Best horror books on Reddit

331 reviews from r/horrorlit, r/booksuggestions, r/horror and 8 more subreddits

331 reviews from

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By Brand

By Product

Stephen King

5.0

(32)

"Literally all of the Stephen King short story collections are bloody fantastic too."

"The Shining by Stephen King is good! I'm currently reading it now."

"You really can't go wrong with the King classics. *It* is probably a lot but Pet Sematary, The Shining, and Salems Lot are all classics."

"Stephen King, John Saul, Edgar Allen Poe, Clive Barker, Anne Rice are all good authors of this genre with several books to choose from."

"I would start with Pet Semetary by Stephen King. That was my first horror novel as a kid and I’ve been hooked ever since."

"The Shining is the only Stephen King book I've read, and it's the only horror book I've read that actually made me feel scared at times."

"Misery by Stephen King."

"IT BY SK !! Best one"

"Goosebumps goated books , I would also add Pet semetary by Stephen King"

Neil Gaiman

4.9

(20)

"Coraline by Neil Gaiman."

"It's really endearing at the beginning but gets scary as the child grows older."

"Creepy creepy creepy: Coraline by Neil Gaiman"

"The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is the book you looking for."

"Coraline by Neil Gaiman :)"

"Coraline & The Graveyard Book"

"Neil Gaiman and Katherine Arden books are good"

"Could also work, as well as *The Thief of Always* by Clive Barker."

"Pretty wholesome horror."

"Coraline! If they could handle it."

Clive Barker

4.8

(16)

"The thief of always by Clive Barker. It really is great!"

"It was recommended to me by my 10yo son, who read it in school."

"The Thief of Always by Clive barker"

"The hellbound heart by Clive Barker"

"Has a very Coraline vibe."

"Was my first horror book when I was a kid, started my lifelong love of horror."

"The thief of always by Clive Barker is amazing."

"“The Thief of Always” by Clive Barker"

"The Graveyard Book and The Thief of Always are both good."

"Thief of always by Clive barker is a great book."

Goosebumps

4.5

(11)

"Goosebumps!"

"Ghostbumps!"

"Goosebumps, the graveyard book, a monster calls"

"Goosebumps"

"Gotta go with Goosebumps - classics haha and some of them creeped me out when I was around that age!!"

"I'm sure someone will have said it already but Goosebumps.+"

"Goosebumps"

"Goosebumps. Theres so many different stories and a good majority of them... are just so much fun to read."

"Goose Bumps"

Nick Cutter

4.6

(10)

"The Deep by Nick Cutter"

"The Troop by Nick Cutter."

"The Deep."

"Nick Cutter. His book The Troop messed me up."

"I also really liked The Troop by Nick Cutter!"

"I loved The Troop by Nick Cutter."

"I just finished the deep by Nick Cutter which I thought was great!"

"The Deep - Nick Cutter."

"Besides The Troop, The Deep by Nick Cutter is good too."

"The Deep by Nick Cutter is good too."

Stephen Graham Jones

4.5

(10)

"I loved it!"

"I just read The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones and loved it!"

"My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones and its two sequels."

"Don’t Fear The Reaper - Stephen Graham Jones"

"Also, check out Stephen Graham Jones. He's a modern horror author and pretty good!"

"The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones (check warnings before you read if dog abuse/death is a dealbreaker!)"

""My heart is a chainsaw" by Stephen Graham Jones."

"Stephen Graham Jones Josh Malerman Paul Tremblay Chuck Wendig"

"Its really good and I would recommend it to any slasher fan."

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

4.8

(8)

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark"

"Scary Stories to tell in the Dark traumatized me and my entire third grade class (in a good way)!"

"Scary stories to tell in the dark and goosebumps lol"

"The Thing at the Foot of the Bed is like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark."

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark"

"Scary Stories to tell in the Dark."

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark at some point."

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Can't remember the author rn."

Mary Downing Hahn

4.7

(7)

"Anything by Mary Downing Hahn I LOVED her as a kid."

"Mary Downing Hahn books. “Wait till Helen” comes was my favorite as a kid!"

"Anything and everything by Mary Downing Hahn."

"When I was around 8-11, I loved reading Mary Downing Hahn’s books—specifically, “The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall,” and “Wait Till Helen Comes.”"

"Mary Downing Hahn💙"

"Has a ton of ghost stories and horror for that age group."

"[Books by Mary Downing Hahn] - they're all on the shorter side and quick reads."

Bunnicula

4.4

(7)

"Bunnicula!"

"Bunnicula"

"I havent seen ANYONE say Bunnicula so far, which is a classic horror comedy."

"The Dark, by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen"

"Bunnicula - A vampire bunny who sucks the juice out of veggies lol."

"Bunnicula. Goosebumps. Fear Street."

#10

Shirley Jackson

5.0

(6)

"I highly recommend The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson."

"The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - A classic horror that I would recommend to anyone."

"The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson."

"Both by shirley jackson and there are fairly popular movie/ tv adaptations of both of them."

"Shirley Jackson. Try the haunting of hill house."

"Haunting of Hill House (although written for adults I think it’s appropriate for an 8 year old)"

#11

R.L. Stine

5.0

(6)

"Goosebumps"

"Goosebumps!"

"Goosebumps then on to Point Horror if they still exist"

"The OG goosebumps. R.L. Stine is Stephen king of children’s horror."

"Goosebumps"

"Goosebumps is the gold standard for kids horror."

#12

Coraline

5.0

(6)

"Coraline."

"I, as a 36 year old man, just read Coraline. It's perfect! It's very creepy... but nothing too terribly scary."

"Coraline"

"I don't know if *Coraline* is good for 8 year olds, but it is a wonderful horror book for children!"

"Coraline is great and genuinely scary horror."

#13

Grady Hendrix

4.7

(6)

"I've been reading Grady Hendrix (I have two of his books left) and I really recommend him!"

"Was also great"

"Was spooktacular"

"Grady Hendrix. He’s just amazing."

"And almost anything by Grady Hendrix."

"I enjoyed How To Sell A Haunted House by Hendrix."

#14

Holly Black

4.5

(6)

"Holly Black's Doll Bones (though she has some other good ones)."

"“doll bones” by holly black"

"I loved Doll Bones by Holly Black."

"Doll Bones by Holly Black."

"Doll bones by holly black!"

"“doll bones” by holly black."

#15

Pet Sematary

5.0

(5)

"Pet Semetary was fantastic as well."

"Pet Sematary by Stephen King it is read by Michael C Hall."

"Pet Semetary dramatization on internet archives."

"*Pet Sematary* read by Michael C. Hall are incredible."

"Pet Semetary is narrated excellently by Micheal C Hall."

#16

The Thief of Always

4.8

(5)

"The Thief of Always was one of my favorite books as a kid."

"Thief of Always by Clive Barker, love that book!"

"“The Thief of Always” by Clive Barker is the answer."

"The Thief of Always"

"The Thief of Always."

#17

Dan Simmons

4.6

(5)

"Summer of Night by Dan Simmons."

"Summer Of Night - Dan Simmons."

"Are my fall go-tos."

"I found it quite entertaining and scary."

"I really enjoyed The Terror by Dan Simmons."

#18

Bentley Little

4.4

(5)

"Bentley Little is a great horror author."

"Pretty much anything by Bentley Little."

"While I've only read one by him, I have hopes that others will be just as good. Bentley Little - The Store."

"**The Store** by Bentley Little."

"Y'all need to get on some Bentley Little books."

#19

John Ajvide Lindqvist

5.0

(4)

"Let the Right One In, John Ajvide Lindqvist."

"Let the Right On In, set in Sweden 12 year Oskar makes friends with Eli..."

"Little star and let the right one in by John ajvide lindqvist."

"Let the right one in by John Ajvide Lindqvi"

#20

CJ Leede

5.0

(4)

"Maeve fly by CJ Leede"

"Maeve fly by CJ Leede (sadists at Disneyland)"

#21

Mexican Gothic

5.0

(4)

"Mexican Gothic"

"Mexican Gothic, This Thing Between Us, Last House on Needless St."

"Mexican Gothic"

"Mexican Gothic by Silva Moreno-Garcia"

#22

This Thing Between Us

5.0

(4)

"This Thing Between Us"

#23

Chuck Wendig

4.8

(4)

"I’m currently loving Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig."

"I really enjoyed Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig."

"My recent go-to for recommendations is The Black Maybe by Attila Veres."

"I really liked Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig."

#24

John Bellairs

4.8

(4)

"John Bellairs!!! My favorites when I was a kid!!"

"Anything by John Bellairs! Start with The House with a Clock in Its Walls if you can."

"The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs. It's perfect for that age!"

"Find the versions with Edward Gorey’s art."

#25

Dean Koontz

4.3

(4)

"My favourite is Watchers and phantoms both by Dean Koontz."

"Intensity by Dean Koontz"

"Dean Koontz's Intensity was recommended to me because you not only see throb the eyes of the victim..."

"Watchers by Dean Koontz"

#26

Scary Stories

5.0

(3)

"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark"

"Seconding Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Goosebumps, Bunnicula."

"Definitely scary stories to tell in the dark and goosebumps."

#27

Richard Laymon

5.0

(3)

"Most of Richard Laymon, jack ketchum, Robert r McCammon, Steve stred, David Sodegren, Sarah England, John Athan, Jeremy Bates, HP Lovecraft."

"Anything by Richard Laymon."

"Pretty much anything by Richard Laymon."

#28

Aliya Whiteley

5.0

(3)

"The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley is my 2nd fave."

"The beauty by Aliya whitely"

"The beauty by Aliya whitely (body horror + mushroom women)"

#29

Katherine Arden

5.0

(3)

"I really enjoyed Small Spaces by Katherine Arden - it looks like the recommended age range is 9-12, so it might be a tough one unless the kid is comfortable with something a little advanced, but it's quite good!"

"Small Spaces series by Katherine Arden- trust me on this one!"

"He absolutely LOVED the Small Spaces series."

#30

The Only Good Indians

5.0

(3)

"The Only Good Indians"

"The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones"

"The Only Good Indians, by Step"

#31

Nat Cassidy

4.7

(3)

"Currently reading Nestlings by Nat Cassidy and loving it."

"Was 🔥"

"**Nestlings** by Nat Cassidy."

#32

Brom

4.7

(3)

"Beautiful, brutal, and nearly perfect to my mind."

"Slewfoot"

"Slewfoot by Brom is a favorite of mine."

#33

Michael McDowell

4.7

(3)

"The best is *The Elementals*."

"*The Elementals* by Michael McDowell read by R.C. Bray is fantastic!"

"I really like The Elementals by Michael McDowell."

#34

Wait Till Helen Comes

4.7

(3)

"Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn was my favorite book when I was little."

"I loved wait till Helen comes, ghosts beneath our feet, the dollhouse murders."

"Wait Till Helen Comes!"

#35

Brian Evenson

4.7

(3)

"Last Days by Brian Evenson."

"Last days by Brian evenson"

"For general horror, you might like Last Days by Brian Evenson."

#36

Gabino Iglesias

4.7

(3)

"THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME by Gabino Iglesias."

"That book is incredible."

"For general horror, you might like The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias."

#37

Philip Fracassi

4.7

(3)

"Some of my favorites were: - Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi (novel)."

"Is like Lord of the Flies meets The Exorcist."

#38

Tender is The Flesh

4.7

(3)

"Tender is The Flesh"

"Tender is The Flesh by Agustina Baztericca"

"Tender Is the Flesh, Cows, Lapnova, And Woom are a bit messed up."

#39

Dathan Auerbach

4.3

(3)

"Dathan Auerbach. Penpal will always be my favorite."

"If you want something that creeps you out then go for Penpal by Dathan Auerbach."

"*Penpal* Dathan Auerbach (This one is an r/nosleep story turned into a novel, and its pedigree shows. Great build up and seriously atmospheric, but no real pay off.)"

#40

Tracey Baptiste

4.3

(3)

"Which is not only a great childrens horror book, but also is based on Caribbean folklore."

"The Jumbies, Tracey Baptiste"

"How about The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste?"

#41

Roald Dahl

4.3

(3)

"Scared the crap out of me and I loved it as a kid."

"The Witches by Roald Dahl is pretty scary."

"The Witches by Roald Dahl."

#42

Gus Moreno

4.3

(3)

"This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno."

"Folklore/Nature Based: This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno, Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova"

#43

Richard Matheson

4.3

(3)

"I Am Legend by Richard Matheson"

"And I Am Legend."

"Perhaps I Am Legend or other stories by richard matheson?"

#44

Scott Smith

4.0

(3)

"I am currently reading The Ruins by Scott Smith and enjoying it a lot"

"If I may suggest The Ruins by Scott Smith."

"The Ruins by Scott Smith"

#45

Craig DiLouie

4.0

(3)

"Is a fun listen! I think there’s a song that was created just for the audiobook."

"Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie is a fun listen!"

#46

Jeff Long

5.0

(2)

"Jeff Long’s *The Descent* for sure!"

"The Descent by Jeff Long is my #1 (religious horror, which is amazing for me)."

#47

Ronald Malfi

5.0

(2)

"Bone White by Ronald Malfi"

"Just finished Bone White and it's my strongest 5 star read this year."

#48

John Langan

5.0

(2)

"The Fisherman by John Langan (especially if you like Lovecraft!)."

"The Fisherman by John Langan is a great lovecraftian book."

#49

T. Kingfisher

5.0

(2)

"I read 'What Moves the Dead' by T. Kingfisher and loved it."

"**What Moves the Dead** by T Kingfisher."

#50

M.R. Carey

5.0

(2)

"The girl with all the gifts by MR Carey"

"The girl with all the gifts by MR Carey (fungal apocalypse + savage blood thirsty children)"

#51

Bram Stoker

5.0

(2)

"Dracula - Bram Stoker."

"Dracula by Bram Stoker."

#52

David Sodergren

5.0

(2)

"Someone mentioned the Haar and I 2nd that. It’s one of my favorite books."

"The Haar by David Sodergren."

#53

Gerardo Samano Cordova

5.0

(2)

"Monstrilio by Gerardo Samano Cordova"

"Monstrilio by Gerardo Samano Cordova (heavy grief + feeding a lung til it turns into a boy)"

#54

William Peter Blatty

5.0

(2)

"I'd start with The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. It's an original horror and can definitely make you feel uneasy."

"The Exorcist read by the author is top notch!"

#55

Jack Ketchum

5.0

(2)

"Most of Jack Ketchum’s work is on KU if you haven’t read it yet."

"He was one of the best horror authors out there imo."

#56

RL Stine

5.0

(2)

"RL Stine and JB Stamper."

"I got my start with RL Stine and Christopher Pike"

#57

Scary Tales to Tell in the Dark

5.0

(2)

"Goosebumps and Scary Tales to Tell in the Dark"

"Scary Tales to tell in the dark."

#58

September House

5.0

(2)

"September House is excellent."

"Shame September house isn't on this list."

#59

Edgar Allan Poe

5.0

(2)

"Edgar Allan Poe"

"Edgar Allen Poe."

#60

Darcy Coates

5.0

(2)

"I'm reading my first horror book right now, Gallows Hill by Darcy Coates. I love it!"

"I love it! I love watching horror movies and reading this gives me the same kind of creepies."

#61

Dracula

5.0

(2)

"Probably some classics like Dracula, goosebumps for sure, old horror books."

"Dracula! It's an epistolary novel so everything is journals, letters, newspapers."

#62

Brian Keene

4.5

(2)

"The Rising - Brian Keene"

"*The Rising* by Brian Keene."

#63

Chuck Tingle

4.5

(2)

"Was one of my favorite reads last year, it was soooo good!"

"**Camp Damascus** by Chuck Tingle."

#64

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

4.5

(2)

"The most recent one I read and really enjoyed was Mexican Gothic."

"Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia"

#65

Cassandra Khaw

4.5

(2)

"Some of my favorites were: - The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw (novella)."

"I've been enjoying Cassandra Khaw's work."

#66

Point Horror

4.5

(2)

"I loved the Point Horror books growing up. They were brilliant."

"The point horror books were fun to read as a teen. Probably a ‘level up’ in horror vs goosebumps but still orientated towards kids"

#67

Dr. Seuss

4.5

(2)

"Dr. Seuss's What was I Scared Of?"

"It's delightfully spooky and silly."

#68

Monstrilio

4.5

(2)

"Monstrilio for sure! I really loved natural beauty as well."

"Monstrilio is supposed to be good. It's up next for me."

#69

Jason Arnopp

4.5

(2)

"The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp"

"The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp."

#70

The Graveyard Book

4.5

(2)

"I read The Graveyard Book when I was 8! One of my faves."

"It's about a living boy being raised in a graveyard."

#71

Fantasticland

4.5

(2)

"Fantasticland (#1 fave)"

"Fantasticland Last House on Needless Street Horrorstör"

#72

The Skull

4.5

(2)

"The Skull by Jon Klassen."

"1. The Skull - Jon Klassen 2. The Dark - Lemony Snickett (Klassen illustrated)..."

#73

JA White

4.5

(2)

"JA White’s books are super scary."

"Echoing Small Spaces. Also try books by JA White, Eden Royce, Daka Herman, Karen Strong, and Lorna Sef (i may not have that right—the series starts with The Clackity.)"

#74

In a Dark, Dark Room

4.5

(2)

"In a Dark, Dark Room!"

"Maybe a collection of short stories like In a Dark, Dark Room."

#75

Heart Shaped Box

4.5

(2)

"Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill"

"Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill was great albeit with jarring musical interludes."

#76

Joe Hill

4.0

(2)

"Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, The Troop by Nick Cutter"

"Try *Heart-Shaped Box.*"

#77

Nick Cutter and Andrew Sullivan

4.0

(2)

#78

Ray Bradbury

4.0

(2)

"It's a bit YA, but Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury is a good classic"

"Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury."

#79

Christopher Buehlman

4.0

(2)

"Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman."

"I really liked Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman."

#80

Small Spaces

4.0

(2)

"Small Spaces by Katherine Arden!"

"Small Spaces is super creepy!! And written for kids, kinda like Coraline vibes"

#81

F.G. Cottam

4.0

(2)

"The Colony (Currently out of print but available on Audible)."

"*The Colony, Dark Resurrection (Colony #2)*, *Harvest of Scorn (Colony #3)*, and *The Waiting Room*."

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