IVM's All Hallow's Read recommendations

Since its inception in 2011, acclaimed author Neil Gaiman's All Hallow's Read has been a movement aimed at getting people to give each other scary books as a present for Halloween. This isn't, as the author states in his original promotional video, something to replace parties, trick-or-treating, or all the other daft fun associated with the day, but just a little something extra to promote not only reading, but horror as a genre of fiction.

It's a simple but noble idea and one that we at Intravenous Magazine give our backing to. If it is something that you would be introducing to your annual Halloween festivities, here's a few lists of recommended books to get you started. This is by no means an exhaustive or definitive list, just some varied suggestions for anyone who likes a good book.

Ten Classic Horror Novels For Adults:

The Exorcist – William Peter Blatty

The Shining – Stephen King

Frankenstein: Or The Modern Prometheus' – Mary Shelley

The Hellbound Heart – Clive Barker

American Psycho – Bret Easton Ellis

The Invisible Man – H.G. Wells

Dracula – Bram Stoker

I Am Legend – Richard Matheson

The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde – Robert Louis Stephenson

The Woman In Black – Susan Hill

Ten Horror Novels For Children/Teens:

The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman

A Series Of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket

The Eyes Of The Dragon  – Stephen King

The Witches – Roald Dahl

Krabat  – Otfried Preussler

Lord Of The Flies – William Golding

Wizzil – William Steig

The Halloween Tree  – Ray Bradbury

Aunt Maria  – Dianna Wynne Jones

The Thief Of Always – Clive Barker

Ten New Horror Novels In 2013:

The Ocean At The End Of The Lane – Neil Gaiman

Red Moon – Benjamin Percy

Little Star – John Ajvide Lindqvist

Apocalypse Cow – Michael Logan

The Lords Of Salem – Rob Zombie

Doctor Sleep – Stephen King

She Walks In Darkness – Evangeline Walton

Anno Dracula: Johnny Alucard – Kim Newman

Harrowgate – Kate Maruyama

The Bell Witch – John F.D. Taff

If you want to find out more about All Hallows Read, you can visit the official website. We'd also love to know what your favourite scary books are, so why not give us your own ideas in the comments section for this post on our Facebook page.

Posted in: books,features