book.

[@DylanDoesBooks]

House of leaves is certainly one that needs to be savoured and just enjoyed as an experience, I can't see myself reading it again, but I also haven't finished it yet. I will vouch for James Herbert, if you enjoy The Rats, which is a trilogy but can be enjoyed as a standalone, I would recommend The Fog.

[@chadgoto9063]

Swan Song is amazing! If you like The Stand, you will love Swan Song. One of my top 3 post apocalyptic books.

[@BloodDemon999]

Very new fan BUT I love your choices in books. Every video I watch I seem to add like 5 more books to my TBR. Super grateful to have found someone who reads book just to read. Not just recommending new releases all the time.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I am happy to entertain! Thanks for watching.

[@daveedmunds1109]

Two I always recommend are Swan Song and Ghost Story, so you got those covered. Other than that I would have a look at Kin by Kealan Patrick Burke and the Terror by Dan Simmons.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ve read The Terror. Great book.

[@MrNiceguyjin]

Swan Song is my favorite book. Absolutely love it. The audio book version is great, too.

[@marccolten9801]

I recommend, as always, Hell House (by Richard Matheson) and The House Next Door (by Anne Rivers Siddons). Respectively, the least subtle and the most subtle haunted house novels I have read.

[@ZachMurtaugh]

Your top 10 Horror of all time is what brought me to this channel. Keep at it!

[@thomaskittock2866]

The Exorcist is one of my favorite books of all time. Absolutely stunning piece of work. I would read the original version, which is technically WPB's first draft of the novel, and then go read the 40th anniversary edition and appreciate the editing and added scenes. You'll be glad you did. I own both and did it that way, you'll have such a great time. I recommend it sooner rather than later!

[@andrewpopely9511]

Great list Mike. James Herbert The Rats was the first book he wrote, which you can tell when reading it, but it’s short and quite a good entry point to his works. Just bear in mind most of his other books are much better as he becomes a more experienced writer. Growing up he was one of my favourites along with Steve King, Koonts and Laymon.

[@timkirsten6184]

I've only read The Rats and Sepulchre and enjoyed them both for the most part; what else would you recommend?

[@andrewpopely9511]

@@timkirsten6184 I love the Ash books starting with haunted, as well as Creed and Magic cottage.

[@dpeady78]

The Troop by Nick Cutter is one of the best horror books I read this year - Lord of the Flies + extreme body horror = good times

[@chrisw6164]

Robert R McCammon’s heyday in the 80s is always worth reading. Swan Song, The Wolf’s Hour, Mine (which is story about a woman protecting her baby) and Boy’s Life (which is a coming of age story that you’ll definitely enjoy) are all masterworks. He took a break and came back strong with his Matthew Corbett series starting with Speaks the Nightbird.

[@fithfath3615]

Read The Rats trilogy of books many moons ago, when I was a teenager. They were a fun read. There seemed to be quite a lot of books about giant animals back in the day from Crabs to Slugs. The Rats does stand out as one of the better versions in this sub-genre of horror.

[@xJesterx777]

As a big Ito fan and manga fan in general, I would recommend Tomie over Gyo. The concept for Gyo is very bizarre and borderline silly so I always have a harder time recommending it. I also would highly recommend his adaptation of the novel No Longer Human. I think that’s the best thing he’s put out so far. Glad you’re enjoying manga so far!

[@TheHumbleRoots]

Great And Secret show is right up your alley for Clive Barker

[@umara1015]

For short horror stories, I would recommend M.R. James. Not only is he my favorite classic horror writer but he also had an enormous influence on the development of the ghost story.

[@austinmoore1113]

House of Leaves can be a chore but it’s scary. Legitimately scary. Keep the lights on and pace yourself.

[@tiffanyrich6652]

Loved the recommendations. One of the books, The Exorcist, I’m currently reading. It’s good but I’m not sure that it’s one I would read every year, like The Shining. The other book that’s on my tbr is House of Leaves. This will be my third attempt at the book. The first go I dnf around page one hundred. The second time I approached it as two different stories. So in each chapter I read all the photographer stuff first and then went back and read all the footnotes. That worked out much better. Then the rollers on an airport scanner got a hold of it and shredded it. So I bought another copy and now it’s just waiting. So maybe I’ll join the read along and actually finish it this time. Anyway, I can’t wait for your next video.

[@dalejones100]

Honestly The Books of Blood is probably the best piece of horror fiction in my opinion and considering you are a horror fan, you are doing yourself a disservice. You should check it out.

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Ghost Story and House of Leaves have been on my radar for a while. I read The Exorcist a few years ago . . . much more visceral than the movie. Also, stoked about Swan Song!

[@Dude_on_a_Map]

A book shouldn’t have to be a chore to read.....House of Leaves.

[@alynam82]

Fantastic list!! Swan Song is an excellent entry into Robert McCammon, extremely immersive and beautiful character work. Horrific antagonists, too. Also, I got Ghost Story and Damnation Game on my TBR as well. Read Exorcist this spooky season for my first time and it was really, really good I think you will love these books

[@blackforge1374]

I read Swan Song for the first time this September, and I loved it. Gave it a 4.5/5. It steps out of the horror with some beautiful, touching moments. Haven’t read The Stand yet, but I also see them compared frequently. As for Clive Barker, I’ve only read The Scarlet Gospels, and it was a fun, hellish read. But I think you should read it AFTER his other occult horror books. Several characters, including the main one, were recurring from previous stories, so maybe don’t read TSG first.

[@ccreel64]

You are going to LOVE “Let the Right One In!”

[@mattdalton9672]

I think you'll like Swan Song. I read it faster than any other book and it is the biggest book I have read as well. I have never read a Steven King book, but look forward to reading the Stand now with confidence of being able to read a novel like that. Was also one of my first reads into fiction. Robert McCammon has the Wolf's Hour which is like a 007/werewolf, always had peaked my interest.

[@Allthesmallteas]

LTROI is great. Nice Bud Cook art you showed there. It was in the Suntup edition. Beautiful books

[@thecaffeinatedbookwyrm3051]

Swan Song stuck with me for decades. Have you seen the old movie Ben? About rats? Great video. Can't wait until you read and review all of these. Phil Rickman and Ania Ahlborn and Rick Hautala....also good. House of Leaves is one of my favorites. Listen to Poe's Haunted album also.

[@marchandorama]

Watched this video just to make sure you had Let the right one in included in the list. Ahhh you never disappoint Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I aim to please.

[@lnuhfer]

Another scary book is Summer of Night by Dan Simmons. Also, if you want a totally immersive story with growing dread throughout, read the Blackwater series by Michael McDowell.

[@Wildcarde1]

Vampires + The Witcher+Post apocalyptic FANTASY + Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

I finished House of Leaves for the first time this October and was sure of I would hate it, but ended up loving it. Be pepared that it is a bit of confusing and that the story has full of layers, but in the end, it is well worth it to get through it.

[@thord9055]

As a Swede o was excited to hear you are interested in Let the right one in. This book is unpleasant in other aspects that just the horror. Although I thought Lindqvist's Little star are his best work so far

[@ambopants4946]

House of Leaves is a very memorable book. I read it about 8 years ago and still remember it very vividly. I'm glad you're planning to read it!

[@unlimitedreads]

Mike - The Survivor by James Herbert is really scary!

[@dylanprice4956]

The Rats is the 1st of a trilogy. The 3rd Domain is right up your street. Apocalyptic. Great read.

[@shuralmehki]

Robin McKinley's Sunshine is one of the most unique takes on vampires that I've read. R. L. Stine wrote just a few things that weren't Goosebumps-related. He wrote two adult horror fiction novels: Superstitious, and Red Rain. Both are quick reads. I'd love to see how you respond to them after having read so many other novels in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Curtains, The Sitter, and Eye Candy are three YA novels he wrote. Dangerous Girls was his attempt at YA vampire fiction.

[@lnuhfer]

Ghost Story and Swan Song are fantastic.

[@mikesbookreviews]

So I keep hearing.

[@coughlinslaw7207]

The Rats! The school they attack is the both I and James Herbert attended - St Aloysius College in London!

[@robertfrank3089]

Just showed my 5, 8, and 10 year old children 'The Secret of NIMH'...they loved it! We read the books first, quite a bit different.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Man, that cartoon messed me up as a kid ha ha

[@robertfrank3089]

@@mikesbookreviews I saw it when I was pretty young as well and it had a lasting impact. Funny what people thought was appropriate! But now I realize it was great to be exposed to things that were challenging as a child. The movie was much darker than the book with a lot of tension, but the pay off was great!

[@danireader2087]

I’m with ya on the wanting evil vampires and am currently reading the original - the one and only Dracula 🧛‍♂️ and I am loving it so much more than I thought I would.

[@Litera_Trotter]

Ypu should definitely try Carmilla, the vampire story that inspired Bram Stoker

[@mikesbookreviews]

Such a classic! I love it.

[@danireader2087]

@@Litera_Trotter it's on the tbr.

[@Patrick.__]

I read through Swan Song a month ago or so, it was an incredible book. I thought it was better paced than The Stand.

[@wandachamberssomrajit2260]

I love your shirt!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Gracias

[@nicholasoleksak395]

Ghost Story you’re going to like. Read that over the summer. Got some good creeps. Surprised you haven’t read any of the Hannibal Lecter books. Then again, the books you have are gonna be good reads so you’ll be good.

[@timkirsten6184]

I haven't yet read Damnation Game, but I read both Books of Blood and Cabal last year and they were fantastic.

[@casieblevins7253]

I'd love to see a video of the Funko pops on your shelves. :)

[@chrisfragola1527]

Hi Mike. Rosemary's Baby is an absolute great read ! You will enjoy it so much! Great job as always! Be safe and well.

[@ronmessico8012]

I don't know if "The Haunting" counts as a novel, but it's a book I read back in the days accounting the things The Smurls had gone through in their house. It's terrifying stuff even if it was a hoax.

[@grtlsopmbd]

I always enjoy your horror content. Enjoyed Spooky season very much. Two writers I've never heard you mention are Robert Aickman (he only wrote short stories but I recommend two collections - 'Dark Entries' and 'Cold Hand in Mine') and Ramsey Campbell.

[@chrisw6164]

The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker is my personal favorite. Imajica will wear you out the same way as Weaveworld, but I like them all just fine. The Damnation Game is a lot more “straight” horror than Weaveworld.

[@chibimeee]

omg nothing related to books but your left eye reminds me of when i had infection in both of my eyes and has to wear sunglasses to my school. i was THE monster for a whole damn week hahah

[@alexbigday1587]

I can't believe I have read a book that Mike hasn't: can't wait to hear your thoughts on The turn of the screw and I have the feeling that it won't take you more than an afternoon to get through it

[@jmzzz1]

I believe a miniseries of Rosemary's Baby was made in 2014, NBC. The Exorcist is the only horror novel that actually gave me a nightmare.

[@mmurphy3608]

Ghost Story is great. Read it twice and I don’t reread books very often.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent to hear.

[@tanyareads7376]

Swan Song is excellent. I read it probably 20+ years ago because my older brother is a big fan of McCammon, and it still sticks in my mind. I also read The Exorcist in college, and to this day hearing water dripping somewhere in the house creeps me out! You’ve got a good list there, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[@rustyshackleford1875]

The Rats is a legendary book here in the UK and there is a whole series. If you want a more extreme UK author try some Shaun Hutson (or one of his many pen names) but be warned, he's not for everyone. Damnation Game is great but Books of Blood really is where Barker comes into his own. He is the master of the short story. Have you read any Richard Laymon?

[@KalleVilenius]

Gyo is a single story. I don't know where you got the idea of it being a collection, probably confused it with something else. I remember Secret of NIMH. Don Bluth's first four movies blew Disney out of the water. House of Leaves I read last spring and it's a very strange, experimental book. It's also utterly fascinating throughout and I can't even imagine what kind of thought process went towards creating it. I definitely fall on the "love it" side.

[@billkeon880]

Let the Right One In was fantastic. Great story but the prose was on par with the best writers out there. Huge pleasant surprise. Ghost Story is pretty darn good. Swan Song was quite good though not quite up to The Stand

[@mikesbookreviews]

Let The Right One In feedback has me very excited.

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

Check out other McCammon books, strange and intriguing.

[@alanaschlotter6324]

I much preferred the Swedish version of the movie for "Let the Right One In' over the American. I would recommend a watch if you haven't already.

[@readingreignbro5680]

Very nice list. Thanks Mike. Happy Halloween

[@davidcarroll9698]

Swan song is brilliant my friend

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

If you want a fantastichorror Novella series. that uses a quest trope to appeal to fantasy fans. I HIGHLY recommend Nightmareland Chronicles by Daniel Barnett!!! Really quick 1-4 hour reads. There are 6 novellas.

[@onihr1]

If you read house of leaves, the authors sister,Poe as an accompanying album.

[@cmmosher8035]

There is a tv miniseries remake of Rosemarys Baby from 2015ish that i never saw. I recall enjoying the novel when i read it in the 90s. I also just picked Straubs Ghost Story a week or so ago. Hopefully its good

[@jacobjasonbago]

I don't know if you've read them but if you're looking for terrifying vampires (definitely not YA), I would recommend The Strain trilogy by Del Toro and Hogan.

[@probablyhyperfixating]

Im not one to get scared, but creeped out... Ive been reading Camp Slaughter and I can't stop thinking about it. Granted I live next to a National Forest and who knows whose living in that thing😂 Its a quick easy keeps you entertained read, while keeping the fear factor looming

[@esliet]

Great list , I will have to write these down. I have read Ghost Story , The Exorcist years ago but next year might read again. Loved them

[@YourBrainonBooks]

Cabal by Barker is a fun read. It’s only 200 pages and reads like the film. Can’t go wrong

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

I meant Michael McDowell. Check into his background for great things he's done. His Blackwater Series is fantastic!

[@Allthesmallteas]

OH I just read The Exorcist this October and it is terrifying.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

Let me know when you start damnation game!!! Would love to read that when you do.

[@ernstbrehm1135]

I really enjoyed Rosemary’s Baby. Felt so real.

[@catalinoncescu2494]

Great video.

[@grantarnold704]

I'm not really a Talisman fan at all, but I loved Ghost Story. It's a book that has really stayed with me since I read it a few years ago.

[@joshuafowler883]

Ghost Story is by far one of Straub's best. Koko is probably my second favorite of his. Swan Song is a great book, very similar to The Stand. My go to for horror these days are Brian Keene, Bentley Little, or Richard Laymon.

[@hucklebuck411]

Two books I read many years ago and I will have to read again, because I've forgotten everything about them except I know they made a lasting impression, are Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon and Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco. This October I have almost completed the Barnes & Noble Dracula and Other Horror Classics by Bram Stoker. I finally read the original Dracula and enjoyed it very much. His other two novels The Jewel of Seven Stars and Lair of the White Worm were also quite good. I actually enjoy reading Horror anthology short stories (especially classics) and, since you are such a big fan of Stephen King, I would highly recommend Philip Fracassi's Behold the Void anthology. I flew through this book of short stories often getting the impression I was reading something by Stephen King.

[@spud13y]

What a coincidence! I'm a little more than halfway done with Rosemary's Baby.

[@paull9115]

Let the Roght One In is a great great book and the Swedish ( original) movie is much much better then the US remake ( which i still liked)

[@AutomailUser]

My father always told me that Stephen King's IT was like he read Floating Dragon and Ghost Story by Peter Straub and decided to merge those two books together, so you might like those books.

[@benjaminkennedy5083]

Swan Song is a masterpiece!

[@ernstbrehm1135]

Exorcist is a Must Read!!!

[@redjarl]

There are scary scenes in Swan song, but overall it is not that spooky. I was more impressed by McCammonn's Speaks the nightbird because of the state of medicine that time and age had. Poor man had to go through such blood curdling procedures I felt sorry for him and scared, too.

[@dylanprice4956]

Put Wolfs Hour on your to read list. McCammon classic.

[@troychurch5064]

Mike, If you want your vampires scary read Empire of the vampire by Jay Kristoff. It came out recently

[@chrisw6164]

Straub’s prose is significantly slower than King, but that’s not a criticism.

[@turtleanton6539]

Gyo is like uzumaki a long series. But there is a hardcore bonus story amigara fault. This hole was made for me.

[@Porururidimu]

Amigara is very popular (as in known) from what I've seen

[@hanswurst4768]

House of leaves, hell yeah! I absolutely loved it, but I totally understand that people hate it too, it can feel quite pretentious, but I had hell of a great time with it.

[@chrisconnors7418]

Let the Right One In. The US movie version was ok, liked it. The original foreign version was even better. More chilling.

[@orionmegastar]

You pronounced Lindqvist’s name pretty good. If you like Let the Right One In he has written a lot of horror books and it seems like he has cited Stephen King as an influence. Another Swedish author that cites Stephen King as an influence is Mats Strandberg, the book Blood Cruise is about vampires and I really recommend it.

[@alexablume360]

I've got some bad news for ya, Mike: the did remake ROSEMARY'S BABY in 2014. It was as a TV miniseries starring Zoe Saldana. It was pretty bad and I definitely recommend giving the original a rewatch.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Man. So bad I didn’t even know it happened? Yikes.

[@grimreads]

If you want Horror Clive Barker go for Books of Blood, Hellbound Heart and Cabal. Maybe The Great and Secret Show. Damnation Game is so-so. Ghost story is like a more wordy Stephen King. I would consider starting with Koko. Also, don't expect ghosts in it. McCammon is great. Boys Life would be more up to your alley but Swansong is Epic Horror. I have yet to read The Rats but it is protosplatterpunk/nasties. The Fog is one of his classics. Let the Right one In is also an awesome King-ian horror. There is a huge element that was not in the movie. Rosemary's Baby is also great. The Exorcist is also on my pile of Horror shame. House of Leaves in an interesting reading experience. Not traditionally horror though, more celebral. Give it a read at some point you feel adventurous instead on a "spooky" month.

[@littleaussierippa]

The Rats is the first in a trilogy followed by Lair and Domain. The Fog is another classic Herbert Story. I highly recommend you read more of his work.

[@JeBoardCrabshorts]

I love The Secret of Nimh

[@paninerfan8797]

Lol they did remake rosemarys baby into a tv show and you're right it is bad. Great video keep em coming.

[@TheNum8274444]

Let's goo House of Leaves is greaat!

[@amaiaj.8972]

Hi there!! New in here. Nice channel. Too many books to read, not enough time 😭