Top 5 Reasons to Read Horror Novels

Horror isn't everyone's thing, and we're ok with that. But when Halloween is right around the corner and the spirit of the season gets a hold of us, we love to creep ourselves out with some good old fashioned horror stories.

If you need a little convincing, here are five solid reasons from a team of experts* why you should be reading some amazing spooky stories.

*When we say "experts" we of course mean library staff members who just happen to like horror stories.

1. You'll always know what to do in a teen slasher movie-type scenario.

Say you suddenly find yourself in a situation in which you're living a classic teen slasher flick. It's not common, but it could happen (see: I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream). With all the knowledge you'll absorb from reading horror novels, you'll know the best places to hide, how to outsmart the stalker/killer, and how to survive the night.


2. You'll basically become FEARLESS. 

Literally nothing will scare you because you've already read all there is to fear. You will KNOW NO FEAR because you've already been scared by everything! For example, once you've read The Hatching by Ezekiel Boone, seeing a little spider in your basement will not be nearly as terrifying.


3. There's almost always an awkward love story. 

If you like a good romance story, you can usually find a horror book with a budding romance or love triangle. Granted, sometimes the love interest is the killer (which is a bummer), but there are horror stories out there where the beloved rides in to save the day (and the main characters life), too.


4. There are LOTS of types of horror. 

Don't like lots of blood and gore in your horror stories? No problem! We'll set you up with a nice ghost story or something with a haunted house. Hauntings don't do it for you either? How about demonic possession? Maybe you like something where the fear comes from somewhere internal. Then psychological horror is probably right up your alley. See! There's something for everyone!



5. You get great ideas for obscure literary-themed Halloween costumes. 

Sure, everyone knows who Carrie is, but how many people know Anna from Anna Dressed in Blood? Horror novels can help you be more original in your costume choices. And it's always better to be original, AMIRITE? (Although, it just dawned on me that costumes for Carrie and Anna would probably be exactly the same, so maybe that was a bad example.)

Looking for some *haunting* new books? (See what I did there?) Go to our Friday the 13th booklist for a huge whopping list of all different types of horror novels!