5. 'The Shining' by Stephen King
I know what you're probably thinking, how cliche to add one of the most famous horror novels from one of the most famous horror writers. You may also be thinking 'whatever, I saw the movie'. While the movie is great, it is no comparison to what the book has to offer. This book is so intensely written and has the ability at times to almost bring on an anxiety attack. If you don't believe me, or if you think there's no need to read the book because you've seen the movie and/or mini-series, just do me one favor. Just read Chapter 30, which is titled '217 Revisited'. Easily one of the best chapters in any horror novel, literally anxiety and intensity in written form.
4. 'Haunted' by Chuck Palahniuk
If you know anything about Chuck Palahniuk, you know that his writing is nowhere near the norm. His stories are usually very strange and filled with dark sarcastic humor. In 'Haunted' Chuck has written the horror anthology that spits in the face of all other horror anthologies. While the book is a short story collection, it is also a novel in itself. A group of people respond to an ad for a writers retreat in which they will cut themselves off from society. While on this retreat, each character tells a story. Most of these stories could work as a stand-alone, but they also tie into the wraparound story as well. The stories alone are strange, fucked up, and at times gross, however the wraparound is just as interesting. There is hardly a likable character in this entire book, they are mostly narcissistic sociopaths, but that's what makes the book so entertaining. This book is easily one of the most off key things you will read, and when you're finished, it will only leave you saying 'What the fuck did I just read?" If you don't believe me, read the story 'Guts'. Originally published in Playboy. It is the first story in the novel. Chuck Palahniuk has read 'Guts' aloud at multiple events and often has caused at least one person to faint and multiple people to leave the room.
Read 'Guts' here.
3. 'The Raw Shark Texts' by Steven Hall
Ok, while this was not one of my favorite books, I still liked it. I also think it is something that should be read solely based on it's originality. So what's it about? Bear with me here. Eric Sanderson wakes up with no memory of who he is. He finds notes telling him to contact his doctor. The notes are signed 'The first Eric Sanderson'. Eric starts receiving more and more notes from the 'first Eric Sanderson' explaining more details of the reasons for his amnesia and also explains that he has activated a conceptual shark called a Ludovician which will over time erase one's memory and sense of self. This Ludovician will pursue him until it erases him entirely. This begins a journey that is almost too weird to describe. It's better I just leave it here and you experience it on your own. This odd story entwined with occasional odd page designs (seen below) make for a unique reading exerience.
2. 'The Summer I Died' by Ryan C. Thomas
This book caught me completely off guard. After reading the plot summary and the reviews, I figured I would give it a try. I was skeptical however, going in thinking it was just going to be a senseless gore fest written solely for shock value. How wrong I was. Roger Huntington is home for the summer from college. He plans to spend a lot of his summer hanging out and catching up with his best friend, nicknamed 'Tooth'. Roger and Tooth go into the woods to shoot guns, shoot the shit, etc, when they hear a woman screaming off in the distance. They decide to find the source of the scream and see if they can help. They end up coming upon a small house in the woods. As they approach the house, a woman comes running out of the basement door with an axe in her head. Right behind the woman is a literary character that should never be forgotten. A psychopathic redneck known only as 'Skinny Man'. After a struggle, Roger, Tooth, and the woman end up chained up in the Skinny Man's basement. Mind games, horror, and torture ensue from this point forward. While this book is gory and disturbing as hell, there's more to it than that. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something in this story that locks you in and just won't let go. Maybe it's the dark side in all of us, or maybe it's the age old struggle for survival. Either way, this book will have you cringing and thinking 'Why am I still reading this?', yet at the same time thinking 'I have to know what happens next, I have to know if anyone gets out alive!' When you finish this book, I guarantee you will need at least an hour to process the madness and macabre that you have just taken in, and like me, you will want someone you know to read it so you have someone to talk to about it, maybe even form a support group, I will warn you, this is not for the faint of heart. I also recommend the sequel 'Born To Bleed'. While not as good as this first entry, it definitely holds it's own, and throws in an intriguing twist into the Roger Huntington saga.
1. 'House Of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski
Anyone who knows me pretty well probably expected this book to be in my #1 spot. Why? Because hands down this is probably the best horror novel ever written..... at least in my opinion it is. Never have I been so enraptured by a story as I was with HOL. It's odd typography and massive size make it intimidating to some people, but let me tell you, this book is the most unique reading experience you will ever have. I will admit upfront, it's not for everyone. It can be a complicated book and hard to follow at times. With it's double narrative, numerous (mostly fictitious) footnotes, informative chapters, multiple quotes and languages, and experimental typography, this book throws it all at you. This book is like an onion, with many layers that slowly peel away to a core story that has been described as 'A love story hidden in a horror story'. I won't get into details on the plot here, because honestly, it's hard to describe in a way that doesn't sound crazy or too confusing, also, I think the less you know going into this book, the better. This is a book that just needs to be read. I will say this though, once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. I only put it down to eat and sleep. I spent the majority of a weekend with my face in this book. Below are some examples of the typography I mentioned.
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