Books Like...

'Horrorstor' by Grady Hendrix is a parody horror story set in an Ikea knock-off store where mysterious and creepy occurrences take place after hours. The store manager recruits a team of employees to stay overnight to investigate, leading to a mix of scary and funny moments, with pop culture references sprinkled throughout. The book is designed like a catalog, with furniture descriptions changing as the story gets darker, adding a unique visual element to the horror narrative. The characters are well-developed, and the story is a blend of humor, horror, and paranormal elements, making it an engaging and fast-paced read.

'My Best Friend's Exorcism' by Grady Hendrix is a horror novel set in the 1980s that follows the story of two best friends, Abby and Gretchen. The book combines elements of friendship, coming of age, and demonic possession. When Gretchen becomes possessed by a demon, Abby must navigate through the challenges of high school drama, toxic friendships, and the supernatural to save her best friend with the power of their unbreakable bond. The writing style is a mix of horror, comedy, and nostalgia, with seamless incorporation of 80s references, creating a fast-paced and entertaining read that keeps readers engaged till the end.

Married couple, Margaret and Hal, finally find the house of their dreams. No matter if there was a murder in the house. They don't even care that multiple people died in there. Why bother? It is the house that is important. Yet it doesn't take long for things to happen in the house. Especially in September. Walls bleed, there is constant moaning and screaming, the ghosts are in their prime. Get through September and then it's not so bad. You either have to adjust or move out and Margaret is all about adjusting. Yet, when Hal disappears and their daughter, Katherine, comes looking for answers, Margaret's life and her little haunted house start to unravel.

I absolutely loved that I only knew one element of this book... and in all fairness it was a pretty obvious one. This whole book took me by surprise to be honest. I adored Margaret even when I was questioning her sanity, because I was like well yeah no wonder. I was rooting for her the whole time. She is probably one of the strongest character's that I have seen written in a long time. And I loved the little ways the author juxtaposed her strength compared to Hal. I went through about 95 theories in the last three chapters of this book. It was insane. The only issue I had was that I wished a few other things had been cleared up or explained more at the end. But overall, this is a killer horror.

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix is a horror novel set in the late 1980s to early 1990s that follows a group of Southern housewives who form a book club focusing on true crime stories. When a new neighbor arrives in town, suspicions arise about his true nature, leading to a chilling discovery that he might be a vampire preying on the town's children. The book delves into themes of class divisions, gender bias, racial prejudice, and the strength of female friendships, all while building suspense and terror through well-crafted writing and vivid narration.

In 'The Final Girl Support Group' by Grady Hendrix, a group of final girls, the last girls standing after massacres or mass murderers, meet regularly with a counselor to discuss their struggles. When one of the members goes missing, Lynette Tarkington suspects that someone is targeting the final girls, leading to a wild ride full of twists and turns. The novel explores the backstories of each final girl, while delving into themes of trauma, survival, and the impact of living in fear.

The book combines elements of slasher movies popular in the late 20th century with a fresh take on the final girl trope, offering a mix of horror, mystery, and thriller. As the final girls navigate through horrifying and sometimes humorous situations, the story unfolds to reveal the complexities of their lives post-trauma, with a focus on the harm women inflict on each other within a patriarchal system.

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher is a horror story with a unique twist, blending humor with creeping suspense. The plot follows Sam, an entomologist, who moves in with her mother in her deceased grandmother's house, only to discover eerie occurrences and changes in her family and surroundings. As Sam delves deeper into the mysteries of the house and its history, she uncovers unsettling truths that lead to unexpected dangers, all while maintaining a sense of realism and relatability in the characters' reactions and behaviors.

'We Sold Our Souls' by Grady Hendrix is a horror novel set in the world of rock and roll, following the story of Kris Pulaski, a former lead guitarist of the band Dürt Würk. The plot revolves around Kris seeking revenge on her former bandmate Terry Hunt after discovering he sold all their souls, leading to a thrilling and chilling ride across the country. The book combines elements of music, horror, and occult, creating a unique and imaginative storyline that delves into themes of redemption, friendship, and the price of fame. The writing style captures the energy of rock 'n' roll, with references to bands and musicians adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Kara discovers a hole in the wall of her uncle's museum that leads to a terrifying alternate dimension full of monsters and dangers. With her friend Simon, they navigate through different worlds while trying to find their way back home, encountering cosmic horror, body horror, and a mix of humor and weirdness along the way. The story combines elements of horror, supernatural, and humor, providing a unique and creepy reading experience with well-developed characters and a detailed world-building.

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne is a haunting tale set during a family's summer vacation in Italy. The book explores toxic family themes, blending elements of gothic horror with snarky family dynamics. The story follows a woman who is the black sheep of her family, experiencing a mix of human and paranormal horror in a haunted villa in Italy. The ghostly presence in the book is described as terrifying, with a strong focus on family relationships and the protagonist's experiences.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman is a horror novel following a young girl named Bela, who is haunted by a malevolent supernatural entity she calls Other Mommy. The story unfolds as Bela's family navigates the terror created by this strange presence, leading them to seek help from friends and family while attempting to escape the horrors within their own home. The plot starts off intriguingly, building tension and suspense, yet some readers found the pacing slow and the resolution unsatisfying, feeling the end fell flat in comparison to the earlier gripping narrative.

Malerman's writing style has been described as beautifully creepy, with an engaging flow that immerses readers despite some criticisms of the narrative voice not quite fitting the perspective of a child. His unique choice to write this novel in silence adds a layer of depth to the haunting imagery. However, some felt the experimental format distracted from the experience and the character development lacked coherence. Overall, while the book delivers chilling moments, opinions vary on its effectiveness as a horror story.