October 29, 2024
h 1. “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Set in 1950s Mexico, this book tells the story of Noemí Taboada, a glamorous socialite who travels to a remote mansion to check on her cousin. The house is a decaying ruin filled with dark secrets, and as Noemí digs deeper, she uncovers horrors beyond imagination.
Favorite Quote:**
“Noemí, don’t let the house fool you. It’s sick with rot, stinks of decay.”
Why I liked it:
This novel is richly atmospheric and haunting gothic. It cleverly weaves in colonial history, family loyalty, and romance with the horror of the house itself. It deserves more attention for its skillfully modernizing the gothic tradition, adding cultural depth without losing its spooky charm.
2.”Horrorstör” by Grady Hendrix
Set in an IKEA-like furniture store, “Horrorstör” follows a group of employees who volunteer to work overnight to investigate strange occurrences. What begins as a quirky, funny story quickly takes a terrifying turn, but the humor never completely leaves.
Favorite Quote:
“We’re not trapped in here with them. They’re trapped in here with us.”
Why I liked it: I love how it starts light and funny, and then builds up to some genuinely scary moments. It’s the perfect blend of retail comedy and supernatural horror. Plus, the layout of the book itself (designed to look like a furniture catalog) is so creative. It’s a book that deserves more recognition for its originality.
3. “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson
No Halloween reading list is complete without mentioning this classic. Four people spend a summer in a notoriously haunted mansion, only to find that the house itself seems to be coming alive. The psychological tension is palpable, and the horror is more in what you don’t see than in what you do.
Favorite Quote:
“Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.”
I liked it because Jackson’s subtle, creeping dread makes this a masterpiece. Its psychological complexity ensures that the horror lingers long after you’ve closed the book. It’s a classic that still holds its place as one of the greatest horror novels ever written.
4. “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires” by Grady Hendrix
A group of southern moms in the 1990s must confront a vampire in their midst in this hilarious yet creepy novel. It’s a perfect blend of horror and humor, with witty social commentary on suburban life, gender roles, and how women are often underestimated.
Favorite Quote:
“The worst part about being a vampire isn’t the blood, the night, the bats—it’s the paperwork.”
Why I liked it: Hendrix’s ability to mix horror and humor is top-notch, but what I loved most was how relatable the characters are. It’s not just about slaying vampires—it’s about the strength and perseverance of these women, who are determined to protect their familiyes. This is a fun yet chilling read that deserves much more attention.
5. “The Exorcist” by William Peter Blatty
This terrifying story of demonic possession and the fight between good and evil is based on a real-life exorcism. It’s visceral, haunting, and filled with moments that will make your skin crawl.
Favorite Quote:
“The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us, but he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us.”
Why I liked it: This is one of those books that gets under your skin. The realism that Blatty brings to the supernatural makes it all the more horrifying. If you haven’t read it yet, you definitely should, especially during Halloween.
6. “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” by Grady Hendrix
This 1980s-set horror-comedy follows Abby as she tries to save her best friend Gretchen, who is possessed by a demon. It’s a heartfelt story of friendship wrapped in a layer of horror, with plenty of nods to 80s pop culture.
Favorite Quote:
“The exorcist’s success is based on your will to fight, and believe me, high school girls are full of fight.”
Why I liked it: The blend of coming-of-age themes, 80s nostalgia, and horror makes this book both funny and genuinely touching. It’s a horror story with heart, and its originality deserves far more attention.
7. “The Silent Companions” by Laura Purcell
This gothic horror novel follows newly widowed Elsie, who moves to her late husband’s country estate and discovers unsettling wooden figures, or “silent companions,” that seem to come to life. It’s a slow-burn, deeply atmospheric ghost story.
Favorite Quote:
“Some doors should never be opened.”
Why I liked it: The eerie gothic setting and the chilling presence of the companions are spine-tingling. Purcell builds the tension beautifully, and this book deserves more recognition for its originality and gripping suspense.
8. “You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood” by Eric LaRocca**
A new take on horror and romance, LaRocca’s novel is a strange yet fascinating blend of love, obsession, and murder. The story follows two lovers who are caught in a web of horror, both supernatural and emotional.
Favorite Quote:
“Love is supposed to hurt. That’s how you know it’s real.”
Why I liked it: It’s a beautifully twisted story of love and horror that will make you question the nature of relationships and control. LaRocca masterfully blends grotesque horror with deep emotional tension, and this novel deserves more attention for its inventive style and psychological depth.
9. “Payback’s a Witch” by Lana Harper (Romantic Horror-Comedy)
In this paranormal romantic comedy, Emmy Harlow, a witch who has left her magical hometown, returns to compete in a spell-casting tournament. Things get complicated when she seeks revenge on a heartbreaker and ends up falling in love with one of his exes.
Favorite Quote:
“The real magic isn’t in the spells; it’s in the connections we make, the love we share.”
Why I liked it: The blend of witchy magic, romance, and humor makes this the perfect light-hearted spooky read. The characters are relatable, and the storyline offers the perfect balance of romance and magical chaos. This book deserves more attention for its charm and wit, especially for fans of lighthearted Halloween reads.
10. “The Dead Romantics” by Ashley Poston (Romantic Horror-Comedy)
This romantic ghost story follows Florence, a ghostwriter for a famous romance novelist, who encounters the ghost of her recently deceased editor. As she grapples with grief and love, she finds herself falling for someone already dead.
Favorite Quote:
“Maybe love doesn’t have to die when we do.”
Why I liked it: This book is such a clever and heartfelt take on love and loss, with a beautifully bittersweet romance that tugs at the heartstrings. The ghostly elements make it perfect for a Halloween read, and it deserves much more attention for its unique blend of romance and the supernatural.
But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful.
Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with
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