What is the scariest book you've ever read?

[thebolt]

"Red Dragon"

The movie does not do it justice.

[Irving]

I read this in my Twenties...Stephen R. Donaldson. Fantasy novel...
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever has some parts that are psychologically SCARY.
To be transported into a world you don't believe...
There are some passages.. that are so descriptive that you can feel the fear.

Recently finished this book, and it's been on my "list" since I read this post over five years ago. I didn't like this book at all. I have all the other books, and am tempted to read the next one to see if the story gets any better. Does it?

I really didn't like the main character, and not for the usual reason people don't like him. I just think he is an utter coward and never even really did anything but whine the entire time.

[buffalobo]

Recently finished this book, and it's been on my "list" since I read this post over five years ago. I didn't like this book at all. I have all the other books, and am tempted to read the next one to see if the story gets any better. Does it?

I really didn't like the main character, and not for the usual reason people don't like him. I just think he is an utter coward and never even really did anything but whine the entire time.

Book 3 is the best of the first trilogy. You will have to decide if it gets better.

I have only read the first 6 books (2 trilogies) so can't speak to the final series.

[Jamnanc]

Another vote for "it" and cujo. Neither movie held a candle.

Although shit weasels are scary too.

Sir Thomas covenant was a great read,

[ruthabagah]

This "Zombie" thread!

[DAL357]

The paperback version, adapted from the screenplay, of Night of the Living Dead; I read it when I was 14, several years before I actually saw the original 1968 version. I ripped through it in one day and I then stayed awake until dawn, jumping at every little creak and noise. Now that I look back at that event, over 40 years ago, the word putz comes to mind. Yeah, it was pretty tame stuff by today's standards, but that's how it was.

[Zombie Steve]

House of Leaves, Mark Z. Danielewski. Usually on the general fiction shelves.


Not "scary" as in a lameass movie that just startles you, but it is very interesting if you have an imagination and the self-control not to google or skip forward pages



Drood, Dan Simmons. Again not "scary", but very unique.

House of Leaves was the first book I thought of... definitely not an easy read, but after a while you start looking at the walls in your room and seeing if anything's changed.

[zteknik]

Ford 6.0 diesel shop manual....

[Aloha_Shooter]

Recently finished this book, and it's been on my "list" since I read this post over five years ago. I didn't like this book at all. I have all the other books, and am tempted to read the next one to see if the story gets any better. Does it?

I really didn't like the main character, and not for the usual reason people don't like him. I just think he is an utter coward and never even really did anything but whine the entire time.

I detested the main character for precisely the reasons you cite and the series was the most depressing (not scary!) set of books I've ever read -- really bad choice for me to read it during college finals week. However, it was utterly addicting to read. Do NOT open another one in the series unless you have the time available to not want to put it down until you're done with the entire set.

As far as scary books go ... I haven't read it but I'd have to say Obama's autobiographies would be my top choice because the notion that someone so incompetent, unprepared, and utterly anti-American could ever be elected a United States Senator much less President still sends chills down my spine.

[Great-Kazoo]

My 1099