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Oct 21, 2010

Horrifying Reads

By which I mean scary.

I have only ever read one book that I have had a physical gut wrenching reaction to - A manual written by evangelical Christians for exorcising the mentally ill.  Even that didn't scare me, just made me ill.

I am reading quite a bit of horror at the moment, and while some of it is truly good writing, it's not scaring me.

I want your recommendations for horror that will scare me witless.  Give me the best book that you have read that's made you want to walk to the bedroom with the light on.

Comments (7)

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The Terror by Dan Simmons! Scary on lots of levels!
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2 replies · active 750 weeks ago
Thanks for the recommendation. I have heard of Dan Simmons, somewhere in the dark recesses of my memory.

I am being pleasantly surprised by Salem's Lot, some very good writing
I have heard of Dan Simmons, I believe he wrote a vampire tale as well (which I might have to track down for my reading project next year.
I wish I knew!

I have the problem of not being able to find books that are actually scary. I haven't for a long time. I remember having nightmares after reading 'Misery' by Stephen King... but I was 16 and had an irrational fear of axe wielding maniacs.

Recently, when I read 'Let the Right One In" I was prepared to be scared.. and I wasn't.. and that was disappointing. I think that is why I only gave the book 3 stars.. I liked it but it didn't have that scare factor that people kept telling me about.
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1 reply · active 751 weeks ago
Just received my copy of 'Let the Right One In', after seeing the film I don't think I will find it scary either.

I am a good way through Salem's Lot, and while I am enjoying the writing and story it's not scaring me.
I'm like Rachel: I have real trouble finding books that make me scared. I love Stephen King, but he doesn't scare me. Not even with The Shining.

I guess the evangelical instruction manual would make me scared, too. Actually, any stuff written by the Ashtar Command peeps or Elizabeth Clare Prophet is of the same ilk!

However, there was one book I can remember being terrified of as teenager: Warday, can't remember who it was by. But it came out around the same time that The Day After came out and was in the same vein.... I had to get rid of it.
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Hmm Warday, is this it? - http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Warday/Whitley-S...

Yes if you have any knowledge of mental health/mental illness the book will seriously offended you and make you ill. Its the manual that was used to "treat' women at Mercy Ministries.

I would almost call the book 'evil'.

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