Why You Should Read: H.P. Lovecraft (Spoiler-Free)

Mike talks about how he first fell in love with the writings of H.P. Lovecraft as a teenager and why he think it is important that people continue to read his works...including you.
Want to send Mike something? You can do so to the below address:
Mike K.
15201 Mason Rd
Suite 169
Cypress, TX 77433
Support Mike on Patreon: / mikesbookreviews
Join Mike's server on Discord / discord
Visit Mike's Amazon Wishlist: amzn.to/2zpHooW
Follow Mike on Goodreads: / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Twitter: / zepp1978
Like Mike's Book Reviews on Facebook / mikesbookreviews
Follow Mike on Instagram / zepp1978
Follow Mike on TikTok / zepp1978
Reading excerpt music provided by ‪@VIVEKABHISHEK‬
Track used: [No Copyright Music] THE FOREST | Royalty Free Music • [No Copyright Music] T...
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0(CC BY 3.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
#HPLovecraft #CthulhuMythos #MikesBookReviews

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey guys! Yes, more horror. In fact, THE horror. I'll keep talking about these things until you guys submit to my sales pitches! Have a great day.

[@somatraseng]

Mike's Book Reviews I have submitted. I went to Barnes and Noble today and bought some Lovecraft. I got the fancy looking B&N edition of the "Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales".

[@0bscenity]

Dude, I'm down for more horror. You post horror-related videos, I'll watch and like, and possibly comment!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yes! Enjoy the frights, my friend.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I appreciate that. Planning to talk some classics around Halloween time like Mary Shelly and Bram Stoker.

[@turtleanton6539]

WOW you got a great reading voice

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

"How many classics are banned from your school library" is such a sign of barbarism and cultural decadence that it makes me shudder with horror.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I hate it. Why is an author banned for their belief system in a time when those opinions weren't uncommon yet we can still check out a copy of Mein Kampf or the Communist Manifesto at any time? Or just because the content "makes people uncomfortable" is a really shitty excuse. Banning books is blasphemy, IMO.

[@jamiesehdev2663]

I know! I asked my English teacher where to aquire a copy of the necronomicon and de vermis mysteries and she took a step back n sort of recoiled in a disturbing manner!!! I just said ok miss n walked off?? How rude

[@Terminator-ht3sx]

@@mikesbookreviewsand you don’t understand what nietchze is talking about when god is dead. need to read some nietzche it sounds like but ur prolly not into philosophy

[@antcod1]

Your intros are very well done mate

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks! I feel like they set the mood for what I just read. I also figure it's the closest I'll ever get to being able to record audiobooks.

[@stoneyfoot]

Been reading Lovecraft since the 1970s and keep going back: The Color Out of Space, Rats in the Walls, At the Mountains of Madness... he could evoke the mood of horror and dread like no other.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Absolutely. Just uncomfortable. You see it happening and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. That's the best horror for me.

[@Welther47]

@@mikesbookreviews I would add: The whisperer in Darkness, Dunwich horror, shadow out of time, The thing on the doorsteep. and some others.

[@Rick_Riff]

I really like his sci Fi story about Venus: the walls Of Eryx. Also "The Temple" about Germans in a submarine, "The Hound" about grave robbing, and Herbert West Reanimator a Frankenstein type story. Of course the cosmic staples are great but I also enjoy his lesser known stories.

[@whatfreedom7]

I’m a new reader and I’ve heard about lovecraft references elsewhere so I thought I’d look for something more along the lines of shows or movies I’d like. Maybe that will get me interested in books since I never knew what to read. I know call of Cthulhu is one his top recommended books but mountain of madness seems more along my lines so I ordered one. Hopefully I’ll get into and actually finish it.

[@justinecooper9575]

The definitive "The Call of Cthulhu" movie is the adaptation by the HP Lovecraft Historical Society. Very low budget, black and white, silent, must see.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll look it up!

[@ncspacemonkey]

I don’t know if I’d call it “very” low budget but it was made as if it was released back when the story first came out. Beautifully made. They also made “The Whisperer in Darkness”. But some of their greatest works are the Dark Adventure Radio Theatre dramatizations of Lovecraft’s works.

[@justinecooper9575]

@@ncspacemonkey I have to agree with you about Dark Adventure Radio. I've listened to some of them. Currently i'm working my way through their complete Lovecraft audio book collection.

[@ncspacemonkey]

Justine Cooper I’m very interested in picking that up someday. I already have the complete HorrorBabble series but I love the way Andrew and Sean perform so I’m sure I won’t regret the purchase. Have you listened to their Voluminous podcast? For someone like me who will never get around to reading his letters, it’s a great way to experience some of them.

[@justinecooper9575]

@@ncspacemonkey Haven't listened to that yet but will have to look into it. Right now i'm trying to decide if I want the deluxe edition or the download edition of the Collaborations tales.

[@Devin_Davis]

This is crazy! I had lovecraft on my to read list and then this video popped up. I guess it was meant to be lol.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy the nightmares.

[@lorec9795]

Being minority I understand a person's apprehension toward Lovecraft due to his xenophobia. But with that being said one can not discount the mind of a Genius. And to me Lovecraft was a purveyor of dread. His first person narrative short story style is overly descriptive and compact and are written in a unique character perspective that they have garnered their own reference. Lovecraftian. His influence among horror reading fans is undeniable and should be recognized among the truly greats. He was a man of his times and a great many of his stories tend to reflect that as well. But no one can dispute the amount of writers this man has inspired of all colors and creed. He has touched the psychology of American Pop Culture and left an indelible mark upon it. To this day I can not look at an octopus and not think of Cthulhu and I am in my 50s. I read Lovecraft when I was a child and to this day am still an admirer of his work. He was by no means perfect, no one ever is, but he had a perfect madness that he shared with the world. And to this day we are all still touched and haunted by it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is such a wonderful comment that I feel the need to pin to the top of the comment chain. I know folks are hypersensitive (especially in the States) about any kind of race relations issues and I would never discount the importance of these things. I'm just of the mind that looking at things from 100+ years ago with a 2020 lens is going to make damn near everything seems out of touch. Because it was. So I usually like to stick to the fiction and not the author's personal lives. With Lovecraft I think it was part of what made him write the way that he did. He was straight terrified of anyone that didn't look like him.

[@jdauby]

My 1st encounter with H.P. Lovecraft was Colour out of Space in a Lovecraft collection in the 4th grade reading section in my Catholic school library when I was 10. They seriously had no idea.

[@ericmerrell8622]

The scan of your bookshelves at the beginning of your videos makes me think we'd get along. Also, the music and brief reading at the beginning of this video was great. Got you another subscriber with that alone

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha, thanks! Welcome aboard. Happy to have you here. I try to do a little excerpt reading like that before all reviews and author deep dives.

[@Diego-Designs]

I love that you're very passionate, and it shows when you talk about most topics/books - especially here! Awesome channel, I'm glad I found you awhile back ! 😊

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to have you here!

[@Lawofimprobability]

I think you might be underestimating school libraries. Even a public middle school I spent a year at had copies of The Nazi Doctors by Robert Lifton which still creeps me out and an Evangelical missionary school I attended had copies of D.H. Lawrence's books (which I think are more prurient than insightful but it still gets considered "literature").

[@mikeprendergast1826]

Good evening Mike. I've recently found your KZbin page and I must say I find you quite a fresh breath of air in book reviewers. I am glad that I have found a true Stephen King fan. I watched your post on Lovecraft and found it absolutely fascinating. I haven't read Lovecraft in years but after watching this I have ordered online a back catalogue of Lovecraft's works. I am writing in the comment section hoping you will read it but I would just love a Lovecraft top ten or just some more videos on Lovecraft. Thanks again for doing such a sterling job reviewing, keep up the good work 👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

Doing 3 Lovecraft reviews in October for Fright Fest. Stay tuned!

[@turtleanton6539]

If you like H.P and King try Mangas by Junji Ito. Short stories collection Shiver and Smashed and Longstory Uzumaki.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard these recommendations a lot.

[@donovanchilton5817]

Glycerin scarred me for life.

[@toprak3479]

Uzumaki or The Enigma of Amigara Fault if you want Lovecraftian horror Anything else by Ito if you want fantastic non-cosmic horror

[@ajkious618]

Also Hellstar Remina for cosmic horror!

[@niallmaritz2599]

I know this is a comment posted so much later, but one can now tune in Netflix's anime adaptation of Junji Ito's works.

[@Aeternuss]

Personally I think Lovecraft Dreamlands stories are the most underrated.

[@barbaramerrywell3379]

Been reading Lovecraft since the last half of the 1940's. Never get tired of his writing.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It has aged really well. Like HG Wells, I like the time period he wrote in because it made it more timeless. No electronics or pop culture references keep it from feeling dated.

[@sethwalker5426]

Are you dead??

[@devoringdemonsoulq9086]

How old are you?

[@iBullyDemons]

Bruh. You're ancient

[@rickydeguzman9096]

This channel is so underrated. Well done!!

[@MrTofy1974]

I also have the Necronomicon collection and have read a couple of his stories....I got this book because as a King fan I heard Lovecraft was an inspiration to Stephen King.....the fact that these stories are 25 - 30 pages makes it a great quick read.....and honestly some of these stories I can't read at night cause they're so freaky 👍📚

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha Rats in the Walls had me hearing noises late at night.

[@MrTofy1974]

@@mikesbookreviews lol

[@turtleanton6539]

@@mikesbookreviews it does that

[@bookfantastic]

My favorites still are probably Robert E. Howard, Lovecraft, and Clark Ashton Smith.All brilliant storytellers as well as literary stylists. Musical writing.

[@deicidemaul]

I have some issues with attention so I've never really been able to read books, until I red the dreams in the witch house for the first time. Lovecraft really did create something unique

[@auhsojonalos7558]

I have his complete works but I have yet to read them. This inspired me. Thanks, Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to help. Enjoy!

[@OnyxSkiesXIX]

First, I feel like Lovecraft is a great bridge between horror and fantasy because many of his stories have lots of fantasy elements. For example, his Dream Cycle stories are largely fantasy in many ways. Also, a decade or so ago, Del Toro was trying to make a big budget At the Mountains of Madness movie and every time I think about that fact and that it never happened I get so bummed out.

[@mikesbookreviews]

This is 100% accurate.

[@toprak3479]

There's not a lot of fantasy elements aside from the dream cycle stories though. Sci-fi and gothic elements come up more often.

[@robpaul7544]

Say one thing about H.P. Lovecraft, say that the man knew fear.. Haven't read that much by the man himself, largely because I don't really like short stories . What I've read though was very good. And I am a big fan of his legacy, the Cthulhu mythos. I love playing the Call of Cthulhu rpg, Eldritch Horror board game, and many books inspired by him. There's a cool Sherlock Holmes Cthulhu series going. So yeah, by all means keep the Lovecraft and horror coming 😎👍😱

[@mikesbookreviews]

His influence on modern pop culture is undeniable. He's a marketing money maker.

[@turtleanton6539]

He was afraid of everything

[@nnygem]

I appreciated that you said ‘maddening’

[@tragikk03]

Lovecraft's stories are freakin amazing! I hope you do make some more horror related content. Maybe it's a generational thing.. I'm about 10 years younger than you but, ever since my early teen, I've always been a horror fan; I would go as far as saying it's my favorite genre of all time for both movies and books

[@mattthompson7232]

In the Mouth of Madness was John Carpenter’s take on Lovecraft. Very underrated movie.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I remember liking it. But it has been a minute since I saw it.

[@yojimboeastwood5602]

Classic

[@bookfantastic]

If you want to see another Lovecraftian movie starring Sam Neill see Possession (1981). A bit hard to take about the disintegration of a marriage, but absolutely terrifying. Not like anything else.

[@user-nu3lo2il5x]

Lovecraft creates an amazing atmosphere ,we want more videos about him. Is there an author who creates such an atmosphere ? greetings from Bulgaria.

[@robertstuart9381]

Hey Mike, good video. I've been into the Lovecraft since the 90's. So Stuart Gordan's movies were around, But they never stayed true to the books. At the Mountains of Madness could be done easily with CGI technology with Green screens etc. It would be Amazing. I think his best are The Rats in the Walls, The Shadow over Innsmouth, The Thing on the Doorstep, The Case of Charles Dexter Ward and Pickman's Modal.

[@nicnahar6273]

I still need a light on after Lovecraft 😂. Great content! 👌🏽 I admire that you wanted to stick with the literature as is (rather than tout 21 century morality to the 20th century.. fair enough). But, you’d also be missing a lot of interesting conversations and analysis by separating the author’s personal beliefs from his writings! Then again, you still killed it without going into all that jazz, so I respect that and your decision. I’m assuming you might be more into cosmic horror, so this might be a long shot, but have you ever read any Olaf Stapleton? Would love to hear your thoughts - especially in parallel to Lovecraft!

[@Rick_Riff]

This is great. I'd love to see you do something with RE Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, Algernon Blackwood, Lord Dunsany or any lesser known horror masters of that era.

[@charlesgrey8651]

Have to ask, do you work in the audiobooks industry? Your reading and voice is very much tastefull, love it ❤

[@m.n.tarrint9187]

Actually i just caught on to your channel and would love to hear more about adventure and horror

[@mikesbookreviews]

You're in luck. The entire month of October is going to be dedicated to horror.

[@Kylemathews1]

That's crazy I used to read Stephen King also, and then I first read Mountains of Madness as my first Lovecraft story, and I had the same reaction as you. I have all his stories in one book now.

[@Kylemathews1]

That's funny, Stephen King's 'IT' was the first book to be able to scare me. I never realized books could be scary like a movie or even more so.

[@pattenicus]

Excellent work ! Liked and subscribed.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Michael Patten Thanks! Happy to have you on board.

[@pattenicus]

@@mikesbookreviews thanks mate! If you groove to HPL : Check out William Hope Hodgeson's The House on the Borderland. Lovecraftian Horror written before HPL wrote much. HPL discovered him later in life and loved his work. Both writers have a Houdini connection :) Cheers mare!

[@pattenicus]

^mate :)

[@mkohlhorst]

You'll love the short story called Cold Case by Jim Butcher. I don't want to say anything spoiler, but you can feel that Jim really drew from Lovecraft. The basic premise is it's Molly's first day on her new job.

[@dongoul]

After listening to your video I’m getting the lovecraft collectors edition from Barnes and noble

[@mikesbookreviews]

A wise decision

[@Kylemathews1]

I have it, it's pretty good

[@AdityaSingh-kx7eu]

It’s available

[@mysticmouse7261]

I am writing a sci- fi fantasy novel. Lovecraft prose is the gold standard of the cosmic horror genre which he originated in spite of Poe."The Gardners took to watching at night-watching in all directions at random for something . . . they could not tell what. It was then that they all owned that Thaddeus had been right about the trees. "

[@mikesbookreviews]

Poe --> Lovecraft --> King. That's my macabre trio.

[@mysticmouse7261]

@@mikesbookreviews It's impossible to completely prove the source of all influences. But Lovecraft' s style is unique and only resembles Poe in the flowery language of 19th and early 20th century prose. E.g. blasted heath.

[@oberstul1941]

I swear I could sense a tear in the corner of my eye when you said that Lovecraft is fine literature. Dammit, almost forgot it. That it really is. Cheers, Mike.

[@bookfantastic]

I first read Lovecraft in my high school library in an anthology entitled Famous Monster Tales by Basil Davenport. This might have been 1974. The story was "The Outsider." I had to read it twice to understand it. Blew me away and changed my life. I read all of his stuff after that. I was the captain of the soccer team, but I was also the brother who had a nose in a book while the sibs were watching Taxi and laughing together. I was sort of the Outsider.

[@surajsingrajput7512]

Hey, I just subscribed your channel now!!! Great intro buddy!! ❤️ For Stephen King. And, also I want a video which h p Lovecraft book to start!!! Great day!

[@AlbertGauche]

My favorite story of HPL is, “Dream Quest of the Unknown Kadath”.

[@balazskiss9252]

I hope you got the second tome for the Necronomicon, the Eldritch Tales and Miscellenea, worth to check out

[@RSEFX]

A lot of the effect that Lovecraft gets across on the printed page can be realized thru music and sound. The overall "tone" is what stands out in his writings. It's a very emotional thing, a mood. Someone like David Lynch probably could make a really effective Lovecraft adaptation. Showing everything (thru efx and other visual means) probably is not the best way to go to get across the "unnameable", the unspeakable. Glimpses and suggestion, shadows and sound might be the best way to translate the feeling of his stories to film. Of course, you DO have to pay it all off with a certain amount of visual trickery, but the trick (wordplay intended) is to not overdo it. (CLOVERFIELD created the Lovecraft feeling of terror in part.) Anyway, just some thoughts on the subject. Thanks.

[@mikesbookreviews]

These are all very valid points. A CGI crapfest wouldn't do Lovecraft justice at all. Really, I feel like most of them could be adapted low budget except for something like Cthulhu or Mountains of Madness.

[@RSEFX]

@@mikesbookreviews Exactly!

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@RSEFX Here's hoping we'll find out.

[@MythicalP]

I would like to read more horror but I do not know where to start. I enjoy very much this kind of videos. I'm thrilled to read more Stephen King, Anne Rice, Lovecraft, so on and so forth.

[@julians.2597]

That Netflix series with the invisible monsters mad eme think that maybe - just maybe - I will see good cosmic horror movies in my lifetime

[@erikthecleric9209]

I for one would love to see more horror related content :D I like Lovecraft and Stephen King although I've only read three books by him, but since I've been wanting to get more into horror books these videos are always welcome! A side question: would you recommend reading The Stand by Stephen King? Cheers and keep up the great content! Edit: should probably add that I am a big fan of fantasy and that's how I initially found your channel

[@mikesbookreviews]

I plan on doing classic horror month this October. Thinking more Lovecraft, some Poe, Mary Shelly, Bram Stoker, Shirley Jackson, etc.

[@erikthecleric9209]

Mike's Book Reviews that would be awesome! Can’t wait

[@tultsi93]

I started to read H. P. Lovecraft recently, and I don't regret it. ^^

[@amandaofhouserobinson6707]

I loved reading mountains of madness and the call of Cthulhu!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It would be insane not to.

[@turtleanton6539]

Read the rest

[@surajsingrajput7512]

I am thinking to read at the mountains of madness I haven't read any Lovecraft but thinkin

[@ryanfaulkner5488]

Which book would be best to read as a newbie that just wants a sample of what he does .... chuthulu seems cool

[@YES_YES_NO_YES]

excellent hair cut

[@PearlJamaholic]

Ive read 2 collections of Lovecraft's works, currently on a 3rd, all in one, set. Some of the stories I have read more than twice already cause I had them in other collections. Something about Lovecraft I really enjoy. I rarely reread books, there may be 5 books in my life I have read more than once. But I am going through my 3rd read of Lovecraft's complete collection now. Oddly I got into horror and King because of Lovecraft. I was a D&D nerd and didn't like how fantasy was always empty in scares, a setting with dragons and goblins should have have a few spooky scenes with ghosts or skeletons, or whatever. And someone said if you want fantasy and horror check out Lovecraft.

[@berlinesquelove1360]

Have you heard of Thomas Ligotti? I'd say he carries the Lovecraft torch (and arguably takes it to even darker places) much more than Stephen King.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have, but am yet to read any.

[@EndlessLaymon]

Ramsay Campbell is a brilliant British author who is heavily inspired by Lovecraft.

[@JLchevz]

I just bought the complete works, I got carried away lol it's just a must read right? I definitely want to read this, I'm gonna put on hold my TBR, which is never ending. Thanks a lot Mike, I'm enjoying the vids a lot : D

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy the trip!

[@JLchevz]

@@mikesbookreviews thanks :D

[@bernardmcgroary3372]

did you get the secand book the eldrich tales

[@lukeroberts1234]

Good shit.

[@scottgage6498]

Keep doing horror, brother! It’s great.

[@Rulupaul]

I'm 18, Danish, and read a lot. I have never read H. P. Lovecraft before, and I wanted to read something a bit more classic. I recently acquired my "Complete Cthulhu Mythos Tales" and I've been dying to read it, however, I'm also a sucker for correct reading orders. Is that something that I should think about before diving into Lovecraft's work? What stories would you recommend?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I don't think there's a required reading order since all of his stories mostly stand alone.

[@alpertroncp2198]

There's no reading order really - there's interleaving between stories (places and institutions and beings named in multiple stories) but there's not really a clear, chronological chain of events. A good one to start on is Dagon - that's his earliest example of the kind of material he's known for now.

[@DanClapp]

What kind of clock is that?

[@vaporiiz]

Would be awesome if they would make a big-budget movie about Cthulhu!

[@albertocarlosgonzalezpined9326]

Dude just found your channel trough your top 10 horror novels video. I first got Interested in horror trough Lovecraft and his short story "The Nameless City", bought it at a stop while crossing Mexico by bus :) Anyway, did you ever read "The descent" by Jeff Long? Don't remember the quality but it stuck with me... (right now reading "The Ritual" by Adam Nevill). Greetings from Tijuana, Mexico.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hi! Welcome. I haven't read the Descent. Is it what the film was based off of? Because I loved that.

[@albertocarlosgonzalezpined9326]

@@mikesbookreviews yeah good movie Mike, but not based on the novel. Hope you can read it sometime.

[@jeffrusnack5673]

Because like Dijon Mustard its in Every Thing! Dresden, Aquaman, Watchmen, Got?

[@alpertroncp2198]

I'm writing my English literature dissertation on Jules Verne and HP Lovecraft - both known names but not read as widely as they should be.

[@Frank_G_Finster]

It were Howard and Lovecraft for me too, who brought me into this awesome world of classic horror and fantasy. But ewww... comparing Lovecraft and King is like comparing Godzilla to a crocodile... Excellent video anyways. Thank you!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I get that and it was more of a personal thing because reading King led me to Poe and Lovecraft. Not necessarily that they're similar. Just following the influence like when a Hard Rock musician says The Beatles were influential to them and they're nowhere on that level.

[@alpertroncp2198]

King and Lovecraft both write horror, but their styles of horror don't particularly compare. When it comes to skills as a writer there's a debate to be had about which has stronger writing skills.

[@yojimboeastwood5602]

Well said. Applying today’s standards to yesterday. Great storyteller. Shadow over innsmouth is my favorite. A lot of relatable paranoia

[@nicnackscorner1031]

It's always been on my list. Time to move it up

[@mikesbookreviews]

You're currently in a Stephen King mindset, so I think you'd dig it. By the way, hoping to fit in Outsider this month and then we can talk about it.

[@nicnackscorner1031]

@@mikesbookreviews awesome I'm watching the show now. I'm looking forward to our conversation.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@nicnackscorner1031 I've heard good things, but nothing yet from anyone who has read it, too.

[@nicnackscorner1031]

@@mikesbookreviews they are doing a good job. The changes made are justified so far. I'm digging it. You'll see. I must say it's one of my favorite King books at the moment.

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@nicnackscorner1031 I think folks are having the toughest time about Holly because the actress who plays her on the Mr. Mercedes show is ripped right from the page.

[@derekgreen7319]

One of my favorite authors even though I'm not a horror fan

[@DamienNeverwinter]

Mike, Have you read M R James?

[@TornadoCreator]

I want to hear about horror and sci-fi. Booktube is full of people talking about YA books, (and let's face it, when I say people, I mean little girls). Occasionally you get a Booktuber who loves fantasy and there's a few of them dotted around, some even make a special case for Stephen King and he's allowed to join along with the fantasy fandom, alongside Brandon Sanderson, George RR Martin, Robert Jordan, Brent Weeks, Patrick Rothfuss, Joe Abercrombie, Philip Pullman, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher etc... you know what's really sad I consider myself a sci-fi fan and a horror fan; and while I can rattle off a dozen fantasy author names. I can't name more than a few sci-fi or horror authors, and the ones I can name are from more than 50 years ago. Jules Verne, HG Wells, Arthur C. Clark, Issac Asimov, and Aldous Huxley... that's basically all I have for sci-fi, nothing from the last 50 years. Horrors even worse, there's HP Lovecraft, Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Peter Straub (and the only reason I know him, is he co-authored books with Stephen King). Oh and I have one book by Joe Hill (Stephen Kings son) which I've not read yet. Outside of King, I don't know anything of horror. Please cover more sci-fi and horror. I have no idea where to start with these genres especially modern authors, and I want to. I really want to.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm planning to dedicate the month of October to horror this year. Including more Lovecraft.

[@Tom-sd9jb]

You could try Necroscope by Brian Lumley... Sadistic vampires, time warping, ESP, horrifying excitement. (I see this is an old comment but I hope you see it and find this to be something you'd like to read!)

[@bdre5555]

The rats in the walls and The Outsider are amazing

[@unholydiver1095]

Do you think Lovecraft would be a good starting point for someone who is just getting into reading books. Never been a reader, but I want to get into it, and I feel like horror/thrillers are the only books that can appeal to me. I have always been a fan of movies with cosmic horror elements in them.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sure. The way he writes takes a few pages to get used to, but I think it’s approachable for anyone, given they like horror content.

[@unholydiver1095]

@@mikesbookreviews Nice. Thanks for the reply. Definitely interested in getting started with Lovecraft. Thanks for the vid

[@goofynigga8456]

Imma read his books where should I start.

[@MilesWilliams88]

The game Bloodborne is a great Lovecraft game. Give it a shot if you've never played it. It's hard as nails, but a masterpiece of a game.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I may have rage quit a couple of times ha ha

[@MilesWilliams88]

@@mikesbookreviews Haha yeah it's tough! Once you get used to it though... it's not too bad.

[@zakirehman9023]

Gosh, those illustrations and music was so so scary

[@gelobeep8188]

My favorites is *the mound *

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

As a lifelong horror fan, I sought to read Lovecraft in my 30’s. I read 3 consecutive evenings in a row and had the most horrible nightmares each night. The thing about a horror novel or movie, I am never scared, because I’m in control. I know they are fiction and they don’t bother me. In the realm of dreams, I have no control. Needless to say, I stopped reading Lovecraft then. Haven’t touched a story since then, but I have felt the pull to do so. I have quite a few things lined up book wise, so I probably can’t start it this year. Perhaps next year.

[@Kylemathews1]

wimp

[@Michael_L_Morrison]

Kyle Mathews Way to keep it classy.

[@givesbeetdip0055]

I just recently got the best weird tales of lovecraft which has over 800 pages of his stories. Throughout my life I've had some crazy dreams but never true nightmares. But I've had some pretty crazy nightmares too man it's crazy what a good book can do to your mind.

[@bdre5555]

I am a huge lifelong fan of horror, and I can honestly say that lovecraft's stories are scarier than anything in existence

[@rjmacready8830]

You can see Lovecraft's influence on King in stories like "Jerusalem's Lot" and "Children Of The Corn."

[@bookfantastic]

I think short horror stories are more significant than novels, though there are many great novels. But W.C. Morrow, Gerald Kersh, Charles Birkin, Eleanor Scott, and I can go on and on are must reads. M. R. James. H. R Wakefield. Howard. Clark Ashton Smith. These to me are more important than the novels. Margery Lawrence. Terry Lamsley. Poe. Lovecraft is the best. I could go on.

[@JosephSaltal]

Is the film, "In The Mouth Of Madness", a H.P. Lovecraft story?

[@rjmacready8830]

John Carpenter made "In The Mouth Of Madness" with Sam Neill in 1994.

[@mztweety1374]

My mom got me into Stephen King. Metallica got me into HP Lovecraft LOL. I didn't know that he inspired my favorite movies like Aliens, John Carpenter's The thing and In the mouth of madness is my very favorite Carpenter movie. 😂 I even rewatched from beyond... which to me was the most disgusting sci-fi movie I had ever seen when I was a kid. A lot of his adaptations college made movies like Dagon and the deep ones. Guillermo del Toros cabinet of curiosity story about the storage unit is brilliant. I wish he would direct at the mountains of madness.

[@bookfantastic]

Cody Goodfellow. Radiant Dawn. Don's miss it.

[@seansmith2650]

And play bloodbourne

[@filipferkovic5445]

They could make movie with more his stories like Creepshow

[@immortallegacy100]

Late to the party but I just wanted to add that the three Penguin Classics editions of HP Lovecraft's collected works is probably the way to go as far as being the best editions at an affordable price for a newbie. You can get them brand new for )$10-15, or used for a couple of bucks. If you like them, great. Pick up a B&N or annotated edition, but if not, you're not in the hole.

[@nickmcpherson2600]

In the mouth of madness was directed by John Carpenter. But it was a very Lovecraft story so not wrong there lol

[@johnmonkey1874]

I know this is 3 years old now, but it's really hard to watch these videos because the music plays too loud often over the voice of Mike. I hope they improve.

[@fraudron3455]

Do a why you should read Kafka.

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

I find it peculiar to keep mentioning POe. Poe is gothic at its best, but he's basically psychological thriller. The supernatural element is present in several of his stories, but it's never the defining element. Even two tales so blatantly supernatural and House of Usher and Black Cat do not focus on the supernatural, but rather on the distorted psychology of the characters, with the supernatural forces being almost incidental to that. Usher was unhinged from the start, and even if what led him to sacrifice his sister to the vampire house was fear of being the next sacrifice in the family line, the main think the tale focus on is his mental imbalance. Same with the narrator of The Black Cat and his drinking problem.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I mention it in my King videos that it's not really a 1:1 comparison as much as when I was really diving into horror, I read Poe, Lovecraft, and King a lot at the same time. So I can't really mention one without bringing up the others because of the influence they had on me and my love for the strange and wicked.

[@williamjones3534]

Mike since you read Lovecraft why not read Lovecraft country? Have you seen the series?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I’ll pass.

[@williamjones3534]

@@mikesbookreviews 😂 🤣

[@marioksoresalhillick299]

To be honest, I never found Lovecraft very scary. But I do find him really cool and imaginative.

[@robertnewberry8296]

Starbucks logo is Dagon/Cthulu. "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." "The Babylonians had a myth that a being emerged from the Erythraean Sea who was part man and part fish." "The name "Dagon" is derived from "Dag" which means "fish"." 1 Samuel 5 :: NIV. After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon's temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD ... Actually, I think the best screen adaptation of Lovecraft is 'Dagon', which is based on 'Shadow over Innsmouth'. Also, the game Cthulu Dark Corners of the Earth. The reality is that Dagon is a religion very much alive and well today. Notice the hats the Pope wears, called a mitre, which at the top is a fish mouth. The Dagon priests wore a hat called a 'mitre'.

[@mr.x6313]

Dude, seriously, the audio cuts out at certain points in your videos. You have really got to get that fixed, if you haven’t already.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Dude, seriously, this was over a year plus ago. On the real, I was getting copyright strikes for music. Just a victim of that. Sorry it’s killing things for you.

[@shazbotsmash2422]

When asked about my Lovecraft fandom I always say "yes, he was a piece of shit but so was disney".

[@tultsi93]

And so were Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr...

[@drewshere7869]

As long as he didn't put any of his personal beliefs in the book I'll go ahead and give him a chance

[@michaelo5665]

Not sure if this is a thing but both of my parents were for, all intents and purposes, functionally illiterate. My mother only read romance novels and my father car magazines. This lead to a weird situation where ,since they had no clue or interest in what I was reading. I read lovecraft, king and philip k dick before I left my gradeschool....

[@bookfantastic]

The reason that the argument against horror writing is Horseshit is that the genre is a way to describe intense suspense involving the struggle against a fate worse than death. Very difficult to pull off.

[@StumpkillerCP]

The old "Night Gallery" TV series borrowed a LOT from Lovecraft. As have many horror/dark fantasy producers. Everything from Hellboy to South Park to The Mummy has "borrowings" from his concepts. Sooo much could be done in modern cinema with the Old Ones from Dagon or the Deep Ones or the Elder Ones. But they probably wouldn't live up to what our own minds can form from the readings. Don't let the night gaunts of Kadath drag you too deep.

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

LOVECRAFT KING POE AND JUNJI ITO... YOU WILL STAY SCARED FOR LIFE.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I keep hearing that last name a lot.

[@fredrikgranstrom6743]

@@mikesbookreviews he is the japanese king with real scary stories with incredible art