Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
So I did adjust this week’s Top Ten Tuesday – the original prompt didn’t catch me, though I’m very excited to see other people’s posts, and to keep in with the Blogtober theme, I thought I’d highlight the eight best horror books I’ve read, not just in 2023 but over the last 12 months. The original prompt, for anyone interested, is –
Bookish Jobs I Would Do For Free (Real or Imaginary) (Submitted by Susan @ Bloggin’ bout Books)
Blogtober: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 9
Top Eight Horror Books
From the Last Year
Format: ebook
Review
T.C. Parker’s novel starts from an interesting premise, setting up the characters against the backdrop of a town torn in two, partly due to the religious protests at the school gates over more LGBTQIA+ changes to the school curriculum. It soon becomes apparent there’s much more going on in the town, and Parker takes us on a large scale story to uncover the mystery behind Gallow.
Format: Paperback
Review
This found file novella is absolutely fantastic, and definitely something you want to pick up if you appreciate good, unique horror. It follows a controversial comic creator as she deals with a crime committed in her name, and the way it progresses had me totally hooked.
Format: ebook
Review
My first Chuck Tingle book, and it’s a good one. This one focuses on Rose, a young, God-fearing woman who starts experiencing something very strange. The way things build up, the way Tingle peels back the layers of what’s really going on at the camp, makes for a totally engaging, engrossing read.
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Format: ebook
Review
This is Southern Gothic with a modern twist, and it’s riveting from the start. I absolutely loved this one, and every Kingfisher book I’ve read so far has had the same grip on me. The vultures are the standout here, and Kingfisher’s knowledge on all sorts of animals really added to this one.
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
Format: ebook
Review
A brutal, gory novel about the apocalypse, as a strange virus sweeps through humanity, though some find they mutate rather than die. One of those books that brings to mind the meaning of the word visceral.
Format: Hardback
Review
Time for a little non-fiction – this book is an excellent examination of an overlooked part of Gothic literature. Through studying the gothic tales set in Wales, Aaron also examines the changing (and sometimes not) relationship between England and Wales, as well as the perceptions of the Welsh by the English, and the way Welsh writers wrote about themselves and their own country in contrast to England. A fascinating read.
Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste
Format: ebook
Review
In this novel, Kiste breathes new life into two forgotten women from classic literature – Lucy Westenra from Dracula, and Bertha Mason from Jane Eyre. Set in LA in 1967, Lucy and Bertha keep themselves hidden, but it doesn’t stop the men from hunting them down. It’s a great take on the characters and a really epic, immersive read, giving new perspectives to both women.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Format: Paperback
I’m not sure if I got around to reviewing this – I can’t seem to find a review, anyway! But what my review would have boiled down to (or did, if it’s out there!) is that this is another excellent offering from an absolutely masterful storyteller, it’s the right amount of creepy for younger readers and a brilliant door into the world of horror. It’s entertaining and sweet with a dark edge, something Gaiman does so brilliantly.
What are the best horror (or paranormal or crime…whatever ‘darker’ fiction you enjoy!) books you’ve read in the last year? Definitely let me know if you did this week’s TTT, too, I’d love to see what sort of jobs people came up with!
Unwrapping Words 
House with Good Bones sounds great and I’m loving these gothic covers.
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It’s such a good book!
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So glad you enjoyed it!
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