I have loved horror ever since I was a kid. In terms of what it can do, I also believe it’s the best genre. I have accumulated many favorites over the years but the following are the ones that have I have loved for years upon years. Or they had some sort of emotional impact on me. Not really in any particular order:

Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates

If you want to enter the mind of psychopath, than this is the best book for that. Oates’ presence is completely gone and you enter Quentin P’s mind all the way.

Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite

Two serial killers…together! This book is amazing, with really strong characters.

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

Palahniuk manages to do weird and over-the-top right with Haunted. Very, Very right.

Seeds of Evil by Margaret Bingley

Killer kids, always an interesting subject. This book has pretty much been long forgotten. Which is a shame because it’s such a good read. I’m glad I found it buried in the shelves of used books.

Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite

I can say with confidence that I think this is the best vampire book of all time. Yes, the best!

Let’s Go Play At The Adams’ by Mendal W. Johnson

A psychologically complex and well-written book that deserves much more attention. The depth it goes to explore the psychology of the characters is so well done.

Desperation by Stephen King

So, nostalgia is heavily influencing my love for this book — it was the very first Stephen King book I ever read. But nostalgia or no nostalgia, it’s still really good. And can a horror list even exist without at least one Stephen King book?

Second Child by John Saul

I’d call this an atmospheric and slow burning read. And probably Saul’s best book.

Intensity by Dean Koontz

Love or hate Dean Koontz this is a great book, that gets the blood pumping!

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

This is a Masterpiece. Masterpiece of satire, horror, everything! Bateman is one of the best narrators. I’m intrigued even when he’s going on about a Whitney Houston album.

And those are my top ten!