I’m going to mess TTT up for the entirety of October, simply because I want to do something different, but don’t want to miss out on TTT’s either. In a way, I’m still doing TTT-ish posts, simply not.. the prompts that are given to us? You know me by now; I like doing things my own way, ha.
So, this means that in the name of October, the holy month of Halloween, I’m going to try and make my posts a bit “darker”, so to speak. And we’re starting today!
Today’s topic is supposed to be “Author’s I’d Love To Meet” and I’m ignoring that completely. There’s not even a remote connection with what I’m going to do – which is “Scary and Dark Books”!
Let’s start with the books that succeeded at freaking me out at one point or another.
I have to admit – up front – that I’m a bit of a pussy. Things easily freak me out. I’m not a huge horror-fan. I tend to lose a lot of sleep whenever I do watch or read anything horror-related. Which is why The Illuminae Files definitely caught to me very quickly. There are events in there that have my skin crawling just thinking about it and still.. I can’t help but love these books to pieces!
I still get the creeps whenever I think about my reading experience regarding the next one. The Shining seriously grabbed me.
I hate – HATE – the animal bushes mentioned in the story. They freaked me out a lot. Not to mention how one of my neighbors has bushes like that in his front garden and I’m still not keen on walking by in the evening or at night. Nope. Pretty sure this novel is going to haunt me for a little while longer. Maybe I should check my future neighborhood and see whether they’re animal bushes there as well. Mental preparation and all..
Can you remember that time where you expected to read something fairly light, maybe even romantic and then the author blindsided you completely by freaking you out with all the scary events?
Because I do! Lauren James did exactly that with The Loneliest Girl in the Universe. She took me by surprise in the best way possible, because that unexpectedness made this novel even better!
Those are the.. five books that actually succeeded at freaking me out, and I still ended up liking them. I still haven’t convinced myself to check out the movie adaption of The Shining though.. But there are also some books with dark vibes. I love myself some dark vibes!
There are only two popping up in my head immediately when I think about books like that. The first one is, without a doubt, To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo. I absolutely love fairy tale retellings and this one was so amazingly dark! This novel combines a whole lot of things I love in one book – darkness, retellings, magical creatures, interesting characters and the writing! I’m honestly very curious to see what else this author will come up with.
The second one is more dark because of the descriptions used. All the gory details that were thrown at me made me value this story more and more. I can’t even imagine Stalking Jack the Ripper being as good as it is now without those, to be honest. When you think of Jack the Ripper, you simply think of all the murders he committed and how those had to have been bloody and gruesome.
What are some books you’d add to this list?
Are you a horror-lover, or do you rather avoid the genre?
Any tips for someone who rarely reads horror and is easily freaked out?
Oh, the Shining is scary, all right! For me all Stephen King’s early books are quite unnerving. Love them ❤
I haven't read Illuminae yet. Wasn't aware it's scary! Sounds good tho 😀
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Hahaha. I can’t even say I love The Shining because of how much it freaked me out at times. 😛
I’m pretty sure a lot of people wouldn’t say it’s scary but.. I’m a scaredy cat and I freaked out a couple of times during the series. 😛
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Ooh I really want to read both Stalking Jack The Ripper and To Kill A Kingdom!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/top-ten-tuesday-179/
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They’re both so good! Hope you get to them!
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Me too!
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Awesome post!! I’m super easily freaked out, so I don’t read a lot of horror, but I did read Joe Hill’s Heart Shaped Box and it scared the living daylights out of me!!
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I’m not a huge fan of horror either, actually. And I usually stay away from Jack the Ripper type stuff. I do like the sound of The Loneliest Girl though.
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I don’t read a lot of horror, but I’d like to read To Kill a Kingdom and Jack the Ripper. I liked The Stand, but I don’t know if that counts as horror.
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This is a great list! I love spooky reads in October. I’m still in the middle of the Illuminae trilogy but hoping to finish it soon. I love The Shining (and basically everything Stephen King), and I’m interested in picking up all 3 of the others you mentioned. It’s good to know this is the right time of year for them. 🙂
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Other than the Shining (which I won’t read) and TKAK (which I have), I need to read all of your choices. Gah, you’re killing my TBR list.
I love your post, Kathy!
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The Shining – and pretty much any Stephen King book – definitely fits this theme.
I’m not a big fan of zombie books, but Brian Keene’s The Rising series is very dark and gritty.
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I was expecting something light and romantic from The Loneliest Girl in the Universe but I’m happy to hear that isn’t true! Maybe I should get around to it now everything is getting darker and colder. Great post, especially for the start of October.
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Ha, that’s exactly what I was expecting and it so was not true. Maybe it’s a shame you know that up front, because it would’ve been a very nice surprise for you, I reckon, haha. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you! 🙂
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I will read anything but zombies. Zombies are my biggest fear! So bc I like to be scared, I’m reading two zombie books. Girl With All the Gifts and World War Z. If you like ghost and haunted houses check put The Haunting of Hill House. It is old, but so so so good.
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Love the twist. The Shining is my favorite King book. I absolutely love it and I agree with Tammy, you have to watch the movie. However, I also agree the animal bushes are a tad freaky.
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You HAVE to watch The Shining! It’s so good, some scenes have been changed from the book of course, but such an amazing movie.
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I’m totally not a fan of horror. Like I really steer clear of anything horror-related: series, films, books. I can’t help but be curious about The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, though. It sounds very fascinating. I’m planning to pick up To Kill a Kingdom, too.
* TTT: 10 authors I’d love to have a cup of coffee with 🌷🌷🌷
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Love this idea about doing spooky Top Tens for the month. I thought about doing something like this, but changed my mind.
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Nice post for October! I’m definitely a wimp when it comes to horror as well! It doesn’t take much to freak me out. Stalking Jack the Ripper definitely has dark vibes, but I really enjoyed it. I still need to read the other books in that series. I haven’t read To Kill a Kingdom, but I’d like to! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday
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Ooh, I love this idea. I’ve never read any of these but they sound perfect and dark for an October read!
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I loved how dark To Kill A Kingdom was!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
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I never thought Illuminae files as a dark trilogy 😮
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It isn’t really a dark one, but.. there are some parts that gave me the creeps, haha.
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Jack the Ripper is always great for a dark read regardless haha. Great list!
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Definitely true! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Escaping from Houdini, haha.
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okay, I didn’t know that The loneliest girl was scary either good to know! I have to prepare myself before I start The Shining I love Stephen King but I have to have breaks in between his books you know so I can actually get some sleep
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It isn’t scary overall, but there are definitely some parts in there that creeped me out for sure and I can’t be the only one, haha.
I totally feel you! I’ve been making a start on Kign’s IT and.. well.. so far so good, but I’m kind of dreading the sleepless nights headed my way. 😛
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This is a perfect post for the month of October! I am currently reading The Shining but I have barely begun… I am so psyched to read more! Great post!
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