I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday. Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Check out upcoming Top Ten themes on Jana’s blog!
Today’s theme is “atmospheric books,” but because we’re quickly approaching Halloween, I thought it would be fun to shine a light on some of my favorite horror books of 2023 so far. I supposed you could say all of these are atmospheric in their own way:-) This has been a stellar year for horror, and I even expanded my list from ten to twelve books, just to fit a few more in. A couple of notes: I haven’t read all the horror of 2023 yet, so if you see a glaring omission, that could be the reason. Also, keep in mind I’ve read way more than twelve excellent horror books this year, but these are the standouts for me at this time. My reviews are linked below if you’re interested, and I’d love to know if you’ve read and loved any of these too!
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus. While not technically “horror,” there are plenty of horrific moments in this stellar survival story. This is the BEST book I’ve read so far this year, and it will take something very special to topple it off the throne. “The nitty-gritty: A heartbreakingly beautiful story with an unrelenting sense of danger, Whalefall surprised me in every possible way.”
The September House by Carissa Orlando. Right now this book is in the #2 spot for the year, I loved it that much. I can’t believe this is a debut, it’s so perfectly plotted and written. “The nitty-gritty: Beware the month of September, when the ghosts come out and the walls bleed, in this outstandingly creepy and heartfelt story about coping with all of life’s challenges.”
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison. I had no idea of the horror trope hiding in the pages of this book, and I’m glad it was a surprise. Go into this blind if you can! “The nitty-gritty: An unexpected and bloody homecoming awaits the protagonist of Black Sheep, Rachel Harrison’s latest, a thoroughly entertaining surprise of a story.”
Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine. What a nice surprise this book was! I’m now a Danielle Valentine fan for life:-) “The nitty-gritty: A dark, twisty tale about pregnancy, with horrors both real and imagined, Delicate Condition should be on every thriller fan’s TBR.”
Lone Women by Victor LaValle. I’ve read some excellent historical horror fiction this year, and this is one of my favorites. “The nitty-gritty: Historical fiction, horror and well developed characters come together in Victor LaValle’s latest, a thoroughly entertaining story that celebrates strong, resourceful women.”
Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi. This was my first Fracassi book and certainly not my last. “The nitty-gritty: Evil takes over a boys’ orphanage in this gory, claustrophobic tale.”
Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie. This was such a creepy and unusual take on the haunted house trope, I loved it! “The nitty-gritty: A clever twist on the haunted house trope, Episode Thirteen is both weird and terrifying.”
Schrader’s Chord by Scott Leeds. I loved this horror debut that revolved around cursed records. “The nitty-gritty: Horror, music and nostalgia combine in surprising ways in this chilling debut.”
How To Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix. A Hendrix book is always a good time, and this was no exception. “The nitty-gritty: Domestic drama, a vengeful puppet and a family mystery come together in Grady Hendrix’s latest, a fun and bloody must-read for all Hendrix fans.”
Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig. This book was a blast, and I learned a lot about apples too! “The nitty-gritty: Evil apples take on the residents of a small town in Chuck Wendig’s latest, a tension-filled, bloody tale of survival. “
The Girl From Rawblood by Catriona Ward. Ward’s debut was rereleased this year and I was very impressed. This is a complex and emotional tale that made me cry. “The nitty-gritty: A sweeping family saga dripping with gothic atmosphere, The Girl From Rawblood is both a love story and a tragedy, filled with dread and shocking revelations.”
A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher. I’m so glad a Kingfisher book made my list! This was a fun one:-) “The nitty-gritty: T. Kingfisher mashes together Southern gothic creepiness, a cast of unforgettable characters, and plenty of humor in A House With Good Bones, a thoroughly entertaining haunted house story.”
Yesterday I finished How To Sell a Haunted House and I really enjoyed it. It may even be my favorite out of the ones of his I’ve read so far!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: Hide by Kiersten White
Oh cool! It’s weird and funny and also very creepy:-)
Horror is not my genre but I have read the Kingfisher’s book and I really enjoyed it!! And all the others have amazing covers!
Kingfisher’s horror always has a lot of humor, so it’s good for people who aren’t big horror fans:-)
The books by Kingfisher, Hendrix and DiLouie were among my favorite spooky reads as well, and I have Lone Women lined up on my e-reader, with good probability of it being my next read as soon as I finish my current book: I added this one thanks to your review, so I’m certain I will enjoy it 🙂
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I’m very curious to see how you like Lone Women:-)
You know that horror is not my genre but I admire your bravery Tammy!
LOL thanks Sophie:-)
The only one I’ve read so far is The September House but there are many others in this list I’d also like to try. Always nice to see w hat a good year it’s been for a genre.
When it’s hard to narrow down your favorites, you know it’s been a good year:-)
I’m glad this has been such a good year for horror! These titles all sound interesting.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
It really has been a great year so far:-)
I’ve read four of your ten so far, and agree they all deserve to be on “best of” lists! Although, funny, I don’t really think of Whalefall as horror (even though the situation is completely horrifying!). I’m hoping to start Black Sheep in the next couple of weeks. Great list!
Whalefall really isn’t horror, but I cannot miss any chance to highlight how much I love it, lol.
I am learning I don’t do so well with atmospheric because I get bored…lol. 🙂
Ha ha, I know you like more action:-)
I’m glad you enjoyed all of these! I don’t really read horror anymore, but I will keep them in mind in case I need or want to.
Thanks Deanna:-)
I don’t really do much horror but I must say your list makes me want to give one or two a go.
Rita recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Atmospheric Books
Aww thanks Rita!
I can’t wait to read Harrison’s new book!
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It’s so good, Greg. I hope you get to read it:-)
I listened to the audiobook of Episode 13 and it was really good!
It was very unusual and so creepy, right?
THE GIRL FROM RAWBLOOD sounds right up my alley! I need to take a closer look at it. Thanks for the heads-up.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thanks Susan, I hope you get to read it:-)
I love all this horror 😀 I seem to be watching more horror than reading it these so perhaps I need to add some of these to my TBR list.
The T. Kingfisher is definitely one I want to read after enjoying a previous book so much 😀
A House With Good Bones is soo good, definitely check it out!
All my 5-star horror books also made your list! I have Whalefall and Black River Orchard to read in December during my catch up month!
I hope you love Whalefall! It was pretty amazing, I think.
There are several here I’d like to read. Recently, I was hoping to read either Whalefall or a Craig DiLouie book soon for Spooktastic Reads, but that doesn’t look like it’ll work out.
It’s hard to believe October went by so fast, right?
The Whalefall cover is so scary! But Boys in the Valley sounds most interesting to me. I’m glad you’ve found all these great books so far!
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great list. I’ve read four of these and I’m keen to pick up some of the others. I bought a copy of September House so excited to pick that one up eventually.
Lynn 😀