Dare to Dive into These Terrifying Reads
If you're looking for books that will send chills down your spine and keep you up at night, this list is for you. Each title promises to immerse you in a world of fear and suspense, making you question whether you should turn the page. Prepare yourself for a thrilling ride that might just leave you too scared to continue!
A Head Full of Ghosts
400 pages
This book tells the gripping story of a 14-year-old girl who appears to be possessed, and it's so intense that it might just spike your anxiety, as it did for me. It's intriguing enough to catch the attention of even Stephen King!
Uzumaki (3-in-1 Deluxe Edition)
658 pages
If you're a horror fan, Uzumaki is a must-read! It's unnerving and will leave you squirming, with its chilling spiral theme that sticks with you long after reading.
Haunted
432 pages
Haunted is a novel made up of stories: twenty-three of the most horrifying, hilarious, mind-blowing, stomach-churning tales you'll ever encounter. They are told by the people who have all answered an ad headlined 'Artists Retreat: Abandon your life for three months'. They are led to believe that here they will leave behind all the distractions of 'real life' that are keeping them from creating the masterpiece that is in them. But 'here' turns out to be a cavernous and ornate old theatre where they are utterly isolated from the outside world - and where heat and power and, most importantly, food are in increasingly short supply. And the more desperate the circumstances become, the more desperate the stories they tell - and the more devious their machinations to make themselves the hero of the inevitable play/movie/non-fiction blockbuster that will certainly be made from their plight.
'Salem's Lot
529 pages
This book is so terrifying that it even had my hardcore King-fan dad afraid to sleep while reading it.
The Exorcist
404 pages
It's just as scary and unnerving as the movie, making it a must-read for horror fans.
The Mothman Prophecies
285 pages
This book is a spine-chilling read that delves into the eerie encounters with the Mothman and the unsettling men in black, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a good scare.
Books of Blood Volume 1
157 pages
This collection features some seriously disturbing stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It
1488 pages
It began--and ended--in 1958 when seven desperate children searched in the drains beneath Derry for an evil creature, but in 1985, Mike Hanlon, once one of those children, makes six phone calls and disinters an unremembered promise that sets off the ultimate terror.
American Psycho
399 pages
The author has a sick mind, which makes this book a fascinating and disturbing exploration of the darker sides of human nature.
The Shining Girls
355 pages
Despite a tough start, this book is worth pushing through for its intriguing plot and unique storytelling.
The Big Book of 1980s Serial Killers
232 pages
This book is a gripping exploration of the Golden State Killer that will keep you on edge, making it hard to even fall asleep after reading.
The Road
257 pages
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A searing, post-apocalyptic novel about a father and son's fight to survive, this "tale of survival and the miracle of goodness only adds to McCarthy's stature as a living master. It's gripping, frightening and, ultimately, beautiful" (San Francisco Chronicle). • From the bestselling author of The Passenger A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other. The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation. Look for Cormac McCarthy's latest bestselling novels, The Passenger and Stella Maris.
The Terror
798 pages
The "masterfully chilling" novel that inspired the hit AMC series (Entertainment Weekly). The men on board the HMS Terror — part of the 1845 Franklin Expedition, the first steam-powered vessels ever to search for the legendary Northwest Passage — are entering a second summer in the Arctic Circle without a thaw, stranded in a nightmarish landscape of encroaching ice and darkness. Endlessly cold, they struggle to survive with poisonous rations, a dwindling coal supply, and ships buckling in the grip of crushing ice. But their real enemy is even more terrifying. There is something out there in the frigid darkness: an unseen predator stalking their ship, a monstrous terror clawing to get in. “The best and most unusual historical novel I have read in years.” —Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe
1984
341 pages
A powerful read that evokes deep sadness, making it a haunting reflection on society and control.
The Illuminatus! Trilogy
811 pages
This book is a thrilling dive into conspiracy theories that can be so intense, it might make you pause and reflect on reality. It's a unique experience that leaves a lasting impact.
The Woman in Black
226 pages
This classic ghost story is incredibly immersive, making you feel as if you're truly in Eel Marsh House. Reading it during the cozy Christmas season only adds to its chilling atmosphere.
Shutter Island
327 pages
Die US-Marshals Daniels und Aule sollen im Fall einer Kindsmörderin ermitteln, die von der Gefängnisinsel Shutter Island geflohen ist. Als sie dort ankommen, erhalten sie verschlüsselte Botschaften, die sie immer tiefer in den düsteren Bau und die Machenschaften der Ärzte führen. Nichts ist so, wie es scheint. Dennis Lehanes raffiniert komponiertes Meisterwerk um Wahn und Angst in neuer Übersetzung.
The Ritual
435 pages
Now a Netflix Original Movie! The Ritual is Adam Nevill's horror novel depicting a group of friends lost in a remote wilderness in Sweden where something supernatural lurks. When four old University friends set off into the Scandinavian wilderness of the Arctic Circle, they aim to briefly escape the problems of their lives and reconnect with one another. But when Luke, the only man still single and living a precarious existence, finds he has little left in common with his well-heeled friends, tensions rise. With limited experience between them, a shortcut meant to ease their hike turns into a nightmare scenario that could cost them their lives. Lost, hungry, and surrounded by forest untouched for millennia, Luke figures things couldn't possibly get any worse. But then they stumble across an old habitation. Ancient artifacts decorate the walls and there are bones scattered upon the dry floors. The residue of old rites and pagan sacrifice for something that still exists in the forest. Something responsible for the bestial presence that follows their every step. As the four friends stagger in the direction of salvation, they learn that death doesn't come easy among these ancient trees . . .
The Amityville Horror
339 pages
This classic horror story continues to send chills down the spine, even after 30 years.
The Uninhabitable Earth
322 pages
This book provides a compelling and evidence-based look at the dire consequences of climate change, making it essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.
The Troop
368 pages
Leading a troop of boys into the Canadian wilderness for a traditional weekend camping trip, scoutmaster Tim Riggs encounters a disturbing, voraciously hungry intruder in the woods who infects the troop with a bioengineered disease.
Slade House
162 pages
This book unnerved me so much, keeping me terrified throughout, even if the ending felt a bit convenient.
Night of the Living Dummy
148 pages
This book is a classic for young readers who enjoy a good scare, making it a must-read for those who love thrilling stories.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
320 pages
This book is a hidden gem that still manages to scare me every time I read it, making it a must-read for horror fans.
Lords and Ladies
The audiobook version of 'Lords and Ladies' is so gripping that it left me terrified as an adult, making it a must-listen!
Heart-Shaped Box LP
530 pages
I've had this book sitting on my shelf for ages, and I'm finally considering giving it a go after seeing someone else recommend it.
Desperation
This book is terrifying and will keep you on the edge of your seat, making it a thrilling read for those who enjoy horror.
The River Is Dark
In a small town along the Mississippi River, separate but nearly identical attacks have left two married couples brutally murdered in their homes. Enter former homicide detective Liam Dempsey, whose estranged brother fell victim to the killer. Dragged into the investigation as a suspect, Dempsey vows to solve the case and clear his name. As the ex-cop tries to pull justice from the town's emotional wreckage, he realizes that his could be the next life lost to the killer's ruthless, twisted plan for revenge --p. [4] of cover.
Pressure
289 pages
A free diver is called in to investigate a seismological event in the Indian Ocean when events take a deadly turn and she and her crew must fight the monsters in the depths and those ashore.
Joe Hill's Thumbprint
126 pages
This book is super bizarre and twisted, keeping you on your toes as it constantly switches things up. The ominous writing adds to the intrigue, making it a captivating read.
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch
243 pages
This complex science fiction story, written during Philip K. Dick's psychotic break, explores the nature of reality in a way that can drastically change your perceptions. It's a must-read for those intrigued by the more eerie aspects of existence, similar to some spooky SCPs.
At the Mountains of Madness
205 pages
This book is horror at its finest, exploring existential dread and the profound questions of humanity, divinity, and alien existence.
Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims and Rush Revere and the First Patriots
480 pages
These children's stories about American history are a fun and engaging way to learn about the past.
The Shining
506 pages
One of the true classics of horror, now with a new stunning cover look. THE SHINING is regarded as one of Stephen King's masterpieces. Danny is only five years old, but in the words of old Mr Hallorann he is a 'shiner', aglow with psychic voltage. When his father becomes caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, Danny's visions grow out of control. As winter closes in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seems to develop a life of its own. It is meant to be empty. So who is the lady in Room 217 and who are the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why do the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive? Somewhere, somehow, there is an evil force in the hotel - and that, too, is beginning to shine . . .
Relic
480 pages
This book is a thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its intense scares.
Coraline
210 pages
The book 'Coraline' offers a much darker and richer experience than the movie, making it a must-read for those who enjoy a thrilling and eerie tale.
The Descent
598 pages
Jeff Long's 'The Descent' offers a gripping exploration of a modern-day discovery of Hell, blending action, adventure, and archaeology. Unlike the movie adaptation, the book delves into terrifying themes that linger long after reading, making it a must-read for those who enjoy a thrilling and thought-provoking narrative.
Lasher
642 pages
My mom read it and was terrified, which shows how gripping and intense this book can be.
Gone
363 pages
The Gone series starts off not too scary, but it escalates to a disturbing level by the last book, making it a gripping read for those who can handle intense themes.
Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection
418 pages
Tomie is also a must-read if you enjoyed Uzumaki, as it's another incredible and terrifying work by Junji Ito.
Cujo
416 pages
It's a classic that showcases King's masterful storytelling and ability to create tension.
The Gone World
402 pages
This book really freaked me out with its grisly murder and a twisting plot of alternate futures and the end of the world. The haunting body horror and tense scenes kept me on edge, especially when reading it late at night!
The Road
297 pages
This book is particularly relevant in today's world, especially with the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th Edition
4322 pages
The most widely read textbook in the history of medicine – made more essential to practice and education by an unmatched array of multi-media content Through six decades, no resource has matched the encyclopedic scope, esteemed scholarship, and scientific rigor of Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, both as a textbook and as a clinical reference. It remains the most universally respected textbook in all of medical publishing and the pinnacle of current medical knowledge. The eighteenth edition of Harrison’s features expanded and more in-depth coverage of key issues in clinical medicine, pathophysiology, and medical education. The acclaimed Harrison’s DVD has been updated to include 53 chapters not found in the text; 14 all-new how-to videos commissioned specifically for Harrison’s; PowerPoint presentations on essential topics in medical education; and hundreds of bonus illustrations. Presented in two volumes NEW text design greatly enhances readability NEW chapters on cutting-edge topics in clinical medicine Expanded focus on global considerations of health and disease Editor-in-Chief: Dan Longo, MD (Boston, MA) is Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.