The Best Horror Books & Authors For Beginners

[@rhahnabunaid]

One tip: keep the title of the book (and preferably a picture of the cover) on screen so long as you're still discussing it. Some times I can't remember which book you were talking about near the end of your 'review'. Keep it up Mike!

[@Chewbaccafruit]

I never touched a horror book before rhis channel, but reading a bit beyond my comfort zone has unlocked so many amazing new stories

[@Ytnzy250]

Name one, ( or two 'n three).

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm so glad!

[@nick_a_93]

I'm new to horror, just started 'Salem's Lot this past week and I'm really enjoying it at just over the half way point, can't wait to see how it ends

[@JesseRad]

I'm about three quarters of the way through The Exorcist right now, and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. I'm surprised how faithful the movie was. It's nice getting a finer understanding of the subtle character details in the book.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, that adaptation was slavishly devoted to the source material & I love them for it.

[@thebookthatnooneread]

You put this out so fast I think I’ve got whiplash! 🤣 As a beginner horror reader, thank you for making this video.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@flemingstephen16]

The exact video that us beginners needed this month. Bless you, sir.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope it helps!

[@michaeljdauben]

I don't normally read a lot of horror in general, but I've got a bit of a bug this October. I've lined up a couple of books on hand already (including Haunting of Hill House), but that Uzumaki caught my eye the other day and I'm expecting my copy on the mail today. 😁

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's so messed up. Hope you like it!

[@NONEYT752]

u should read junji ito

[@d.s.quintonauthor2519]

Man, what a good list, especially to start off with The Willows! And happy to see SWTWC on it, but I'm not surprised. What could be better than a haunted/deranged carnival showing up by train in a small town in the middle of the night?! Not to mention the whole concept of the Illustrated Man.

[@bottle1211]

I watched Salem's Lot on Max and I believe you hit the nail on the head with your review.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Coulda been worse, coulda been much better

[@bottle1211]

@@mikesbookreviews true

[@alynam82]

I love horror, and so many of these titles mentioned are phenomenal! I got Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark for my nephew last year, and we've read a few of those stories together at night time. What a trip! I got a good recommendation for horror - not sure what category I'd place it, but it's got those fall vibes, creep factor, psychological and body horror-- I'm referring to Chuck Wendig's Black River Orchard.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Lots of recs for Chuck

[@michaelkibble740]

They couldn't remake or reboot the Jaws movies because we have learn so much about sharks thanks to Shark Week. I read IT for the first time last year and I loved the book , thank you Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

JAWS told me enough to keep my ass out of the oceans.

[@niallmaritz2599]

I always love to watch your videos when you do horror or King. Much appreciated.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@Maximus0623]

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King is a great place to start horror. Classic horror vampire story that isn’t overly long, and is one of King’s best.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's one of his best!

[@tordawg69]

I started my spooky season with this. My first Stephen King book. Pretty good. I’d read more King after reading it.

[@volfglazer2948]

"It" is definitely my favorite horror book I've read, but I prefer the horror aspect to be an element of a SF/fantasy novel and not the main thing

[@mikesbookreviews]

Makes sense

[@MultiWar22]

Nice list, Mike! Of the ones you listed and I've already read, hard agree on The Exorcist, awesome book. Of the ones I haven't read yet, It is definitely the one I'm most interested in. And I have it, so I really just gotta stop procrastinating and get to it (which won't happen this year, though, as my TBR is already full)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Haha, that's understandable. It's a long one!

[@jaredmcwhae8815]

Perfect timing for me, just started taking an interest in horror books. Bought Salem's Lot the other night. Looking forward to getting into that.

[@derrickmulling1506]

The book that got me hooked on horror was Misery by Stephen King. It's so good. I can't think of a better villain than Annie. The slow decent into her madness was extremely well written

[@eroz84]

I remember not even being in school yet in the 80s and my oldest sister reading Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark. Absolute nostalgia. The Artwork was amazing

[@ryandberry1]

No way I just started Uzumaki! I remember Mike reading it! Been on my TBR for a long time!

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's messed up but oh so good

[@volfglazer2948]

Definitely going to check out uzumaki. I think I'd like horror better with some crazy graphics

[@NONEYT752]

@@volfglazer2948 Junji ito is the perfect guy for that stuff!

[@AGreenG]

My mum was obsessed with horror, so naturally, I picked up books from her shelf. James Herbert's The Rats was the first horror novel I read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I have that one in the plans!

[@jenm8357]

This is a good list. I haven't read any Chistopher Pike, Mixtape, or Ringu. I will have to try them. This month I have been reading a bunch of good horror books, including A Good and Happy Child by Justin Evans, The Relic by Preston and Child, Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger, The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle, Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant, and Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry.

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I'm tackling Dracula this month. I'm not too far into it, but I'm enjoying it so far!

[@PsilocybeJedi]

I'm starting that right after I finish Black Mouth by Ronald Malfi which I'm really liking so far.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy!

[@sambourque4406]

Hey mike i just wanted to thank because of you i started reading again i just finished the first law trilogy and im starting red rising thanks for introducing me to grimdark!!!!

[@ChrisAlexander1]

Just finished reading Stolen Tongues and really enjoyed it!

[@Tokayd13]

I just started The Haunting of Hill House today! I'm planning to read that, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James and either Dracula or Frankenstein for my classic horror this month. I also have a couple of modern horror books on my shelves I may get to.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Henry James is good stuff

[@jenniferm.2142]

I’m 45 but I only recently started reading Fear Street. 😂 I was scared of them in the 90’s, but love them now. Obviously they’re fairly campy but they hold up surprisingly well. I love a lot of the new middle grade horror that’s been coming out as well… Cassidy Blake series by Victoria Schwab was excellent. It’s about a girl whose parents are ghost hunters but don’t actually believe in ghosts… meanwhile she can see and talk to ghosts and has to deal with all that comes along with that. Small Spaces series by Katherine Arden. Very spooky, good vibes. Follows a group of kids who are haunted by this evil entity who likes to play deadly games with them. I also just finished a stand-alone MG horror called The Curse on Spectacle Key by Chantel Acevedo that was pretty great. It’s about this kid who moves with his parents to the Florida Keys to live in a (haunted) lighthouse. He and his (probably a ghost) best friend have to solve the mystery of the cursed island. It was both a very sweet and also very an atmospheric spooky read.

[@helenasf1782]

This is an excellent video - so many great recommendations. Locke and Key is one of my favourites, as is Dracula and Haunting of Hill House and IT. Some great new recs for me too. You got me into horror Mike! Thanks again- it’s now one of my favourite genres! Have a great spooky season! 👻

[@mikesbookreviews]

Wow, so happy to hear that!

[@helenasf1782]

@@mikesbookreviews yay thanks again! And also you were so right on the passage- I dnfed on the same spot 🤣

[@littleaussierippa]

Great list Mike. I've read most of these books/authors except for two or three. A couple of recommendations -: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and anything by Edgar Allan Poe. John Saul is another great read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Those two are a must!

[@awizardintraining]

Don't forget, the book is called Let the Right One In. The American remake movie was Let Me In

[@mikesbookreviews]

Oh shit.

[@darcyska]

I only started with horror last year - I do like good psychological thrillers and horror movies, but I've never enjoyed jumpscares and though it's different, books could be sort of the same. I did check out some horror and it turns out I'm totally into it. Some haunted house stuff didn't stick, but I think that was more on the author. I really enjoyed This Thing Between us by Gus Moreno and enjoyed reading the works of Poe. Locke & Key was fun (only read the first two volumes so far)

[@jeremymason7124]

Never been much of a horror reader until I tackled The Troop just shortly after you read it. From that point forward I have read way more horror than I could have imagined I would.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent!

[@vipreoptic4218]

I just read the Troop too, and it was awesome!

[@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales]

The Shadow Over Insmouth is amazing. The Horrorbabble youtube channel did a great reading with it. On classic horror though, I'd say that instead of Dracula, people should read The War of the Worlds by HG Wells. It came out the same time as Dracula, but the existential dread is cranked up so much higher. Not only must you fear the monsters but your fellow humans as well.

[@mikesbookreviews]

WotW is incredible. One of my favorite SF books ever.

[@joebo7777]

Dennis Wheatley The Devil Rides Out. 1930s occult horror adventure. Great characters and sense of place and time. The horror elements are excellent, creepy and frightening. This was the second horror novel I read after The Exorcist in 1974 when I was 14. Dan Simmons Summer of Night and Children of the night, a coming of age horror and a vampire tale respectively. James Herbert The Rats and the Fog. Graham Masterton Charnel House. Clover Barker Cabal, Weaveworld and the Damnation Game. Robert Bloch Psycho. Ira Levin Rosemary’s Baby. Raymond E Feist Faerie Tale more dark fantasy than out and out horror but a great read. Thomas Harris Manhunter and Silence of the Lambs thrillers but packed with horrific elements.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll look Wheatley up

[@susinok]

I read Haunting of Hill House as a teen. I read it, and then immediately read it again.

[@weregretohio7728]

Finally started It since it was sitting there on display at the library and I figured... eh, why not, nothing else going on. The true horror is picking up a doorstopper. Sure you can start with some of those shorter Sai King books. Also, Dracula and Frankenstein are classics for a reason, love those.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy the float!

[@YouTuber-t5z]

Good list, what do think about James Herbert.

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found by Sarah Nickerson springs to mind when I think of horror that's safe for younger readers. A really fantastic story

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll look it up!

[@stephennootens916]

I re read Dracula just this last year and I think I got so much more out of it the second time around. The first time was years ago and it was a pain in the ass to read so I feel I missed how great a book. Mina Harker is one of the great female in horror that is too easily forgotten about. What she goes through to help stop Dracula the creature that toemented her husband and killed her beloved friend is amazing.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Agree that Mina doesn't get enough love

[@patrickspencer5033]

you are right. Locke and key is great

[@mikesbookreviews]

One of the best

[@secretfirebooks7894]

Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos stories are awesome. Rereading a bunch of them this month. I'd also highly recommend George R R Martin's Nightfliers. It's a ghost story/slasher in SpAaAaAace!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

The Lovecraft universe is pretty amazing as a whole

[@baciliogomez375]

Wow Mike I think I am willing to try more horror other than king 😂. I most likely will do something Wicked this way comes first!

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

Mike, I know you mentioned The Tommyknockers in relation to The Colour out of Space, but have you read King's short story "Weeds"? It's an extremely obvious homage to Colour out of Space and very good. But even better (in my opinion) is one I just read last month called "The Saliva Tree" by Brian W. Aldiss. It's basically Colour out of Space if it were written by H. G. Wells. It tied for the very first Nebula Award for best novella back in 1965 and I can't recommend it enough

[@mikesbookreviews]

I believe so. I've noticed dozens of stories that were clearly influenced by COOS.

[@donnybrookdetritus]

My spooky season this year has been The Damnation Game by Clive Barker, Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill and Ghost Story by Peter Straub

[@mikesbookreviews]

Loved HSB!

[@TheLongestTake]

I really haven't found any horror writer to Stephen King's level of characterization. Currently reading Stinger by Robert McCammon and I started Boy's Life a few months ago. I gotta say Robert McCammon is the only other writer who has been at the same caliber as King

[@cameronscott7304]

McCammon is great. If you like King, you might enjoy Dan Simmons. Dean Koontz writes really interesting characters. Kealan Patrick Burke is a hidden horror author gem.

[@TheLongestTake]

@@cameronscott7304 I really liked Summer of Night by Dan Simmons. Dean Koontz I haven't given a chance yet, but he comes up often in the conversation. Never even heard of Kealan, I'll check out what he writes! Thank you

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

@@TheLongestTakeAlso try Clive Barker and Joe Hill.

[@TheLongestTake]

@@nightmarishcompositions4536 I've never really liked Barker much. I can check out Joe Hill, I was always cautious because I didn't want to feel like his work had a rehashed feel of his father.

[@nightmarishcompositions4536]

@@TheLongestTake That’s fair. Another 2 authors I forgot to mention are Peter Straub and Bentley Little.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

My horror knowledge came from watching a lot of movies and reading Stephen King, and I have been using your channel to expand my horror interest. Last year, I read some HP Lovecraft physically and through an audio book, though the audio book was a disappointment, because of the narrator, but I plan to read more this year.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to help! Hope you find something that clicks with you more

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

@@mikesbookreviews I'm working on it each year.

[@jenniferm.2142]

Some of my favorite horror books: The Shining Pet Sematary NOS4A2 The Visitor by Sergio Gomez Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

[@mikesbookreviews]

Excellent picks!

[@forbidyourways]

When I was reading Black Sheep, I was thinking this would be a horror story great for beginners into the genre.

[@Ulmo90]

Let's if I'll pick up some Lovecraft story this October

[@thehighground_]

What Stephen King would you recommend for someone who has never managed to click with his work? He has so much, something has to click, right? I've tried IT, The Gunslinger, The Stand and they just didn't work for me. It felt a little too dry especially IT, I might come back to The Stand eventually so I know what Anthrax are on about. It doesn't necessarily have to be horror

[@brooklynbaby104]

Definitely try 11/22/63. You should watch more Mike videos he has a lot of interesting takes and he gives you some guidance. I started reading SK because of Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I usually tell people to try Different Seasons.

[@thehighground_]

@@mikesbookreviews Thanks, Mike

[@epiphoney]

I just finished The Exorcist. It's somewhat literary, but it's nice to get more details than the movie. Kinderman sure seems like Columbo. Damn that demon Pazuzu!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Kinderman having an expended role in the book made his character more interesting to me than the movie version.

[@epiphoney]

@@mikesbookreviews remember the Richard Pryor exorcist sketch on Saturday Night Live? Your mama sews socks that smell!

[@ZachKuhlBooks]

The only horror I've read was Goodbumps and some Stephen King books. I would like to read more so thanks for the video! Though I do enjoy fantasy and sci-fi more.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to help!

[@locolima279]

Thank you for thanking me.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Any time

[@bearonionlol]

I’ve picked up Pet Sematary and Uzumaki! Uzamaki actually just came out with an anime, which is nice! Have yet to see the first episode, though. Edit: a little afraid that Pet Sematary might scar me for life. I’m not really a horror person 😅 Perhaps I should opt for IT instead, haha.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I get that. Pet Semetary shows some GRIEF.

[@Paul_McSeol]

“Kill all the humans you want, but don’t hurt the dog.” Yup, that’s me in a nutshell. I’ll have to check out the Troop. I’ve heard good things. Thanks, Mike.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's a great read

[@reginaldforthright805]

Best horror for beginners : Dracula Poe Lovecraft The shining or Salems Lot Books of blood I think that covers it.

[@MattsFreeChannel1]

I'm reading The Damnation Game, by Clive Barker-more off than on, but I did get through a little, of it-and boy, what a Writer!

[@mikesbookreviews]

He's quite talented

[@MattsFreeChannel1]

@@mikesbookreviews Yeah, definitely a step into "artistic" from your regular Horror.

[@jonunderwood6390]

Best horror list ever!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Appreciate it!

[@WalterGentry-ii6ew]

Hey mike I’ve been out of the loop but are u still planning on doing a part 4 to ranking sk books by years?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Part 4 comes next year when I finish my Dark Tower re-read

[@natecorrea9536]

I would recommend Revival, Salem's Lot, the Shining and Rage

[@mikesbookreviews]

Concur

[@HowellingRoots]

Thanks Mike. You and those in the comments of this video may enjoy these 💎 gems: 1) Caleb Carr -The Alienest -The Angel of Darkness Also on HBO max The Alienest tv show is spot on to the book. 2) William Lindsey Gresham -Nightmare Alley Also on HBO max or Amazon Prime the movie is on there, pretty spot on to the book. Enjoy everyone :) Have an amazing spooky month and enhoy this legendary 🍂 autumn weather fellow readers. ✌️ 🤘 -JRoot

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll add them on my Goodreads

[@LEONBARBER1]

Loved The Ruins. His other book - A Simple Plan - is even better. Wish he had written more than two books.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I enjoyed The Ruins a lot so I'm sure I'll give his other a try.

[@Sven_E07]

I have a hot recommendation: Robert Aickman. An unjustfully unknown master of his craft, a category of his own. He wrote so called "Strange Stories", which are eerie more than ghostly, no splatter or physical violence, living of the ambivalence between the supernatural and the abyss of the psyche. In his way he is even better than Poe, who was a psychological writer. Aickman is an elongation of the old ghost story, but when you read him you can't put the finger on the strangeness of the story because most of the time there are no real ghosts. Or are there? I still have unique images in my mind, even after years, from stories like: The Hospice. The Same Dog. The Trains. Ringing The Changes... No other writer could produce this in me yet. An unbelievable writer. His stories leave you strangely unsettled. That's why he created the term "Strange Stories". Masterpieces. P.S. Not necessarily for beginners. It could be something for this channel in general. Aickman deserves to be more widely read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'll look him up!

[@Sven_E07]

@@mikesbookreviews Great. I just discovered your channel and the episode about "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (which made me want to read it this winter) reminded me of Aickman because he wrote a story about a carnival or fairground too, "The Swords". There's a 52 minute documentary about him here on YT too, produced for a a collection of unpublished stories.

[@bottle1211]

I saw that Uzumaki anime has its first episode on MAX. Gonna wait for them all to release then binge it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

No kidding?

[@bottle1211]

@@mikesbookreviews Yea it's on there. Check it out.

[@stevenstewart782]

I'm about 1⁄4 way through something wicked this way comes and I'm enjoying it Bradbury has some very unique pros

[@mikesbookreviews]

He's the best

[@FairyTalePhilipp]

Hi Mike, how many of the Vampire Chronicles books would you recommend?

[@mikesbookreviews]

I liked them up until about Vampire Armand. Never really recovered. But the original trilogy is amazing.

[@FairyTalePhilipp]

@@mikesbookreviews 👍I'll give them a shot

[@Talking_Story]

great list!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks!

[@alecstuckeyguitar]

Need one of these for sci-fi!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I just haven't read enough SF to do it, honestly

[@alecstuckeyguitar]

@@mikesbookreviews it can just be 30 minutes of Red Rising

[@orangecardman7905]

Whats the yellow Book in the thumbnail?

[@Musicteachersheff]

I devoured every Christopher Pike book there was in middle school and high schooo!

[@mikesbookreviews]

My wife was a huge fan.

[@tiananesbitt7156]

Peter Straub is starting to get good 🎃💀😈

[@patriciaa65]

Did you see a lost book of Bram Stoker was discovered? We got new Stoker before Winds of Winter 😅

[@Federico1685]

Jay Anson's 'The Amityville Horror' is not recommended enough. It's an easy scare in that it's both scary and an easy read. And if you're gullible, then it's extra-scary.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Great one!

[@TRUc972]

Have to say, the haunting of hill house was dreadful and as scary as a hiccup

[@mikesbookreviews]

Absolutely

[@someothercharacter]

Read The Willows. It is short, but it is oddly suffocating.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Great description

[@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales]

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is the only book I can seem to get my 11 year old daughter to read.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Top tier parenting!

[@laurencallahan9837]

I bought Coraline at a school book fair when I was eleven. I admit I’m a big chicken, but that book scared the bejeezus out of me.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've heard this more than once

[@PsyKotyK]

Somethink wicked is far from a beginners it is a tuff read mabey cause its older or something . I found it hard anyhow

[@Jillybeanzxo]

Great list! “Everyone was getting divorced in the 80s, it was a fad” 😂

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's certainly how it felt

[@cainomac]

Other great Classic Horror: Frankenstein, Edgar Allen Poe

[@mikesbookreviews]

Of course! Though most count Frankenstein as SF.

[@HORITO_gaming]

Reading a Nick Cutter book after years of a friend trying to get me to read one..

[@HORITO_gaming]

Little Heaven. I also do have The Troop on my bookshelf though

[@mikesbookreviews]

Both are really good!

[@hipoint4599]

Read The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber easy read and terrifying