Horror Aficionados discussion

It's time to start nominating books for our September Group Read! This month will be a themed one: Folklore/Legends in Horror. There's a lot of great books out there, so let's see how many new ones we can come up with!

Books that have been read by our group in the past 12 months are not eligible. As always, books with more nominations (seconds, thirds, etc.) have a greater chance of making it into the final poll. ***Authors, please no self-promoting here.***

Have fun! Nominations will close on Saturday, August 19th, 2017, and the poll will be set up.

I nominate: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

I looked at our bookshelf and we haven't read that one for the last 12 months.

Marie wrote: "I nominate: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

I looked at our bookshelf and we haven't read that one for the last 12 months."

I 2nd that! *raises hand*

John The Balladeer by Manly Wade Wellman

I'd be down for the legend of sleepy hollow

David wrote: "John The Balladeer by Manly Wade Wellman"

I'll second John the Balladeer.

Would recommend Who Fears The Devil, except that it's a short story collection, not a novel.

I'd like to nominate The Fisherman by John Langan. From the blurb, it sounds like it would fit the criteria, but since I haven't read it yet I don't know for sure. Feel free to delete if you feel it doesn't fit the theme:-).

The Oxford Book of Victorian Ghost Stories

Cant say enough good things about this collection.

Short story collections are fine, as long as they fit the theme. :)
I haven't read it yet, but The Fisherman sounds like it would fit--it's on my TBR list, as well.

The Celtic Curse: Banshee by D.J. Doyle. Newer author, excellent book. Author plans on writing more folklore/mythological horror novels.

I don't know if this counts as legend but has anybody read Devil in the White City? I just started it.

I also would be in favor of reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
but I would like to also offer The Mothman Prophecies by John A. Keel

Well great. There are three I want to second so now I will have to think to just pick one!

Kelly B wrote: "I'd like to nominate The Fisherman by John Langan. From the blurb, it sounds like it would fit the criteria, but since I haven't read it yet I don't know for sure. ..." P

I'll second The Fisherman! I've read so much praise, and really want to read it myself.

I'll throw in Hunter Shea's The Jersey Devil.

is my suggestion.

Brendan wrote: "I would like to nominate: Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge "

I'll second Dark Harvest. It's been in my tbr for years.

I liked that book B =)

I second The Mothman Prophecies!

To be honest, I'm a little fuzzy on how we are defining the theme, but I'll second Song of Kali and third The Fisherman.

Lol. In my first selection I went with legends, as in legends of the great 80s horror/action adventure movies. Seriously, Red Mohawk is one of my all time favorites.

And folklore for my second. I haven't read Song of Kali, but I want to, and it's on sale today!
https://smile.amazon.com/Song-Kali-Da...

The Bear and the Nightingale -
Katherine Arden (Russian Folklore - Amazing book)

Nickronomicon wrote: "To be honest, I'm a little fuzzy on how we are defining the theme, but I'll second Song of Kali and third The Fisherman."

When I think "Legends", I think of Wendigos, vampires, werewolves, mummies, lake monsters, or books like Sleepy Hollow... "Folklore" always brings to mind those "cautionary tales" passed down through the generations....fairies, banshees, Krampus, mermaids , etc. However, everyone may have different topics that come to mind--as long as it's something that doesn't completely neglect the stories/myths going around, it would probably fit. For instance, "DARK MATTER" would definitely NOT fit in with this particular theme.

I nominate Infamous Lady: The True Story of Countess Erzsébet Báthory
I know she was a person but there are so many legends around her. But if you think it doesn't relate to the theme, feel free to delete it.

Parisa wrote: "I nominate Infamous Lady: The True Story of Countess Erzsébet Báthory
I know she was a person but there are so many legends around her. But if you think it doesn't relate to the them..."

Definitely a "Legend" in my opinion.

Well....! I'm going to nominate Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark haha!! They are based off folk tales, right? :p

Based on a Russian Folktale, I think.

I'd like to nominate Bad Things

Heck with it. I want to second The Jersey Devil and Bad Things. Pick whichever doesn't get seconded because I want to read them both. Lol

Ooooo Jersey Devil!

Or anything Irish or Scottish

I'm up for Sleepy Hollow too. It's on my to-read list.

I suggest Dark Hollow by Brian Keene.

Honestly, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow would work. Never said set in Halloween month, but with the pumpkin thrown, could man set in September as they come out then.
Also Spooky Campfire Tales: Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Supernatural Lore
Northern Haunts: 100 Terrifying New England TalesMore Spooky Campfire Tales: Tales of Hauntings, Strange Happenings, and Other Local Lore

Just some ideas tossed out. I am sure I've read a novel or two concerning myths or legends, but at this moment I can't think of them. No time to search either. Found this as it has the Bunnyman as one of the short stories, an urban legend here in Virginia: In Your Closet and In Your Head: A Monster Anthology Don't know if it is good, but it has my interest now.

That's an intentional Metallica reference, right? xD

Carrie (brightbeautifulthings) wrote: "That's an intentional Metallica reference, right? xD"

LMAO--I have the song running through my head now!!

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter. It is a retelling of the Bluebeard tale as well as the story that sparked the movie "The Company of Wolves."

I'd like to nominate The Darkest Part of the Woods by Ramsey Campbell. Can't get much more horror than Mr. Campbell. Come on people psychedelic moss!?!?!

I agree with Sleepy Hollow.

Where The Chill Waits by T. Chris Martindale - Steeped in Native American folklore around the Wendigo. " Hair raising ...here terror is the least of your worries !" Graham Masterson. It is a crime that this incredible piece of horror fiction still goes unnoticed today.

I will 2nd Dark Hollow.

Kimberly wrote: "I'll throw in Hunter Shea's The Jersey Devil."
An excellent choice. Great book!

Badseedgirl wrote: "I'd like to nominate The Darkest Part of the Woods by Ramsey Campbell. Can't get much more horror than Mr. Campbell. Come on people psych..."

I agree. Ramsey is fabulous. Real, classic horror

I would love to read The Fisherman. Like many others, it has been on my to read list for quite awhile.

I'm going to throw out a bit of caution on some selections, mainly because the availability and price of some books isn't good. Please check that most people will be able to get a copy AND that the price is at least reasonable.

Good point WendyB
The Red Mohawk $3.99 or free w/Kindle Unlimited
Sale ended on Song of Kali. It's about $9 everywhere but libraries are likely to have it. My overdrive does.

WendyB wrote: "I'm going to throw out a bit of caution on some selections, mainly because the availability and price of some books isn't good. Please check that most people will be able to get a copy AND that the..."

Good point--I jumped when I saw Where the Chill Waits, but then realized not only is it not available on kindle, but was never re-printed, so library copies will be scarce. It is still eligible for nomination, but some books would be better as a "buddy read" with a smaller group due to the availability.

As for voting though, each person should check out their personal choice before casting their votes...

Kimberly wrote: As for voting though, each person should check out their personal choice before casting their votes... ."

I wish people would actually do this more often. We had a bit of a row in Science Fiction Aficionados over this. People blithely clicking away...

For the record there are over 2200 members of Science Fiction Aficionados. 25 voted for the winning book: Fallen Dragon.
Want to know whose read it this month?
Me.
That's it.
Two others say they may read it.
Number one reason those 23 people (I didn't vote for that book) passed on reading it - they didn't know it was 800 pages.
Just saying.