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Paperbacks from Hell
The Best Classic Horror Novels
Bram Stoker Awards® Winners
Featured Author
Anne Rice
Anne Rice, born in New Orleans in 1941, was best known for her Vampire Chronicles novels, some of the bestselling novels of all time. Interview with a Vampire was adapted into a popular 1994 film starring Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas. Feast of All Saints became a mini-series in 2001 and Queen of the Damned was released as a film in 2002. Rice had a Bachelor's Degree in political science as well as a Master of Arts Degree in English and Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She authored over thirty books.
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The horror genre is one of the most polarizing forms of literature — you either get it or you don't. And chances are, if you get it, you're also really into it. Horror's appeal is easy to see: you get an adrenaline rush from the safety of your reading chair, and you get to explore philosophical and psychological themes in the process. Indeed, scary stories have captured readers' minds since the advent of the modern horror story — often credited to Mary Shelley for Frankenstein. In the century since Frankenstein’s publication, though, the genre has evolved to explore new levels of fright. If you're looking for some good horror books to sink your teeth into, you'll find them all at ThriftBooks. Our selection includes the best horror books of all time and many crude and campy selections that will surely satisfy your craving.
What Are the Best Horror Books of All Time?
When you think of horror books, you think of Stephen King. This king of fiction revolutionized the horror genre throughout the 80s and 90s with a series of startling publications. He continues to write some of the best horror books on the market, many of which have been adapted into movies and TV shows. It's no surprise, then, that his book The Shining is considered one of the best horror books of all time.
Though King is a major player in the genre, there are plenty of other authors offering equally alarming entries into horror. One such author, Mark Z. Danielewski, made a name for himself when he published the House of Leaves novel. It's often cited as one of the best horror books of all time, and indeed, it's a terrifying foray into the terror of a house that's bigger in its interior than it is in its exterior.
What's Considered the Scariest Horror Book Ever Written?
If you're really looking for a thrill, you might wonder what the scariest horror book ever written is. There are many good horror books written on a variety of different subjects, so the answer depends on what you fear the most — vampires, undead people, or paranormal activity? Still, a clear winner emerges in the competition for the scariest horror book ever written — and it's The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. It's often revered for its terrifying descriptions of demonic possession that are made even scarier by the fact that a child is the victim.
Stephen King offers a runner-up to the title of scariest horror book ever written — The Institute. This novel tells the tale of kids who are kidnapped and tortured in a quest to control their supernatural powers. The kid characters boast telekinetic and telepathic abilities, making them targets for the evil administrators of the titular Institute. It's a terrifying story of the battle between good and evil, and its prose offers a remarkably scary effect.
A recent release that's been gaining traction is Mira Grant's Feed, an existential exploration of a society that's cured cancer yet fallen prey to an illness that's far more contagious and potentially fatal than cancer ever was. The novel unravels the conspiracy that lies behind the rapidly spreading infection and offers a terrifyingly realistic look into the potential future we may face.
Discover the Best Horror Books
Horror offers readers the chance to explore the worst possibilities of humanity through some of the best writing in fiction. If you're a fan of horror books, you know the value of a good thrill. You'll find the best thrills at the best prices in the horror section at ThriftBooks.
