MY TOP 15 HORROR NOVELS... I Read 500+ Horror Books to Find the Best (2023)

[@richardsuits9503]

Grew up on Stephen King (I'm 60) but didn't branch out on horror much, other than Poe. Reading had dwindled to just a handful of books a year til my kids convinced me to try audiobooks this year. (I'm on book 57) I create much of my Hoopla and Libby audiobook lists from your suggestions lately so finally decided to subscribe. Thank you so much!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Happy to give you some new ideas

[@dgage1776]

Same. But the being 60 and the kids, but getting book ideas from her. Not many others doing anything of value with new books

[@travisporco]

there was an interesting video by TaleFoundry a few days ago about why cosmic horror is sometimes not scary, but rather can trigger a feeling of awe or what some people call "the sublime". Very insightful I think as why a lot of us love the genre...it isn't actually for the sake of fear, pessimism, etc.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'll have to look that one up

[@dgage1776]

That's what my favorite story, 'At The Mountains of Madness' did to me. I'll never forget the feeling it gave me. I can't really explain it, though. Maybe it was awe. It evoked the feeling that I was learning something that nobody else knows about the nature of our existence

[@Luannsupremacy]

Just want to say you are a BLESSING to have found 😭 I’m new to booktube and am loving the community and the recommendations. Just ordered NOS4A2 and book of accidents excited !

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Aw thanks!

[@Soadsgotaload]

Had no idea Rosemary’s Baby was based on a book that’s probably my favorite horror movie so definitely need to check that one out!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

You're in for a treat!

[@nailpolishnook7373]

Pet Semetary(this book kicks me in the heart every time), The Exorcist, The Shining and Rosemary's Baby are my favourite horrors of all time. The Book Of Accidents sounds intriguing! I might also have to read NOS4A2!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love that we share so many favourites

[@Comanche93-alpha]

Give “haunting of hill house” and “house of leaves” a try….if you want to be horrifyingly unnerved.

[@Octobig]

LOVED this lineup!! tender of the flesh just hit different; one of the few books that genuinely disgusted me while reading it. i had to take breaks! and there's so much on here that's still on my TBR, which makes me so motivated to read. happy october! 👻🧛‍♂🎃

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes Tender definitely hits different

[@joalgustas6498]

👻NOS4A2 was AMAZING! Super creeped me out last year. I loved it and “Salem’s Lot”; I’m not a big vampire person either but man. Those two books were done right!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Glad you also love NOS4A2

[@ShenefeltsAudiobooks]

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”-Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

[@peterpuleo2904]

A true masterpiece beside which most other horror novels pale.

[@JaynardManback]

Not a shameless plug or anything like that... but I promise my novel will scare the hell out of you. Spooked me. Fulcrum by Jason Alan Patterson

[@Mystique753]

Thank you so much for a great video,i have had a few of your picks on my wishlist i can hardly wait to read them .

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope you enjoy them

[@jrson5000]

I love these list videos! Thank you!!!

[@jessileemiller]

This is such an awesome list! Some of my favorites are on here, and some new to check out! Thanks so much!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yay!

[@alynam82]

Two of my all-timers mentioned here: Exorcist and Pet Semetary! I loved them! I enjoyed Book of Accidents too, it was my first Chuck Wendig read, and now I want to try his book Wanderers some time. A few other of my own horror favorites would be: Dan Simmons Carrion Comfort (that's a huge read tho) and Summer of Night; Peter Straub's Ghost Story; And now my NEW favorite Fracassi's "... with Strangers" (YT won't let me post a comment with the full title, it seems)

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Glad we share some favourite and I love reading about the other books you love!

[@kittyshiv]

love thissss, thank you!

[@KanyeWestLyricalGenius]

These all sound amazing. I now have 15 new books on my reading list

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yay!

[@chriscze6153]

Nice list! I Am Legend is one of my favorites too, don't think I read any of the others here bar Tender Is the Flesh (also really enjoyed it). The Changeling and Wendig (will read Black River Orchard first) are on my radar, thanks for the recs.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope you enjoy them

[@zazenbo]

highly recommend Ligotti to any horror fans that haven't read his work!

[@zazenbo]

also, gonna check out Tender is the Flesh and NOS4A2 from this list. Both sound awesome!

[@joinbookland]

A few of my faves from your list : The Changeling and NOS4A2. Others are Salem's Lot and Let The Right One In. I have Red X and Book of Accidents on my TBR!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love reading about your favourites

[@rupertjd6049]

I haven't seen all of your videos yet (I'm working through the back-catalog), so I apologize if you have reviewed this author before, but it's possible that Mona Awad might be up your alley. She's ours (Canadian), and her books are such a smart otherworldly manic fever-dream twisting of reality, fantasy and horror. I've read Bunny, All's Well, and Rouge this year, and they are all on my best of all time list. Impossible to categorize. Sit with you for days after you finish reading.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh no I've heard of her but haven't read her. I had no idea she was Canadian

[@robpowers8978]

Vaporetto 13 by Robert Girardi. Remember reading it when I was younger and liking it. It’s defined as a mystery set in Venice and has a supernatural vibe to it. Short read…worth it.

[@isirlasplace91]

Tender is the Flesh broke my brain when I first read it😅 But thenI realized it's the kind of horror I love!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Omg yes that book is brain breaking!

[@SMtWalkerS]

Great list. I have not read most of them, so will give them a try. Have read most of Stephen King, and love the original Dracula by Bram Stoker. A couple I like - The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, The House Next Door by Anne River Siddons, and Burnt Offerings by Robert Marasco.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love reading your list

[@noellestradamus]

As someone who reads almost exclusively horror, I find these lists filled with books already on the TBR or read. And this list gave me like 5 new recs! Amazing!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo your comment made my day! I know what you mean. As someone who reads so much horror, I rarely find books on these kinds of lists I haven't read or at least heard of

[@AgoraphobookNerd]

I had to read Red X twice as well, because several things went over my head. But such a fascinating, truly scary horror novel. Great list!! ✌🏻

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'm so happy you enjoyed it! I feel like not enough people have read it

[@anasstywomangaming]

Just started Tender is the Flesh. About 50ish pages in and already having to do some deep decompressing sighs. It's A LOT™. But I'm so glad I'm reading it. Also, I can imagine going into Rosemary's Baby blind would be a treat, but I'll definitely vouch that even having had seen the film prior to my reading it, all of the moments that were meant to hit still hit so I hope people who've seen the movie give it a shot regardless.

[@anasstywomangaming]

Also you made me want to finally crack open The Exorcist. I've seen the movie so many times and it's been sitting on my shelf exuding an accusatory aura for not having been read yet, but this endorsement may have pushed it near the top of my TBR.

[@EnragedTiefling]

I just finished Tender Is The Flesh, it's A Lot but I felt like it accomplished what it was trying to do well.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah it's definitely a lot!!

[@krisprepolec5616]

I think for my favourites I would definitely include all 5 volumes of The Books of Blood by Clive Barker. I also love We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry and Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love reading your favourites!

[@Chowskittles]

Very cool! Thanks for this. Have you read Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Not yet! I'm hoping to read it this winter

[@halko1802]

That thumbnail is terrifying! I love it! 😱😂 About to listen to Ghost Radio! 👻

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thank you! I was quite happy with this thumbnail so I hoped people would enjoy it too!

[@candicebarbata5028]

WOW! That thumbnail’s Amazing!✨I think you’ve finally convinced me to read N0S4A2!✨

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thank you! I was quite happy with this thumbnail so I hoped people would enjoy it too!

[@jeff8835]

Happy spooky season!! 👻

[@sherryallison5258]

👻 🦇. Always enjoy your ranking videos! I read The Book of Accidents this year and agree it's a very good complex story.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Glad you also enjoyed it

[@clairesayers7727]

Ive read a few of these and my current read is The Book of accidents . Im really loving it so far. Pet Cemetery is also one of my Favourite Kings along with Needful things. Thanks for the recommendations, there are definitely some there that I have added to my list !

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Glad you're enjoying Book of Accidents so far!

[@Darrkness]

Lots of great choices for October spooky reads! 🎃👻🧛‍♂️

[@whitecrow1583]

yeah! all time top..something is what I need from life 🤩

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Woo!

[@SuprEmpth]

I’m new to reading books for pleasure. I’ve been trying to find some real scary stories. Can’t wait to read these.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope you enjoy some of these

[@amberreid1059]

Tender is the Flesh and The Exorcist are also in my top ten! I also enjoyed a number of other books you mentioned but there are definitely a couple you mentioned that I haven't read yet but will have to keep an eye out for. A couple of other ones that are really high up on my list are Penpal and A Short Stay in Hell (though, the latter is a novella).

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Sounds like we have some similar tastes! That is awesome

[@clancyconnolly495]

Listening to Ghost Radio now on your recommendation- it is very different, I think it will be worth a reread in the future but very interesting story so far!! I love your list as a whole- lots of great horror that I have read and loved and lots of new to me books that I cannot wait to check out :)

[@TheShadesofOrange]

It's a slow build... I hope it works for you!

[@clancyconnolly495]

It was great, finished a few days ago and still thinking about it- so definitely a win and one I never would have known about without your recommendation. So thank you!! :) @@TheShadesofOrange

[@ladyj9386]

NOS4A2! Love the audio book by Kate Mulgrew - thanks for that recommendation. Also like Pet Semetary. Thanks for the video!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Amazing narrator!

[@Jarratt-420]

Great list, you have great taste! If you like joe hill you’ll like nick cutter and Grady hendrix. I also think you would like jack ketchum, Anya ahlborn, and Tim Curran if you like that really intense stuff. Thanks for the video 😊

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes lots of good authors who just missed out on my top 15

[@Cory_bo]

I've had The Book of accidents on my Kindle since years!! I will put up higher on my list if you have it as one of your top horror books!!! I had the chance to read Tender is the Flesh in Spanish, since it's my first language and the original of this book... one of the best books I've ever read!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope you love it!

[@fiberartsyreads]

Lots of good books here! I need to reevaluate my faves for a list for sure.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love to see a new list from you

[@DATo_DATonian]

I am into my seventh decade on this earth, and as a child I was raised as a Roman Catholic. Catholic dogma, like the dogma of any other religion, is not meant to be questioned by its members, and for this reason I think the impact of the movie (and novel) _The Exorcist_ was given a certain validity which other horror stories do not achieve. This was chiefly, in my opinion, experienced most deeply by Roman Catholics, but the actual practice of exorcism added a new dimension to the believability of the story to all who read the novel or viewed the movie. It was this element of believability which I think accounts for the fantastic interest and reception this story generated upon its release as well as the documented physical reactions exhibited by many who experienced the story.

[@Zivilin]

Booktube subtle reminding me i still need to read Fledgling on my physical tbr. 🙈

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Do it!!

[@JasonsWeirdReads]

Fantastic list! Pet Sematary was a reread for me and made the number one spot on my revised list. It’s such a great book. I am Legend is so good and I must reread it soon as well. N0S4A2 is also a favourite of mine. I should reread it for Christmas.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Happy we share so many favourites!

[@mackgarner6477]

Classic, almost forgotten favorites are the men in the jungle by Norman Spinrad, the maze of death, by Philip K Dick, and the plague by Albert Camus

[@emmaribena5529]

Funnily enough, I read Tender is the Flesh on the 8th October 2022 and stopped eating meat! Still a vegetarian today!!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I kinda believe it. The book certainly got me questioning my habits as a meat eater

[@clintgardner7422]

Pet Sematary is my favorite Stephen King book as well as my first book I ever got.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

So good!

[@starian72]

NOS4A2 is my number one too! I’ve never reread it though, I definitely need to!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'm glad you love it too!

[@josediaz-bahamonde3203]

Thanks for this amazing list! (and Tender Is The Flesh Is quite creepy)

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Glad you feel the same way with Tender

[@briteskin]

When I reread 'The Exorcist' earlier this year it lead to first reads of 'Jaws' and 'The Amityville Horror'. Not sure why didn't think of adding 'Rosemary's Baby' to that cycle of reading. I been meaning to read that and 'The Body Snatchers'. Maybe 2024 sometime. Some of the books that are among my fave horror books that aren't on your list are: 'Skin' - Kathe Koja, 'Carrion Comfort' - Dan Simmons, 'Damnation Game' - Clive Barker, 'Lost Souls' - Poppy Z Brite, 'Swan Song' - Robert R McCammon, 'The Red Tree' - Caitlin R Kiernan

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love reading your favourites!

[@BigDaddy13515]

Awesome list! American Psycho is one of my favorite books of all time. Idk if you’ve read any Clive Barker but I definitely recommend checking out The Hellbound Heart, The Thief of Always and The Books of blood. And if your ever in the mood for a total gore fest check out Off Season by Jack Ketchum!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks. I've read Hellbound & Weaveworld but definitely need to read more

[@aleidadiaz2261]

Great list!

[@Mrjacharles]

Love the cover of Rosemary's Baby. That one sticks out at me for some reason ...

[@TheShadesofOrange]

It's a good one!

[@_Mike.85]

Read NOS4A2 last Christmas... fantastic book. Instant 5 star for me and one i'll definitely be coming back to as well. The TV adaptation they did of it was really really great also if you haven't seen it.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

So happy you also love the book!

[@SFF180]

Ghost Radio sounds good. I still have to read Piñata as well.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Be interested to see if you like them

[@billkeon880]

Lavalle’s books are all fantastic, but Changeling is my favourite. Similar feel to Night Film

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oo Night Film is good too

[@JaySmith-ll4fo]

Horror novels have brought you here😂😂

[@georginamiles4024]

Love a good haunted house book

[@Booknerd1]

I loved this and will definitely be checking these out. I am also Into Creepy Doll books. What is the book behind you called the doll collection. I am reading K.R. Alexander Gallowgate he's a middle grade horror author the sixth book of his I read.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

The Doll Collection is an anthology edited by Ellen Datlow. Definitely recommend

[@ignyup]

Have you ever done a top 10 best short stories collections?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

No I haven't at this point

[@susansprague7304]

Thanks, Rachel! Did you know that 'Cabin In the Woods' was made into a movie? Also, I have to push my fav Stephen King - 'Bag Of Bones'.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh yes I still haven't seen it though

[@girlygirl2815]

I am legend the movie was phenomenal. Will Smith is the character love love love this movie.

[@hahahahahha8458]

Damn, I did not know American Psycho was a novel. Will be reading that one, thanks :D

[@TheShadesofOrange]

You are in for a treat!

[@寿司食べたいな]

You could make a Top 50 list and I'd buy all of them.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I don't think your wallet would appreciate me making that video 😅

[@pauls713]

Stop doing this to me! October is too short to fit in all the horror novels I now want to read. Your videos should come with a disclaimer.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'll work on that disclaimer 😅

[@TonyV89]

I have either read a lot of these or have them on my list. I think she and I could be good friends. Edit: I love this list. This woman has great taste in literature.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Aw glad we have similar tastes!

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

have read five or six of the books on the list but not the top two which are now on my tbr must-read list⚛😀

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Woo hoo!

[@somedude8548]

You’re awesome!

[@calvinriley3292]

Alright, let me grab a pen!

[@寿司食べたいな]

It just hit me that the pet cemetery in Pet Sematary is just a red herring..

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah it's a good one!

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

Now this is my kinda list (:

[@nobo1982]

I got incredibly board with tender is the flesh in and put it down only a third of the way in but maybe ill give it another go.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

It has gut punch ending but it also just might not be your thing which is okay

[@blakebellis]

Shades! Make a video of "If You Like Nos4a2 or IT, You Might Like"... please!

[@dhcherine]

Tender is the Flesh made me stop eating meat for weeks!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah 😅

[@Asmrmii]

Loved the caretaker of Lorne fields and I ended up loving Rosemarys baby!!❤❤

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yay!

[@MrNiceguyjin]

I’ve had NOS4A2 on my shelf for two years now, but I still haven’t read it. I guess I’m expecting the son of Stephen King to disappoint me. 😅 But I suppose I will have to read it this year! Have you read Swan Song by Robert McCammon? It’s my favorite, and the audiobook is fantastic.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

No I haven't done Swan Song yet

[@Mradenful]

The pet sematary audio book with michael c hall is something down right special

[@TheShadesofOrange]

So good!

[@georgebennett1242]

👻 Need to re-read NOS4R2 (as it's titled over here in the UK) for sure

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh I didn't know about the title difference

[@georgebennett1242]

@@TheShadesofOrange Now you know 🧛

[@josephcossey1811]

NOS4A2 was great but would have been even better at half the length!

[@caseygomes8623]

I just got Living Dead, after that.. i'll check out tender is the flesh. sounds disturbing

[@cindywingetbooks]

Nice list

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Why thanks

[@TheLongestTake]

Did you start the show The Changeling yet? Lakeith Stanfield is in it and hes wonderful!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

No I don't have the channel 😔

[@jimfaust6342]

I hope the first one has man eating plants lol there needs to be more of them imo.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I like how you think

[@briankregg6329]

You look amazing!

[@billkeon880]

The brand-dropping in American Psycho is a harsh critique of commercialism. It’s a big criticism of Reaganism (yuppies celebrating wealth, commercialism, sexism, surface beauty - all of which were hallmarks of 1980s culture, pop music and Reagan politics). All these things make the book and movie dark satire. Anyone who doesn’t get it just doesn’t know the context of the time.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes I definitely think some readers didn't understand what the author was trying to do

[@TheAbigailDee]

Red X was such a horrific read, in the most incredible way. It's biographical and fictional and just a breathtaking narrative. I'm Canadian and the country has had a really turbulent history with the way queer people have been treated. I mean even as recently as 2017 with the murders of queer men being taken completely unseriously by the Toronto Police... It was an amazing book that i'm so excited to see cool people like you sharing it! Great list over all!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Such a brilliant book! And so awful to hear the situation is still happening. I think the book deserved to win more Canadian prizes

[@miljanmatovic880]

Regardin American Psycho - the constant brand referencig was the scarriest thing for me, I got to see that this is what he actually thinks inside his head - zero empathy, 100% brand/media obsession To this day, I consider it the most disturbing book I ever read (and I eat horror for breakfast 😂)

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Agree with everything here!

[@Cory_bo]

I was looking for The Changeling book, and saw there's an Apple TV show based on it, have you watched it?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I wanted to but I don't have the service. So I only have the book review video

[@Cory_bo]

@@TheShadesofOrange I'm hesitant to watch it... I'll probably read it before hehehe . Thank you, love your videos!

[@pembie2]

Ghost Radio sounds good

[@TheShadesofOrange]

It really is

[@Nixx0912]

I really liked how subversive "I am a legend" and "Cabin at the end of the world" were, I was excited for both recent movie adaptations (the old Vincent Price one was acctualy good) and then came the endings...and frustration. The only reason why they did both autors dirty I can find is thinking the audience is made of idiots. In the case of "I am a legend" even the tittle stops making sens. In the case of "Knock at the cabin" I've read it was suppose to be more optimistic ending. When you think about what happened in how is it optimistic?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I would call in ambiguous, not necessarily optimistic

[@cr33pycrawlspace]

I read Rosemary's Baby while pregnant. It was a great time.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh wow. I'm so grateful I was done being pregnant before I read it

[@TonyV89]

If you havent read Bird Box, please do!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh yes I have

[@georginamiles4024]

Love peter Straub

[@awritersjourney3771]

An interesting list, but no Haunting of Hill House, Hell House was missing, what about Turn of the Screw? You want creepy, read The Willows by Algernon Blackwood. George R.R. Martin wrote a vampire tour de force called Fevre Dream. And no Dean Koontz? Interesting.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Some of those I read but didn't quite make my personal cut. Some like Fevre Dream, I still need to read. I always consider Dean Koontz more of a thriller writer so I didn't think of his work when compiling this list.

[@awritersjourney3771]

@@TheShadesofOrange Another one to follow up, if you haven't read it, is "Cast a cold eye," by Alan Ryan. It's very much a ghost story, set against the Irish Potato Famine.

[@eric0380]

I'm pretty sure MSNBC or Chris Hansen secured the rights to the first book.

[@davidhayes6491]

I DNF''d NOS4A2. I have too many books to read. If you don't suck me in by page 100, story over. NOS4A2 just wasn't doing anything scary by page 100 for me. Sorry.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

You didn't find the prologue scary?

[@masonholt651]

RE: I Am Legend. I just had to laugh when you said: "He's a manly man, so it might rub people the wrong way." If that statement doesn't summarize the declining state of our country, nothing will.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I just meant he's kinda a stereotype

[@josephcossey1811]

Top 20 in 2024 please!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I worry it'll be too repeative to this list

[@joeloguirato7012]

I’m sorry, but Wendig’s Book of Accidents was an absolute mess.

[@miljanmatovic880]

First of all - thanks for the list! On another note, why do you think vampires should be sexualized? I am really sad that this is how people percieve them. They should be scarry and horrific (as the monsters they are). The next fad in literature should be how viruses and bacteria are dreamy, I swear... 😂😂😂

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Sexualization of vampire actually goes back to the early roots. I read some good articles on the topic.. but I can't remember where I found them

[@miljanmatovic880]

@@TheShadesofOrange could be that they are referring to Anne Rice... just saying 😜 Dracula is certainly not characterized as such (and I am sure not a single movie maker read the book - based on what they filmed under that title) and I haven't found anything older than Vampire Chronicles that depicts vampires in that light. Please send some recommendations of books like that if you can - I love vampire books (even if they are bad... caughcaughmostofthemcaughcaugh) 😜

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'm specifically talking about Dracula. But you can disagree. There are so interesting debates that there is gay subtext in the classic

[@miljanmatovic880]

@@TheShadesofOrange but you did read it, right? Certanly people will interpret things differently but (in my memory) he was portayed as a monster and not as a seducer... really love that book, must re-read soon