Book Recommendations: Scary Books for Beginners

Book recommendations! I've never done a post like this before, but I'm planning quite a few at the moment, we'll see how many work out. This is, obviously, because it's officially October (though, I start thinking about Halloween in, like, the last week of August). Soon bad horror movies will be on TV (maybe I'll do a post recommending those, I've got some favorites).

To explain the title - these are scary/horror/such books for people who don't normally read in the horror genre but are looking to maybe give it a try. Or if you scare easily, these are also good books for you. I'm going to do another post, that when it goes up will be linked here, about more serious horror books, that maybe you don't want to start with, but you should work your way up to. I also might do a post recommending plain paranormal book, those always scream fall to me, lurking down dark alleys and around graveyards and such.

Personally, it's rare a book honestly scares me. I started reading King young, probably too young, so keep that in mind for these books - but, overall, I think others would agrees these are a good kickoff into horror/scary stuff.

The Merciless by Danielle Vega
I've read a fair number of horror books and so I wasn't expecting anything from this. So was surprised that I actually kind of enjoyed it. It's a bit gore-y at points, but it's fun (at least I thought it was a lot of fun), and the ending surprised me. Definitely a good way to get a taste of horror, if you've never ready it before, at least I think so. (Full review going up on the 7th, but this is all you need to know).

Say Her Name by James Dawson
I only gave this book a 3/5, but I think because I was just expecting so much from it. Don't get me wrong, though, I did really enjoy it. It's a little cliche for most of it, but when it starts to pick up it definitely veers off that set path. And I really enjoyed it. I'm a sucker for anything Bloody Mary, and this was a lot of fun. (Maybe read it with the lights off and a flashlight, maybe a candle or two around).

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
This is, technically, a middle grade book - but it's very, very creepy. Gaiman is always good at creating a certain atmosphere in books and this is no different. It's creepy and strange and has scattered illustrations that are mildly terrifying, in all honestly. Fantastic, highly recommended book. It's scary, but I still think it's a good jumping off point, more creepy then anything.

Coffin Hill, Vol 1: Forest of the Night by Caitlin Kittredge
This is very, very good. It's a bit more gore-y then anything else here, bloody, and a graphic novel. It's set in New England, in my home state, and it's - eerie and mysterious and I really, really loved it. The art is really good, too.

The Breathing Method by Stephen King
This is only a short story, but it definitely gives you a taste of what King is like. The writing, the building tension, the horrifying ending. It was fantastic - personally, when I read this, I listened to the audiobook, but you can find it in print. (I believe it's in Different Seasons, a short story collection).

Sandman by Neil Gaiman
Comic book series. I've only really read the first volume, about half of the second, but I really loved what I read. Now - I've heard the second volume is really bad and they're pretty creepy, scary, so these aren't the best place to start, in my opinion, but if you're looking for something in the middle - start with first volume and move forward with caution.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I wasn't going to include this one because I forgot it's horror. I'm not sure how I feel about that label, because it's definitely weird and strange at parts, but no part really scared me, or even creeped me out. I really loved this book, though and it is odd, but I know it's not for everyone.