If you have an insatiable appetite for dark & disturbing literature, then I believe that tonight’s blog post will truly allure your morbid curiosity…
The saying might be curiosity killed the cat but, when did exploring a dark, depraved and disturbing book ever hurt anybody?
Okay… Fair enough.
I’ve had my fair share of nightmares from reading a number of truly horrific horror novels throughout my lifetime, and will always disclose TWs in my book reviews, but it’s never really stopped me from continuing on my quest to discover all the truly morbid literature to exist…
So, I’d rather enjoy the saying:
The horrors persists… but so do I.
I’ve been consistently using Canva.com to make digital art ever since I started to make monthly images for the Morbid Curiosities book club to endorse and promote the upcoming books on socials. I find the mobile application user friendly and with cross platforming abilities, it’s been such a useful creative tool to help make art for the blog.
And lately, I’ve been discovering so many creatively curated recommendation posts on #bookstagram that have inspired me to do the same on my own feed!
If you are new to the blog and also possess a rather
morbid curiosity…
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Ghoulish Goods 💎
If you’re curious, I recently updated my ratings & review policy page to include more in-depth visuals on my evaluation process, especially my rating criteria, to show the variance between a 2 star vs. a 5 star reading experience (in my phantasmic opinion)
For my Ghoulish Goods project on curating a “disturbing dozen” horror treats for you to consume, based on my personal horror gems, I broke them down into two sub-categories (which are loosely based on my mood reader states) to describe how I engaged with each.
Half of the books I put into a category I called savored and the other half, I put in one called devoured, with a little more context on why in a moment…
The First Half
Let’s define savor.
“…to fully enjoy, appreciate, and relish a taste, smell, or experience, typically by taking one’s time. It involves deeply appreciating a moment, such as a meal or a victory, to make it last longer.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary
I was able to savor the reading experiences with these half dozen horrors, especially with the shorter novels and novellas, so that I could deeply appreciate the writing style, plot and character development within these deeply unsettling & thought-provoking books.
Itch! by Gemma Amor
The audiobook, also narrated by Gemma Amor, was truly a harrowing listening experience with Gemma’s captivating narration and intensely visceral descriptions of atrocious bodily horrors.
Readers discretion is advised!
Futility by Nuzo Onoh
After being captured by The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim, when I stumbled upon this book cover art on NetGalley last year, I knew I had to read it!
It’s a slow-burn pace to start, which can throw off some, but when you get to the intersection of the story, the velocity just increases so quickly and boy, talk about female rage & sweet, sweet revenge.
Hell Pulp by Matias YlikAngas
The book cover alone for Hell Pulp is enough for anyone to grab it off the shelf… but it will be the clever writing, that setting in eternal damnation and the immersive character building that will get you to stay and savor the whole experience!
The Only Safe Place Left is the Dark by Warren Wagner
I’ve heard a lot of book pals adding this one to their TBRs recently due to Eric LaRocca’s endorsement, btw!
As this one was quite short (the novella is under 100 pages) I really wanted to savor the time spent with this one! Especially given some of the sensitive LGBTQ+ topics discussed throughout the story and the gripping writing style.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Did you know this particular book cover glows-in-the-dark? Try it, if you own the US Hardcover…
Shocking yet darkly comedic and all-consuming, the wit and depravity was something to truly savor with this hilariously twisted historical horror.
I Gave You Eyes and You Looked Towards Darkness by Irene Sola
What can I say, I love a deliciously witchy book cover and this one really takes the cake.
Another shorter read that is under 200 pages that I wanted to savor, with the folklore magical realism vibes and the intoxicating story!
The Second Half
Now, let’s define devour.
“…to eat hungrily or quickly, to destroy completely, to read quickly and eagerly, to be totally absorbed by a powerful feeling.” Oxford Dictionary
In rather the opposite manner, yet still complimentary to these authors, I completely devoured these half dozen scares either in a single session or within a couple days!
Come Closer by Sara Gran
Another immersive and haunting audiobook experience that truly terrified me to my core!
Probably not the best idea to listen with headphones after midnight either…
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
One of the first books that made me fall for Chuck Palahniuk’s writing… and another glow-in-the-dark book cover!
This collection of short horror stories, fitting perfectly within the context of the meta story, which follows several authors on a writing retreat as they share their stories with each other just grabbed me from the moment I opened the book.
Oh… do you have the guts to read Guts?
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
Found footage horror is probably my favorite sub-genre of horror! 👀
And I know of this as I consumed this book in an entire day, on my 32th birthday. It was a great birthday gift… to myself!
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
Once you begin reading this one, you are done for… just hooked and cooked by the shocking progression of events! The subject matter discussed in this book may trigger some readers…
Warning: This one is NOT for the faint of heart!
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
CJ Leede is one of my favorite writers & just the absolute Queen of disturbing & captivating horror stories — her debut novel, Maeve Fly, possibly altered my brain chemistry and turned me into a forever-fan of her books!
The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim
Voted in as the second Morbid Curiosities book club pick back in the winter of 2024, this one quickly became a serious horror gem in my eyes (no pun intended) with the graphic & squeamish vivid descriptions involving eyeballs… enough said.
Not only is Monika Kim a talented Horror writer, but how she is able to incorporate shocking societal topics many would shy away from speaking about in her stories, in a truly empowering manner, made this book really hit feels for me while reading.
Have you personally read any of the 12 horror books mentioned in tonight’s blog post?
Do you agree with classifying them as horror “gems”?
What would you consider to be the horror gems in your collection?
Comment below ⌨️
& let’s talk more about the disturbing and dark horror literature we can all morbidly enjoy!
Until we meet again,
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