This week, the folks over at “The Broke and the Bookish” are talking about the scary stories. The things that go bump in the night. The creepy, eerie feeling that you get when you know that you’re not alone in the house.
I don’t usually read “scary stories,” so instead of ten, I will only give you five. But I would be glad to take any suggestions.
Top Ten (or Five) Books To Get In The Halloween Spirit
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley – I first read this in college and it was not what I expected at all. Everyone has seen the old movies based on this book, but the book itself is something completely different. No mad scientist screaming, “It’s alive!!!!!” Instead, it’s a creepy, moral question of whether a man should act like God and create life in a way that was never intended, and the determined quest of a man (or monster) trying to hold the man who created him accountable for his actions.
2. Dracula by Bram Stoker – Another classic. We’ve had Frankenstein’s monster, now let’s have vampires! The way they’re supposed to be (ie not sparkly). Dracula is scary in the way that he is able to draw people to him. The people hunting him know that he is dangerous, and yet they are at times helpless in his power.
3. Feed by Mira Grant – A more modern piece this time. I haven’t actually finished this book yet, but I’m almost there. This book is about zombies, but it’s actually a lot more than that. Unlike most zombie stories, which deal about the “Rising,” this book deals with how the world has changed since zombies came into the picture. It’s actually more of a political thriller than a horror story, but still – there are zombies, which makes it definitely Halloween-ish to me.
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – I reviewed this book on an earlier post (which you can read here). What’s Halloween without a good ghost story? This book is a bit different from your traditional ghost story though. The ghosts are not the scariest thing in the book. Not sure what would get that title. Perhaps the Sleer, a strange creature that lives in a cave at the back of the graveyard. Or the man Jack, brutally murdered an entire family, except for one little boy who escaped, and is determined to finish the job.
5. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde – I don’t think most people would include this as a Halloween book, but to me, it’s very sinister and creepy. A young, good looking man gains immortality and because of this, becomes increasingly more cruel and corrupt. Although his face remains the same, the changes take place on a portrait of him. As he grows old (and remains the same), the portrait becomes hideous and monstrous, showing him what he has truly become inside. It eventually drives him insane. Scary, right?
And here’s my writing progress so far:
Categories: Top Ten Tuesdays
Life With No Plot 
Great picks, all of these are on my TBR pile (not a big fan of horror so I’m avoiding them quite successfully). I haven’t read any of these, not even the classics. *hides*
My TTT
*GIVEAWAY*
I’ve never read Dorian Grey or Feed, but they’re both on my list. Awesome picks! 😀
My TTT. Happy Tuesday! ;D
Many bloggers list Frankenstein as a favourite for spooky readings! I’m afraid I haven’t read it… yet, but you’re all encouraging me to do so 🙂