From the stories of the Big Bad wolf to explicit scenes of sadistic torture, who doesn’t love a good horror story to get their heart racing and their nights stained by nightmares? Even horror is diverse. Some books creep beneath your skin while some scar your brains. Here’s a list of top 10 horror books of all times that are sure to send a chill down your spine.
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
Victorian Gothic horror book that has made its way upon every readers bookshelf. Who here hasn’t heard the name Dracula and gotten the scary image of a man in a cape in their minds?
- American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
This isn’t a common choice but horror in its true form with a serial killer as a protagonist. This graphic book about murders and lunacy is sure to scare anyone.
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A creepy book that creates a chilling environment. It is a splendidly written horror fantasy.
- The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Sociopathic cannibal Dr Lecter can charm and scare any person. If you thought the movie was scary, get ready for the real stuff. This book will leave you scarred for life.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
This was the first science fiction EVER and creates a real gothic horror atmosphere about a doctor ‘Creating’ a monster.
- The Shining by Stephen King
Any horror list is incomplete without the mention of the King of Horror.
- Haunted by Chuck Palahnuik
This absolute disgusting and disturbing book is a series of short stories strung together, each more horrifying and grotesque than the other. The murder and self-mutilation would make your stomach churn.
- The Haunting Hill House by Shirley Jackson
This book is terrifying and one of the finest works of ghost stories.
- Something Wicked this way comes by Ray Bradbury
A dark fantasy novel about two boys who learn to overcome fear. It includes a dark Carnival and a mysterious character “Mr Dark”.
- The exorcist by William Peter Blatty
This is the story about a young girl possessed by a demon and includes supernatural activities and a grisly murder.
These are the novels that will not only scare you but also make you conflicted about your own belief system. They deal with larger themes beneath the mask of horror if only you pay attention. Add them to your TBR for a truly scary read.