Yeah, the Reddit post I just saw when googling it called it "the most disturbing film" that user had ever seen lol at the same time, I definitely doubt it would be Terrifier-adjacent. I hadn't heard of the movie before, but it definitely looks cool. John Waters being in it might not be the best sign for your concerns, lol
Pet Sematary for sure. Dexter does the audiobook and it's pretty great. Scariest King I've read so far. Salem's Lot as mentioned Dead Zone - Not super horrory, but a top-notch King. One of the few time King touches on Halloween. Rosemary's Baby - really cozy, quick read Christine - One of my personal faves. Would be a good read leading up to winter as the it culminates in the snowy season We Have Always Lived in the Castle and/or Haunting of Hill House - very cozy, charming prose, not plot heavy - all vibes. Something Wicked This Way Comes - Nothing encapsulates October more. A coming of age tale about growing up and growing old with very flowery, but beautiful sing-songy writing Stephen Graham Jones' Indian Lake Trilogy is a popular one - Protagonist is a big horror/slasher fan so there are a lot of movie references. I personally do not like his prose very much. America Psycho Seconding The Shards as well I'd assume the Kings lend themselves better to audiobook as they're much more about plot and character while the others are more about the language and vibes.
With King, it may help to know that when he writes racism it often comes across as Tarantino-esque - that is, you get the sense that he quite enjoyed using certain words. That said, The Stand is excellent; that and IT are my two favorite King novels, but again, brace yourself for some pretty appalling stuff (e.g., that one scene in IT that you’d think I was lying if I spoiled it). Some of my favorite horror that comes to mind, although I'm not sure how good some these would be as audiobooks, nor do I know how much you'd actually like them: Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez - In my mind, this is a masterpiece: one of the best horror novels I've ever read, but be warned that it's long and can, at times, feel aimless. The Croning by Laird Barron - To me, this one is all about the vibes, and there are parts I still think about many years later. Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica - This one isn't for everyone, but it was very much for me. There is some animal abuse, however. The Cipher by Kathe Koja - Suffocating and gross - you'll want to shower after each chapter - but one of my all time favorites. Not always easy to tell what's going on - her prose can be pretty wild - but it's always terrifying. Some other good ones: The Fisherman by John Langan, Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth, Negative Space by B.R. Yeager, Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt.
BIG YES to We Have Always Lived in the Castle. I feel like this would probably be very much up your alley. Incredible book, as is Haunting of Hill House. Shirley Jackson the real GOAT.
Salem's Lot is definitely my rec for people to start with King. relatively short but incredible worldbuilding and spooky as hell. I'm still mad my housemate I lent it to gave up after 100 pages I could also see @Aaron Mook vibing with The Only Good Indians and maybe some Clive Barker. Books of Blood is a great starter if you want some more short stories
this is true, I was slightly let down by I Was a Teenage Slasher but it still had me crying in the last chapter lol
Amazing and thoughtful recs, thanks so much everyone. I love King's short stories and want to explore his novels, but also don't want to limit my exposure to him, so I might do one on, one off starting with The Hunger and then either Salem's Lot or The Shining :)
Also, completely forgot it's the first Friday of the month, which means another episode of The Last Drive-In this Friday! Theme is "The Battle for the Black Glove!" Sounds like two early giallo flicks, and they're having experts on to discuss the start of the genre. My guesses are Blood and Black Lace and The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, although the second flick could also be Don't Torture a Duckling. edit: Confirmed Blood and Black Lace and The Bird With the Crystal Plumage. Haven't seen either!
Would've rather had Don't Torture a Duckling over Bird with Crystal Plumage personally but these are all great
Not really horror but zombie related, the World War Z unabridged audiobook is insanely good. The cast list alone is bonkers.
Been rewatching The Howling this week, which I love, but keep falling asleep during because I'm so exhausted and throwing it right on before bed. Feels like a bit of a fever dream watching it half-asleep, lol
watching They Live again, I like this so much more knowing it's an action satire instead of expecting a horror
Blood Rage was still a great time but they streamed it on Youtube and I can say from previous experience that it is certainly not the ideal way to watch it haha. However, I get it cause it's pretty tough to track down otherwise. At any rate, happy to have kicked off Thanksgiving with Todd and Terry a little earlier this year
Getting a lot of full-length Youtube recs after Harvest Brood. Has anyone seen this? Apparently based on this short: