The Scariest Books I've Ever Read!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Taking notes, for sure! Will be adding Changeling to my future plans. Right on about The Exorcist! Seen the moves a couple dozen times and read the book for the first time in 2022 and it was excellent.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo I'd be so curious what you think of the Changling

[@gmachineq]

I loved the changeling!! Especially all the setting of NYC and Brooklyn. A fairytale set in New York in modern times. So so good!!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Agreed

[@Abmotsad]

I see Ronald Malfi on the shelf behind you. Just red his latest book "Small Town Horror". People who like Malfi will like this book.

[@Thiccythiccreads]

I’m like 100 pages in and it’s creepy!!! The bicycle bell… 😵‍💫

[@spencercorpuz]

Small Town Horror was amazing!

[@rustyshackleford1875]

Love In The Miso Soup. I like a book that takes a normal situation and builds up a sense of dread, leaving you questioning your own sanity. The books that scared me the most were The Croning by Laird Barron (Lovecraftian), Last Days by Brian Evenson (detective novel about self mutilating cult) and my favourite horror novel The Cipher by Kathe Koja. All take normal situations and make them uneasy, slow burns but with massive payoffs.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love reading about your scary books

[@paulo7113]

Very interesting. Do you have any other recommendations?

[@rustyshackleford1875]

@@paulo7113 The Handyman and Dispatch by Bentley Little - He takes normal situations and turns them into something unexpected. His titles aren’t very inviting and he never gives interviews but he is great. Gone to see the River Man by Kristopher Triana - Quite emotional and very surreal road trip journey. The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke - Like a twisted coming of age novella. And for some outliers… Vita Nostra by Dyachenko (man and wife writers) - Not horror scary but imagine Harry Potter but the magic is philosophy (mainly metaphysical and existential) that hurts and warps your thoughts… and it’s set in Russia. There’s a trilogy but I’ve only read the first. It’s uncomfortable and challenging but well worth it. The Vorrh by Brian Katling. - Katling is a famous sculptor and wrote a fantasy trilogy with real historical events going on. It’s got angels and paranormal things and mythological beings but is also set in a huge African forest. It’s not scary as in horror it’s more just uncomfortable like a dark fantasy. I just love recommending this one 🤣 Hope you find something you like!

[@jazmynesimington7773]

“If your not disturbed by those scenes I’m more concerned for you “😂😂 I need to check outt the miso soup then! One question: Are there any harm to babies or children in that one? 🧟‍♀️

[@寿司食べたいな]

None

[@jazmynesimington7773]

@@寿司食べたいな thank you

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Appreciate the other comments and can confirm, no harm to children

[@jazmynesimington7773]

@@TheShadesofOrange I just started it yesterday! Does it take awhile to get to the gory stuff ?

[@ashishroy1544]

Always love your recommendations

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks

[@keithgriffin5949]

Alex was really good! I read it several years ago and hearing you talk about it reminded me of all the stuff in there. I need to go back and read that. I think I overhyped In the Miso Soup in my head before reading it. I am a fan of the movie Audition but had never read anything by Murakami so I chose Miso since I wasn't familiar with it. I came away from it sort of eh that was ok. I may need to reread it at some point.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah it had some WTF scenes but I didn't entirely like it

[@socaltoobie8984]

✋ I’m good…. 🫣 Thanks Rachel! 😂

[@TheShadesofOrange]

😆

[@shereadsatmidnight]

The Changeling has a few moments that scared the hell out of me.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes! There was fantastic

[@Octobig]

love how diverse this lineup is, there's something for everybody from thiller to extreme horror! 👻 the only good indians is one of my fav scary books, especially because i went into it expecting only slasher stuff and got SO MANY slow creeping scares.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Aw thanks. Yes it worked out into a good mix

[@Zugzug386]

Definitely enjoying the variety here and have added Changeling, Red X, and Tatterdemon to my TBR. For my part a read that surprised me and had some horror elements to it Devolution by Max Brooks. Bigfoot and horror was not a combo I quite expected but the setup, characters, the tension all were quite well done.

[@clancyconnolly495]

Awesome recommendations! The Changeling is one I am hoping to get to this year, though I am debating saving it for when I have kids so the impact will be all the more intense... Alex was immediately added to my TBR- that sounds horrifying! I don't know which book has scared me the most, I wouldn't say the entirety of Stolen Tongues was scary but the prologue genuinely had me jump at a shadow. I have lots of books make me feel something but scared is not always the emotion!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I think the Changling will be OK as long as your kids are babies.

[@Nina_chitchat]

fantastic video - got me some new books to read. I am in my horror/dark thriller era currently. You should probably try Birdman by Mo Hayder. i remember it scared me shitless at times.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oo I'll like that one up

[@nicolefz92]

😊😊🏆🏆🏆 Wondered there going to make a Naribikimura, Yonesawara Hospital, Masagoro and Abandoned Souls books (horror/mystery/thriller game)

[@MrBoJangles]

You should look into reading Tananarive Due if you haven't already. The Between, The Good House, The Reformatory

[@aleidadiaz2261]

The Reformatory was not a horror book.

[@MrBoJangles]

​@@aleidadiaz2261 what about it doesn't allow it to be classified as horror?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I've read a few of those

[@AndrewReevesArt]

Good list! Re-reading Doctor Sleep right now - so good! 💀🔥🪦❤️

[@alynam82]

You're absolutely right about reading Exorcist even if you've watched the movie. The book just has that much more of an impact! One of the more disturbing books I've read was The Summer I Died by Ryan C Thomas. It's extreme horror (which I don't have TOO much experience with) but was well written and will stick with you once finished. I place it on the same tier as Ketchum's Girl Next Door

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'll have to see if I can track down Summer I Died

[@Millie.C]

Still debating if I should add some titles to my TBR or avoid them altogether 😅 But I think I would like to check out The Exorcist. I never watched the movie and it gives me a bit of FOMO, but I find horror books much easier to digest than movies, even if they are disturbing.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Haha it is a toss up

[@cindywingetbooks]

I remember your reaction to reading Let's Go Play at the Adams a few years ago and would hazard to guess that that one is also very messed up.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yeah that was infuriatingly messed up but not specifically scary (for me)

[@clubkitten]

Have you read Coin Locker Babies? (Same author as In the Miso Soup). I've just started it

[@TheShadesofOrange]

No I haven't

[@marknuzzi7158]

Have you ever read the short story collection…Episodes by Christopher Priest? It’s vastly different than his other works. I think a few of these stories…The Head and the Hand, and I,Haruspex are right up the horror alley.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Oh no I haven't

[@mallaryroberts3346]

Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana. It’s short but is so impactful and horrifying 🖤

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I've heard such good (scary) things

[@grey_wulf]

One of the most disturbing books I've read is Black Farm. Super dark and twisted. Currently working my way through James Herbert's library of horror novels. Highly recommend him to those who love the paranormal, horror, etc.

[@shakodeycarson9253]

That’s the stuff that scares me the most 😅

[@cindywingetbooks]

I have been very eager to try some Herbert

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'll have to look that one up

[@carlmc21224]

You go girl🎉

[@lisapoe888]

The cover for the book book behind you, with the feet intrigue me. what’s the title?🤗

[@SarahAsYouWish]

The book is Beneath by Kristi DeMeester

[@lisapoe888]

@@SarahAsYouWish oh thank you you’re so kind!

[@joewatts9132]

I have the Exorcist on audiobook as well. The 3rd movie is really good, a lot of people haven't seen it.

[@AntisocialAuntie]

Good to know - I will check out that movie. Love the extended release of the first one. Thank you 🧡

[@joewatts9132]

@@AntisocialAuntie There's multiple versions, I can't remember which was the "better" one other than that particular one is here on youtube for free. I can't remember the channel but it'll probably show up with an easy search.

[@AntisocialAuntie]

@@joewatts9132 Thank you 😁

[@cmmosher8035]

​@@joewatts9132i think it's the scream factory directors cut that is closest to what Blatty wanted. I really like both versions to be honest. The DC just has more meat. I don't know if I ever saw it streaming so I do not know if you can see it outside of the bluray

[@anthonycoppola5613]

Finally listened to The Exorcist this year. The narration makes it!! So much more detail as well! Better than the Movie!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

So incredible!

[@JohnSmith-x8s5g]

Sweater weather, yeah.

[@BleedingDinoLove]

I've read In the Miso Soup, and most of the author's other work, do you have any other J-horror recommendations?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'd like to do a whole video on Japanese horror but I'd need to read more

[@AntisocialAuntie]

Just downloaded the audiobook The Exorcist - read the book as a teenager, it's one of the few movies that terrified me, and I am excited to try listening to it. Adding even more to my TBR 🧡🖤🧡

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@allisonprovost6565]

You should read This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer. It’s a pretty fast read and the author owns an all- horror bookstore with her mom.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I will try to track that one down

[@deatheater10879]

in the miso soup is good but incredibly messed up for people not used to that type of horror. you should read his other book called audition which is really good. you should read frank herbet the Rats is really good. good thriller book is the fireworks and my corpse.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I appreciate the recs

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

Agree the exorcist is classic both the book and the film. Alex and body art look really interesting and think my library might have Alex so will give them a ring. I know some people may be tired of hearing this from me by now but 1984 and the Manchurian Candidate are the only books that actually scared me though neither of them are in the horror genre. Be well.⚛️

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Yes some of the scariest often aren't even horror

[@markbaumbargt3430]

Missed part one, but nothing by Richard Matheson, Shirley Jackson, or Tim Curran?

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I've enjoyed Matheson and Jackson but (speaking from my own personal reading experience) I didn't find them scary enough for this list

[@nobo1982]

Red x was so good!

[@toweypat]

Great thumbnail :D

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks

[@AuralayKristine]

I really feel like I must have missed something with The Exorcist. I found it just...I dunno, fine, I guess? It wasn't scary to me, though. And that's not supposed to be like...a flex, like "oh look how touch I am" because I'm absolutely not, lol. I'm an utter chicken. But that one...eh? Maybe because I wasn't raised particularly religious and definitely not catholic? I just found it a little frustrating (SOILERS AHEAD) . . . . . How Father Karris (I think?) was like "Oh wow it's finally proof!!" then "Oh wait but sometimes teenagers can get telekenetic powers for no spiritual reason never mind I'm sad again" over and over and over. Which...wtf, since when, dude? I felt like yelling at him several times "If this doesn't convince you something's up, sir, nothing will!!!" I liked him, and I liked the story, I just wasn't frightened of it. Again though that may very well be due to no Catholic background at all (My best friend is a "recovering Catholic" and she wont' go NEAR exorcism stories, so that might be it?) Anyway mostly just curious! Added several books to my list, thanks for the video!!!

[@nickgerman]

I read The Exorcist on a first edition. Scary as heck.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Ooo nice

[@moonchild1837]

I’ve never been first with a comment 😭 thank you so much for all the more horror books to add to my tbr 🖤

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Thanks for dropping a comment

[@cmmosher8035]

Body ary serms interesting. I am currently reading Night Stockers that cowritten by Trianna. I always wanted to read Red X but it xame out too clode to the bruce mscarthur stuff

[@danielyeatts491]

The TROOP by Nick Cutter

[@nailpolishnook7373]

I found Alex disturbing and The Exorcist scary. Pet Semetary was both scary and disturbing. The Woom by Duncan Ralstan was disturbing but not scary. Endless Night by Richard Laymon, reading it alone at night scared the crap out of me.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I'll have to look up the Woom

[@bitameah7745]

Just downloaded the Tatterdemon trilogy 😮

[@TheShadesofOrange]

K hope you enjoy it

[@snoopywg]

One of the scariest book I've ever read is Mean Spirited by Nick Roberts. Anathema and Dead End Tunnel are really creepy as well. This guy knows his stuff.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Love reading your scary recs

[@artstories52]

At the time that I read it I thought The shining was really frightening. I also thought the movie The exorcist was very frightening. So I'm not sure if I could take a book that was more intense. I am a person too that went to horror movies when I was pretty young. So I felt I was pretty desensitized but exorcist went over the top for me. 😬

[@WessinJilliams]

Which tatterdemon book?

[@ShakiLis29]

Thank you 🖤👻

[@christianmcclarty1695]

Exorcist is so good on audio. I’ve read it and listened to it, both are great but prefer the audiobook.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

So good*

[@imorca1994]

You might find this amusing. The only book I have had to put down because I found it so disturbing that I felt nauseated was... /Moby Dick/. I would like to never have a true-to-life description of whaling again.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

That is hilarious... but I could kinda see it (although I still haven't read it myself)

[@briankregg6329]

Thanks for the recommendations You look beautiful 😍

[@CarolinaBury]

Strangely, the most disturbing books I read are more drama/literary fiction. Reading about teenagers with cancer, or people trying to learn to live with dementia have a more long lasting disturbing effect on me than most horror books I read.

[@TheShadesofOrange]

I believe that

[@marleyfa845]

Have you read Our Share Of Night by Mariana Enriquez? It may be up your alley. It's horror, kinda, but it's also a family drama and some scenes disturbed be/ made me feel sad and disgusted despite not being horror-related. (Didn't finish it yet but so far it's one of the best books I've read in a long time)

[@CarolinaBury]

@@marleyfa845 I haven't yet but it seems very interesting. I'll look for it in my library. Thank you!

[@josephiyeke8946]

Most disturbing that I’ve finished are Meat or American Psycho. There may be worse, but I’ve prob blocked them from my memory lol

[@TheShadesofOrange]

Two fantastic books!

[@johnjones1510]

The Store Bentley Little

[@rustyshackleford1875]

Love Little. Have you tried The Handyman? It’s next level!

[@sludgeduke]

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Brite

[@Tharia1981]

Haha. 1984 says move over. If you read that book, you know what I mean.

[@sherryallison5258]

🪦

[@zubaerchaudhari8267]

Hello there hey there hey Hello hi there there hey

[@AmyNoelleReads]

🖤🧡👻🦇

[@billfreeman5914]

😱😱😱

[@roanokebrooks]

🛸

[@katharynbaker5592]

💀📚👻

[@IHBooks]

👹

[@rickfish8043]

🕷️🦂🦑🐍

[@bookmarcreads]

😱👻🙀😈😨

[@tannerwride3676]

👻

[@Msangiewow]

💀💀💀👻🔪

[@TheMike28212]

🗡📚

[@jjnewbold]

🧟🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

[@ChristinaJenkins36]

👹🤡☠️

[@ghstbird3338]

Gurrrllll……… the exorcist scared you 👀. Sounds to me like even your shadow scared you. And you’re a mother. Does the tea pot scare you as well. GURL, BYE❗️

[@billyjohnston4244]

[@EricBowersTrekkie]

😈😈🧟‍♂🧟‍♀🧟👻👻👻

[@Kebanne]

The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter.

[@aleidadiaz2261]

🫣

[@alexandrakeckmontanari5180]

👻

[@Kelli.Hicks.5]

🩸🩸🖤🩸

[@Jzscrstsprstr]

👻

[@shakodeycarson9253]

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[@booberrypakalolo4828]

👻