Where there's light, there's darkness. Wherever there are stories of good, there are even better tales of evil and its devilish snare. Being a believer has its downside. You not only have to keep faith in the better things but you also have to swallow the vile truth. Thank god for us mortals: there are a few well-written but creepy, gory and thrilling texts to walk us through the grim reality that may or may not have existed.
To unearth more and learn better, have a look at this list of the 8 best horror books you must have on your bookshelf and where to buy them.
1. The Shining by Stephen King
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INR 374
Tense and atmospheric, The Shining is a Stephen King masterpiece that revolves around the main character, Jack Torrance and his family. Jack is hired as the caretaker of the remote Overlook Hotel for the winter offseason, a place with a long and repugnant history of heinous murders and unnatural activities our protagonist is unaware of. The book gets interesting and even more horrifying as the things unfold and the hotel attempts to devour Jack and his family.
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2. The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
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INR 476
An absolute classic and a perfect haunting house story! The Haunting Of Hill House is one of the more celebrated horror books of all time. Written from Eleanor's (a fragile young woman with psychic abilities) perspective, the story unveils the hidden secrets of a mysterious house where Dr Montogue, a scholar, invited a few people in order to look for evidence of a "haunting". Fortunately for others, only two show up - Eleanor and Theodora along with the future heir of the house, Luke. What goes on within the four walls of the house and the four guests, only you and Shirley Jackson will know.
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3. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
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INR 965
The title alone can give people jitters. Well, so will the last thirty pages of the book. Rosemary's Baby is one of the most recommended horror books that leaves room for anticipation and suspense till the very end. The novel begins with the most perfect apartment in New York, a young couple deeply in love and welcoming neighbours. This was an ideal life for Rosemary until one night after a frightening nightmare she woke up feeling different. Well, actually pregnant. Thus, began a series of paranoia and terror with Rosemary's believing that everyone is after the life of her unborn baby.
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4. Bird Box by Josh Malerman
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INR 299
This post-apocalyptic horror novel is a thriller wrapped around unsettling circumstances which likely makes more sense in 2021. The story centres the Michigan River Community and probably the entire world engulfed by a deadly creature that causes people who merely look at them to go mad and kill themselves. The book was later adapted as a film of the same name and appreciated as much as the novel.
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5. Ring by Koji Suzuki
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INR 956
Ring is a horror suspense trilogy, which includes Spiral and Loop. The first one is set in modern-day Japan where Asakawa, a journalist who hit a bit of a snag in his career, attempts to follow the mysterious and ominous death of four teenagers for a fresh piece. But instead, he discovers a videotape that might become the death of him. The entire premise of the novel is blood-curdling and terrifying. And if you particularly enjoy reading horror books, this one should be your ultimate pick.
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6. Ghost Story by Peter Straub
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INR 756
Ghost Story is your worst nightmare come true. Well, quite literally for the Chowder Society, a group of old buddies who meet every couple of weeks and share scary stories with each other. Except for this time, one of their former society members has just died. As creepy and unnatural as his death was, all the other members were already having freaky nightmares since the previous year they didn't share. What would happen when they start confessing? You'll get the answer by the end of this book.
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7. Penpal by Dathan Auerbach
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INR 1,191
Ever had a feeling that you were being watched through the darkest shadows of your room or the alley you live in? Well, Penpal elucidates a similar experience through this coming-of-age horror novel. Leaping around a wide timeline, the book is a series of stories about a child's past. The same past he had to recall with the help of his mother only to learn the greater truth - the certainty of a pen pal who never wrote back. This horror novel is an uneasy read, especially when you're sensitive. However, it's totally worth it.
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8. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
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INR 560
Set in the deepest hours of the night is a dark horror fantasy novel about two 13-year-olds trying to save their town from a horrifying and magical carnival that has come to perform in the city. The theme of this horror novel is somewhat mysterious, entirely fictional (or so it is), extremely haunting and totally wicked. It surely is underrated but definitely worth your time.
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Get cosy because the best horror books are ready to give you chills!
