Paranormal horror is a notoriously popular subgenre in the horror scene. From utilising tropes like the haunted house story, religious allegory, and many more, this subgenre can provide a sense of catharsis for those who enjoy delving into a state of unease for leisure — I’m with you!
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Joe Hill’s debut novel was critically acclaimed and praised upon its release in 2007. Since then, it has gained somewhat of a cult following for its supernatural scares and its captivating themes. An aging death-metal star is an avid collector of unique oddities — and he gets more than he bargained for upon securing a seemingly haunted dead man’s suit.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
Even if you’ve seen the universally deemed “scariest film” adaptation, you’ll still be terrified by Blatty’s original novel. Controversial upon its release for the offensive depictions of Christianity, The Exorcist is a head-spinning read that you won’t soon forget.
Ring by Kōji Suzuki
Seven days left to live. The story that terrified a generation. Kōji Suzuki’s novel does for little girls in white dresses, and video tapes, what Jaws did for sharks. Be prepared to never enjoy videotapes again.
Ghost Summer: Stories by Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due’s debut Ghost Summer: Stories is a remarkable collection of supernatural short stories. Due masterfully handles somewhat taboo themes with uttermost care and sensitivity. Comparable to the likes of Mariana Enriquez, Due is a horror writer who deserves universal praise and adoration.
Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez
Mariana Enriquez is one of the most talented voices of her generation. She has a knack for depicting truly terrifying stories whilst providing social commentary on working class life in Buenos Aires. Her debut short story collection Things We Lost in the Fire is a certifiably spooky yet beautifully haunting read that I’d recommend to almost anyone with good literary taste.
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Written from the perspective of a six year old girl, Incidents Around the House transports the reader to a childlike state, full of primal fear and uncertainty. This novel is a quietly terrifying read that will make you terrified of your own home.
Necronomicon by H. P. Lovecraft
The founder of cosmic horror, H. P. Lovecraft, while extremely problematic, has left an enduring influence on horror literature. His novel Necronomicon reinvented the wheel for paranormal horror — even convincing many of its readers that it was not a work of fiction.
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Infamous for its unconventional style, House of Leaves garnered a reputation for being quite difficult to read. However, it is endlessly rewarding if you’re in the right headspace for a novel that’s often deemed a favourite by those up for the task.
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn
Based on a real life seventeenth century witch trial, The Wax Child is a beautiful tale of feminine testimony and endurance. While there are many great novels on witchcraft, Ravn’s novel deserves to be remembered alongside them for its thoughtful approach to a difficult subject matter that countless real-life women faced.
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla is rather transgressive for its time, depicting a pair of lesbian vampires. The novel utilises the gothic mode as a means of horror and romance. With that concept alone, Carmilla needs no convincing.
This varied list of paranormal horror recommendations is packed with just enough scares to spook even the most seasoned horror reader. Sit back, relax, and scare the living daylights out of yourself.
Keep up the spooky streak with The Undying Allure of Vampires: Why We Love Them
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