Halloween is nearly here and once again I have found myself running through the streaming channels, looking for a spooky binge. I could fall back on the great go-tos but I’ve been craving a lot of new. Unfortunately, I just haven’t been finding or feeling that ‘new’ chilling and thrilling vibe this year. That lacking feeling has me looking over many of the books I’m reading, have read, and will read, with a wishful thought that would jump to the screen.
It’s not an uncommon wish. There are so many original stories that masterful horror creators like Mike Flannagan, James Wan, Robert Eggers, and many of the like bring to life with their imaginative and terrifying creativity.
So, I’ve brought my incessant thoughts and desires to the scrolling screen once again. I can’t quite put my finger on what’s lacking or missing this year. There are new releases, yes. The Deliverance on Netflix is a huge hit. But, there’s something missing. I just can’t place it. With so many movie/TV remakes, reduxes, and reboots, so much feels overplayed. As if the spirit of horror has diminished.
That’s why I’ve created a book list, not that I ever need a reason to create a book list. There are so many written works of art that have yet to be adapted and would be visually outstanding. Here are thirteen books that would be refreshing and outrageously spooky not just for Halloween (which is totally all that matters) but for the horror genre.
House of Leaves
Author: Mark Z. Danielewski
Here’s a book that’s been considered time and again. It follows two different haunting stories that chill to the bone. One follows a family that learns of a strange darkness growing beyond a mysterious door that shows up in their house. The second follows a man who’s found a strange book in his dead neighbor’s apartment.
This definitely contains the chilling dark themes of the occult and creature-feature with the way it toys with your senses. This book still haunts me as one of the most terrifying books I’ve ever read, but with one of the most unique writing formats I’ve ever encountered.
Episode Thirteen
Author: Craig DiLouie
One, found footage is such a fantastically terrifying medium in horror with its first-person point of view and how raw it is. Take Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project for example. Two, this wouldn’t revamp that but act as a great reminder of that.
The story goes, a ghost-hunting reality TV show finds its Holy Grail. A mansion that contains secrets and clues about experiments that connect all the way back to the 1970s. How absolutely spooky.
Frankenstein
Author: Dean Koontz, Kevin J. Anderson
I know what I said about retellings. Yet, as with any list, there’s an exception. Here, you have an exciting and witty paranormal thriller series that shoots a classic into the modern age. Two detectives and a centuries-old monster team up to take down the one and only Victor Frankenstein before he can take over New Orleans with his ‘New Race” of creatures.
This definitely settles into the series category more than the movies category. The character development and the pace of small arcs within a much larger one are just engaging enough that a season out of each book would be entertaining and fun with a few jump-scares sprinkled throughout. And, getting to see Frankenstein’s monster seek vengeance while saving the world from an apocalypse? Well, I love a good apocalypse.
The Troop
Author: Nick Cutter
This harrowing horror takes Yellowjackets and Cabin Fever and brings together some of their most terrifying elements. There’s something scary about facing the elements and a deadly plague. The monster isn’t a physical representation that can be destroyed. It’s the fear and psychological terror of what you can’t see. That’s what you get with The Troop.
A troop and their leader go into the Canadian wilderness for a camping trip, but getting out alive is another story when they face a contagious intruder that’ll redefine survival.
Night World
Author: L. J. Smith
This is a strange hill to stand on in general. This makes the list because The Vampire Diaries has such a powerful fandom and is actually pretty outstanding. Now, it’s not scare-you-out-of-your-pants scary. It’s got the monsters you fall in love with and the ones you wish would just stay dead.
With such a powerful following it only seems right to wish that the huge world that comes to life in this series (which, sadly, was never finished) be given an opportunity to stand on its own feet. Now, I’m only a little shaky about this because we all know how the streaming channels love to cancel a show after a pilot season. Still, with vampires, witches, and so much more, diving back into Smith’s supernatural world could be incredible. It would also be a great opportunity bring in favorites from TVD.
The Master and Margarita
Author: Mikhail Bulgakov
I’ve watched American, Japanese, Korean, and even Spanish horror. The cultural differences are incredible. There are so many different levels and mediums that truly shine a light on what is considered scary. And, every culture has some truly spooky tales.
This is a Russian beauty. Mixed with some demonic hi-jinx and a flying pig, this could be more than just a spooky watch, but a fun and wild romp. The devil finds himself in a city that doesn’t believe in God or the Devil. He’s going to change the minds of two unlucky souls.
Merciless
Author: Danielle Rollins (Vega)
I’m pretty sure I’m for this one because I think I’ve over-suggested it. A four-book series about a group of girls trying to exorcise a demon out of a classmate. It’s brutal, it’s nail-biting, and it’s iconic. Very Mean Girls meets…well, The Exorcist. This one would have you holding your breath and not wanting to blink until the end. And, the plot twists so hard it’ll leave you breathless.
Also, I miss Danielle Rollins (Vega). Her horror is addictive because as unhinged and terrifying as it is, it’s so much fun.
Penpal
Author: Dathan Auerbach
“How much do you remember about your childhood?”
That one simple line in the blurb for this book chilled me. Offering the chilling discomfort Stephen King gives in his books but through fragments like the film, Memento is quite an unsettling feeling, but I feel like this one would have people hanging on every line until the very end and make us question what we even saw.
Incidents Around the House
Author: Josh Malerman
A haunting! Yes! And, from the unique perspective of a little girl. This girl, Bela is being haunted in more ways than one. A horrifying ghost story never gets old. Just look at Haunting of Hill House and Gothika. This story approaches it from a child’s perspective, adding an even more terrifying element.
The Midnight Feast
Author: Lucy Foley
Sometimes, horror doesn’t always mean absolute terror. Sometimes spooky can be entertaining and fun. This whodunit offers just that. As they say, it’s all fun and games until someone turns up dead. At this fancy party at a huge manor with no expense spared, old friends and enemies, circulate around guests, but things get out of hand real quickly. This is very Bodies Bodies Bodies meets Knives Out.
Hex
Author: Thomas Olde Heuvelt
For the ones that love a spooky witch! Sometimes, there’s nothing more classic and gripping than a town curse. Here, a witch cursed a town. Nobody outside the town can know about it, and unfortunately, those who live in the town aren’t allowed to leave. I get a crossover of From (MGM) and Fear Street (Netflix) vibe and would devour this immediately.
The Travelling Vampire Show
Author: Richard Laymon
This one takes you back to the classic chills that From Dusk Til Dawn and Fright Night offered. Vampires roll into town and decide to put on a performance to try and take the town. But there are those few that aren’t okay with that. The group that tries to save the town will never be the same.
Elemental Assassin
Author: Jennifer Estep
With the power of Supernatural, True Blood, and Grimm, a fresh paranormal show following a kickass character hunting things and doing their own supernatural business is definitely in order whether for spooky season or not. There’s always room for a new one and with 10+ books in the series and an incredible leading lady, there would be no shortage of intriguing storylines about an assassin that hunts supernatural and fantastical monsters.
What is a book that you wish would be a great spooky adaptation? Let me know in the comments!
