The Greatest Horror Books of 2017
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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 759 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.
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Horror is a genre of literature that is designed to evoke feelings of fear, terror, and dread in the reader. It typically features supernatural or paranormal elements, such as ghosts, monsters, or otherworldly creatures, and often explores themes of death, violence, and the unknown. Horror books can range from subtle and psychological to graphic and gory, but they all share the common goal of scaring and thrilling their readers. Whether it's a classic ghost story or a modern slasher novel, horror books offer a unique and thrilling reading experience for those who enjoy being scared out of their wits.
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1. Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor
The novel delves into the dark and turbulent lives of residents in a small Mexican village, where the discovery of a murdered witch sets off a chain of events that exposes the community's deep-seated violence, poverty, and superstition. Through a series of interconnected narratives, the story explores themes of misogyny, brutality, and despair, painting a vivid and harrowing portrait of human suffering and resilience in the face of relentless hardship.
The 2646th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
Stories
"Her Body and Other Parties: Stories" is a collection of short stories that weave elements of psychological realism and science fiction to explore the realities of women's lives and the violence inflicted upon their bodies. The narratives range from a woman refusing to let her husband remove a green ribbon from around her neck, to a salesclerk in a mall making a horrifying discovery within the seams of the store's prom dresses. The book centers on women's experiences in their bodies, touching on themes of sexuality, gender, and the dynamics of power.
The 3542nd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. The Changeling by Victor LaValle
The novel is a dark fairy tale that explores themes of parenthood, identity, and the impact of technology on modern life. It follows Apollo Kagwa, an antiquarian book dealer from New York City, whose life is turned upside down when his wife, Emma, commits a horrific act and then disappears. As Apollo searches for answers, he is drawn into a world filled with mythical creatures, secretive societies, and ancient folklore. Along his journey, he must confront his own past and the dark history of his family while navigating a city that seems to harbor magical secrets. The story blends the fantastical with the everyday to create a narrative that examines the fears and anxieties of being a parent in the 21st century.
The 7050th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
4. They Will Drown In Their Mother’s Tears by Johannes Anyuru
In this gripping and thought-provoking novel, a young woman becomes embroiled in a terrorist attack at a comic book store in Sweden, only to be captured and interrogated by authorities. As she recounts her story, it becomes clear that she is from a dystopian future where society is plagued by surveillance and xenophobia. Her narrative weaves between past and future, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of radicalization. The novel delves into the complexities of cultural integration and the haunting consequences of societal fear, ultimately questioning the nature of reality and the possibility of redemption.
The 8288th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
5. A Century Of Ghost Stories by Richard Sugg
The book is a captivating anthology that delves into the eerie and supernatural, offering a collection of ghost stories spanning a hundred years. It explores the evolution of ghostly tales, reflecting societal changes and the enduring human fascination with the paranormal. Each story is carefully selected to showcase the diversity of ghost narratives, from chilling encounters and haunted locales to the psychological depths of fear and belief. The anthology provides a rich tapestry of spectral lore, inviting readers to experience the spine-tingling thrill of the unknown through a century of haunting tales.
The 10859th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
6. Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh
The Island of Monsters
"Spirit Hunters" is a gripping tale of a young girl who moves into a new house with her family, only to discover that it harbors dark secrets and restless spirits. As eerie events unfold and her younger brother's behavior becomes increasingly strange, she must confront the chilling truth about the supernatural forces at play. With the help of her grandmother and her own burgeoning abilities as a spirit hunter, she embarks on a perilous journey to save her brother and put the troubled spirits to rest, uncovering her family's hidden past and her own connection to the spirit world in the process.
The 11924th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
7. Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
In a dystopian world where animal meat is no longer consumable due to a virus, society turns to human meat as the new source of sustenance. The story follows Marcos, who works at a processing plant, as he navigates the moral complexities and emotional turmoil of this grim reality. As he grapples with his own grief and the dehumanization around him, Marcos is forced to confront the boundaries of humanity and morality when he is given a live human specimen. The novel explores themes of power, exploitation, and the fragility of societal norms in a chilling and thought-provoking narrative.
The 12777th Greatest Book of All Time -
8. My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Vol. 1 by Emil Ferris
"My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Vol. 1" is a graphic novel that follows the story of Karen Reyes, a ten-year-old girl living in 1960s Chicago. Through her vivid imagination and artistic talent, Karen transforms herself into a monster to navigate the complexities of her life, including her brother's mysterious death and her mother's illness. As she uncovers secrets and delves into the dark underbelly of her neighborhood, Karen's journey becomes a poignant exploration of identity, family, and the power of art.
The 14983rd Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
9. The Lamb Will Slaughter The Lion by Margaret Killjoy
A Danielle Cain Novella
In a small town filled with anarchists and magical creatures, a group of friends embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the sudden appearance of a mysterious and vengeful spirit, known as the "Lamb." As they delve deeper into the dark secrets of the community, they must confront their own beliefs and ideals, challenging the very essence of their existence. With tension rising and danger lurking at every corner, the friends must navigate a treacherous path to find the answers they seek, all while facing the inevitable clash between power and freedom.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
10. Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King, Owen King
In a small Appalachian town, an extraordinary event unfolds: women who fall asleep become shrouded in a cocoon-like gauze. If disturbed, they awaken in a violent, primal state. Meanwhile, in this bizarrely evolving world, Evie Black, a mysterious woman with a unique immunity to the sleeping phenomenon, emerges as both a potential savior and a harbinger of doom. As tensions between men and women escalate, the town becomes a battleground for a deeper societal confrontation, with Evie at its center. This novel weaves a rich tapestry of character and conflict, exploring themes of gender, power, and survival in a world teetering on the brink of an unfathomable transformation.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
11. Ararat by Christopher Golden
In this thrilling novel, an earthquake in Turkey reveals a hidden cave within Mount Ararat, believed to be the resting place of Noah's Ark. A diverse team of archaeologists, scientists, and filmmakers ventures into the mountain to explore the ancient vessel, only to uncover a mysterious sarcophagus containing a demonic entity. As tensions rise and paranoia sets in, the team members must confront their deepest fears and the sinister forces at play, leading to a gripping struggle for survival against an ancient evil that threatens to consume them all.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
12. The Demon Crown by James Rollins
A Sigma Force Novel
In this gripping thriller, a team of elite operatives from the Sigma Force must confront a terrifying threat that dates back to the dawn of humankind. When a centuries-old biological weapon is unleashed, it threatens to decimate the world, and the team races against time to uncover the secrets of a lost kingdom and a mysterious artifact. As they navigate a web of ancient conspiracies and modern-day dangers, they must rely on their wits and courage to prevent a global catastrophe, all while battling a formidable enemy determined to reshape the future.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All Time -
13. Universal Harvester by John Darnielle
Set in the late 1990s in a small Iowa town, the story follows Jeremy, a young video store clerk, who discovers unsettling footage spliced into the tapes returned by customers. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a web of secrets and hidden connections that intertwine the lives of the townspeople. The narrative weaves between past and present, exploring themes of loss, grief, and the haunting nature of memory, ultimately revealing how the past continues to shape the present in unexpected ways.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
14. Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
In this gripping psychological thriller, a single mother finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies after embarking on an affair with her enigmatic boss, only to discover that his seemingly perfect wife harbors dark and mysterious secrets of her own. As the story unfolds through alternating perspectives, the lines between reality and illusion blur, leading to a shocking and unpredictable conclusion that challenges the boundaries of trust, love, and betrayal.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
15. Strange Practice by Vivian Shaw
A wry, compassionate physician who specializes in treating vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural patients in modern London is jolted into a dangerous investigation when one of her patients is violently killed; using medical skill, stubborn curiosity, and a ragged band of supernatural and human allies, she navigates occult politics, long-buried secrets, and rising prejudice to uncover the truth, balancing day-to-day care, personal loyalties, and the darker forces that threaten her community.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org -
16. Дорогуша by C.J. Skuse
Рианнон кажется самой обычной женщиной: у нее есть парень, который ей изменяет, непризнанная работа и любимая собачка. Она составляет списки тех, кого хотела бы убить, от грубого кассира в супермаркете до водителя, который ее подрезал, от соседки-клептоманки до начальницы, называющей ее дорогушей. Иногда она переходит к действиям; никто не заподозрит тихую секретаршу, которая однажды обезвредила и обесчленила напавшего на нее человека.
The 17117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org
Reading Statistics
Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!
Download
If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.
DownloadTo download this list as a CSV file, please log in to your account. Once logged in, you'll be able to download the data for use in spreadsheet applications.
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