10 great atmospheric horror books in 10 minutes

_____
Books discussed:
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski
Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt
Blood on the Tracks by Shuzo Oshimi
The Terror by Dan Simmons
Cunning Folk by Adam Neville
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z Brite
How the Dead Live by Derek Raymond
The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley
Sheep by Simon Maginn
____
Other ways to support the channel (if you want to, honestly, just you watching my videos is amazing):
- Visit my bookshop and support me and indie bookstores
- Mail me things:
Olly Clarke
PO Box 2225
SHOREHAM-BY-SEA
BN43 9GT
United Kingdom
________
Music: Who's Afraid of Halloween by Alfred Grupstra from Pixabay

[NurseKayP]

“The Summer People” by Shirley Jackson is a quick read and is definitely atmospheric. It is a short story without any of the more typical tropes in a lot of horror books.

Shirley Jackson is one of my favorite authors and she was excellent at taking the more customary aspects of life and turning them into something insidious and frightening. The story is subtle and gradual.

[dwellerofthedark]

I lived in the French Quarter while working as a paramedic in New Orleans, Olly. I kept notes and journals on my various misadventures as you can imagine. So, yes, I agree the atmosphere and decadence is quite unique.

[jorgesuarez]

Two novels I liked very much: Naomi's Room by Jonathan Aycliffe, and The Last Days by Adam Neville.

[radiantchristina]

The Loney is one of my all time favorites. I read it twice back to back, something I rarely do with any books.

[codycummins]

Thank you for the recommendations! Dan Simmons and his other books don’t get enough credit!

[Ampad]

Dan Simmons The Terror is probably the scariest book I have read so far. I read it years ago yet I can still remember how I felt reading it. Simmons did an excellent job of pulling the reader in to the cold, the fear, the utter hoplessness. Uggh I shudder thinking about. I might give it another read during this spooky season.

[JB-hqyj]

“Pet Semetary” by SK was the most atmospheric horror novel I’ve read to date. Being a father… I was in that man’s head and in that secret burial ground. That one really got to me and I still think about it from time to time. Great list. Loved Hill House as well.

[bburns]

Michael McDowell's The Elementals (1981). I must have read this 10 times. So good.

[Harbottle]

Glad you liked House of Leaves, Olly. I loved it and it's a personal favourite of mine. Not for all, I agree, but I found it imaginative and haunting. Loved it.

[katjack]

I happened to be reading The Haunting of Hill House on a bus. I read through the passage of a night attack and the character being comforted. But then she came to herself and said "Whose hand was I holding?" I practically levitated out of my seat. The only other time I had such a physical reaction was from another classic, The Turn of the Screw. It was summer, the rest of my family were off somewhere and I was alone in the house. I was reading the book in the basement, where it was cooler. But when I came to the end, I was suddenly shivering and had to run up the stairs and outside to the sun and the heat.

[stephennootens]

I just finished Mexican Gothic not that long ago and thought the sense of place and decay was just amazing. It was one of those creepy nightmarish tales that feels perfect for the fall.

[rhaeadrstryder]

Adam Nevill just oooozes atmosphere. I've enjoyed all of his books that I've read, and right now he's my favourite author. There's always an unsettling feeling in his work and his description sends the stench of rotting flesh right up your nostrils. I've had Cunning Folk sitting on my Kindle for some time, so feel inspired to read it for Halloween. Thanks

[CliffsDarkGems]

Great list Olly! I loved We Have Always Lived In The Castle and will give The Haunting of Hill House a re-read as a result. The Terror is my book of the year so far, just such an incredible read.That cover for Sheep is insane and sounds very atmospheric. I will definitely be reading more Poppy Z Brite this year.

[ciaran.vallely]

Every video you upload adds numerous books to my TBR. The Loney and Cunning Folk sounds perfect

[tgroan]

I recommend Maynard’s House by Herman Raucher. A haunted cabin in the woods tale. The setting is Maine in the middle of winter.

[joycemiller-bean]

I’ve been a supernatural lit aficionado since my parents gave me a children’s version of “ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” when I was nine. Throughout the ensuing decades I’ve read literally hundreds of novels, novellas and short stories in the genre, and Shirley Jackson’s “ The Haunting of Hill House” is one of the best: incredibly atmospheric and at times, just downright scary. However, the novel that I consider to be THE most frightening is Peter Straub’s “Ghost Story”. Halfway through the novel one Saturday when my husband had gone into his office to complete some paperwork, I became so unnerved by the book that I phoned my husband and asked him to bring his paperwork home to complete: only time in my life I’ve done something like that. Thanks so much for this great list. I have read some and will definitely be reading the rest.👍🏾

[emmal]

I'd recommend The Twisted Ones, by T. Kingfisher as an atmospheric horror book.

A woman goes to clear out her late grandmother's isolated house and things slowly start getting stranger.

[nicoleannecollet]

I no longer read horror novels, but The Terror sparked my interest and I loved it. It has a very interesting story and lots of research behind it. I highly recommend the miniseries The Terror as well.

[BookishChas]

Thank you for this Olly! I’ve been wanting to read some of Dan Simmons spooky stuff, and I’ve also been intrigued with House of Leaves. Cunning Folk was quite good.

[MichaelRomeoTalksBooks]

Great list. I'm adding some titles to my list. I know I've plugged it before but I want to suggest it again. For atmospheric horror you can't go wrong with The Other by Thomas Tryon.