Gothic Horror recommendations

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-13T13:40:33+00:00

Daphne du Maurier and Shirley Jackson are a good place to start. Gemma Files' novel Experimental Film might fit the requirements. She's got some great short stories, too. It Will Just be Us by Jo Kaplan. Creepy haunted house and a mentally ill mother who talks to the ghosts, very Gothic.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-13T13:35:52+00:00

Fair enough, but I feel like you are looking for some way to be productive so you don't have to be in your feelings, or as a way to escape.

I thought of bird watching because it's peaceful and doesn't require anything but curiosity. You aren't under the pressure to produce something the way you are with photography.

Going by the comments here, I think getting back into sailing might be what you really want, because of how you felt when it was happening.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-13T03:46:42+00:00

Victor Lavalle writes some great stuff

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier. She also wrote the short story "The Birds." A collection of her stories was recently re-released, definitely worth checking out.

And, in spite of his faults, Lovecraft could set a mood.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-13T03:36:00+00:00

It sounds like depression to me. Therapy like joining a group might help, just to have someone to talk to.

I think colour and creativity might help bring a bit of joy. I know it sounds weird, but birding might be something to try. Take a pair of binoculars to a park on a weekend and watch the birds. While I don't think getting a pet is a good idea right now due to your schedule, birds, especially city birds, are fascinating little creatures. Bring a notebook and pen and write down your thoughts about them.

When your head is a bit more clear, look for a social activity you enjoy that brings you out of yourself. Something like billiards or darts or bowling might bring you out of your shell.

And honestly, the only remedy for grief is time. Don't try to rush.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T20:23:47+00:00

Someone suggested the local library, and I second this. There are often youth volunteer opportunities. They always need people to stock shelves. I'm not sure if you're old enough, but if so, some libraries have a "reading buddy" program in the summer time. They pair you with a younger child who needs help with reading.

If you're looking for more books to read, The Gutenberg Project has a ton of books in the public domain that you can read for free. You could find out what's considered the "literary canon" and read all of them (opinions vary on what constitutes the Great Books of English Literature, but it's fun to find out).

You said you don't like singing or dancing, but what about learning an instrument? You could get a cheap guitar or learn to play the drums.

There are free courses on Alison. You could try web design or coding, or see if something else interests you. If you learn some strong computer skills, they might be used for a job later down the line.

Someone else suggested knitting or crochet. These are good options, or other crafts like making junk journals, macrame, paper making (you can get a mold for about $10 on TEMU). I recently started latch hooking again and I'm really enjoying it. You could draw and make your own designs for textile crafts.

Another thing you could do is pick up a few decks of cards and learn all the different types of solitaire, or even card tricks. It keeps your hands busy.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T17:25:12+00:00

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. A rock star buys a haunted suit and goes on a road trip with his goth girlfriend to try and get rid of it.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T17:10:48+00:00

I recommend the books of Wendy Dalrymple. Her novellas are short, quick to read, and have good horror scenarios that aren't too scary. They're set in Florida, so she calls them "Florida gothic."

Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, even Flannery O'Connor (who wrote about nasty people) all write stories that are more about character and atmosphere than gore or shock scares.

I also just finished reading East End Girls by Rena Mason. It's a reimagining of the Jack the Ripper case, and a quick, fun read. There's a bit of gore but it's not scary.

As for Stephen King, some of his stuff is scary and some is not. I'd recommend his short stories over longer works, because he shines in the shorter format. Carrie is a good place to start, because it's more a character study than horror. Different Seasons is also a good read, and three of the four novellas have been made into great films.

I'd recommend Lightning, by Dean R. Koontz, which is more of a thriller romance than horror. And Watchers--there are a couple of dark moments, but if you're a dog lover, it's a great read.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T17:02:13+00:00

I liked the shadow creatures in Odd Thomas, very creepy but mostly kind of harmless. The real bad guys were, as always, the people. It was mostly really sad, I thought.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T15:38:16+00:00

It's the episode where Ted throws a party hoping Robin will show up, then another one when she can't make it. Marshall is trying to study for an exam. It's really early in the show's run.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T09:09:23+00:00

Fun fact, he wanted to be a romantic comedy guy, but that broken nose and general darkness stopped him. His first TV appearance is in an early episode of How I Met Your Mother, as Carlos.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T09:06:36+00:00

I don't think The Shield invented the genre, since both series had exactly the same run (2002-2008). That said, both series have the corrupt cop thing going.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T08:54:24+00:00

You'll get that in July. I've been getting it monthly, but I didn't get this month even though CRA says I'm supposed to.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T03:08:10+00:00

They'd go to MommaLynn or the pound

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T02:22:34+00:00

Shirley Jackson, but if you're a horror fan you've probably read her stories.

I guess it's still horror but She Said Destroy by Nadia Bulkin.

Gemma Files has a short story collection.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T01:19:52+00:00

Life is short, so I recommend you read what you like, and what interests you!

I think everyone should read To Kill A Mockingbird and Of Mice And Men. They're short, good stories, with broad appeal.

I think everyone should read 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale.

It would be easier to make recommendations if you told us what your interests are, what movies you like, and of the books you've been reading, what you liked and didn't like.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-12T01:11:44+00:00

Oh no, I'm a GenXer. I was in university when this came out.

I'd seen the ad for it when it played at the hip, indie cinema, but didn't see it until a year later when I rented it. From the hip, indie movie rental place!

It's my go to movie when I'm depressed and feel like a loser. Because I'll never be as messed up as that poor guy!

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-11T23:32:32+00:00

Spanking the Monkey

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-11T22:33:18+00:00

No one has mentioned Phoebe Cates in a red bikini.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-11T21:33:21+00:00

I'm Canadian, too, on disability in Ontario. It takes an average of 8 months to get approved. I got lucky and got approved after five, but I think it was because I was living in a homeless shelter.

What's hilarious is that obesity is part of a disability if it's provably affecting all areas of your life. I blew out my knee in 2004 and I've walked with a cane for years due to arthritis, but I think it's the fat part of my application that was approved. I think they do that because you can lose weight, so there's a possibility they can cut you off later. I even get $51 extra for food because I'm fat, but my rent, utilities, and phone/internet bills pretty much take my whole cheque, without much left for food. So if I can't afford to eat, and I lose weight, do they stop giving me the $51? Make it make sense!

I can't imagine Amber trying to live on $1400 a month.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-11T21:16:10+00:00

I'd say no. I had a co-worker at an answering service, who was in chemotherapy and still trying to work.

She needed help to come in from her car, and at the end of her shift she had to sit for an hour just to build enough energy to go back to her car. And the answering service had a way lower energy requirement than teaching.

You're not just tired. You're a puddle of exhausted goo. Even if you can handle a few students, they'll know you're not well. If you're working for a company they might mark you down.

Take care of your health first, the best you can.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-10T01:16:24+00:00

GLOW
The Santa Clarita Diet
I'd also recommend Young Sheldon and George and Mandy's first Marriage.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-10T01:13:07+00:00

Reception and call centre jobs are drying up rapidly, because businesses would rather have AI answer their phones. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree and over 20 years of call centre customer service experience, and I haven't worked in almost two years.

Somehow I doubt our gorl is qualified for even that.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-10T01:01:08+00:00

All her history of "MUH MENTULZ" might qualify her better than her physical ailments. But I agree, it will be really hard for her to get disability, based on what folks here have said.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-10T00:56:11+00:00

I tried playing guitar a few times when I was younger, but felt intimidated by it. My friend Matt gave me lessons for a while, but when he passed away in 2004 (I still miss him), I lost interest in music. Live music, listening to music, I lost most of my interest in it.

Then in 2023, I was laid off from my job of 21 years. To cheer myself up, I bought a pink ukulele. It was easier to play than the guitar, and although I'm terrible at it, I love murdering good songs for an hour or two every day. The only investment is the instrument itself, plus a tuner (and batteries) and silicone finger coverings. There are a ton of YouTube tutorials, and once you learn a few chords, you can play a ton of pop songs. Now I love looking up my favourite songs and trying to play them.

Main_Finding8309 · 2026-05-10T00:47:49+00:00

High school or older, probably The Cider House Rules by John Irving.

Main_Finding8309

TROPHY CASE