My Top Ten Horror Novels of all time.

My own, personal top ten horror novels of all time, in my opinion,
Please note that there may be some minor spoilers ahead, but definitely nothing important or major!

Books mentioned:
Ghost Story- Peter Straub
Interview with the vampire- Anne Rice
Dracula- Bram Stoker
The Wasp Factory- Iain Banks
World War Z- Max Brooks
Intensity- Dean Koontz
Carrion Comfort- Dan Simmons
Let The Right One In- John Ajvide Lindqvist
NOS4A2- Joe Hill
Coldheart Canyon- Clive Barker
Something Wicked This Way Comes- Ray Bradbury
The Stand- Stephen King
Swan Song- Robert McCammon

[michaelk.vaughan]

Okay, I really need to read Swan Song. Excellent discussion of these books. Great video!

[themiddleplace]

You're talking my language here cliff with INTENSITY. I had assumed it's just because I read it when I was young and that it wouldn't hold up! You've made me wanna reread! Loving the channel.

[ann-louiseidman-soysal]

Enjoyed your list very much. Intensity by Koontz is on my book shelf - Have not read it yet but I will now!

[Michael_Wertenberg]

Great list! Thank you for talking about Coldheart Canyon. Grossly underrated by many.

[artofawr]

Sweet list. I've been thinking about reading some Koontz and Intensity was one the ones I figured I'd start with.

[Kritz_Reads]

I had to go back and watch this! N054a2 would def be in my top 10 as well. Koontz making the top 10!

[bluemaiden]

Absolutely wonderful list and review! A few of those authors I'm familiar with (Anne Rice, Koontz, Simmons, etc) though I haven't read the books you mentioned (except for Anne Rice. :) I have read that one.) "Let the Right One In" is in my tbr pile and yes, Bradbury! I remember reading that in high school and wanted more. You've given me some good suggestions. thank you

[ameliab]

I'm currently reading Coldheart Canyon and although I have liked everything else I read of Clive this is the best one so far, but it's massively underrated, you never see it mentioned among his best works. All of your list is excellent, except maybe Nosferatu, which I didn't really care about, horns is still my favorite Joe Hill novel.

[pearcegreatesteverleftback]

Intensity? Something wicked this way comes? Wow! They’re a very surprise choice for any top ten, I thought both were pretty tedious & boring.

The Stand for sure though I’m very surprised that IT & Salem’s Lot aren’t there. IT is my all time favourite🤡👍🏻

NOS4R2 is great, most of Joe Hill’s stuff is. Ghost Story is awesome, one of my Top Ten horrors.

Currently reading Swan Song (so far so good) but not read any of the others you mentioned though I do own Coldheart Canyon which I do want to get on to.

Great video😎👍🏻

[robinthornton]

I agree with you. I had read The Stand the first time in my late teens and was intimidated by the size of it, but could barely put it down to go to work. I was given Swan Song and it too is a long read. But when I finally got into it I was captivated by the story and associated it with The Stand. I very seldom ever read a book again but I have read them both again, the uncut edition of The Stand this time and I picked a really bad time to start a book of that size as I was in nursing school at the time. I picked up Swan Song several years later at Barnes and Noble and reread it. Both amazing and I too gravitate to post apocalyptic stories and I love a good vampire story. Yes I read the Twilight series and have reread them too. I devoured them, but I'm a sucker for a vampire love story. I have been an avid fan of Stephen King for years, I like his turn on psychological thrillers like Geralds Game. I like the fact of the movies following so closely to the books in most cases. Under the Dome was a huge let down when I had been watching it on TV and then started to read it. I never made it past the 2nd chapter it was so different. But it wasn't shown on TV anymore after the first episodes. I guess I should give it a go again. I do have to say that my favorite King book is The Green Mile. Awesome book and movie. Least favorite that I've read is Christine. Just couldn't get into it and felt like it was written half heartedly cause he needed the money or whatever. Sorry, just my opinion.

[teatimewithtracey]

Excellent list I have read most of these books... except for Joe Hill, Peter Straub... i have The Wasp Factory(haven't read it yet), Carion Comfort (reading next month) and that Clive Barker book. Love how you talk about books. Thanks for sharing ~ Tracey

[katsnoveladventures]

Loved this video, Cliff! We have similar reading interests. I saw the movie, Ghost Story, but have yet to read the book. Interview with a Vampire and Dracula are both favorites of mine but haven’t read them in quite awhile. World War Z was enjoyable. I love ZOMBIES! 🧟‍♀️ I’ve never read any novels by Dean Koontz but have read his two picture books about Santa Claus. The Dan Simmons novel sounds awesome. I love both adaptations of Let the Right One In. I need to read the book one day. I love Joe Hill’s work. NOS4A2 is incredible. Ugh, Bing! 😤 I also love Heart-Shaped Box and Horns. I just received a copy of Coldheart Canyon through a book exchange. Weaveworld was the first book I read by Barker, back in college, and the beginning of my love for his writing. I need to explore more of Ray Bradbury’s work. I have only read The Hallloween Tree. Stephen King, my favorite!!!! ❤

[teatimewithtracey]

I am slowly working my way through Dan Simmons books. Have read many... I plan on picking up Carion Comfort next month but now I feel like I cant wait lol.

[anniethenonnymouse]

"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is such a gem! Have you read the rest of the Green Town trilogy? "Dandelion Wine" and "Farewell Summer" are also set in quiet little Green Town and feel like home.

[floogelhornzzz]

In the Swedish movie adaptation of _Let The Right One In_ the young vampire's name is pronounced Eelee, not Elly.

[michaelmcgee]

Read intensity years ago, pretty memorable read.

[prilnardo]

Carrion Comfort is in my TBR for 2023. I read Summer of Night last year, and I'm wondering why I never read Dan Simmons before. The character of Sister in Swan Song is one of my all-time favorite characters, and now a few McCammon novels are on my TBR. Great list!

[bunnydracula]

Your list is spot-on, Cliff. I have read everything on your list, and I could not have better stated the value of each novel. It would be extremely hard for me to rank them, as you have, but I think Swan Song is my setimental favourite (by a hair).

If I may, here are a few more really great horror/dark fantasy novels for you to check out.

Floating Dragon by Peter Straub
Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon
Revival by Stephen King
The Troop by Nick Cutter
The Ruins by Scott Smith
Goat Dance by Douglas Clegg
and anything by Brian Lumley
esp. the Necroscope novels

You may have already read some or all of these, but I didn't notice them on your shelves.

[marywilson]

Great list! Glad to hear a mention of Coldheart Canyon.

[floogelhornzzz]

The only Robert R. McCammon books I ever read were _Baal_ and _Mystery Walk_ long, long ago. I have _The Five_ sitting on my shelf right now but I don't think it's horror. It seems to be just about a rock band.