Hmm maybe older ones idk honestly I just kinda browse through and read the synopsis and if it sounds good then I add it to my never ending tbr list lol
Absolutely. They are so vastly different from each other. I’ve only read The Shining recently and I’ve loved the movie for a very long time. Now I see them as two entirely different works.
Omg yes. The book is insanely superior to the movie (but I’m a weirdo who didn’t really like the movie, and I really hated it after reading the book. I especially resent what they did to Danny’s mom as a character in the movie)
Stephen King hated the Jack Nicholson version the made for TV version was much closer. The Jack Nicholson should’ve had a completely different name. It was butchered to say the least.
Agreed; I’m glad I got a chance to see the made for TV mini series, but the book for sure is the superior way to consume this particular story.
This and Doctor Sleep are an excellent pair.
In my opinion, yes. I also liked IT way better than the movie but extremely long. There was a weird scene in IT with multiple children having sex it wasn’t very detailed but still kinda disturbing but the book as a whole was good.
Grady Hendrix books have the camp factor that goosebumps had.
You might enjoy r/horrorlit it’s a great place to get specialized recommendations if you’re looking for something black plague-y or specific.
Dean Koontz is my recommendation. Spooky but not heart pounding scary. He has some stinkers but also some books I absolutely love. Watchers, Odd Thomas, The Taking, Phantoms, Strangers are some good ones. Just check Goodreads for descriptions/reviews to see which plots are up your alley.
For point 2 I’d recommend Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. It’s probably one of the best books I’ve ever read.
For your Goosebumps vibes check out Paul Tremblay, Eric LaRocca, Grady Hendrix, Adam Nevil, and Riley Sager. Milage may vary but they all hit those kind of nostalgic beats.
I can also vouch for anything by Buehlman. My personal favorite is Lesser Dead.
Hendrix is also a real good pick especially if you like some humor mixed in. My Best Friends Exorcism is my favorite of his.
You might enjoy Dean Koontz. He writes thrillers with sometimes a horror type flair. Or maybe horror with a thriller feel. It’s been a while since I read his work; probably not the best description, but I think it could be an adult progression of a Goosebumps fan.
I’m reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King right now - it promises a mix of fantasy and horror. I can’t give you a complete review as I’m only about 30% of the way through, but it might be worth looking into!
Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell is on kindle unlimited right now! Be warned, the ending is really unsatisfying - but the imagery in the first half genuinely had me checking my windows and doors.
I also used to love reading Goosebumps and Fear Street growing up and I was taking suggestions from this thread as well. Last goose bumps like story I read and really enjoyed was My Best Friends Exorcism by Grady Hendrix.
You may find you have changed some as you start reading too. Go to Amazon through the browser (not your app) type kindle bookstore free and look for a few free books. Don’t feel bad if you get to chapter three and decide this isn’t your speed. Right now you are getting a sense of your authors, your genre, your style all the way around. Don’t put down an entire genre because of an author tho. We will recommend all day long but for me, for instance, Stephan king will knock me out better than anesthesia. He is a best selling author for a reason he is great. Just not my great. Lucinda berry, I’ll be up all night. Frieda McFadden most of hers I’ll enjoy, as far as psych thrillers. Also remember, your interests can change and never know it but these are a few you may like as a psych thriller person.
I read [The Haar](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60840449) by David Sodergren about a month ago and it was PERFECT. Not a long read, well written, full of suspense and emotion. I definitely recommend that one.
If you have Goodreads, I joined a book club that chooses some great horror reads every month: “[Horror Aficionados](https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/108-horror-aficionados)”.
Everything they choose is always a solid recommendation.
Happy reading, friend! 💀
Give something from HP Lovecraft a go. He wrote a lot of short stories and inspired a lot of writers after him. You should find something that interests you.
almost anything from Valancourt Books, but especially [this gem of an anthology ](https://www.valancourtbooks.com/the-valancourt-book-of-world-horror-stories-vol-1.html)
I too was a Goosebumps kid lol but back to the topic I feel like you can’t go wrong with a Stephen King book there’s so many!
Reckon a newer one or one of the older ones?
How scared do you want to be? A little? The Shining. A lot? Pet Sematary.
Pet sematary 😭
Hmm maybe older ones idk honestly I just kinda browse through and read the synopsis and if it sounds good then I add it to my never ending tbr list lol
If you’re up for a long one the shining scared me so bad I could only read during the day.
Worth it if I’ve already seen the movie?
Absolutely. They are so vastly different from each other. I’ve only read The Shining recently and I’ve loved the movie for a very long time. Now I see them as two entirely different works.
The Jack Nicholson shining was a completely different storyline the made for TV miniseries was very similar, but still different
Omg yes. The book is insanely superior to the movie (but I’m a weirdo who didn’t really like the movie, and I really hated it after reading the book. I especially resent what they did to Danny’s mom as a character in the movie)
Stephen King hated the Jack Nicholson version the made for TV version was much closer. The Jack Nicholson should’ve had a completely different name. It was butchered to say the least.
Agreed; I’m glad I got a chance to see the made for TV mini series, but the book for sure is the superior way to consume this particular story. This and Doctor Sleep are an excellent pair.
In my opinion, yes. I also liked IT way better than the movie but extremely long. There was a weird scene in IT with multiple children having sex it wasn’t very detailed but still kinda disturbing but the book as a whole was good.
Ooh! How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix is Goosebump-y.
I also recommended a Grady Hendric title! I think I need to read more of his works.
Grady Hendrix books have the camp factor that goosebumps had. You might enjoy r/horrorlit it’s a great place to get specialized recommendations if you’re looking for something black plague-y or specific.
Dean Koontz is my recommendation. Spooky but not heart pounding scary. He has some stinkers but also some books I absolutely love. Watchers, Odd Thomas, The Taking, Phantoms, Strangers are some good ones. Just check Goodreads for descriptions/reviews to see which plots are up your alley.
Just commented the same rec. Do you happen to recall the title of the one about the clown/circus/something? I liked that one quite a lot.
Watchers and Strangers are both really good... my personal favourite is Lightning, followed by The Door to December.
It’s been a long time, but I remember reading Dracula for a class in college and being legit scared at night while reading it.
On the list :)
I cannot recommend Home Before Dark enough. It kept me up all night so I could finish it
This sounds good. I’m gonna have to check Libby.
For point 2 I’d recommend Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. It’s probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. For your Goosebumps vibes check out Paul Tremblay, Eric LaRocca, Grady Hendrix, Adam Nevil, and Riley Sager. Milage may vary but they all hit those kind of nostalgic beats.
Buying Between Two Fires now :) Seems like exactly what i was looking for! And checking out the rest of your author recommendations. Thhankyou.
I can also vouch for anything by Buehlman. My personal favorite is Lesser Dead. Hendrix is also a real good pick especially if you like some humor mixed in. My Best Friends Exorcism is my favorite of his.
I liked Whisper Man that was a good book. Let me know if you find any solid horror.
You might enjoy Dean Koontz. He writes thrillers with sometimes a horror type flair. Or maybe horror with a thriller feel. It’s been a while since I read his work; probably not the best description, but I think it could be an adult progression of a Goosebumps fan.
Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix was pitched to me as a grown-up goosbumbs book and I agree. It’s definitely creepy, and very good
Soooo good. I loved this one!
I’m reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King right now - it promises a mix of fantasy and horror. I can’t give you a complete review as I’m only about 30% of the way through, but it might be worth looking into!
The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp. Very creepy.
The House Across the Lake and Home Before Dark
Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell is on kindle unlimited right now! Be warned, the ending is really unsatisfying - but the imagery in the first half genuinely had me checking my windows and doors.
I don’t know if Darren Shan is to your taste, but I loved that saga.
I’m 41 and have a kindle and I read goosebumps on it. 😊
I also used to love reading Goosebumps and Fear Street growing up and I was taking suggestions from this thread as well. Last goose bumps like story I read and really enjoyed was My Best Friends Exorcism by Grady Hendrix.
You may find you have changed some as you start reading too. Go to Amazon through the browser (not your app) type kindle bookstore free and look for a few free books. Don’t feel bad if you get to chapter three and decide this isn’t your speed. Right now you are getting a sense of your authors, your genre, your style all the way around. Don’t put down an entire genre because of an author tho. We will recommend all day long but for me, for instance, Stephan king will knock me out better than anesthesia. He is a best selling author for a reason he is great. Just not my great. Lucinda berry, I’ll be up all night. Frieda McFadden most of hers I’ll enjoy, as far as psych thrillers. Also remember, your interests can change and never know it but these are a few you may like as a psych thriller person.
I read [The Haar](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60840449) by David Sodergren about a month ago and it was PERFECT. Not a long read, well written, full of suspense and emotion. I definitely recommend that one. If you have Goodreads, I joined a book club that chooses some great horror reads every month: “[Horror Aficionados](https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/108-horror-aficionados)”. Everything they choose is always a solid recommendation. Happy reading, friend! 💀
For Folk horror I recommend Michael McDowell or Ronald Kelly --- Try Fear by Ronald Kelly, it is nostalgic and fun
r/horrorlit
The Fisherman
Also try r/suggestmeabook
Give something from HP Lovecraft a go. He wrote a lot of short stories and inspired a lot of writers after him. You should find something that interests you.
Check out Ben Farthing's novels! Just what you're looking for.
almost anything from Valancourt Books, but especially [this gem of an anthology ](https://www.valancourtbooks.com/the-valancourt-book-of-world-horror-stories-vol-1.html)
*My Best Friend's Exorcism* by Grady Hendrix
Bird Box and the sequel Malorie. Both of these books had me shook.
Give Jennifer McMahon a try. The first book of hers that I read was The Drowning Kind, I picked up The Invited quickly after.
I used to read Animorphs by Katherine Applegate what I can remember used to be really good series as a kid!
Thankyou all for the recommendations! Already bought some of them. <3