We invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger. What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?
I have always maintained that I love to read books from every genre. If you look at my book list, you can see that I do not leave much out that I do not read. Yet, the one genre I never could fully embrace was horror. I do not like horror movies, and I struggle with being scared. (Vampires do not count because honestly, I do not find them scary.) I avoided true horror novels like the plague. The R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril challenge last year forced me to change all that. In the spirit of the challenge, I read my very first horror novel, Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. It was everything I expected, and yet, I loved it! I enjoyed being able to read only a few chapters at a time because my stomach was tied in knots. I loved the feeling of creepiness descend on me as I read, forcing me to turn on just one more lamp to scare away the monsters that lurked around corners. More importantly, I survived reading the novel. I didn’t die of fright; I didn’t have nightmares. Now, I am much more inclined to read horror. I have Joe Hill’s latest novel on my list of books to read for this year’s R.I.P. challenge, and I even have designs to read my very first Stephen King novel. I’m eyeballing The Stand. How’s that for not liking horror?
Thank you so much for this recommendation! The Dark Tower sounds like it is exactly what I need to dip my toes into the world of Stephen King.
If you want to phase in to Stephen King I would really suggest the Dark Tower Series. The Stand is a fabulous book, but it realllly emphasizes the creepy/scary/horror part. The Dark Tower has its horrific elements, but the focus is more on relationships and dystopia. The first four books in the series are particularly good at introducing you to King and his worlds without totally freaking you out
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I've got one going now that definitely counts as horror. It's also keeping me up at night, so I think it definitely fits the genre. LOL! Try another one!!
I hear you. I think horror takes all our emotions and multiplies them – making things TOO scary or TOO intense. It takes courage to pick one up, IMO.
I can understand that. It is a huge switch for me to even consider reading it, let alone having undertaken reading two or three novels in the genre!
I approach Stephen King with caution. I keep eyeballing his works but just can't force myself to take the plunge yet. We shall see!
Am I going to be able to handle it? That's the only thing that has stopped me.
Heart-Shaped Box is intense but not too bad. The one I'm reading now kept me up half the night. No more reading that one right before bed. I say give it a shot. At least you can say you tried it!
Horror that isn't scary? Now THAT I want to try!
If I can do it, you can! I avoid horror movies like the plague, but an occasional scary book is perfect, for some reason. LOL!
I dislike scary books too, but they really aren't so bad if read in short bursts. That's about all I can take. That and reading them during the day. I can't handle scary right before bed. Nightmares and/or restless sleep.
I've heard Joe Hill mentioned before at some point… I don't think I realized he wrote horror though. I read my first horror book earlier this year and actually kind of enjoyed it as well. I'll have to try more soon!
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I used to read Stephen King in high school but I haven't picked it up yet. Horror is one genre that has yet to appeal to me unfortunately.
I admit, I still really shy away from horror!
Yes, Stephen King! Michelle if you liked Joe Hill's book (which I also thought was awesome) you will probably like a lot of the earlier tephen King novels. I read so many when I was a teenager and I always recommend Pet Cemetary and Salem's Lot, but Needful Things is also strong and creepy.
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Do read The Stand. I'd love to see what you think!
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I don't like horror movies so I have avoided horror novels as well. Maybe I should give them a shot? I don't want to be too scared though.
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Hmm, maybe there's hope for me reading horror! I've heard good things about all those books but have resisted reading them because I dislike "scary".
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It was good, even if I could only read one chapter at a time before I needed to take a break. LOL! The one I'm reading now is even scarier. I can read it without stopping but I could NOT fall asleep last night. It doesn't help that Jim is out of town right now either.
Like the Saw movies? Yes, DEFINITELY not a fan of those. Too much blood and gore does me in every time.
I'm not a fan of slasher movies either, but even true suspense gets me. I can't watch them in a movie theater and have to wait until they are out on video because I need to take breaks and watch with the lights on!
The Others was based on a book. I wonder how it was…
I like those kind of horror movies too- not the ones where people are tortured for 2 hrs.
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Heart Shaped Box was so good! A great choice for RIP too.
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