It’s that time of year, do you read horror? Of course now we have the master, Stephen King and others of his ilk, Dean Koontz, Heather Graham, and Clive Barker. But I’ve been reading these for years.

One of my favorites was Ira Levin – of course Rosemary’s Baby was probably his most famous. I read that back in 1967, or maybe Stepford Wives, ‘72. but I’d like to recommend The Boys from Brazil, ‘76 and This Perfect Day, ’70 also by Ira Levin. They’re sightly lesser known but every bit as good. In fact This Perfect Day is in my all-time top ten.

Another of my favorites has always been Norah Lofts. I can’t explain what it is about Norah’s work that leaves me feeling unsettled, but it happens every time. I guess Knight’s Acre, ‘75 is the one I’ve read the most, but Lover’s All Untrue, ’70, A Wayside Tavern, ’80 and Madselin, ’70 give the same eerie feeling. I wouldn’t say these books were horror but I’m not sure how to categorize them, except excellent. 

Of course horror goes back much farther than this, H.P. Lovecraft, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker. I’ve read Frankenstein by Shelley and Dracula by Stoker but not Lovecraft. I know, I can read King anytime, but not him.

Who are your favorites? Who scared the pants off you when you were a kid? I know my kids read R. L. Stine. Give me your recommendations.

I have a few with a spooky twist as well –