Unforgettable Frights: The Top Horror Books Every Adult Should Read
Stories of horror, stories of suspense, and stories of adventure all have one thing in common. They make you feel something. That feeling is what makes us feel alive. It makes us feel as if life is worth living. Horror stories contain plots that revolve around either a terrifying villain, a terrifying place, or a combination of both. Horror is amazing because of the emotions that it can evoke. Why does horror make us feel so much? What is it about horror that brings us the emotions that excite us? Let’s try to answer this question in this article.
The Inception of Modern Horror
Horror can be traced back to ancient origins. It’s a genre that has roots in folklore and ancient traditions that focused on death, the afterlife, and evil, as well as the demonic and the principle of that which is embodied within the person. The above led to the creation of stories of demons, witches, vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. European horror fiction was further established through the works of the Ancient Greeks and also the Ancient Romans. A good example of this is Mary Shelley’s book Frankenstein, which was inspired greatly by the story of Hippolytus, who Asclepius revived after his death.
Why Do People Enjoy Horror?
Now that we have an idea of where Modern Horror originates from, we have to understand what makes it so appealing. Horror is appealing because of the very interesting and unique ideas it contains. It plays on primal fears and the expectations that people might have while reading the books, and it tends to subvert these expectations. Another exciting and appealing aspect of the horror genre is the fact that it pushes boundaries quite a bit; there are essentially no rules in horror, and this is what makes horror books for adults so interesting.
Top 10 Horror Books Every Adult Should Read
So now that you’re aware of the beauty of the horror genre and why it’s so appealing, it’s time you pick up some nice horror books that shock and scare you! This list of horror books for adults was chosen after extensive research, and hopefully, it appeals to you.
1. The Yorkshire Vampire By Patricia Gibson
An exciting horror story about a vampire who escaped justice in his own world by escaping through a portal.
2. Dracula By Bram Stoker
Dracula is a story based on the real-life figure of Vlad the Impaler. The story is about a man who travels to Castle Dracula to meet a nobleman named Count Dracula. The story shows the man becoming progressively more frightened by the supernatural powers and diabolical ambitions.
3. The Shining By Stephen King
This is a brilliantly written book by the renowned Stephen King about a man named Jack Torrance who gets a new job at the hotel known as the Overlook Hotel. The hotel feels more and more sinister with time, and this has an effect on Jack.
4. The Haunting of The Hill House By Shirley Jackson
This is a horror book for adults that focuses on a mansion that is haunted. The story shows that a man named Dr. John Montague, who is an investigator of the supernatural, decides to invite people who have had experiences with the paranormal to the mansion. Dr Montague’s idea is to investigate and find scientific proof whether the supernatural exists or not.
5. Ghost Story By Peter Straub
This story is all about a man named Donald Wanderley and a young girl who’s been kidnapped. This is a story about four men who committed a crime in their youth, and it comes back to haunt them in the form of the supernatural.
6. Haunted By Chuck Palahniuk
This is a collection of 23 short stories written By Chuck Palahniuk. This series of short stories is connected by one thing: the retreat in the abandoned theatre. The characters decide to all write stories while living there for three months. They are provided with everything: food, water, and electricity for the duration of their stay. The twist of the book shows the depths of insanity that humans can fall to, making the story a very engaging and terrifying read.
7. I Am Legend By Richard Matheson
This is a horror book for adults and a great novel that focuses on life in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by vampires who suck blood and are nocturnal. The story focuses on the protagonist, Robert Neville, who tries to survive in this dangerous world.
8. Bird Box By Josh Malerman
This is a book about the world being plunged into chaos due to the existence of something known as the ‘entity,’ which is not fully explained, but people who look at it experience suicidal and violent tendencies.
9. Come Closer By Sara Gran
This is a story about a woman slowly falling into madness, without any knowledge of how or why she ends up burning her own husband with a cigarette and progressively becomes more and more mentally insane.
10. Interview with the Vampire By Anne Rice
A horror book for adults that tells the story of a vampire who discusses everything about his whole life with a reporter called ‘the boy.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you gained value from the list of books provided in the blog. These are among the best books in the horror genre.