Folks who read my blog around this time last year might recall I started going through Goodreads’ Most Popular Horror Books – horror books published between October 2017 and September 2022, with popularity measured by shelving – books from readers’ Read and Want to Read, and overall star ratings. You can see the full list here. I was always intending to return to this, and I managed to get parts 1 – 4 up during Blogtober last year, but it fell to the wayside. So, for Blogtober this year, I’m carrying on, to see which books I’m already aware of and want to read, which new to me ones I’m intrigued by, and which ones I’ve read.
Part One / Part Two / Part Three / Part Four
Blogtober 2023: Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 / Day 4 / Day 5 / Day 6 / Day 7 / Day 8 / Day 9 / Day 10
Goodreads Most Popular Horror
The Silent Companions
by Laura Purcell
Published: October 5th, 2017
Status: Hadn’t Heard Of
I’m surprised I haven’t heard of this one – it sounds really intriguing, and the setup draws me in straight away. If the novel lives up to that premise, I can see why it’s on the list.
The Hacienda
by Isabel Cañas
Published: May 3rd, 2022
Status: Hadn’t Heard Of
How did this one pass me by? It sounds fascinating, and right up my street – definitely interested in this one. I’m really loving seeing more gothic novels coming out that move away from the ‘familiar’, usually English or American locations we see in gothic fiction a lot. Really hope I get the opportunity to read this one.
Earthlings
by Sayaka Murata, Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori
Published: August 31st, 2018
Status: Hadn’t Heard Of
This is another one that passed me by, but one that sounds like it’s a hell of a ride. Even a quick scan over the reviews tells me whatever is between these pages is dark and strange, and I would very much like to experience this for myself.
The Invited
by Jennifer McMahon
Published: April 30th, 2019
Status: Not Currently Interested
From the blurb alone this falls into a kind of “possibly” pile for me, but a quick scan through a couple of reviews and I’m not quite sure I’d get along with this one. Not to say I’m never, ever going to pick this up, but it’s not one I’d make a priority.
Ring Shout
by P. Djèlí Clark
Published: October 13th, 2020
Status: Want to Read
Now this one I have heard of, and is very much on my want to read list. We covered this in an episode of Esbat, and my curiosity was stirred. I definitely want to check this out along with the author’s other works.
Have you read any of these? Or is one of your favourites on the top 60 list? As always, I’d love to hear from you!
Unwrapping Words 