Hey bookworm friends! My lovely friend Charlotte from Bewitching Books, Ravenous Reads made a great post outlining the authors she’s read multiple horror books from. I thought it was a fantastic idea, so for Tammy’s Summer of Horror, I thought I’d do something similar. Here’s the short list of all the horror books I’ve ever read! I’ll quickly share my thoughts and my preferred cover (if there are options). There are 12 and they’re listed in the order of when I read them.
All The Horror Books I’ve Read
1. Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice
Fav Cover: Ballantine Books, 1977
My Thoughts: In my early twenties I wanted to see what the Anne Rice fuss was all about so I started The Vampire Chronicles. At the time I enjoyed it but didn’t obsess about it like I expected to. I enjoyed the 1994 film of the same name and loved Queen of the Damned (2022) and but I never felt compelled to continue the book series. I also recently watched S1 of the new Interview With The Vampire TV show and while I appreciated some of the things it did, I ultimately didn’t care to continue on so I’m forced to admit maybe this series isn’t for me.
2. Servant of the Bones by Anne Rice
Fav Cover: Ballantine Books, 1998
My Thoughts: In this case when I say ‘fav cover’ I mean ‘least ugly’; I really don’t like any of the options but this is the one I used to have. I even remember where I found it—weirdly it was in a LFL that used to be inside the bank of all places! Again, I was left with a lukewarm feeling. I enjoyed it generally but it’s not memorable in any way.
3. Carrie by Stephen King
Fav Cover: Pocket, 2005
My Thoughts: Again, I dislike every single cover! I read my first and only Stephen King for a literature class in my undergrad and I hated it. And not just because it was assigned reading, but because it didn’t work for me. I was somehow both bored and grossed out and I didn’t connect with the story. I’m also simply not interested in reading more by him.
4. Bliss by Lauren Myracle
Fav Cover: Amulet Books, 2008
My Thoughts: I picked this up in like 2013, when I still browsed in the library and just grabbed anything that appealed to me without knowing anything about it. Good times! I saw this cover with the picture of a teenage girl with a word written in blood and though ‘ouuuu that’s dark, I need to read this’. It was long enough ago that I don’t recall what I thought about it but I did rate it 3 stars on GoodReads back then so I guess that tells me everything I need to know 🤷🏼♀️.
5. House of Salt & Sorrows by Erin E. Craig
Fav Cover: Delacorte Press, 2019
My Thoughts: Based on my ratings so far you can see my horror reading journey wasn’t going well 😂. Literally 6 years passed before I picked up another horror book! But then I decided to try House of Salt & Sorrow with a book club and thoroughly enjoyed myself!! It really worked for me because it’s a fantasy and a fairy tale retelling as well as horror! It’s also deeply atmospheric and slightly romantic! To this day I keep saying I want to read more from Erin E. Craig and I really should get on that!
6. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Fav Cover: Del Rey, 2020
My Thoughts: I’ll be honest, when I saw the cover for Mexican Gothic I pre-ordered it immediately based on that (and the fact that Silva Moreno-Garcia is Mexican Canadian). And I read it for a book club I had with my friends to keep each-other occupied and entertained during the pandemic. I loved this one a lot too even though it actually did scare and disturb me. But it also gave me lots to think about and kept me invested all the way through! I have a really warm place in my heart for this book.
7. Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Fav Cover: Subterranean Press, 2023
My Thoughts: There is something about the Subterranean Press edition that really gives me the right vibe for Nettle & Bone. & I love that bone dog is there (and so much bigger than I was expecting tbh, haha)! This was my first T. Kingfisher and I absolutely adored it; it’s still my favourite one of hers that I’ve read. I loved the characters and the story so much that it even made me cry a bit. 🥲
8. Steeple, Vol. 1 by John Allison
Fav Cover: Dark Horse Books, 2020
My Thoughts: I saw one of my friends on Instagram reading this graphic novel series and decided to try it as well! There’s a priest, demons, and two very different women becoming unlikely friends: on paper this sounds exactly like something I would love! And it was fun but I didn’t like a lot of the directions the story went in so I decided not to continue the series. Alas 😔.
9. Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
Fav Cover: Tor Nightfire, 2023
My Thoughts: I read this one with my husband and I was entirely blown away by how much I loved it! It was a weird, strange ride but it had so much heart to it. It was one of my favourite books of 2023. If you want to know my full thoughts here is my review on Instagram.
10. The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
Fav Cover: Peachtree Teen, 2023
My Thoughts: After falling in love with Camp Damascus I decided I wanted to try another queer horror book so I buddy read The Spirit Bares Its Teeth. I have a very clear memory of this book because I was reading it during my honey moon and it has stayed with me since. I really loved this book but some of the body horror stuff in it was *a lot* for me. Definitely going to read more from this author!
11. Perfume: The Story of A Murderer by Patrick Süskind
Fav Cover: Penguin Books, 2010
My Thoughts: I’m still bitter about this one. My expectations played a big role in my disappointment when it comes to Perfume. I was expecting more of a historical fiction/horror situation. I was disturbed but also enjoying the reading experience, that is until magical realism started sneaking in and everything went off the rails!! So many of the creative choices just rubbed me the wrong way in a visceral sense. Nope.
12. Once Was Willem by M. R. Carey
Fav Cover: Orbit, 2025
My Thoughts: I’ve raved about Once Was Willem on here ever since I finished it and now the review is even posted. So if you want to know more please check it out! But suffice it to say that it’s one of my favourite books of 2025 so far! 🖤 I hope more horror books make me feel like Once Was Willem did.
ICYMI, here are my Summer of Horror Cover Friday highlights:
🌈Category Is…Queer Horror
🍄Sporror: Where The Mushrooms Are Scary
⚔️ Medieval Horror
Let’s chat in the comments!
Have you read any of these? Or, how many horror books have you read this year?
Thanks for linking to my post. I’m glad you liked the idea, I figured it was a good topic to kick start the cover posts off with.
Also your comment about being able to browse and just pick anything up, so relatable! I kind of miss it now that I have a mile long TBR.
We have two in common and I’m sure you already know which they are 😂 I hope you try something else by Erin A Craig soon, I’ve really enjoyed all the books I’ve tried by her so far.
I’m sorry Interview With The Vampire didn’t really work for you. I loved the movie (never saw Queen Of The Damned though) and actually have a copy that I really must try and read sometime. I haven’t heard of the other one but I can see what you mean cover wise.
I have quite a few King books on my TBR but I’m not 100% about Carrie. I think I want to try it, eventually. It’s not a priority read though. And I’m sorry it didn’t work for you.
Ooh I haven’t seen that cover for Nettle & Bone before. It’s awesome 😍😍 I’m intrigued to meet Bone dog too.
I haven’t read anything by the other authors that you’ve mentioned although I do recognise the titles. I remember your issues with Perfume, it seems unfair that a book you struggled with so profoundly started off strong and has such a pretty cover.
I hope you find some books simular to Once Was Willem too 🥰 I have that and another title by the author on my TBR but I’m fairly sure that’s a zombie one and will have majorly different vibes 😂
I hope you find some new favourites within the genre during the event ❤️❤️ I’ll let you know if I find any that I think will appeal to you. So far I’d say We Have Always Lived In The Castle could but I think Victorian Psycho would be too bloody for you. It was for me tbh but it was oddly compelling and by the time it turned into full blown slasher vibes I was hooked. Then when I finished I was stuck with those ‘what the hell did I just read’ feelings 🙈 I think I’m going to give it five stars because it did what it promised fantastically. I’m kind of curious about the authors other book now although whether I pick it up depends on if it sounds less bloody 😂
My pleasure, Charlotte and thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Ah yes, honestly in those days I had never heard of a TBR so I had zero worries about it 😂haha
Amazing and I have a good idea haha 😛 Thanks!!
I loved Queen of the Damned more than Interview, I think it’s because of the music, Stuart Townsend and Aaliyah 😜 I definitely want to know what you think if you watch it or read it!
Hmm yeah that makes sense I’m sure there are others that are better even if Carrie is one of his super famous ones.
Right? That Nettle & Bone cover is so awesome & I think you’ll love Bone Dog!
Ahhaha thank you, I agree that it’s so rude that Perfume’s cover is so stunning. I wanted to love it!! Oh well 🤷🏼♀️
Yes, is the Girl with All The Gifts a zombie book? I don’t think I knew that, now that’s making me more interested! I’ve got my eye on his new sci-fi one (not sure if its out yet so maybe I’ve only got half an eye on it 🤣)
Thanks so much, I hope you do too! & I will do the same then 😁! Aw I appreciate that and I suspect you’d be right about Victorian Psycho, there’s something about it that does look compelling but knowing myself I can’t see myself picking it up. On the other hand We Have Always Lived in the Castle keeps tempting me! Ahahah that’s how they get ya, you were already super invested! 😜 Okay that’s amazing though a 5 star that delivered what it promised and it’s outside your comfort level? That’s a win for taking chances right? 😀 I hope their other book is less bloody for your sake too 😛
That’s okay, it’s nice to see someone else doing the same thing 😊
Yes so true. It was definitely a simpler time 😅
I don’t recognise those names 🤔 maybe I’d recognise their music though. I’ll definitely let you know how I find both the book and film 😊
I’ve seen mixed things about it tbh. And there are so many titles to choose from by him.
Definitely a unique one!! And I imagine I will too. Always devastating when a pretty hook is a letdown 🥲 although it also sucks when you adore a story but the copies of it avaliable are bland.
I’m not 100% sure. The premise is pretty vague about it. But that’s the kind of vibes it’s giving me. I could Google it but I’d rather be surprised. Oh was that the Gunslinger type one? I’ve heard of it if so. I’m also very intriguing by the witchy (if I’m remembering right) one, the title mentions the devil.
Thanks. I get that. I blame the title 😂 but it’s definitely bloody and very macabre throughout. If you pick the castle one up let me know how you get on with it 😊 so true 😂 yes it’s definitely a strong read. I can get why it’s so popular with horror fans. I also get how it puts some readers off though given its nature. It’s definitely not for everyone.
I read Perfume years ago and it was probably the weirdest thing I’d ever read at that point. I remember loving it, but I’m not sure how I would feel about it today. Sorry to hear Interview With the Vampire didn’t work for you! I don’t like all her books but I do love that series.
Ahaha it was the weirdest thing I’d read too but I guess just not my brand of weird 🤷🏼♀️. Thanks 🙂 I am glad you like The Vampire Chronicles, I would be open to trying other Anne Rice series though 🙂 Which ones didn’t you like, if I may ask?
Ahh, I’m sorry interview with the vampire and Stephen king aren’t for you! I love them both but I get it❤️ I’m so glad that you liked Mexican gothic, lol I also bought it based on the cover 😂
Ah April I’m so sorry, I know how much you love them both 😬😅! Aha that cover is super hard to resist lol. & Thanks so much for visiting my blog even though I besmirched your favs 🖤
I’ve read about half of these. Mexican Gothic and Nettle & Bone are among my absolute favorite books, so I’m glad you enjoyed them too. Camp Damascus really surprised me and I can’t wait to read more from the author. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these!
Oh awesome, I can definitely see why and I loved them both 😀 Yes, same about the Chuck Tingle books! Thanks for checking out my post 🙂
T. Kingfisher and Andrew Joseph White have become favorites of mine. I like M.R. Carey but haven’t read that book yet. I also liked Interview with the Vampire. It’s been so long since I read the book and some of the others in the series though. I’m the other way with the new tv show – I like it quite a bit more than the other adaptations. I’m really looking forward to season 3!
Yes same for me regarding Kingfisher and Andrew Joseph White, I really need to read more from them though! & M.R. Carey has really high potential but I need to read more from him to see, he writes such different styles that I’m super curious!
I’m glad you liked The Interview With The Vampire and I definitely didn’t hate the TV show and in fact I liked a lot of the modern choices it made but I just kind of stopped caring about the Lestat and Louis drama 🙈. I hope that you love season 3 though 🖤!
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I loved seeing your journey through Horror books! I just started reading this genre in the last couple of years as I was too much of a scaredy cat before 😄 I’m glad that you liked Camp Damascus, I’ve been curious to check it out!
Thank you so much, Caro 🧡! Yes, I still fully consider myself a scaredy cat but I found that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying some horror so why not go outside of my comfort zone some more! 😛 lol If you ever read Camp Damascus I’d love to know what you think 🙂