r/horrorlit Book Club discussion

Since we have a tie in the poll, looks like October is a double-feature month! For anyone who didn't vote for The Exorcist or House of Leaves, feel free to choose either or both to read this month.

The Exorcist
Inspired by a true story from the 1940s, William Peter Blatty created an iconic novel that focuses on the efforts to save an eleven-year-old girl from demonic possession.

Content Warnings
(view spoiler)[Body horror, vomit, excrement (graphic)
Death, injury (moderate)
Addiction (minor) (hide spoiler)]

On 20th October, there will be a separate post to discuss the book with no restriction for spoilers. Happy Spooky Season!

I’ve read this book a few times but I’m still looking forward to another read! This time around I’m going to listen to the audiobook as I’ve heard that it’s a really good reading (and done by WPB himself). Def reading House of Leaves too this month! I’ve had a copy for a couple years but haven’t gotten around to it yet so I’m looking forward to experiencing it. Nice job on the tie everyone lol, couldn’t have asked for a cooler outcome :)

I'm doing the same! I have a House of Leaves copy from the library, and I've got The Exorcist locked and loaded as an audiobook. Psyched!

Excited to maybe read both! We will see how timing goes. I’ve heard fantastic things over the years about house of leaves but never read it. I hear it’s written in a strange format, but I’m all for different, so let’s goo. :)

Going to try and read both as well. Good month of reading lined up

Happy that both options are available. House of Leaves is a really fun experience and I'm sure that a lot of folks are going to have a good time with the gimmick, but I got all I needed the first time I read it.
Seen a lot of good press for The Exorcist and looking forwarding to reading it with everyone.

super exciting to do both! btw it looks like you can pick up the exorcist for free if you have kindle unlimited!

Woo! This'll be my first time through it.

I came across this randomly and I am already into the audiobook for The Exorcist (William Peter Blatty ver) so it's perfect!

Annnnnnnd I just hit the exorcism scene but I'm listening at work and trying not to freak out. wish me luck. ;^;

I just learned yesterday (maybe this is common knowledge, idk) that the 40th anniversary edition of the Exorcist is different from the original.

I believe the audiobook read by the author is the expanded edition.

Would be interesting to compare notes!

Oh wow that is interesting! It did seem to go into detail unexpectedly and I was surprised the book was as long as it was.. honestly such a good read though! I'd love to know the differences.. knowing how editors of the day and age liked to butcher horror books I'm probably glad to have the uncut version :)

I finished the audiobook a while back and OMG y’all, I REALLY recommend it. WPB did such an excellent job narrating and he has such a… soothing voice lol, I know that’s weird to say given the book he was reading but I would listen before bed and be nearly lulled to sleep until the more intense scenes happened. I had a great time, this is by far one of my fav books of all time, possibly even in my top 5.

Just finished it today, really enjoyed it, once it gets going it really grips you and keeps a hold until it's over. Going to start House of leaves now