horror books to read before you die | aka the 10 horror books i couldn't live without 👻

Summary

In this video, Haley presents her top 10 essential horror books that every fan should read. She passionately describes her favorite horror reads, including 'Brother' by Anya Alborn, 'They Were Here Before Us' by Eric LaRocca, and 'Pet Sematary' by Stephen King. Each recommendation dives into unique themes like generational trauma, nature vs. nurture, and emotional horror. She also includes bonus picks for her Patreon subscribers, with a focus on character-driven, thought-provoking, and unsettling narratives that blend horror with societal commentary.

Takeaways

• 📚 Haley shares her top 10 essential horror books that she would never unhaul and recommends reading before you die.
• 👹 Haley's all-time favorite horror book is *Brother* by Anya Alborn, which combines character-driven horror, generational trauma, and graphic slasher elements.
• 🐵 *They Were Here Before Us* by Eric LaRocca is a short story collection featuring unsettling nature horror, including a particularly terrifying chimpanzee story.
• 💭 *I'm Thinking of Ending Things* by Iain Reid is a psychological thriller exploring deep personal relationships and self-reflection, although Haley dislikes its movie adaptation.
• 🐾 Haley recommends *Pet Sematary* by Stephen King as a classic grief horror, highlighting its zombie pet apocalypse premise and emotional depth.
• 🩸 *The Weight of Blood* by Tiffany D. Jackson offers a modern twist on Stephen King’s *Carrie*, focusing on racism, colorism, and high school bullying.
• 🌻 *Bloom* by Delilah S. Dawson is a queer horror book about a woman's first same-sex relationship, featuring shocking and graphic twists.
• ✍️ *The Test* by Sylvain Neuvel is a short, fast-paced horror novella exploring the real-life horrors of a citizenship test with moral dilemmas.
• 🏠 *How to Sell a Haunted House* by Grady Hendrix mixes dark humor with horror, focusing on family dynamics and a creepy puppet collection.
• 🐺 *Such Sharp Teeth* by Rachel Harrison is a deeply personal werewolf story reflecting on misogyny, female friendships, and traumatic experiences.

Q & A

What is Haley's favorite horror book?

Haley's favorite horror book is *Brother* by Anya Alborn, which she considers her top horror book recommendation.

What makes *Brother* by Anya Alborn a unique horror book according to Haley?

*Brother* is character-driven and explores themes of generational trauma and mental health, while juxtaposing these against graphic slasher elements. It delves into the nature versus nurture debate within a horror context.

Which short story collection does Haley recommend, and why?

Haley recommends *They Were Here Before Us* by Eric LaRocca. She appreciates its nature horror and exploration of how nature and human experience are intertwined, featuring unsettling, thought-provoking stories.

Why is *I'm Thinking of Ending Things* by Iain Reid a controversial recommendation?

The book is controversial due to its unique writing style and trippy narrative that explores the protagonist’s psyche. Some find the plot confusing or polarizing, but Haley loves its unconventional approach.

What is the key theme in *Pet Sematary* by Stephen King, and why does Haley recommend it?

Haley describes *Pet Sematary* as a grief horror book. It explores the consequences of trying to reverse death, particularly through the lens of a father who buries his child in a cemetery where things come back 'wrong.'

What social issues are addressed in *The Weight of Blood* by Tiffany D. Jackson?

*The Weight of Blood* addresses issues of colorism, racism, and segregation. It’s inspired by Stephen King's *Carrie* and takes the concept to a new level by examining these themes through a modern lens.

Why does Haley highly recommend *Bloom* by Delilah S. Dawson?

Haley loves *Bloom* for its exploration of queerness and relationships, set against a horror backdrop. The book includes shocking and graphic moments, which Haley finds thrilling.

What makes *The Test* by Sylvain Neuvel stand out as a horror novella?

Haley appreciates *The Test* for its compact yet powerful narrative, blending real-life horror surrounding immigration and citizenship tests with sci-fi horror elements reminiscent of *Black Mirror*.

Why does Haley find *How to Sell a Haunted House* by Grady Hendrix so compelling?

*How to Sell a Haunted House* combines dark humor with horror and family dynamics. Haley is particularly drawn to its themes of generational trauma and the unique, darkly funny twists on haunted house tropes.

What is the core message of *Such Sharp Teeth* by Rachel Harrison, and why does it resonate with Haley?

Haley resonates deeply with *Such Sharp Teeth* because it deals with themes of misogyny, womanhood, and personal transformation, using the werewolf metaphor. The book's commentary on the female experience moved her emotionally.