The Honest Reasons I Read Dark Books

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[AntisocialAuntie]

Horror books helped me process the trauma at home when I was a teen. Because the protagonist survived. So I will also survive. And horror is basically the adult version of old fairy tales, which I was obsessed with too. 🧡

[FrankOdonnell-ejhd]

I once had the pleasure of speaking to Clive Barker on a radio call-in talk show and asked if he felt in his horror fiction he was in a kind of competition with all the real-life horrors in the world to “scare people”. He said he loved the question but he wasn’t really out to scare anyone but to offer them something that could be therapeutic for their everyday fears and anxieties . That’s what I thought of when you said great horror stories helped you deal with childhood traumas. Be well.⚛️❤

[shanemeyer]

I feel exactly the way you do! These are all the reasons I love horror and thrillers! I have anxiety and PTSD -- and horror books help me process that, feel safe, gain empathy for others who are different than me, etc. I always love your content Shades! Sorry for being a lurker most of the time. You're amazing and your videos always get me so excited for more books! <3

[sharath_]

Reading is personal. I Respect your choice Rachel 💙

[ipoma]

I always tell people I watch and read horror because I need something that is worse than what is in my head. It goes over as about as well as you’d think 😂. Trauma sucks

[devlyn]

I find reading "dark" books actually eases my anxiety overall.

[socaltoobie]

I actually never gave it a second thought as to why you preferred this genre. 😊 But that’s me being oblivious! Thank you for sharing. It was very insightful!

[OnyxSkiesXIX]

I love all things horror because it let's me experience terrible things in a safe manner. It's exactly like a roller coaster. Your body thinks you're gonna die as you drop down and go in loops but your brain knows you're fine. All the thrill, none of the danger. Plus, with depression, I often just don't feel much of anything and fear is the easiest emotion to evoke I guess.

[metalbeestings]

I agree with your reasons as well. When you read as much as I do, it means so much to have something grab your mind and stick. No other genre spurs my imagination to run wild with possibilities. Talented horror writers have a place in my heart. You do a great job with your channel!! ❤

[krisprepolec]

I had a really happy childhood. I was on the honour role, and a star athlete, but I have been a big horror fan since I watched Frankenstein in the second grade (likely even before). My heart is like a campfire marshmallow with a dark charred outside, and a gooey centre. I have an especial affinity for the poignant.

[josephcossey]

" The important thing in writing is to astonish. Not shock - shock is a worn-out word - but astonish." - Terry Southern 1924 - 1995

[nextpageadventure]

Thanks for sharing! I recently subscribed because I’m new to dark and horror fiction. Over the years, I got really into grimdark fantasy, which has some horror elements, and then I read some fantasy authors who dabble in horror. I discovered that reading horror as if it's dark fantasy can actually be more fun—especially since many horror novels are standalone and shorter, while fantasy often tends to be dense and part of a series. I’m realizing that horror can be way smarter and more thought-provoking than I ever expected.

[David-sgyi]

I completely agree with your stand on censorship. As a kid I was drawn to a certain kind of fantasy story (aka Narnia) because I could escape into the book and go with the characters through the wardrobe into another place. And I enjoyed other fantasy stories of a similiar stripe probably because in RL, I didn't like where I was and wanted to get away and couldn't. As for dark stories or horror, I remember as a kid going to my elementary school library and checking out every book that had ghost stories in it that I could find. I'm guessing I was drawn to that as a kid because it allowed me to escape from what I was dealing with and the dark stories I was reading had an end whereas in RL, stuff was just ongoing.

[magicalwren]

Thank you for your honest answer. Many of your comments hit home for me and I can totally relate to. Dark books help me deal with my past, present and possibly future. It’s a safe way of experiencing the darkness in the world. I don’t typically read as dark as you do, but not because I think there’s anything wrong with reading them. And I try not to read anything home invasion. That just hits on some of my biggest fears. Keep reading what you love!

[isam.]

I can definitely relate and these are most of the reasons why I read dark things as well. Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable in such a public way, it really helps people like me to feel less alone in their lived experiences and reading habits ❤

[AudioEpics]

I can relate to your reasons to read (and write) dark books. I also agree with the reasons why you are opposed to censorship. I hate it when 'society' determines what we can't write (or read), but also when it determines what we should write. Writers should be 100% free to tell their own story. That way, we get a wide variety of things to read and there is an audience for every author.

[Tessy]

Hi, Rachel! Thank you for opening up about why you're into horror. I've loved horror since I was a child, at first because it was forbidden by my parents but later on, I went on enjoying feeling scared. I agree with what you said that a book should make you feel something, and I find that being disturbed, disgusted or terrified by a book is thrilling. I can't really explain why 🤷🏼‍♀️

[ladyj]

Thanks for sharing and being so vulnerable. I really look forward to your videos, although lean more towards sci fi and fantasy. I’ve gotten many great recommendations from you and I appreciate all the obvious care and effort you put into your videos! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

[Octobig]

you have such a way of explaining the myriad of reasons why dark fiction can be great to read. absolutely a great video & one i might forward to others as well to help explain why i like the genre ❤

[haitiankimreads]

This is exactly why I rather read dark books. Both my parents have died and me and my siblings have gone through so much in life and dark fiction has actually made me feel like I’m not alone in a lot of things. Also there’s a lot of hidden meaning in horror. Love you channel Rachel. Keep being you. I read most of your recommendations and I’m never disappointed.