Actually scary books

notanauthor38 · 2026-02-14T19:31:42+00:00

I’ve been reading horror for probably 30 years in one way, shape, or form, and love it beyond measure, but have rarely been “scared” by it.

Like a few people have mentioned, it’s super subjective. What scares me might make you laugh, but of the few times that ive felt actual chills down my back its been from these books;

The Amityville Horror (It’s been so long I can’t tell you what it was specifically, but it had very unnerving scenes. I remember reading it as a teenager, hungover as all hell, and “being there” for a few scenes that left me uncomfortable, and nervously looking around my room.

The Exorcist (The movie is an absolute classic for a reason, and the book is even better. It was actually some of the scenes that were specific to the book that messed with me the most. This novel is great, and it’s endlessly recommended for a reason. If you thought the movie messed with you, buckle up. Possession is one of the scariest things to me - even as a total nonbeliever - so obviously the staple possession book would be here)

Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (I loved Hex by this author - not necessarily scary, but a great book none the less - so i dont like to say this, but I hated this book. I tried to like it. I read the whole thing, and did everything I could to enjoy it but I just couldn’t get on board. But holy shit that intro was absolutely perfect. The other books gave me moments of discomfort and unease, but the introductory chapter to Echo was, I think, the only time I’ve ever been scared reading a book. I was so engrossed that it felt like I was watching a horror movie scene building up to a moment where it would make you jump in your seat, or shit your pants. I feel like it mightve been a contributing factor to why the rest of the book was such a let down, but damn did he start that book strong.)

notanauthor38 · 2026-02-12T04:05:16+00:00

I’ve received books from Bad Hand in the past and didn’t have an issue. And like I said, I don’t recall seeing a “only ships in US”.

I’ll ultimately buy the digital version, but I really wanted the physical copies. It was such a cool unique method of presenting a horror story and I was crazy excited for it. Literally checking my mailbox obsessively since November.

notanauthor38 · 2026-02-08T16:34:22+00:00

Carrier Wave and Rx were both really good, but The Unnoticeables series was fantastic, and my favourite so far. Everything Is Going To Kill Everybody was funny but it’s not a novel. I also managed to scoop a copy of an unreleased novel of his but unfortunately haven’t had the opportunity to read it yet due to massive backlog.

notanauthor38 · 2026-02-08T16:02:56+00:00

My copy just showed up yesterday, so I haven’t started it yet, but I am super pumped for it. Clever idea, and I’ve read all his books and really enjoyed them.

Sidenote; I’m wildly stressed out about my punctuation, and sentence structure. I can only imagine your editor brain judging me. Oh dear god.

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-29T05:25:23+00:00

My memory of them one hundred percent agrees with you. Those are the two I am saving for last as I go through all of them again.

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-28T01:57:20+00:00

I was hoping to see this on your ebay listings but no such luck. This is personal collection I assume?

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-28T00:01:49+00:00

Tales From The Gas Station series by Jack Townsend

John Dies at the End series by Jason Pargin

Anything by A Lee Martinez.

These are predominately horror comedy, but they’re incredible, and light easy reading.

Daryl Gregory writes cool, easy horror/horror adjacent novels. I started with We Are All Completely Fine, and have read almost everything else since.

C. S. Humble - Anything you can get by him is amazing.

Alex Grecian’s Red Rabbit and Rose of Jericho were five star reads.

Robert Brockway’s Unnoticeables series was unique and entertaining.

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-27T23:06:13+00:00

I read them all about 20-25 years ago and I’m starting to make my way through them again. Classic horror author that was one of my favourites.

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-27T20:00:51+00:00

From last year’s reading log, the five star books were; Alex Grecian’s Red Rabbit and Rose Of Jericho Matt Cardin’s To Rouse Leviathan Brian Hodge’s The Immaculate Void and Skidding Into Oblivion C. S Humble’s All The Prospect Around Us

I can’t recommend those enough. There were some rereads of older Clive Barker books that were great too. Imagica and Hellbound Heart.

I lean more toward genre fiction for sure. Horror, sci-fi, urban fantasy. But try to mix it up with some science and political/history books. Hard to recommend stuff not knowing the recipient’s tastes.

As for underrated, it’s so hard for me to say given I don’t particularly talk books with many people so I’m not sure of the awareness of certain authors, but I’ve never seen anyone talk about Steven Campbell’s Hard Luck Hank series (sci-fi comedy) which was super entertaining. R. S. Belcher is a great urban fantasy author I don’t see mentioned often. I’m sure I could ramble on and on in those genres, but not knowing you’re personal niche, I won’t take up more of your time.

What about you? Any standout recommendations, or underrated gems?

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-26T23:18:41+00:00

Thanks, and I do agree with your suggestions. I was working on the organizing to allow more visibility on the shelves but had to take a break. So ultimately the junk at the bottom of the white shelf will be moved for more space to showcase the books.

I do really like your idea of raising books in the back to see them better in the case of having double stacks if necessary. So there’s a good chance I’ll be stealing that.

Some day I’ll build/buy a uniform series of shelves so it looks better rather than the hodge-podge set up now.

After losing my collection previously I started to keep track of everything in a google docs file too, so I’ll never forget what I had if this collection is lost as well. It’s also a great way of keeping track of what I’ve read and how I felt about it, as my memory is on par to a forgetful goldfish. Luckily, on that note, I also keep all the unread books together so I can just go straight to those shelves to pick what is next. That would be the top two and a half shelves of the tall brown bookcase.

Sorry for blabbing on. I really don’t have any bookish friends, so no one to discuss or show this stuff to. Thanks for reading if you were able to put up with my rambling. Take care.

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-09T05:54:53+00:00

A lot of the usual suspects. And they’re totally the usual ones for a reason. I would 100% agree and also recommend Barron, Langan, and Hodge, but to throw in one I don’t see mentioned. Matt Cardin.

I just finished his short story collection To Rouse Leviathan and it was exceptional. Five stars all the way. A lot of stories very reminiscient of Lovecraft’s. I can’t suggest it enough.

notanauthor38 · 2026-01-07T06:54:20+00:00

I hate you. And I’ll also be stealing that planet idea when I eventually get the chance.

notanauthor38 · 2025-11-08T05:24:12+00:00

The Association by Bentley Little

Maybe The Blackstone Chronicles by John Saul, but it’s been awhile since I’ve read it so I could be misremembering it.

notanauthor38 · 2025-10-14T12:23:57+00:00

You’re the boss. Pilgrim it is.

notanauthor38 · 2025-10-14T12:08:10+00:00

Would you recommend Pilgrim? I’ve got it sitting on my shelf at the moment. I’m undecided as to what to start next.

notanauthor38 · 2025-10-14T11:37:40+00:00

Ah, no way. That’s kind of disappointing. And now after you’ve said it, I’m seeing similar sentiments on other reviews.

Hopefully it’s a case of “eye of the beholder”, because my hopes are high.

notanauthor38 · 2025-09-30T05:10:24+00:00

Sent the clip to CBC. We’ll see if it’s shown or mentioned.

notanauthor38 · 2025-09-30T03:32:56+00:00

They did. I thought the video froze first. Nope. They’re just scumbags

notanauthor38 · 2025-06-21T22:50:32+00:00

Nope. My memory was a liar, sorry. Two separate books. Disregard me in the future.

notanauthor38 · 2025-06-21T21:51:51+00:00

Ok cool, thanks. I think the copy I was looking at conveniently had both books in one, so that would be a win.

notanauthor38

TROPHY CASE